The Issues
Jobs
“I got a job!” Do you remember the first time you said that? Maybe you were just a teen and it was a summer job. Maybe you had to work your way through college. Whatever the situation was we all know that having that job meant independence, maturity, and security. It still does. We all need to work. If we don’t work we don’t eat, as the Bible says. Having a job is vital, not just for our sense of independence, maturity, and security, but because we have families to feed, mortgages to pay, and people who depend on us to care for them. Economically we must bring jobs into our state and county.
I served as a member of the bipartisan Jobs Council of the New Mexico Legislature. The Jobs Council set forth initiatives to bring jobs into our state that will make a difference. These initiatives include funding advertising, job training programs, revitalization projects, economic development awards, and technology collaborations. We are doing all we can to incentivize businesses to come to our state, and to help existing businesses to remain and grow.
As a small business owner, I know the struggles of a fluctuating economy. I have had my own share of lean years when prayer was more substantial than our bank account. I understand how important it is to have work. I know what it is to feel the security of knowing there is food for your children, and the relief it is to put your head on the pillow knowing you’ve got to get to work in the morning.
As your Mayor, I will make sure that happens in our Village. It was a part of the job.
Public Safety
Security has to be of primary importance to every American in the precarious times we live in. Being able to walk out our door and enjoy the liberties afforded us in a free society takes work by those of us who serve in public office. I bear the responsibility of assuring our community remains a peaceful place to raise a family. I take that obligation seriously.
Valencia County, along with the Village of Los Lunas, faces many challenges. We are a growing community. Population growth brings the issue of securing our neighborhoods. I have worked to stop the revolving door of our penal system by seeking to expand the list of crimes that would prevent felons from qualifying for early release so dangerous criminals are kept out of our communities. I fought to close the legal loopholes of child predators that could be charged for each depiction of child pornography in their possession. I believe in giving a second chance for less serious offenders so prosecutors and judges should have options when sentencing such as rehabilitation centers or community service. Since protection begins with preventative measures, I have supported the efforts of education toward homeland security, nationally and in our own community’s schools. I will continue to fight for funding of our emergency responders, be they police, paramedics, or firefighters. I believe our first course of action in protecting our families is to be good neighbors and watch out for each other. Alone, a man can easily be defeated, but together we are strong.
We can have those neighborhoods where kids still play outside until the street lamps come on. We are still the place where the big event is the Parade on Main Street. We are still safe. We need to stay that way, but it will take work. I am willing to put the work in. You have my word on that.
Ethics
An “Open Door Policy” is not just lip service in my office. I believe in having an open door, not just in business but especially in politics. I have been elected by the people, so they have a right to be able to talk to me about what concerns them and to expect I am the same guy they see at the store back home as I am at the office in the legislature. It is my job, to best serve as your representative, to be approachable, visible, and honestly concerned about our state’s needs.
Integrity has to be my priority, not just for myself, but for my peers and all those serving in public office. As a citizen, a voter, and an American I hold the expectation that when the oath of office is taken by those we elect when they give their word to uphold the laws of their community, state, and nation they will do so. Those who do not live up to their pledge should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Corruption in office should not be tolerated.
As a former member of the leadership in the House of Representatives, I believed in open committee meetings, including streaming meetings so the public can monitor their elected officials and give feedback. I had sponsored a bill that would mandate the archival of webcast meetings to prevent the alteration of public records. We have the technology to make our system transparent; it’s time to use it. I worked to pass laws to hold to these ideals and work across party lines to fight against corruption no matter where it may be rooted.
My door is always open.
Sportsman
New Mexico really is the Land of Enchantment due to our fantastic temperate weather, amazing scenery, and reputation for great outdoor opportunities. Whether we want to open our state up to tourists or enjoy our family traditions of taking our children up to the camping grounds we enjoyed in our youth, protecting our land, fish, and game is part of the charge left to us by our predecessors. I take this legacy very seriously as a father. I want all our children to cherish the memories of fishing and hunting trips with their parents as I did with mine.
During my tenure as your Representative, I have had the opportunity to guarantee this heritage continues. I have sponsored several bills to deal with stiffening poaching penalties so that rather than being a misdemeanor, trophy poaching would be a felony. Deterring off-season wasteful killing allows all of us to enjoy the active hunting season legally. I have worked with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish in several areas such as sponsoring aquaponics farming opportunities that would conserve water and giving the NMDGF more flexibility in dealing with violations from simple infractions of licenses to dealing with those who should be prosecuted for poaching or wastefully killing. I have honored our active service members and veterans by sponsoring a bill to give them discounted rates for hunting and fishing licenses. I believe there is still more to be done to guard our recreational areas. I will continue to support these measures and others to guarantee we all can create good hunting and fishing memories. Who doesn’t like a good fish tale around the campfire?
As an avid sportsman and supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe in responsibly utilizing and managing our recreational resources wisely so all citizens of New Mexico can enjoy them. We, the people of the Land of Enchantment, are richly blessed.