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Mayor Delgado receives send-off at council meeting

For the first time in 16 years, Santa Fe Mayor Larry Delgado will have to find something new to do every other Wednesday night. A new mayor will be at the helm when the City Council meets the next time on March 8. Delgado, who was first elected to the City Council in 1990 and first elected as mayor in 1998, said goodbye to his colleagues on Wednesday. He did not seek re-election to a third term this year and instead is running for the Democratic Party nomination to the state House of Representatives. The mayor’s service was celebrated with Tesuque Pueblo dancers, a mariachi band, cake and testimonials from councilors. Councilor Matthew Ortiz, Delgado’s nephew, said family members often tell him, “You’ve got to be like your Uncle Larry.” Councilor David Coss praised Delgado for “dignity, patience, leadership.”

Delgado got choked up when he tried to thank his wife, Angie. “This woman is what my life is all about,” he said.

(The New Mexican: February 23, 2006)