{"id":2363,"date":"2007-10-10T16:55:00","date_gmt":"2007-10-10T22:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2007\/10\/municipal-election-candidates-square-off-at-forum\/"},"modified":"2007-10-10T16:55:00","modified_gmt":"2007-10-10T22:55:00","slug":"municipal-election-candidates-square-off-at-forum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2007\/10\/municipal-election-candidates-square-off-at-forum\/","title":{"rendered":"Municipal election candidates square off at forum"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>There was some sparring and a lot of discussion of serious issues at Tuesday\u2019s forum involving 13 candidates running for City of Las Cruces<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> offices in the upcoming Nov. 6 election<\/a>. <\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The forum got off to an interesting start during opening remarks when Melissa Miller-Byrnes<\/a>, the presiding judge of the Las Cruces Municipal Court<\/a>, questioned whether her challenger could be impartial because he was a police officer for 20 years. She also pointed out that he has been an attorney for only two years.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cWill he be fair? Will you have meaningful participation?\u201d Miller Byrnes asked. \u201c\u2026 My challenger lacks administrative experience. What barrier will that create to your access to justice?\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

In his opening remarks, Conrad F. Perea<\/a> didn\u2019t directly respond, but instead said he will \u201crepair the broken relationships\u201d that exist between the court\u2019s two judges and the law-enforcement community. There has been a long-standing fight between the judges and city police and prosecutors, and the city recently began filing most drunken driving and domestic violence cases in district court.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The other assault came from District 6 Councilor Ken Miyagishima<\/a>, who attacked incumbent Bill Mattiace<\/a> in response to a question about what Las Cruces<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> will look like in five years.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cIf the mayor\u2019s re-elected it\u2019s going to look like a big, sprawling city,\u201d he said. \u201c\u2026 <\/span>This is not smart growth. This is not careful growth. When Mr. Mattiace had the chance to put people first, he did not. This has been the case time and time again. When I\u2019m mayor, it will be different.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Mattiace, for the first time at a public event related to the election, didn\u2019t spend a great deal of time responding to Miyagishima\u2019s accusations. In addition, he made a point of talking about issues other than growth, and listed affordable housing and senior and youth services as priorities.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not just a single-issue mayor,\u201d Mattiace said.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

You can watch the entire forum on the Internet by clicking here<\/a>. Here\u2019s a rundown of some of the discussion that took place:<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

M<\/span>ayoral candida<\/span>tes<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Mattiace, in his opening remarks, pointed to all the positive recognition the city has received in recent years, and said the city is in great shape. He took some of the credit and gave the rest to the council.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t make it happen alone, but I led the way and I\u2019m proud of what we\u2019ve done in the last four years,\u201d Mattiace said.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Miyagishima said he\u2019s running \u201cto propose a different agenda\u201d that includes all residents in decisions.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI will take public service to its highest level,\u201d he said. \u201c\u2026 I will treat you as my boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>He also said he wants \u201cresponsible growth, not haphazard growth,\u201d and said the city needs \u201croads first, not people first\u201d \u2013 an apparent reference to building the infrastructure to accommodate a growing population before those people move to Las Cruces.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

In response to the question about what Las Cruces<\/st1:city><\/st1:place> will be like in five years, Mattiace said he expects steady, 2.9-percent annual growth to continue.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI think this city will be as successful in five years as it is today,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Asked about what the mayor can do to help combat domestic violence and child abuse, Miyaghishima pointed to his wife, former Do\u00f1a Ana County Magistrate Judge Susana Chaparro, who has a lot of experience in dealing with domestic violence.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cMy wife has pointed out some inefficiencies in our ordinances, and so why not lean on her experience?\u201d he said, adding that such violence \u201cwill not be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Mattiace pointed to city support for the local domestic violence shelter and a group that aims to combat child abuse.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI think the city has to be a leader in social sensitivity, and not just worry about development, development, development,\u201d Mattiace said. \u201cThere are so many issues and the city must take care of all those issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Asked what he would plan to change if he is re-elected, Mattiace said there isn\u2019t much.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cNot too many changes. It\u2019s already a great city,\u201d he said. \u201c\u2026 I think the future of Las Cruces<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> is going to be very much like today.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Miyagishima said the city \u201cis a great place to live, but if we\u2019re not careful, we\u2019re going to turn into a big, sprawling city.\u201d He said he wants the city to grow with quality, not quantity, in mind.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Council candidates<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

While the majority of candidates for three seats on the council said they support the downtown revitalization plan, a couple weren\u2019t too excited about it and three said it needs to be expanded.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

District 1 candidates Conrado Guerra<\/a> and Ron Gurley<\/a> said the current plan needs careful review. Guerra said the recently opened section of Main Street<\/st1:address><\/st1:street> looks \u201clike Disneyland<\/st1:place>,\u201d and said the project \u201cis getting to be like a habit. We tear down, we rebuild, we tear down, we rebuild, and I don\u2019t know when we put a stop on this thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Gurley said the project, in the minds of those he\u2019s speaking with, is \u201ca big question mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of like the street to nowhere right now,\u201d he said, adding that the city needs to \u201cseriously consider where we\u2019re really headed with this.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

District 1 candidate Miguel Silva<\/a> said revitalization needs to be expanded to include surrounding neighborhoods. So did District 4 candidates Steve Monta\u00f1o<\/a> and Nathan Small<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot forget the older, established neighborhoods,\u201d Monta\u00f1o said.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Asked about whether the city should implement a curbside recycling program, District 2 incumbent Dolores Connor<\/a> and District 1 incumbent Jose Frietze<\/a> said they favor implementing a program that won\u2019t cost residents \u2013 a goal both said is accomplishable. Connor\u2019s opponent, Vince Boudreau<\/a>, said he would be \u201cwilling to pay a lot more than $10 per month,\u201d if necessary, to fund the program.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m strongly in favor of a recycling program and I\u2019m sure most residents of Las Cruces<\/st1:city><\/st1:place> are,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Monta\u00f1o was the only candidate for any council seat who didn\u2019t sound enthusiastic about implementation of a curbside recycling program. He said the city still has problems running its trash program, noting that he saw a city garbage truck spill trash all over the street the other day, and said the city needs \u201cto ensure that the basic services are conducted in a professional fashion first.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Asked if they support a proposal to create a number of wilderness areas around Do\u00f1a<\/st1:placename> Ana<\/st1:placename> County<\/st1:placename><\/st1:place>, District 4 candidate Isaac Chavez<\/a> said he wants to protect the mountains but also doesn\u2019t want to limit recreation opportunities.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Chavez said wilderness is \u201cone option\u201d for preservation and said each area should be considered individually, rather than as part of an all-or-nothing proposal. He also pointed out that wilderness designations are made by Congress, not the city council.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Small pointed out that he works for the organization, the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance<\/a>, that is leading the push for approval of the wilderness plan, and while he supports the plan, he said he would recuse himself from any vote on whether to support it. The council did pledge such support last year.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Gurley said the proposal needs \u201ca little bit more discussion,\u201d especially with ranchers, because many oppose the current plan. Frietze, on the other hand, pointed out that he voted to support is last year. Connor also voted to support it and traveled to Albuquerque<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> to meet with Sen. Pete Domenici<\/a> to promote it.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Asked about water use and quality, Chavez said the main concerns of residents in his district are the stench from the city\u2019s treatment plant and water quality. He said many have install filters at their house because of poor quality.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Silva took the question to a broader level, saying the city must \u201ctake a more regional approach\u201d to dealing with water availability. He said such discussion should include cities as far away as Phoenix<\/st1:city> and Denver<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Boudreau said the city should consider getting rid of some 2,000 septic tanks, but said it would be expensive. Connor pointed out that the city is working on a plan to get rid of them and seeking outside funding to help.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

She also said the city has enough water for decades, but needs to focus on conservation \u201cbecause it\u2019s the right thing to do for our city and state and nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Small said water \u201cis the single most important issue\u201d in the city\u2019s future, and said the city must consider not only how much water is available, but who is providing it, adding that private water companies, if they ever had financial problems that affected their ability to deliver, could have a drastic effect on city residents.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Municipal Judge<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Asked what would make him a good judge, Perea pointed to his experience as a police officer, saying he worked on the streets with people and \u201clearned how to deal with every situation as it comes up.\u201d As a former magistrate judge, he said he learned how to listen, gather evidence, and then evaluate the evidence and apply the law, and said the most important characteristic that makes a good judge is knowing how \u201cto apply the law appropriately.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Miller-Byrnes pointed to the fact that she was a city prosecutor for 10 years before being elected judge, a position she has held for eight years. She also pointed to her experience as the court\u2019s administrator.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe I am fair, I am impartial, I am patient, and I believe I make a good judge,\u201d she said. \u201cI am a good listener.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\n

Asked if she supports the creation of a metro court that would consolidate the magistrate and municipal courts into one, Miller-Byrnes said she served on the committee that studied the issue a couple of years ago and its findings indicated there could be some benefit to a metro court. She said citizens and the Legislature will decide whether one is created.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Perea also didn\u2019t indicate whether he supports such a plan, but said he believes a metro court may be created eventually. He also said magistrates \u201cwork very hard, they are trained well, and they apply the law based on common sense and fact, and I believe that is what a good judge must do.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that Miller-Byrnes said she supports the creation of a metro court.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There was some sparring and a lot of discussion of serious issues at Tuesday\u2019s forum involving 13 candidates running for City of Las Cruces offices in the upcoming Nov. 6 election. The forum got off to an interesting start during opening remarks when Melissa Miller-Byrnes, the presiding judge of the Las Cruces Municipal Court, questioned […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2363\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}