BY MARK MITCHELL
Los Alamos
According to the Los Alamos County Council website [1], Melanee Hand was elected to County Council in the November 2022 general election. In her bio it states:
“Having lived and worked in Los Alamos County during the past 38 years, Melanee brings to the Council a broad understanding of community issues related to construction, facility planning, land use development and environmental compliance. She retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory and is currently working part-time for a local business that her husband owns.”
On February 6, 2024 Councilor Hand voted against raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
According to Part 1, “Charter,” Article IX, “General Provisions,” Section 910, “Conflict of Interest,” within the Los Alamos County Code Of Ordinances [2]:
“Any elected official, County employee, committee member or advisory board member who has a financial interest in the outcome of any policy, decision, or determination shall not vote or act on the issue in which he has such an interest.”
Councilor Hand is an elected official. Councilor Hand’s husband owns a local business at which she works. Councilor Hand’s vote against raising the minimum wage is by definition an apparent conflict of interest and violates Los Alamos County’s Code Of Ordinances.
According to Chapter 30, “Personnel and Labor Relations,” Section 30-4, “Standard of Conduct,” within the Los Alamos County Code Of Ordinances [2]:
“A public official shall at all times maintain a high standard of conduct.
“A public official shall treat government service as a public trust.
“The public official shall use the powers and resources of public office, employment or service to advance the public interest and not to obtain personal benefits or pursue private interests.
“Public officials shall conduct themselves in a manner that justifies the confidence placed in them by the people, at all
times maintaining integrity and ethically discharging the high responsibilities of public service.
“Full disclosure of real or potential conflicts of interest shall be a guiding principle for determining appropriate conduct. At all times, reasonable efforts shall be made to avoid undue influence and abuse of office in public service.”
Councilor Hand, in this case, has failed to adhere to Los Alamos County’s required Standard of Conduct.
Now, adding insult to injury, Councilor Hand was interviewed in the Los Alamos Daily Post on October 4, 2022 [3], as part of a series of Q&As with political candidates that the Post published ahead of the November 8 General Election. In this interview Councilor Hand was asked why she was running for County Council? Councilor Hand responded in part, “I want to help build back confidence and trust in our County Government…” Councilor Hand was also asked, “do you think you have any personal or professional relationships that could become a conflict of interest while serving as a Council Member?
“Councilor Hand responded that, ‘I am associated with two small manufacturing and machining businesses in Los Alamos County and this information has been disclosed to the County Human Resources department as required. I conduct ethical behavior and understand what conflicts of interest are since I was involved in many ethics’ trainings at LANL and through the planning profession (American Planning Association). I will disclose any potential COI (conflict of interest) as subjects come up and recuse myself of any decision-making in those situations. I am sensitive that it is the optics as well as the reality that drives public opinion.”
Councilor Hand has fallen a little short of her pre-election promises.
Lastly, According to Chapter 30, “Personnel and Labor Relations,” Section 30-15, “Complaint; investigation,” within the Los Alamos County Code Of Ordinances [2]:
“Complaints; filing and initial action. Any person may file a complaint alleging a violation of this article by a public official. Such complaint shall be in writing. The complaint shall be filed with the human resources manager who shall maintain the confidentiality of the complaint and the identity of the complainant, and who shall investigate the matter promptly.
“The human resources manager may refer the matter to the county attorney or a private investigator as appropriate.
“Upon completion of the investigation, the human resources manager or county attorney shall report the findings to:
“The council, for complaints against a member of the council…”
I am calling on the Los Alamos County Human Resource Manager to commence an investigation of these accusations on my behalf.
[1] https://www.losalamosnm.us/Government/Leadership/Council
[2] https://library.municode.com/nm/los_alamos_county/codes/code_of_ordinances
[3] Clark, Carol A., ‘Daily Post Q&A With Council Candidate Melanee Hand,’ Los Alamos Daily Post, October 4, 2022,