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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Editorial: Hibbs Has Done Job of 2 Mayors



          Elected officials are an easy target for abuse.
        But not all elected offices are created equal; sometimes the abuse is self-inflicted. Such is the case with those who hold municipal elected positions in a small town, where mayors and council members can end up working long hours and not getting paid a single cent.
        To some there is the attraction of power, but many do it to serve their communities.
        Estancia Mayor Martin Hibbs is an example of the latter.
        Hibbs says he intends to resign as mayor at the end of the month. He admits he spends too much time being mayor and his financial well-being has taken a hit. He needs a job that pays.
        Whoever takes over as mayor has some big shoes to fill. When Hibbs took over as mayor 10 years ago, Estancia was a town in need of a metaphoric coat of paint. As mayor, Hibbs worked tirelessly to improve the town's park, its cemetery and its main street.
        Hibbs would be the first to admit there is much left to do.
        To call Hibbs "tireless" is like calling Michael Jordan a "good" basketball player. And its Hibbs' workaholic nature that the town is going to miss. The Board of Trustees might consider appointing two mayors to replace Hibbs; that's how much of an impact he has had on Estancia.
        Some might not have cared for Hibbs' leadership style, but everyone would have to admit that he made the community a better place.
        For that, we all owe him a sincere thank you. We wish him the best of luck.