Commission District 3 hopefuls say they’re both good choices

The candidates in the Doña Ana County Commission District 3 race agreed during a candidate forum Thursday that either would serve residents well.

Because Republican Paul Curry opted against seeking re-election to the position, Republican Mack Haley is facing Democrat Karen Perez on Nov. 7.

District 3 encompasses much of Las Cruces’ East Mesa, the New Mexico State University area and south from there through Mesilla Park and Mesquite.

Community empowerment

Both candidates were asked during the forum in Mesquite how they would help empower communities. Haley said it’s already happening.

“From what I’ve seen, you people have a good start down here,” he said, referring to efforts in the Vado and Mesquite area to hold polluting companies accountable. He said one thing he would do to help is push for the gathering of facts, including scientific studies, to help find solutions.

Perez said she agreed, and added that one important aspect of empowerment is “working with people to develop their systems” so they can “represent themselves.”

“I see myself as the one being the go-to person,” Perez said.

Quality of life

The candidates were asked how they would help with projects that would improve the quality of life of residents. Haley said the best opportunity is in the growing aerospace industry, which has the potential to create more high-paying jobs and keep college graduates here.

“Doña Ana County has a tremendous opportunity,” he said.

Perez said many companies bring in workers from other places, rather than providing jobs for locals. She said she wants to see companies “invest in the communities,” and cited the Anthony casino proposal as a model.

“They are part of the community. They are invested in the community,” Perez said, adding that she wasn’t endorsing the proposal, but was pointing out that they have committed to paying 100 percent of health insurance costs for workers, hiring locals, and pumping millions of dollars into a community foundation.

“That is the kind of precedent I want to see these companies follow,” Perez said.

Regulating growth

In response to a question about the unregulated growth that led to the development of poorly planned colonias in Doña Ana County, Perez said one problem is that the City of Las Cruces, the county, and the joint extraterritorial zoning authority each have their own comprehensive plans, rather than having one regional plan. She said all three plans have “holes” and are “esoteric,” rather than containing specifics and practical guidelines.

That must change, she said.

Haley said “there have been some disreputable things that have happened in the county in the past, and what we can do today is make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

He said he wanted “teeth” added to county ordinances to ensure smart growth.

Haley said he opposed Commissioner Oscar Vasquez Butler’s proposal for a temporary moratorium on development in and around arroyos and canals.

“You drive housing prices up so high that eventually you start seeing the Santa Fe effect in Las Cruces,” Haley said, adding that a moratorium would also leave construction workers unemployed, at least temporarily.

Perez said she agreed with Butler’s proposal, and said development in and along arroyos and canals must stop.

“If you’re dumb enough to buy a piece of property with a bunch of arroyos, no, you are not going to develop on it,” she said.

Pollution

Speaking in Mesquite, where there have been problems with pollution created by some companies, Perez said many companies are trying to be responsible but are hampered in their efforts by frequently changing regulations. She pointed out that the state spends $14 million each year monitoring nitrate levels in water in Doña Ana County.

“They’ve watched your nitrates escalate for 17 years,” Perez said, suggesting that the state could instead spend that money to clean up the problem.

“Stop watching them go up. Take your money and be proactive,” Perez said.

Haley said he has seen material on the ground and smelled foul odors in the air in Mesquite, but he doesn’t know whether they are harmful. He stressed the need for more study.

“If it’s dangerous, then it needs to be stopped,” he said. “We’ve got to quantify the problem. We’ve got to identify what this stuff is. Is it dangerous? Is it not dangerous?”

Partisan politics

In response to a question about how she would bridge the gap created by partisan politics, Perez said she believes she and Haley are both talented people who want to serve.

“I almost think that’s not an issue,” she said of partisanship. “I think you lucked out this time.”

Haley agreed.

“You all have a very good choice,” he said. “If I got some votes tonight, that’s great, and if I didn’t, I’m confident you’re going to vote for the right person.”