A. Presentations by Rio Arriba County Commissioner District 1 Candidates
(Note: In response to a question at the beginning of the meeting regarding what exactly a county commissioner does, Candidate Lenny L. Ortiz responded that commissioners—a total of three in Rio Arriba—oversee the funding of all county programs and supervise all department heads.)
1. ELIAS CORIZ, business owner.
Mr. Coriz served two terms as county commissioner from 2002-2010. One of his strengths, he believes, is that he has prior experience as a commissioner. He reported that when he was on the commission he was involved in establishing the oil and gas ordinance in the county; worked with the other commissioners to write grants for services such as law enforcement; and left the commission with a healthy budget. He voices support for county fiscal accountability; acequias; libraries; senior programs; the environment; programs such as the Boys and Girls Club, 4-H, and art to help stop the cycle of drugs; and health care for everyone. Additional platform priorities listed on his campaign card include job security for county employees; upgrade of our solid waste authority program; safe road infrastructure; fire departments; and sheriff’s department.
2. LENNY L. ORTIZ, Jemez Electric Co-op employee x 25 years; journeyman lineman, certified arborist, vegetation management coordinator. Mr. Ortiz described his platform as committed to securing funding, grants, and all available resources for libraries, senior/community centers, road infrastructure, fire departments, acequias, farming, increased county patrol, and youth programs. He emphasized his intention to investigate and secure every possible source of funding available for the county, whether federally-, state-, or county-based; and to get local businesses involved. He voiced support for renewable energy for community centers and fire departments. His campaign card adds priorities of working with Truchas and Embudo Libraries; fixing potholes and more pavement projects; fighting our drug epidemic by providing resources; adequate trash services; hold Road Department accountable; improve morale for all county employees; continue to support and promote economic growth and development; and advocate for abused children, women, and the homeless with Northern New Mexico Crisis Center.
3. JAMES J. MARTINEZ, speech and language therapist with Española Public Schools and associate pastor at The Rock Christian Church in Española. Mr. Martinez described himself as an educator, husband, dad, and concerned citizen in contrast to a career politician. He acknowledged that the question of where to cut money is a challenge and stated that he wants to work together with educators, ranchers, teachers, business people, and others to see improved road maintenance; support schools, libraries and community centers; promote economic development; and help people to start businesses of their own. He states he also would like to find a real solution to the problems of drugs and bring preservation to our acequias. He gave voice his Biblical faith and his belief that “the better days are ahead.” His campaign card adds his vision of expanding children, youth, family, and senior services; supporting services for the homeless and those in need; and supporting law enforcement and fire departments to improve public safety. Later in the hour, Mr. Martinez noted that he followed up on last fall’s community forum on local crime and safety in the Embudo Valley, asked the sheriff’s department if they were running increased patrols as they had promised, and inquired about the possibility of a law enforcement substation at a community center or church.
4. MICHELLE R. MARTINEZ, school counselor with Española Public Schools, former mental health therapist, juvenile probation/parole officer, and Española City Councilor. Ms. Martinez described her substantial background in community volunteer work and stated that her four children are her motivation for running for county commissioner. She emphasized the importance of furthering economic growth and development in the region. Her number one priority, she stated, is to develop a fiscally responsible budget. She also voiced support for building social programming in every community from birth to seniors to ensure a better quality of life for all citizens of Rio Arriba County. She emphasized collaboration among all parties.
B. Questions of the candidates from the audience, with the candidates’ two-minute responses:
1. Karen: Many of the people hired for county work are hired not for their competence but for how well they’re connected to those in power. What would you do about that?
Elias Coriz: “The correct practices are in the statutes. I would hope that we make sure they are qualified. When I left the County Commission in 2010, I didn’t leave government with scandal.”
Lenny Ortiz: “There should be a Request for Proposals: Get the three lowest bidders, with local vendor preference, and the lowest vendor that is qualifies should get it.”
Michelle Martinez: “We all know there’s a policy in place and we need to make sure they are being following. Based on the law.”
James Martinez: “By adopting and enforcing county ordinance. I would support local businesses. Make a more streamlined process to screen out those not meeting qualifications.”
2. Sheena: What would you do about the problem we have had here with the Department of Transportation insecticide/Round-Up spraying? Barney Trujillo was contacted and never got back to us.
James Martinez: “We need to go through the proper chain of command. It was a state Department of Transportation issue. Go directly to the state and meet with the supervisor directly in charge and relay residents’ concern.”
Michelle Martinez: “I want to form inter-governmental boards to talk about issues such as these. Make sure we have open dialogue. With at least quarterly input forums.”
Lenny Ortiz: “They need to inform any individual who is going to be affected.”
Elias Coriz: “That should have been dealt with directly with the community. I would have the state do a stand-down to know. And the community needs to have input on what is sprayed.”
3. Shel: There are a dozen 501-C libraries. A 2010 study praised Rio Arriba County for its libraries. Now the funding for libraries has gone to zero. We understand that financially there’s a gas and oil issue, and also a prison issue. Is there any way you could make it a line item in the budget so that libraries receive funding automatically, so that they don’t have to go through the uncertain requesting process each year:
Michelle Martinez: “I absolutely believe that libraries should be a line item. Our children are our future. It’s important—I completely and wholeheartedly agree.”
Lenny Ortiz: “I also agree it should be a line item every year. Now they’re going to have to go back and earmark the funds. And yes, Chimayo should have a library.”
Elias Coriz: “2010 when I left, libraries had the funds. Yes we need to [make it a line item]. We talk about oil and gas. Economy is not just that. What about solar and wind?”
James Martinez: “I agree—we need more moneys for our library. But the problem is finances. We need to improve our businesses so that our gross receipt taxes increase.”
4. Dee: As a public health nurse I’m very concerned about the lack of emergency preparedness for our communities that are downwind from LANL. Would you be willing to work with the lab to set up a plan to safeguard our communities from the effects of a possible emergency at LANL?
Lenny Ortiz: “Yes, I’d be open to starting a plan and working with LANL.”
Michelle Martinez: “I believe that should be part of this county’s comprehensive risk plan. Drills and table-top discussions in communities.”
Elias Coriz: “I’ve worked in LANL most of my adult life. It’s important to hold the lab accountable. Put a plan in place and put it to them.”
James Martinez: “To make a difference we need to work together to put a plan in place.”
5. Arcenio Martinez: I work for the lab. Oil and gas are coming back up but at what cost.
A plan does exist for communication from the lab to the communities here in the valley but no one if following it. What are your plans for correcting that?
Elias Coriz: “We had a plan for each community. Unfortunately they lost the vision for each community. Go back to that 30-year comprehensive plan. It was made by each and every community and still applies.”
Lenny Ortiz: “If there’s a policy and procedure in place, then you have to hold your county manager in place and hold him accountable.”
Michelle Martinez: “There should be a comprehensive plan in place. There has to be accountability. Revisit and revise where needed.”
James Martinez: “I agree there has to be accountability. Do what’s in the best interest of the people.”
II. Issues and actions requested by AAEV members:
1. Dee reported that there will be a public hearing on April 9 to address a proposed groundwater discharge permit for the Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Facility at LANL. After decades of work to make the facility a “zero-discharge” facility, this expansion would allow it to once again pump toxic waste into community waters. Action Item: April 3 is the last date for comments on the proposed WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant) expansion. A sample letter is available at nuclearactive.org. Please let them know you are against the expansion. You can also attend the public hearing on April 9 to express your views. Dee will be sending more information regarding LANL’s ramping-up of their contaminated waste disposal.
2. Shel has received a grant to create a funding proposal for each of about 25 under-funded New Mexico libraries. He is launching a state-wide Rural Library Initiative, proposing a million dollar endowment for each library and an additional 10-15 million dollar endowment to create new rural libraries in the state. He will be talking to Jerry Ortiz y Piñot about authoring a bill to support the Initiative, and as a backup person, Richard Martinez. Action Item: When the bill is introduced, he will be asking for everybody’s support.
3. Karen reported that The New Mexico Health Security Plan provides for a publicly accountable healthcare system designed like a cooperative. It will be voted on in the 2019 legislature. Dana Millen, outreach supporter for Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign, will be here at the Community Center on April 22 at 2pm to tell us about the plan and answer all our questions. Action Item: Please attend and get the word out so others will attend. Karen will put a notice up in the post office. Talk to Minna or Shirley about putting a sign out in front of the community center. Ask KLDK to put it on the air.
4. Christine announced that Susan Herrera will have a Meet and Greet on April 4 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Blue Heron in Española. Action Item: Spread the word and attend if you can.
5. Becky summarized an article about Amazon entitled “The Empire of Everything” in the March 12 Nation Magazine, saying the article gives a clear picture of where Amazon is going, why we should be concerned, and what can be done. Action Item: Becky will send out a link to the article and asks that you read it.
6. Lee reports that a resident of Rinconada has put up a powerfully bright light on his property that is offensive to all neighbors. Lee will be approaching the resident to address the matter. Action Item: Please let Lee know if you would like to sign a petition and/or accompany him in meeting with the person.