County Commissions are policy-making body that may establish a budget, enact ordinances, approve tax levies, enforce planning and zoning rules, and coordinate with other government agencies to provide for the safety of the county and its inhabitants, to preserve community health, and promote prosperity within the county. Term: Four years, limited to two consecutive terms.
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mailingstate
NM
Occupation
Engineer
Filing County
Lincoln
I am a 22-year resident of Lincoln County, District 4 who has served as the County Manager for the County of Lincoln, New Mexico during the 2024 fires/floods presidential disasters as well as Public Works Director for Ruidoso during four presidential disasters, (2008 Hurricane Dolly flood, Freeze of 2011, 2012 Little Bear Fire and Post Fire Flooding of 2012). I have also previously served as the Public Works Director for the Capitol City of Helena, Montana and as Executive Director of the Lycoming County, Pennsylvania Water and Sewer Authority.
I am familiar with the challenges facing Lincoln County due to climate, geography, economics, demographics, and the aftermath effects of the disasters.
1. County Resilience – the ability to respond, recover and adapt to the natural disasters associated with living within a high mountain, fire evolved ecosystem.
2. Public Safety - (Sheriff’s Office, EMS, Office of Emergency services and 7 Volunteer Fire Departments).
3. Water – we must protect our water sources and become more efficient in its management and deployment.
4. Roads for Commerce and Public Safety – improved road/bridge maintenance as well as snow plowing.
5. Economy - A functioning and resilient economy to adapt to the changes that the disasters have forced upon us.
6. Improved forest management - Firewise Community development to reduce the risk of fire.
1. County Resilience – Public Outreach and partnering with State and Federal agencies as well as other Counties.
2. Public Safety - must improve the County’s ability to hire, train, and retain trained emergency response and law enforcement personnel. Centralized training for the 7 Volunteer Fire Departments.
3. Water – Public Outreach and partnering with State and Federal agencies to water resources and develop water reuse.
4. Roads for Commerce and Public Safety – Better plow equipment and an inventory of all roads and bridges as well as their condition.
5. Economy – Public Outreach and education.
6. Improved forest management - Public Outreach and education. Partnering with State and Federal Agencies.
Currently, the public and Commissioners have a very limited window (3-4 days) to review items on the County’s agenda posted online on the County’s website. I propose extending the review time to 10 days to allow proper public review and comment as well as giving Commissioners time to be fully informed on the issues before them for consideration.
Use of the media (radio, newspaper, online) to notify the Public would be much more effective with the increased timeframe allowing for proper review and comment.
The use of public invited informal work sessions would allow free discussion between the public and the Commissioners prior to the formal Commission meeting.
Public outreach and education would be the most effective way of addressing a balance. Currently, many of the people and businesses moving into the County are unaware of the impacts of water scarcity and the variable nature of the climate in Lincoln County. The County should partner with the USEPA and the State NMED and OSE’s office to improve water education, conservation, and, reuse.
Currently, the County has very few tools at their disposal to balance growth with water scarcity.
