Candidates for council, mayor square off at forum

Tuesday’s forum involving candidates for Las Cruces mayor and three seats on the city council was a mostly civil, efficient event that gave quick snapshots of those seeking the offices.

Mayor Bill Mattiace did take an apparent shot at his opponent, District 6 Councilor Ken Miyagishima. Candidates seeking to replace the outgoing Steve Trowbridge as District 4 councilor also sought to set themselves apart with statements that, in a couple of instances, elicited chuckles from some in attendance at the forum, which was sponsored by the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce.

Mattiace, speaking about whether he would continue to support development policies that have led to economic growth and a drop in the unemployment rate, opened by saying, “Don’t pander to special interests.”

“We need a mayor that doesn’t pander to groups,” Mattiace said.

He then pointed out that, on the May vote on a massive annexation on the East Mesa, five councilors voted for approval and one – Miyagishima – voted against the project.

“And then I vote. I could have easily said ‘no,’ and the platform would have disappeared for my opponent,” Mattiace said. “I’m convicted. I look at every annexation on the merits of the annexation and the growth. I do that with every issue that comes before me. … And that’s the way you should vote. You should vote on the merit of the action coming to you and the impact.”

Mattiace ultimately voted for the development. Opposition to that project – and an assertion that growth is out of control in Las Cruces – became the basis for Miyagishima’s campaign platform.

Miyagishima was not given the opportunity to respond to Mattiace.

The candidates for the District 4 seat also made statements obviously designed to set themselves apart. Isaac Chavez started by stating that he’s “not seeking any big endorsements. The only endorsement I’m seeking is one from the residents of District 4.”

Steven Montaño – who has the endorsement of Lt. Gov. Diane Denish – then said the district needs representation from someone who, like him, has the knowledge and experience to work with government. Montaño runs the state’s economic development office in Las Cruces and repeatedly pointed out that he has worked for three governors.

Nathan Small, the third candidate in the race, said he’s “not related to everyone in the district” and isn’t a “big bureaucrat.” Chavez frequently speaks about how his family has lived in Las Cruces for several generations and he is related to hundreds of people.

“We need new blood on the council and we need new energy,” Small said.

Other than those brief exchanges, the event was cordial. Candidates primarily discussed growth and development, but they also talked about public involvement in government, education, recycling and law enforcement. You can read the answers they submitted in advance to questions asked by the chamber by clicking here.

The two candidates for presiding municipal judge were not invited to participate in this forum, but were present.

I’m in the process of uploading video that will include most of what was said by Mattiace and Miyagishima on Tuesday evening, and it will be posted on this site later today.

If you missed the forum, you’ll have another chance to see the candidates gather in one place to discuss issues. The League of Women Voters of Greater Las Cruces will hold a televised forum on Oct. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. It will be broadcast live on Comcast cable channel 20, the city’s government access channel, and on the Internet. Video and audio will be broadcast at www.clctv.com, while an audio-only feed will be available at www.las-cruces.org.

The election is Nov. 6. Absentee voting begins Oct. 10 and early voting begins Oct. 17.