Blog

I agreed to serve on the board of directors of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority because I wanted to work to make it a success for the residents of Doña Ana County.

I believe in the promise of Spaceport America. However, today we are forcing compromises when what we need is commitment and resources. The best example of this is the welcome centers. When the voters of Doña Ana County and Sierra County took on additional taxation to fund the spaceport, they were told that high-end welcome centers in Hatch and Truth or Consequences would bring scores of tourists to their ... Continue Reading

Today I voted no on the Vision 2040 proposal. I support regional community planning, but I couldn't support this plan.

There are several sections that I am concerned with, but the biggest concern I have is related to the economic development section. This section clearly opposes economic base job recruitment. Economic base job recruitment is the recruitment of large companies who will employ a significant number of people. These companies keep money circulating by paying people to build their products here, and then selling them from here to external businesses or individuals. This brings money into DAC. 

Vision 2040 calls recruiting this type ... Continue Reading

A few weeks ago someone asked me what I've learned as a commissioner. I told them that the most important thing I've learned is how difficult it is to incorporate public input into county decisions. 

That's something that we need to fix. Your input should be incorporated into every decision. 

Simply put, Your Input Matters.

The county has started comprehensive planning and we need to ensure that meaningful public participation is involved in the process. If your representative is effective, it will happen. 

With your help I will make your opinions a priority to the county. As a Commissioner, I’ve done it before.

In the last ... Continue Reading

I will be hosting a meeting on February 24th at the Dona Ana County Government Center from 1 to 3 p.m. to listen to residents talk about their experiences in our detention center. 

There are many issues that need to be worked out in our center. This meeting is about listening and trying to understand whay you all are experiencing. 

While I feel that many things have been done to improve our center over the past 3 years, I really want to hear from those of you who have experiences. The only way we will ever improve is if we hear from ... Continue Reading

This morning we woke up to rain, and while I love the rain, I couldn't help but be concerned for the lives of the people who suffer from a lack of adequate storm water control.

Over the past 3 years I've met too many people who, when it rains, rather than curling up on the couch with a good book, put on their coats and dig berms or move sandbags to keep their homes from flooding. And when the rain is gone, they face the challenge of removing standing water so that their kids don't get hurt playing in it.

I think ... Continue Reading