MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

JULY 2025

Our summer season is off to a fantastic start! The energy and vibrancy in our community is truly remarkable. Our midtown district saw a 5% increase in foot traffic over Memorial Day Weekend compared to last year, and local business owners are reporting strong sales and heavy foot traffic. This is a testament to the resilience and spirit that define Ruidoso.

As we celebrate these positive developments, we also pause to acknowledge an important milestone. We recently passed the first anniversary of the South Fork and Salt fires that challenged our community last year. While that period tested us in ways we hadn’t expected, I’m proud to report that our recovery efforts continue to make tremendous strides. Neighborhoods are rebuilding, families are healing, and our community bonds have grown even stronger. There is still much work ahead of us, but I have complete confidence that we will meet every challenge together, just as we always have.

We also continue to monitor weather conditions in our area, as we are in the monsoon season, and I want to ensure everyone is well-informed. Burn scars from recent wildfires have created conditions where even moderate rainfall can lead to flash flooding. The lack of vegetation and hardened soil surfaces means water cannot be absorbed as it normally would, causing rapid runoff. We have a lot of great monsoon awareness tools on our website (Ruidoso-NM.gov/monsoon-season-awareness) and on the Discover Ruidoso app including our RAIN (Ruidoso All-Hazard Information Network) map which is updated in real time and shows all low water crossings, road closures, and our Flood Safe Partners who have agreed to provide temporary refuge to people if needed.

I also want to remind you not to miss the Under a Mountain Sky summer concert series. Every Friday night at beautiful Wingfield Park, we gather as a community to enjoy live music under the open sky. Pack a picnic, bring your friends, family, and even your four-legged companions – all are welcome! These evenings remind us of what makes our city special: the connections we share and the joy we find in each other’s company.

And lastly, a reminder to tune in to KRUI 99.1 FM or 1490 AM—The Mountain every Monday from 8:00 to 10:00 AM for 'Mondays with the Mayor' (or stream it) to get the inside scoop on all things VOR. Simply text your questions to 575-937-3071, and we will be happy to share answers and information during the show.

Thank you for making our community the vibrant, caring place it is. Here’s to a summer filled with growth, celebration, and togetherness.

Mayor Lynn Crawford