Login

Gallup Sun

Thursday, Mar 28th

Last update12:57:39 AM GMT

You are here: News Sun News City Council commends long-serving member

City Council commends long-serving member

E-mail Print PDF

13 years of service come to an end

Emotions had to be held in check by multiple members of the Gallup City Council toward the end of their March 24 meeting as they handed long-serving member Allan Landavazo a commemorative plaque and bid him farewell.

Landavazo was elected as Dist. 2 Councilor in March 2007 and was later elected as mayor pro-tem in 2011. He was defeated in the March 3 regular municipal election by Michael Schaaf, who currently serves on the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education.

When it came time for Landavazo to speak, he took several moments to prepare and was visibly emotional.

“We’ve done incredible work, and I’m proud to be part of what the council has accomplished,” he said.

Landavazo thanked the various city department heads for what they have done, as well as the rest of the city council.

“You have done some amazing work on this council over the years,” he said.

Landavazo also spoke about the service he shared with Mayor Jackie McKinney.

“I’ve been by his side for nine years. I’ve seen him go through a lot of challenges, and stand tall and strong,” Landavazo said. “You’ve done a lot for this city.”

The rest of the council voiced their appreciation for Landavazo.

“I want to thank [him] for being my mentor. I came on [the council] not knowing how to do anything, but he was always so kind to me and taught me a lot,” Dist. 4 Councilor Fran Palochak said. “I will always appreciate the great working relationship we have.”

During the meeting, Palochak was also elected the next mayor pro-tem.

Dist. 1 Councilor Linda Garcia also thanked Landavazo for his guidance.

“When I first came in six years ago, I would go in[to] your office [for help] and you never turned me away. You helped guide me so I could make decisions,” she said.

Garcia said she hopes both the next councilor and the next mayor will have the same integrity as their predecessors.

The runoff election for mayor is slated for March 31. Early voting is taking place through March 28.

By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent

Share/Save/Bookmark