Olguin Jr. recognized for 18 years of public service

City Councilor Michael Olguin Jr., who served four terms, was given a plaque for his public service during an emotional city council meeting.

“On behalf of the city and the city council, we'd like to present you with this plaque that you can display proudly,” Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker said at the Dec. 16 city council meeting. “From 2008 to 2025, through these 18 years, your leadership vision and unwavering commitment to public service have helped strengthen our city and improve the lives of countless residents.”

Olguin Jr. said he vividly remembers deciding to run for city council a couple of years after college, in 2006.

“I was young, and I guess kind of dumb, but I went and filled out the paperwork,” Olguin said. “Pat Salome was still here, and I was sitting in the office, and I was getting ready to turn it in. And Pat's phone rings, and so he answers it,”

Olguin said it was his dad who was on the line, and when Salome told him what his son was doing, his dad demanded to talk to him.

“He said,’No, you're not ready yet.’ I said, ‘What do you mean? I'm already ready.” Olguin Jr. said.

Olguin said that at the next opportunity to run, he would do it no matter what.

“I must have knocked on every single door in town and worked my butt off,” Olguin said,

He said in reflection over the years he’s gained a lot of friends and probably gained a lot of enemies, but he hopes he has made a positive impact. He thanked the people who had stood by his side and “put up with him” over the years.

“I basically don't know what life is in Socorro without being on the city council. So it's a new chapter in my life, and I'm looking forward to it,” Olguin said.

Olguin later told the Chieftain he was 26 when he was elected.

“I think Chuck Zimmerly got appointed at a younger age, but I was the youngest to get elected,” Olguin said.

Collectively, the councilors praised Olguin’s knowledge on procedures, hard work, mentorship and willingness to help other councilors grow.

“You got involved with helping the community at a very young age. I think you're a stellar role model for other young people to get involved in local government and state government,” Councilor Anton Salome said, “It's evident that his commitment to the youth of Socorro is beyond explanation.”

Councilor Damien Ocampo said he and Olguin grew up together playing sports and credited him for paving the way for their generation.

“I remember when you first ran, and we worked together, and you were like, 'We need to step up, our next generation needs to step up,’” Ocampo said.

Bhasker said even with their ups and downs, he has appreciated Olguin’s ability to keep the council on focus.

“I've seen you grow up. I've been with your family forever, and you know, I think the problem is going to be as to who's going to keep me straight when you're gone?” Bhasker said.

Olguin’s father, Michael Olguin Sr., spoke of his own involvement in politics from a young age.

“Politics are not easy, especially today, excuse me if I crack up because it’s kind of emotional, because the fact that somebody gives their time to be involved, and every one of you on this council are doing that every day. You live here, you work here, your friends are here, and your family's here, and all that is a real commitment,” Olguin Sr. said.“ I’m proud of my son.”

In other business, Bhasker said the city has some artifacts stored at the El Camino Heritage, which is set to be demolished.

“I'm trying to get the monument placed over there at the convention center. I'd like to have it placed on the interstate,” Bhasker said.

He said he remembers way back when the city offered a $1 million bond issue to have it in Socorro, but he was turned down.

In department reports, Tourism/Marketing Director Cheyenne Cortez said the city had a successful luminaria stroll and parade.

“We had over 40 entries into the parade. So it was almost over an hour long,” Cortez said.

She also said that for 2025, the City of Socorro Convention Center had generated a good amount of money from rentals.

Fire Chief Lawrence Baca reported on the Matanza fundraiser, which is used to take kids on shopping sprees at Walmart for the holidays.

“It was actually the best one we've had in all the years that we've done it, where we raised $10,200. The last one was $7,800, so we had a good year,” Baca said.

Police Chief Angel Garcia reported on the 34th anniversary of Toys for Tots.

“We got a semi full of toys. We bought about $10,000 worth of toys through the foundation, which helped us get those,” Garcia said. “We had the RISE program that came in and helped us sort all those toys and unbox them.”

He said they deliver the toys to all of the county, including Alamo, Magdalena and Veguita.

The next city meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. January 6.