Harry Montoya
There’s been much discussion lately at the local and national levels about transparency, accountability and ethics in government. Most of the conversations have centered on the fact that these three government pillars have been conspicuously absent in the actions of our elected officials and people in positions of authority at all levels in both the public and private sectors.
As an elected official – having served as a Pojoaque School Board member and now as a two-term Santa Fe County commissioner – I have been given the opportunity by the public to work on behalf of the people’s trust to make a difference in our communities by confronting challenges, collaboratively working on solutions and constantly striving to improve the quality of life of our residents while always mindful of the impact of our decisions on future generations.
For me, there is no other reason to even consider becoming an elected official if not for this purpose. Throughout my career in public office and as the CEO of an Española nonprofit, I have always believed that in order to effectively keep the public trust placed in me by the voters, transparency, accountability and strong ethics are the foundation of an honest, open government that complies with and delivers on the oaths of office we take as elected officials.
Now, as a candidate for state land commissioner, I applaud the actions of three legislators who have introduced legislation that strengthens these three pillars. House Bill 141, introduced by Rep. Nathan Cote, will require that the commissioner of public lands develop, operate and maintain a single Web site that is searchable and accessible to the public that hosts financial information relating to state trust lands.
Another bill, Senate Bill 110, introduced by Sen. Stephen Fischmann with a companion bill in the House introduced by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, will prohibit certain contributions and solicitations of contributions by persons contracting with the state land office. The adage that actions speak louder than words is truly personified by these legislators and every other elected official at the Roundhouse or the schoolhouse that who the necessary steps to find effective ways to ensure and maintain the public’s trust.
The controversial Whites Peak land exchange has generated much public interest and has rattled the pillars of good government. Earlier this week I introduced a resolution that was approved here in Santa Fe County that asks Commissioner Patrick Lyons to consult with the county commission before trading 3,607 acres of land south of Española as part of the exchange.
My commission district includes the acres in question and, in light of the controversy surrounding the exchange, I felt it was in the public trust to do so. Again, actions speak louder than words and I commend my colleagues on the commission for supporting my resolution, which seeks to restore the foundation on which the pillars of good government rest.
To quote President John F. Kennedy, “A government that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a government that is afraid of its people.” If we, as elected officials, do not take action to establish transparent, accountable and ethical standards and continue to let the house of government crumble on shaky pillars, then we are not living up to our oaths of office.
Then, truly, the government’s “fear of the people” that President Kennedy spoke of will continue to make unethical decisions that lack transparency, those in authority will be accountable to no one, and the public trust will continue to erode.
Montoya is a Santa Fe County commissioner from Pojoaque and a Democratic candidate for state land commissioner.