Las Cruces City Councilor Miguel Silva (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Miguel Silva has announced that he’s seeking re-election to the District 1 seat on the Las Cruces City Council.
“Much has been accomplished over the past four years, and I would like to continue to build upon the foundation we have laid as a council, city, and District One community,” Silva said in a news release.
Silva said he promised to bring “openness, transparency, accountability, public involvement, and more effective leadership” to Las Cruces when he ran four years ago, and he’s kept those promises.
“During my term, my request for audits on the financial costs of City Hall and other recent large construction projects has led to a formal audit by an outside independent audit company,” he said. “I was also the lead advocate for the establishment of an ongoing citizen review board and audit committee for the police department. I strongly support our new police chief, who has the same vision of raising the standard of policing in Las Cruces and a goal of attaining departmental certification.”
Silva also spoke of his work on downtown revitalization, saying the project “provides the opportunity to sustain long-term jobs and economic vitality through positive community projects such as the downtown festivals, the Farmers’ Market, proven economic gardening methods, and focusing on mom-and-pop businesses.”
He’s active in several local organizations and has worked on neighborhood projects in the Alameda and Mesquite districts. He said he’s committed to making Mesquite Street, with its restaurants, galleries and studios, “an economic point of destination.”
Silva said economic development and the need to rebuild infrastructure are the primary challenges in District 1. He said future plans should include bringing new residents and industry to Las Cruces; implementing a comprehensive traffic-calming program for the district; addressing neighborhood crime including speeding, graffiti and gang activity; and upgrading streets, sidewalks and drainage systems.
Silva said he is walking his district and meeting with residents recently added by redistricting to discuss their needs. And he encouraged citizens to participate in their city government, saying that “offers opportunities for residents to learn about proposed actions, share comments, communicate ideas and participate fully in the process before action is taken by the council.”
Silva, 51, has 25 years of experience in business management and is a former Doña Ana County Commissioner. He’s currently an adjunct English instructor at Doña Ana Community College.
He faces Natalie R. Chadborn on Nov. 8.