City of Rocky Ford Passes Pride Month Proclamation

Tuesday night's City Council meeting in Rocky Ford was a much talked about topic in the hours leading up to the meeting.

That's because a proclamation was making the social media rounds, screen shot texts, and the topic of community conversation.

The proclamation drawing so much pre-meeting attention was that Rocky Ford would go on-record to support June as "Pride Month" for the small town in Otero County.

Resident James Budnick went to the podium to voice his concerns and let the council he was against the action.

Budnick, in fact, asked the council to ask the Mayor to resign from his position along with the City Clerk. He said the proclamation goes against the freedom of religion act and the First Amendment. He said he didn't see how a town can accept an ideology which has become a religion. Budnick said he doesn't care what anyone does in their bedroom but doesn't feel this is right for Rocky Ford. In wrapping up, Budnick stated that the town needs to balance a budget rather than worry about supporting Pride Month.

Council member Nick Martinez made a motion to deny approval of the proclamation and was alone. Mayor Duane Gurule denied discussion on the agenda item and Martinez spoke up, challenging him that when he, the Mayor, wants discussion on something it happens. He asked why he was now being denied. Discussion was then allowed, so Martinez stated he didn't think the city needed to be supporting such a proclamation for Pride Month and said what happens in the bedroom is private.

"The city should not be taking a stance on this, what someone does in their personal life, is their business," Martinez passionately continued. He said the city needs to be handling the budget, not worry about this "crap."

After a vote, the proclamation for the City of Rocky Ford to recognize Pride Month passed. Mayor Gurule said it would be formally presented at June's city council meeting.

(The following is a copy of the proclamation as it was presented, a final draft will be presented in June at the meeting)

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