Sunland Park to act on mayoral vacancy

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) - City councilors in the troubled border town of Sunland Park have scheduled a special meeting Thursday night to fill their mayor's post.

Former Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Salinas won the office in March, but was barred from taking office under the terms of his release from jail. He was charged before the election with trying to force his opponent from the race with a secretly recorded video of him getting a topless lap dance.

Since then, Salinas has been arrested twice more. He now faces some two dozen felonies on allegations ranging from extortion to illegal kickbacks and padding expense reports to cover partying and hookers at a conference in Mexico.

The council could choose to hold a new election, keep the old mayor or appoint a new mayor.