Colfax County Commissioner District 2
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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LYDIA M GARCIA
(Dem)
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MARY LOU KERN
(Rep)
1. What qualifies you for this office?
2. What are the biggest challenges facing your county?
3. How would you address these challenges?
4. How would you inform citizens about matters coming before the County Commission before decisions are made?
5. How would you propose to balance growth with water scarcity in an increasingly arid state?
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Education
2 BS Degrees from NMSU
Campaign Phone
575-447-2969
Occupation
SELF EMPLOYED RANCHER
Filing County
Colfax
mailingaddress
51 HIGHLINE (CR A4) RD
mailingcity
MAXWELL
mailingzip
87728
mailingstate
New Mexico
I am a third generation rancher and life long resident of Colfax County. I have served on numerous boards throughout the county including Soil and Water Conservation District, Maxwell School Board, Vermejo Conservancy District and Maxwell Municipal Water Users. I served six years as Colfax County Manager and I am in my fourth year as current county commissioner. I have a working knowledge of County government and its challenges.
Colfax is a poor county. We suffer from lack of funding in the face of rising costs. The county struggles to recruit and retain qualified law enforcement as we are unable to keep up with the rising salaries. Colfax is a big county with more cows than people. The scarce resources have to be spread over a large area and that takes logistical planning. The county also struggles with attracting qualified professionals to fill mid and high management positions. The small towns don't have a lot to offer outside of outdoor recreation.
We have had to think outside the box to seek funding. We have applied for more funding through the state, enacted lodgers tax, raised GRT and worked to streamline all offices. If reelected I would work to continue seeking outside funding through the state and grants. I will push for continued accountability with in the county offices and stretch pennies.
The County has a great web site in which we post all board packets. If there was a matter I felt a group of constituents were particularly concerned about I would reach out to them directly.
Additionally our local radio station covers the meetings and they are live streamed as well.
As a farmer and rancher I know oh too well the challenges of water scarcity. We need to continue to educate home owners on conservation, smart planting of xeriscape plants as well as water recovery. Municipalities need to focus on smart planning, conservation, recovery and recycling. We must encourage farmers and ranchers to work with the soil and water conservation districts and NRCS programs to do the same.
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