Lordsburg councilors may have formed quorum at Silver City ceremony

The City of Lordsburg posted a notice saying a quorum of its city councilors may have been present at a warming and ribbon-cutting ceremony for State Representative Luis Terrazas and Senator Gabriel Ramos in Silver City on January 9, 2026. The event was listed as occurring at 1609 North Swan Street between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The notice, signed by City Clerk Irma Saenz, stated explicitly that no action would be taken by the council at that gathering.

Notices like this are intended to satisfy open meetings obligations when elected officials gather outside formal council sessions. When a quorum of a governing body attends an event, state open meetings law can require advance public notice so residents know when and where a majority of decision-makers might be together. By issuing the notice, Lordsburg acknowledged the potential quorum while clarifying that the council would not conduct official business at the ceremony.

The occurrence involved two state legislators whose public events can draw local officials across county lines. The meeting took place in Silver City, which lies outside Hidalgo County, signaling routine regional engagement between local and state leaders. For residents, the practical implication is not that policy was set at that event but that transparency procedures were followed to avoid backroom decision-making and to preserve public trust.

For Hidalgo County voters who track how and where their elected officials conduct business, the notice provides a paper trail. It allows residents to confirm that no votes or council actions occurred, and it preserves the distinction between social or ceremonial gatherings and formal government meetings. If citizens want further assurance, the city clerk is the official custodian of council records and notices and is the appropriate contact for copies of any related documentation.

The presence of multiple councilors at regional or ceremonial events is not inherently problematic, but it underscores why open meetings rules exist: to ensure decisions are made in public and to let constituents observe their representatives. Keeping track of posted notices and attending council meetings remain effective ways for residents to hold local government accountable.

The takeaway? Watch the city calendar, check posted notices, and ask the city clerk for records if something seems amiss. Our two cents? A little civic attention goes a long way toward keeping local government transparent and responsive.