2010 Municipal Election Preview
To better inform our readers and voters in the upcoming municipal election on Tuesday, March 2, El Defensor Chieftain sent out a questionnaire to each candidate who is seeking public office. The questions are in regard to issues the candidates may face if elected to office. A limit of 50 words per question was set, however, some candidate responses were edited for length in order to comply.
SOCORRO MAYOR
Ravi Bhasker
Age: 62
Occupation: Medical Doctor.
Education: See Above.
Previous Political Experience: 3 Years City Council, 20 Years as Mayor.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? Yes, March 2003.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
Mark Anthony Santomenna
Age: 36
Occupation: Home health aide; substitute teacher.
Education: High school diploma
Previous political experience: I have limited previous political experience, but I do have 20-plus years working with this community and serving people.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? No.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
1. What do you consider to be the most important unmet need in Socorro?
Bhasker: Extension of City sewer lines to areas within the city which currently do not have access to city sewer, thereby protecting the city’s ground water.
Santomenna: I think it’s some kind of local tourism attraction that will help push moneys through the state.
2. What are the top three issues that need to be addressed and how would you address them?
Bhasker: Arsenic removal from the city’s drinking water, permitting the city’s landfill and ensuring that the city maintains a positive cash flow.
Santomenna: Arsenic removal project, local landfill problems and meeting the needs of our children’s future. I would address them by using a higher education standard in our town and, to paraphrase the incumbent, have accessible vocational skill shops.
3. Describe how your proposals (in Items 1 and 2 above) would be funded.
Bhasker: Through loans and grants, with the loans to be paid back by user fees.
Santomenna: To fund this, if no moneys are readily available, would probably be reinstating local food tax, or a fraction of a percent added to the lodgers tax. Also, if a hiring freeze is necessary I would think that the N.M. Tech would pick up some of our unemployment issues.
4. If necessary, how and where do you think the City budget could be cut?
Bhasker: Continue to streamline hiring practices by filling openings with current employees, decrease gasoline use, decrease capitol expenditures on equipment by improving maintenance procedures.
Santomenna: As mayor, I would try to add more moneys to our budget before any local programs get funding cuts. If this budget issue becomes a problem for Socorro, I’m confident that the council and appointed committees will resolve any problem before I sign off on it.
5. What sets you apart from the other candidate(s) in this race?
Bhasker: Experience, commitment, dedication and the desire to continue serving the public while considering the different points of view brought to my attention by others.
Santomenna: I am the best candidate for this job. The incumbent has, thus far, simply paved the way for another exchange of faith or responsibility.
SOCORRO CITY COUNCIL WARD 1
Noah D. Jaramillo
Age: Declined to respond.
Occupation: Declined to respond.
Education: Declined to respond.
Previous Political Experience: Declined to respond.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? Declined to respond.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? Declined to respond.
Nick Fleming
Age: 65
Occupation: Retired Educator
Education: BA – Curry College – Major: Chemistry, Minor: Secondary Education & Radio & Television; MS – NMIMT (Masters in Science Teaching)
Previous political experience: I’ve never officially held office, but for the last four decades very heavily involved in the community.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Jean L. Fraissinet
Age: N/A
Occupation: Retired New Mexico State Land Office
Education: High school graduate; one year business college; completed course in real estate appraisal.
Previous political experience: Served two four-year terms, Socorro City Council.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? No.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
Samuel Pino
Age: 56
Occupation: Semi-retired Vietnam veteran
Education: Not answered
Previous political experience: Not exactly public office. DAV Captain Commander, Senior Vice Commander twice.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? Never.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
Harold Baca
Age: 64
Occupation: Businessman
Education: Not answered
Previous political experience: Not answered
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? No.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
1. What do you consider to be the most important unmet need in Socorro?
Jaramillo: Declined to respond.
Fleming: The most immediate issue facing Socorro is boosting the economy. It’s a national problem that has struck us locally and in many areas. Two of the top economic areas we need to focus on are continuing to bring commerce into the city and maintain financial strength in the city government in order to strengthen employment security for our current employees.
Fraissinet: Ground water pollution. There are many old, outmoded septic tanks still in use. A sewer line extension project north is presently moving forward. I also support the new landfill that is proposed.
Pino: I consider focusing on the Industrial Park located on the southwest part of the city the best choice for economic development.
Baca: Everyone has a “wish list” of programs and needs, but until I am able to see firsthand what funding the city has to work with, the question is inappropriate.
2. What are the top three issues that need to be addressed, and how would you address them?
Jaramillo: Declined to respond.
Fleming: 1) Public safety, 2) utilities and 3) financial stability. With budget cuts it may be difficult to keep Public Safety and Utilities operating at the highest level possible. Conservative spending and well thought out budget planning must be in place in order to stay on top of gross receipts short falls in order to keep the city operating efficiently.
Fraissinet: 1) Employees are our No. 1 asset and I pledge to continue to improve their benefits as budget permits; 2) Many city streets are in need of drainage, curb and gutter and paving. 3) I will work with administration to do projects as funds become available. I previously served on the Industrial Park committee and much work has been completed.
Pino: 1) Economic survival and stability; 2) Keeping all the city’s infrastructure operating; 3) Keeping the price of utilities and services to a minimum.
Baca: Everyone has a “wish list” of programs and needs, but until I am able to see firsthand what funding the city has to work with, the question is inappropriate.
3. Describe how your proposals (in Items 1 and 2 above) would be funded.
Jaramillo: Delcined to respond.
Fleming: With the fluctuation of the gross receipts tax, it is extremely important that the City has a plan in place for budget preparation and spending.
Fraissinet: 1) Funding and construction of sewer line extension is already in place. Preliminary planning has begun on new landfill; 2) Through the regular budget streaming process. Also, CDBG grants are available. State highway grants and funds can be applied for and money can be requested from the legislature.
Pino: From the industries and new businesses, plus it is getting more difficult in obtaining state, federal and government matching funds (grants).
Baca: I have been a businessman in Socorro for more than 40 years and know firsthand how difficult some decisions are when the operating budget is in a crisis. I will base my decisions on what is best for all the citizens of Socorro given the monies available.
4. If necessary, how and where do you think the city budget could be cut?
Jaramillo: Declined to respond.
Fleming: Budget cuts are a sensitive topic for me, because cutting funding affects programs that, in turn, affects people. And people should be the focus of anyone holding office. That said, one of my first priorities is to conduct a thorough analysis of the City’s budget and determine where adjustments can be made.
Fraissinet: If cuts are necessary, I would definitely not lay off employees. Vacancies could be handled by attrition. Services should not be cut. The recycle program needs to be looked at, it continues to operate at a loss. Alternatives should be studied. Gross receipts taxes are our main source of funding and I would encourage people to shop Socorro.
Pino: By reduction of working hours of city personnel.
Baca: Before we start cutting, adding or changing the city budget, the council as a whole needs to assess how much funding is available. I believe, as a businessman, there are many ways to improve a situation by viewing things with a different perspective and improvising with different experiences.
5. What sets you apart from the other candidate(s) in this race?
Jaramillo: Declined to respond.
Fleming: I have the deepest respect for my fellow candidates. They’re all wonderful people. I’ve spent my entire adult life living in this great city. I’ve been heavily involved in the everyday lives of its people for more than 40 years. I feel it is time for someone with a fresh perspective to take a look at what needs to be done to take this city into the future.
Fraissinet: Experience. Five years as Socorro City Clerk. Eight years on Socorro City Council. Four years as a member of Southwest Council of Governments (two years chairman); five years as a (presently serving Southwest Workforce Development Board) member of City of Socorro Planning and Zoning Committee. Three years on the budget committee (one year chairman).
Pino: I’m a member of the Knights Templar and nouvous tech. My I.Q. is above average. I have somewhat of a prophetic visionary sense.
Baca: I am an independent thinking man who wants to do what is honest and right for his hometown. The hardworking city workers and the working families of Socorro deserve the best job I can do as a councilman. I will work hard to preserve and improve our lives in Socorro.
SOCORRO CITY COUNCIL WARD 2
Donald Monette
Age: 40
Occupation: Banker
Education: Master of Business Administration, University of New Mexico
Previous political experience: 12 years as a sitting City Councilor, currently the Mayor Pro Tem. During these 12 years I have served twice on the Utility Committee (current chairman), served on the budget committee for the last eight years and am currently the chairman for the Industrial Park Committee.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? Yes.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
1. What do you consider to be the most important unmet need in Socorro?
Monette: From a city council perspective, we need to make each utility a self-supporting entity. From the landfill to recycling, each service must be able to support itself or it does not make business sense to continue these activities in the manner they are operated.
2. What are the top three issues that need to be addressed, and how would you address them?
Monette: Arsenic removal, permitted landfill and completion of other ongoing projects.
3. Describe how your proposals (in Items 1 and 2 above) would be funded.
Monette: Grants, find efficiencies in our manner of operation, increase the number of users and the amount of usage so we do not have to raise rates, loans and rate increases.
4. If necessary, how and where do you think the city budget could be cut?
Monette: As mentioned in No. 3 above, I believe we can find efficiencies, such as bundling services, to help reduce expenditures. Two of the items I am looking into include cell phones and the city’s phone system. The last place to look would be jobs or services the City provides.
5. What sets you apart from the other candidate(s) in this race?
Monette: I have spent more time on committees developing creative solutions to the complex problems the city faces. From the numerous ongoing utility projects to managing the budget, no other candidate has this valuable experience.
SOCORRO CITY COUNCIL WARD 3
Gordon “Gordy” Hicks
Age: 60
Occupation: Owner of Hicks Body Shop
Education: Socorro High graduate and TVI.
Previous political experience: Presently city councilor, Mayor Pro-tem two years, NMML director at large, NMML treasurer, Chairman SCCOG, Chairman SCRPO, member of Leadership New Mexico, served on various committee.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? No.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
George I. Foulenfont
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired from the mining industry
Education: 11th grade
Previous political experience: None
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? No.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? Yes.
1. What do you consider to be the most important unmet need in Socorro?
Hicks: I feel we are working on the needs of Socorro and will continue to expand the many services and programs available. We have great police, fire and ambulance departments. There is a drug task force, various youth programs and activities. Help for seniors. City transportation around town and to the Rail Runner.
Foulenfont: Every election the industrial park gets mentioned, but nothing ever happens. We need to stop talking and start attracting business to our community. There is nothing for our youth and the only choice they have is to leave. I will work hard to create more jobs in our community.
2. What are the top three issues that need to be addressed, and how would you address them?
Hicks: 1) Continue street improvements, like Cuba Road, taking it from Phase 1 to Phase 3 and keeping streets on a repaving schedule; 2) To be able to have all houses hooked up to city sewer, Harold Drive is currently in process; 3) To continue drilling to find cleaner water sites to match new updates.
Foulenfont: 1) Lowering the health insurance premium for all city employees; 2) Find a way to keep police officers in Socorro; 3) Find a way to fill the empty buildings along California Street.
3. Describe how your proposals (in Items 1 and 2 above) would be funded.
Hicks: For these projects we need to find out what is available through CDBG grants and state funding. I have many contacts throughout the state to know what money is available for which project and what needs to be done to get the money. We have to explore all avenues.
Foulenfont: Insurance: we need to open the insurance to other companies by competitive bidding to can get lower rates. Police: their salaries need to be comparable to other cities our size so we are not just training them to leave to other departments. California Street: if we can attract more jobs to our industrial park, we can create more jobs.
4. If necessary, how and where do you think the city budget could be cut?
Hicks: We cannot cut basics or emergency services. If a non-emergency employee retires or leaves, do not fill that position but spread their duties among other employees. Work closely with the county and other agencies to make sure we are not duplicating services. Look into cell phone plan consolidation.
Foulenfont: If elected, it will never be necessary to cut the budget. Whenever politicians talk about cuts in the first place they cut employment. We need to work hard to attract more industry to our community so we can create more jobs for our families, not cut budgets.
5. What sets you apart from the other candidate(s) in this race?
Hicks: I am presently a city councilor and have the experience and knowledge to get things done. I have contacts through out N.M. and have been on and chaired committees and organizations that have brought millions of dollars to Socorro, for road, sewer and water projects. I listen to your concerns.
Foulenfont: I do not have a political agenda. I am a lifelong resident of the city of Socorro and I want to give back to my community. I think it is time for a change and I will be a voice for the people.
SOCORRO CITY COUNCIL WARD 4
David Locklar
Age: 58
Occupation: Self-employed
Education: High school diploma and college courses.
Previous political experience: N/A
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? No.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
Ernest Pargas Jr.
Age: 43
Occupation: Customer Service Manager at Smiths
Education: Socorro High graduate 1984, Certified Municipal Councilor 2003, Leadership New Mexico graduate 2004.
Previous political experience: Socorro City Councilor since 2002, chairman for Mayor’s Drug Task Force, 2003 to present, City of Socorro Budget Committee, 2002 to present.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? In 1989, when I was 22 years old.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? Yes, in 1993, and it has been resolved.
Joe L. Torres
Age: 41
Occupation: Self Employed
Education: High School Graduate
Previous political experience: None
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a DWI or felony? No.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No.
1. What do you consider to be the most important unmet need in Socorro?
Locklar: Transportation: I would like to see shuttle, Rail Runner service from Santa Fe to El Paso.
Pargas: A detention and or treatment for teens, which we (MDTF, JPPO, Law enforcement, DA’s Office) have been brainstorming about.
Torres: I consider the drug problem as the most important unmet need in Socorro because there are so many drugs out on our streets that need to be off our streets. The drug problem hurts families financially and healthwise because they don’t have the resources to stop the drug problem.
2. What are the top three issues that need to be addressed, and how would you address them?
Locklar: 1) Keep emergency services: police, fire and ambulance as a priority; 2) Keeping infrastructure, streets repaved, maintenance social services; 3) Keep finances stable and keep water, sewer and electic.
Pargas: 1) Drugs. The subject of drugs has been my platform since I was elected in 2002. This is an ongoing issue that we continue to address. It all started with the creation of the Mayor’s Drug Task Force to address the issue of drugs; 2) Infrastructure; 3) Landfill. We are moving right along as planned.
Torres: 1) Unemployment: I would help promote new businesses for Socorro; 2) Medical uninsured: I would help find resources to get health insurance for the adults in need of assistance; 3) Drug abuse: I would help find all possible resources to prevent the drug abuse from going any further than it has.
3. Describe how your proposals (in Items 1 and 2 above) would be funded.
Locklar: Council of Governments, grants, general fund and stimulus funds.
Pargas: I believe there’s a plan through CYFD to address drugs. The MDTF is funded by the Department of Health and funding in the city budget. We continue working to secure funding for infrastructure from the state to better our water, streets and hook up people to our sewer system. Landfill funding has been secured through rates and loans.
Torres: My proposal would be funded by using a portion of the gross receipt tax and a portion of the lodgers tax that comes into city so that all the issues addressed will have an opportunity to get resolved one way or another in the future for the City of Socorro.
4. If necessary, how and where do you think the city budget could be cut?
Locklar: At this time, there is no reason to cut the budget being how the city isn’t in the red. If something isn’t broke, don’t fix it. I would consider cutting the budget as a last resort if mandatory, only wherever it needs to be cut.
Pargas: As a member of the Budget Committee, I understand that one person does not make those decisions alone. It all comes down to needs and wants, provide the basic necessities and continue to work with the rest of the council and administration to use a method to prioritize those needs and wants.
Torres: I think that the City of Socorro could budget-cut by logging in the gas mileage of all city vehicles and use light sensors at every business door entry so the lights will turn on when entering and turn off when exiting the room to save on electricity.
5. What sets you apart from the other candidate(s) in this race?
Locklar: There is no difference. All candidates are human and have a plan that will work. Each candidate cares about the well-being of Socorro, bottom line.
Pargas: Proven leadership, experience, education, ability to think outside the box, the ability to take the peoples ideas and put them into action and numerous accomplishments some of which as follows: 1) Creation of Mayor’s Drug Task Force; 2) Creation of the Drug Paraphernalia Ordinance for the City Of Socorro; 3) Created a line item in the city budget for the implementation of a narcotics officer.
Torres: I, Joe L. Torres, am for the people and community of Socorro. I will not be persuaded to do anything that I know is wrong but I will do anything in my power to help the people and the community of Socorro so that we can make the changes needed.
Where to vote on March 2
Absentee and early voters may vote in the City Council Chambers, at 111 School of Mines Road, until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26. Ballots and instructions can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2.
There are five polling places:
• Voters in Precinct 1 and Precinct 7 vote at the GRADS Building, 239 Fisher.
• Voters in Precinct 2 and Precinct 4 vote at the Main Fire Station, 202 Fisher.
• Voters in Precinct 3-IN vote at the Socorro Schools Superintendent’s Office, 700 Franklin.
• Voters in Precinct 5-IN and Precinct 6 vote at Finley Gym, 201 McCutcheon.
• Voters in Precincts 8, 9-IN, 10-IN, 17, 18-IN, and 23-IN vote at Fire Station 3, 100 Francisco de Avondo.
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