District 2 candidates disagree on annexation process

This article is part of a series running this week profiling the candidates in the Nov. 6 Las Cruces municipal election.

By Vicki Nisbett

An issue on the minds of many Las Crucens as the Nov. 6 municipal election approaches is the massive East Mesa annexation that was approved by the city council in May.

The candidates for the District 2 seat on the Las Cruces City Council, Dolores Connor, 53 and the incumbent, and Vince Boudreau, 78, have different views on the approval process that preceded the annexation.

Connor, who also holds the title of mayor pro tem, voted for the annexation and, in an interview, defended the process.

“The annexation (process) provides the city a planning tool for standard street widths, street lighting, sewer and storm drains, which are not required in county subdivisions,” Connor said. “With the recent annexations, the larger properties allow for a true-planned community. Each time a section is brought forward, there are reviews and public meetings before the final approval, allowing for many more eyes to view the project.”

Boudreau, a consultant for high-tech companies, said the city has annexed more than 16,000 acres since 2003. When he knocks on residents’ doors, Boudreau said The Vistas at Presidio, the 6,000-acre development on the East Mesa, is always mentioned.

“I believe that this large subdivision should have taken more study,” Boudreau said. “This subdivision was on the high-speed track when it came to the city council. Though the developer had provided his so called (master) plan, it should have had much more scrutiny from the affected constituents.”

Both candidates say they want to see Las Cruces grow, but they have different ideas on how it should happen.

“Growth is a way to know that Las Cruces is healthy and planning its growth through good decisions that create a healthy economy,” Connor said.

Connor mentioned Las Cruces’ low unemployment rate – about 4 percent – and said it’s “another sign” of how the city council has worked to attract growth and improve Las Cruces.

Boudreau said Las Cruces should not have to go through trials when dealing with development, but should instead research methods implemented by other cities. He said he is “for the adoption of best practices from around the country for new development.”

“We need to get the city council and the developers on one sheet of music,” Boudreau said. “The council is supposed to be the voice of the citizens.”

Improving quality of life

Boudreau said infrastructure in existing neighborhoods must be maintained, and he favors increasing funding for that. He has said repeatedly during the campaign that a focus on quality of life will attract high-paying industry.

Connor, a native Las Crucen who has lived here her entire life, said some ask her why she wants the city to change.

“Because I’m a native is why I want Las Cruces to change,” she said. “I want more services, more things to do. … We marketed Las Cruces five years ago, and now we’re on the radar screen.”

Boudreau and Connor each cited other issues that are focuses of their campaigns. Connor said public safety is No. 1.

“(We need to) have a city that is safe to be in when you leave your home, walk out of a business or at an event, (so) that you know you’re not fearful,” Connor said.

Improving city services and how the city provides them is an issue for Connor, who listed after-school programs and enhancing ball parks. When Connor joined the council, she said, there were three bus stops, and now Las Cruces has 300.

Boudreau is a former member of the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education. That experience makes him a good candidate for the seat, he said, adding that he learned about the importance of public input while on the school board.

“One of the things we always did on the school board was to ensure that the public’s input was always welcomed,” Boudreau said. “Not only did we welcome them, but we paid heed to the citizen’s input and did not just provide lip service.”

About the candidates

Boudreau was born in El Paso and grew up in Carlsbad. He is the son of Theodore and Virginia Boudreau.

After high school, he enlisted in the Navy, where a test revealed his aptitude for electronics. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University.

Boudreau worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories as a radar and senior engineer. He also worked, beginning in 1960, at White Sands Missile Range as chief engineer and special assistant to the commanding general and later as chief of the High Energy Laser Division. During that time, he said he presented 12 briefings to members of Congress.

In 1982, Boudreau began working as the assistant vice president at Citizen’s Bank in Las Cruces, and also worked for Nichols Research Corporation in Huntsville, Ala.

The daughter of Arturo and Genevieve Lucero, Connor worked for the Las Cruces Sun-News delivering newspapers from the 5th grade until she graduated from high school. Connor also worked on her grandfather’s farm and worked as a teacher’s aide.

Beginning her professional career at Mutual Building and Loan Bank in Las Cruces, now called First Federal Bank, Connor worked in every department until she was appointed vice president of operations.

She and a friend also owned, for 11 years, the C.J. Taylor retail store that used to be located in the Arroyo Plaza in Las Cruces.

“All my life, starting from being a paper girl and cutting onions in the fields, has been about interacting with other people,” Connor said. ”It means a lot to interact with the community that I love.”

Boudreau is married to Diana. They have five children: Stephen, Mark, Renee, Matthew and Julie. Connor is married to William. Their children are Kristin, Samantha and Jacob.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 6. Early and absentee voting are underway.

Nisbett is a reporting intern for Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics.