Mountainair’s Town Council will get a familiar face in a painful moment: Wayne Jones, husband of late Mayor Pro-Tem Gayle Jones, has accepted an appointment to fill her vacant council seat, Mayor Peter Nieto announced on July 23.
Nieto said filling the vacancy fell to him under municipal procedure following Gayle Jones’ death, though the appointment still needs Town Council approval at the next regular meeting before it is final.
Nieto said he didn’t take the decision lightly, adding that he wanted someone who reflected the same qualities Gayle brought to the job every day.
“I wanted to appoint someone who shares the same integrity, fairness, and commitment to Mountainair that Gayle demonstrated every day,” Nieto said.
Nieto said he spoke with Wayne Jones directly before finalizing the decision, and Jones accepted the appointment on the spot.
“I am honored to share that he has accepted the appointment,” Nieto said.
Nieto was candid about the discomfort of moving on town business so soon after Gayle Jones’ death, addressing the Jones family’s grief directly in his announcement.
“I truly hated having to discuss town business while they are grieving,” Nieto said. “However, I also know how much Gayle cared about this community and how seriously she took her responsibilities as a council member.”
Nieto said he believes Gayle Jones would have wanted the town’s work to continue without interruption — and would have supported her husband stepping into the role.
“I believe she would want the work of serving Mountainair to continue, and I truly know she would be happy for Wayne for accepting this opportunity to continue that service in her honor,” Nieto said.
Nieto asked residents to keep Wayne Jones and the rest of the family in their thoughts as the appointment moves toward a council vote.