CRRUA searching for new executive director amidst water scandal investigation - KFOX El Paso

CRRUA searching for new executive director amidst water scandal investigation | KFOX

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KFOX14) — The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority is in search of a new executive director after the utility saw itself in a water scandal that affected residents for more than five days.

The timing of the search is raising questions.

Brent Westmoreland was the former executive director for CRRUA and KFOX14 spoke with him over the phone.

Westmoreland said his retirement had nothing to do with the water scandal that happened two weeks ago and it was something he had already planned.

KFOX14 reached out to the utility and its board members to get answers but the board did not respond to the request.

Residents raised concerns after alleging they had alerted the utility about the conditions of the water days before the company acknowledged that the water wasn't safe to consume.

RELATED: Unsafe water in Santa Teresa and Sunland Park: Residents accuse utility of delayed warning

Once KFOX14 learned of Westmoreland's retirement we reached out to CRRUA to get confirmation.

Joshua Orozco, the board's Vice Chairperson, confirmed and said:
Yes, Mr. Westmoreland retired as CRRUA's executive director last Friday.

KFOX14 asked CRRUA for an interview to find out how their search for a new executive director was going and the utility said their search took a minor delay.

"So far we haven't begun a new search, nor have we named an interim director. We were hoping to do both at last night's meeting but that was scrapped because we didn't have quorum," Orozco said.

KFOX14 also reached out to the utility's board members to find out when the board was made aware of Westmoreland's retirement and how the board felt he handled the water issues but no one from the board responded to our request.

KFOX14 filed an open records request to get a hold of Westmoreland's letter of resignation and we're working to find out the exact date for the next public meeting.

"The next meeting isn't scheduled yet. I believe the chair is coming up with dates in December to see who can attend so that we make sure we have quorum," Orozco said.

KFOX14 also reached out to New Mexico's Environment Department which is leading an investigation on CRRUA and the spokesperson for the department told KFOX14 a meeting was held Friday morning and an update will not be released until next week.

For meetings and agenda items, you can click here.

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