The City of Lovington has a new mayor. Shortly after being sworn in as the city’s District 3 City Commissioner at the commission’s regular meeting on Monday, April 11, Howard “Robbie” Roberts was elected by his fellow city commissioners as mayor.
Roberts defeated former District 3 City Commissioner Bernard Butcher in the March 1 Municipal Election.
Roberts replaces David Trujuilo, of District 1, as mayor. Trujillo, a well known area oil and gas businessman, is a longtime member of Lovington’s city commission and has served as the city’s mayor for the past four years.
About Lovington’s New Mayor Ronnie Roberts
Roberts is a homegrown entrepreneur and businessman. After attending public school in Lovington, he studied at New Mexico State University/Las Cruces. He received his Chemical Engineering degree from New Mexico State in 1984.
The early days of his career were spent in Fort Worth, Texas. He and his wife Allyson returned to Lovington to raise their family and committed themselves to contributing to the community.
Today Roberts serves as Director of the Board of the Lovington Economic Development Commission (LEDC).
The LEDC website states that Roberts’s professional career has spanned nearly 50 years. During this time Roberts has become aware of the need for Lovington to adapt “…to the cyclical nature of the surrounding oilfield….” He recognizes “…the need for area business diversification that is essential to help stabilize the local economy during the ‘boom’ and ‘bust’ years.”
Providing more insight about Roberts, the LEDC website states, “He is excited about the opportunities facing the city [Lovington] and would like to see further infrastructure development to facilitate industrial, commercial, and residential growth.”
In his new role as mayor, Roberts will have the opportunity to develop these visions and bring fresh ideas and insight to the table to promote the future success of Lovington.
About Outgoing Mayor David Trujillo
Outgoing Mayor David Trujillo has not completely lost his role serving as mayor. At their April 11 meeting Trujillo’s fellow city commissioners elected him as Lovington’s Mayor Pro Tempore (Pro Tem).
As mayor pro tem Trujillo will act temporarily as mayor, with the same authority of the mayor, anytime Mayor Roberts is absent or unable to serve. As mayor pro tem Trujillo will also serve in the event of the vacancy in the office of the mayor. Anytime Mayor Roberts returns or when or if a successor to Mayor Roberts is elected, Trujillo’s service as mayor will be terminated.
In his day job Trujillo is the Safety Manager at Battle Energy Services, LLC. He is well integrated into the Lovington community and has clocked countless community service hours since first becoming a Lovington City Commissioner nearly 20 years ago at the age of 36.
Also Sworn In On April 11
Newly elected District 5 Commissioner Lizabeth White and Municipal Judge Barbara Campbell were also sworn into office at the April 11 meeting. Both ran for office unopposed in the March 1 election.
In addition to Mayor Roberts, Mayor Pro Tem Trujillo and White, Scott Boldt (District 2) and Scotty Gandy (District 4) serve on the Lovington City Commission. A district map that indicates the area each commissioner represents is available online.
As of this writing the City of Lovington has not updated its website to reflect that Roberts, not Trujillo, is now the mayor of the city.
The Lovington City Commission will meet next on Monday April 25, at 5:30 pm, in Commission Chambers at Lovington City Hall, 214 South Love Street.
