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.
Filing County
San Miguel
mailingcity
LAS VEGAS
mailingzip
87701
I care deeply about our community and about the well-being of every person who calls San Miguel County home. I’m rooted in our community and share the same concerns, challenges and hopes for success and prosperity. I have over 40 years of experience in the public sector. I retired from the City of Las Vegas after 25 years of service, where I worked in budget and finance, and also served 17 years at NMHU. Currently, I serve on the WLV Audit Committee and as a delegate for the San Miguel Democratic Party. Formerly, I served on the NMHU DEI Council, NMHU Staff Senate and NMHU Budget and Finance Committee. With my experience, dedication and background, I will serve with honor and respect and put people first.
The biggest challenges facing our county starts with the recovery efforts from the Hermit’s Peak fire in 2022 and long-overdue FEMA payments. The burn scar has caused flooding, which has devastated our county. Residents are still trying to recover and rebuild emotionally, physically and structurally. More challenges: roads, bridges, infrastructure, and water. Small mutual water systems and private well owners need dedicated support and access to water testing resources. Roads, bridges, and infrastructure need improvements for sustainability.
Prioritize, partner, and progress: it cannot be done alone. We need to prioritize our challenges based on the highest urgency and importance, starting with FEMA payments and helping our residents continue to recover and rebuild emotionally, physically, and structurally from the Hermit's Peak fire and flooding. We must partner with city, state, federal, and community resources to address our roads, bridges, infrastructure, and water, including dedicated support for small mutual water systems and private well owners. The key to making progress is budget stability and transparency in order to fulfill these challenges for our county.
Need to utilize all resources available such as the County website, public notices, public hearings, radio, newspaper, social media, and direct correspondence to and from residents. We need to understand and respect the diversity of our county to ensure we communicate effectively and consistently.
Balancing growth with water scarcity is critical for our county. Our region depends on the Rio Grande, acequia systems, snowpack, and groundwater, all under pressure from drought. We need to enforce strict, sustainable water management policies that protect this limited resource. This means promoting water conservation, xeriscaping, mulching to retain soil moisture, water reuse, and holding new growth to responsible water use standards. Community education is equally important, honoring the generational water stewardship of our acequia communities. Growth can happen, but not at the expense of the water that sustains our land, culture, and way of life.
