SEC District 3 elections approach
Socorro Electric Cooperative member-owners will head to Finley Gym on Saturday, Oct. 3, where a trio of District 3 Board of Trustee seats will be up for grabs.
In Position 1, incumbent and board vice president Harold Baca will face off against challenger Dr. Donald Wolberg, who ran during last year’s elections.
The Position 2 race features incumbent Juan Gonzales and challenger Prescilla Mauldin.
The Position 3 race will see incumbent Herman Romero challenged by Luis Aguilar.
Candidate profiles for Gonzales and Mauldin are printed below.
Profiles for candidates in the Position 1 and Position 3 races will appear in the Sept. 30 issue of El Defensor Chieftain.
Profiles for the District 5 candidates will appear in the Oct. 3 issue in advance of the Oct. 10 election.
Socorro Electric Cooperative
Board of Trustees Election
District 3, Position 2
Name: Juan Gonzales
Education: Socorro High School, Barber College
Occupation: Retired barber
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No
What is your motivation for serving as trustee? Serving the consumers in my community to ensure they are getting the best rates possible.
In your own words, describe what you consider to be the most important aspects of a co-op trustee?To see that our employees are getting the
best equipment possible and benifits possible and to ensure our consumers are recieving the best service they have always come to expect from Socorro
Electric Co-op.
List your accomplishments as a trustee and explain how these benefit the 9,000-plus member-owners?
I have seen our Co-op grow from a $9 million plant to a $56 million business. I have seen our Co-op grow from 15 to 37 employees. I have seen our coverage
area expand to cover more than 3,400 square-miles.
I have seen our co-op become part of Tri-State Electric, which I am a just one of 44 board of directors, which consists of directors from New Mexico, Colorado,
Neberska and Wyoming.
Some argue that too much board business is conducted during “Executive Session.” Will you, if re-elected, commit to discussing only personnel matters, land
acquisition matters and pending or threatened litigation during Executive Session? If not, why?
The only time we go into Executive Session is when the board has to discuss important issues pretaining to the business of the Co-op.
As a trustee, what steps will you take to ensure our power needs are met (as inexpensively as possible) in this time of dwindling natural resources?
To ensure that our electric plant and transmission stations are running at peak levels and that our operation budget remains down.
Why should SEC member-owners vote for you?
I was born and raised in Socorro. Father of sons Johnny and Michael and daughter Jennifer Gonzales. I have five grandkids. I have made my living here in
Socorro. I have the most experience on the board and I believe I have the knowledge to continue serving on the board. I enjoy this community and appreciate
your vote to continue as your Socorro Co-op Trustee.
Socorro Electric Cooperative
Board of Trustees Election
District 3, Position 2
Name: Prescilla Mauldin
Education: High school
Occupation: Gift shop manager, Very Large Array (NRAO)
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No
What is your motivation for serving as trustee?
My motivation in serving as a trustee is to provide the Socorro District a fiscally responsible, forward-thinking candidate that will serve in the member-owners’
best interest.
In your own words, describe what you consider to be the most important aspects of a co-op trustee.
The most important aspects of a Co-op Trustee are integrity, honesty and professionalism.
What do you hope to accomplish for the co-op’s member-owners as a trustee?
The following changes I believe would benefit the Cooperative: Adopt standard open-meetings requirements for member transparency; adopt standard
open-records requirements for member education; clarify and trim unnecessary expenses including those that the trustee board is spending for training and
meetings; reduce the number of trustees and limit terms of service; adopt a policy that provides for true third party, independent review of board decisions and
long-term investment decisions; and championing a rebate that would accelerate the use of solar, wind and clean fuels ending a century old, archaic centralized
power generating system.
If elected to the board, will you commit to conducting the majority of your twice-monthly meetings in the open? What items would you
consider appropriate for Executive Session?
I believe that all but sensitive personnel meetings should include the member-owners and will commit to keeping those meetings open. The trustee board must
be open and transparent with the member-owners as decisions made affect each of them.
As a trustee, what steps will you take to ensure our power needs are met (as inexpensively as possible) in this time of dwindling natural
resources?
Since natural and financial resources are limited, our future depends upon looking to renewable energy sources to meet our needs. I believe that we need to
invest in the future of solar, wind and other clean fuels and not be satisfied with the status quo.
Why should SEC member-owners vote for you?
I will work hard for the member-owners of Socorro and do my best to look out for their interest. We are at a very important crossroad in our energy and
financial future and need to be conscientious in how we proceed with Socorro Electric Cooperative. I have a vested interest and will work responsibly for the
member-owners. If elected, I look forward to serving the member-owners of Socorro District.