Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Magdalena

Audry Olmsted El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

The election is less than two weeks away and two people are vying for the spot as mayor of Magdalena, while four candidates hope to fill two empty spots on the board of trustees.

Mayor James A. Wolfe is running for a second term, and Sandy V. Julian, who has previously served as mayor of the village, is challenging.

Jack E. Fairweather is running for a second term as a board of trustee member while Toby A. Jaramillo, Eleanor "Dolly" Dawson and L. Diane Allen join him in the race for two spots on the board. The second spot is the one held by Maury Modine, who chose not to seek re-election.

Each mayoral and trustee candidate was asked a series of questions on what issues they feel are important in Magdalena and how they would address those issues if elected.

Ballot order was used to determine the position of the candidates' responses.

MAYOR

Sandy V. Julian

James A. Wolfe

1) Please briefly assess the state of the village of Magdalena as it stands today.

JULIAN:

The village needs many improvements and programs to enhance residential quality of life and growth in the business economy. The police and fire departments are lacking needed funds. Roads need much improvement. Young people require sport activities and other recreation.

WOLFE:

The Village is starting to grow even though some would prefer it stay the way it is. The infrastructure work we have completed over the last four years has put us in a good position to accommodate this growth for many years to come. Our Village staff is stable and dedicated in spite of the low wages we pay. The volunteer fire department and the emergency medical service are in my opinion as good as any in the state if not the best. The village and a number of its residents share in the credit for the recent ground breaking for the new senior center on Main Street between Eighth and Ninth streets. Overall, I believe the village with its limited resources has made significant progress over the last few years, but, there is much more that must be done.

2) Please briefly describe in general terms your vision for the village.

JULIAN:

I envision an increase in business prosperity, which would improve the overall economy of the village. Improvements in the police and fire departments. Improved road conditions. Improvements for the safety and quality of life for senior citizens.

WOLFE:

My vision for the village is to continue to explore funding opportunities/sources so that we can provide the improvements that are critical to the future of the Village. We need to start focusing our attention on inadequate facilities (city hall, and library), street improvements, the BIA dorms, storm water runoff in and through the village, accommodating and supporting economic development for increased job opportunities and expansion of the fire station.

3) What do you consider to be the single most important unmet need in Magdalena that village trustees should address? Describe how you would address it.

JULIAN:

Recreation and sport activities for youth to relieve boredom during the idle hours after school and weekends. I would look to revitalize the now deteriorating baseball fields, rodeo grounds, community center and seek other ideas from young people and parents.

WOLFE:

The obvious response based on resident comments to me would be street improvements. But, I see the lack of funding to deal with the BIA dorms as the single most important problem facing the Village in the next few years. These facilities contain a significant amount of asbestos, which is the primary reason they remain unused. We have tried to enlist the assistance of Rep. Pearce and Sen. Bingaman to help us find a solution. This approach has not produced any assistance. My next approach is to enlist the assistance of the Governor's Office to see if he can help us elevate the issue to the level necessary to have the facilities abolished before they are an even bigger liability.

4) Aside from the previous question, what would be your priorities for the next four years?

JULIAN:

My priorities would be to find possible ways to adjust residential water rates, to provide water to the transfer station and the cemetery, to provide proper funding and training for the police and fire departments, and finally to find a solution to the old BIA dorms which have become a dilapidated eyesore and dangerous liability.

WOLFE:

My priorities for the next four years will be to:

Continue to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant for phase 3 of the lagoons. A request has already been submitted.

Continue to secure funding for a new city hall and library. We requested capital outlay funding for the city hall last year and received approval for $100,000. We requested funding again this year for the project and the budget sent to the Governor includes an additional $200,000. I anticipate the Village requesting the balance needed for the project again next year. If successful we could start construction in 2008.

Continue to clear up titles for property the Village owns.

Request CDBG funding for a library and/or street improvements in 2007 or as soon as the process would allow.

Request a planning grant for a storm water study from the CDBG program.

5) Please estimate the budget impact of your proposals in items 3 and 4 and describe specifically how they would be funded.

JULIAN:

The budget would not change greatly because there are many federal and state grants available for these priorities and I would actively and diligently seek out these grants.

WOLFE:

The budget impact of the proposed priorities would be primarily limited to the five percent match requirement for CDBG projects. If we are successful in this approach, we should be able to cover the costs from our current level of revenues.

6) What sets you apart from your opponent that makes you the best candidate?

JULIAN:

I believe I am the best candidate because I have much prior experiences as a council member and as mayor of Magdalena. I have always had and still have support from political counterparts in the county of Socorro and the state of New Mexico.

WOLFE:

My past experience with managing engineering programs for the USDA, Forest Service the last four years as mayor are probably my strongest points. Being a professional engineer has also proven to be an asset when dealing with consulting engineer firms and contractors related to the utility work we have accomplished over the last four years. Lastly, I am retired and have the time to commit to the job and have the desire to work for a better Magdalena.

TRUSTEE--TWO POSITIONS

Jack E. Fairweather

Toby A. Jaramillo

Eleanor 'Dolly' Dawson

L. Diane Allen

1) Please briefly assess the state of the village of Magdalena as it stands today.

FAIRWEATHER:

The current situation in Magdalena is, I believe, one of progress. Especially in terms of ongoing improvement of the Village infrastructure, and the perception state agencies have of Magdalena as a village with a stable financial situation.

JARAMILLO:

Magdalena is gradually improving but could see more improvements such as, there is no recreation for our young kids and not enough town activities to get everyone involved, offer high education and offer more community information for more education.

DAWSON:

I think the village is in pretty good shape right now. They have plans for the future and they're doing pretty good.

ALLEN:

Allen said she sees the community in need of upgrading the public utility system to meet the demands of an increasing growing population.

2) Please briefly describe in general terms your vision for the village.

FAIRWEATHER:

Over the next four years the Village should work toward completing Phase III of the Sewer Lagoon improvement project. There is also work to be done in terms of street improvements. Solid infrastructure must be in place as the Village continues to serve a steady increase in population...even though that growth is, and probably will continue to be, outside the village limits.

JARAMILLO:

Jaramillo said his vision for the village is to see Magdalena expand, have increased education and the creation of jobs.

DAWSON:

My vision is to do what is right for the village and what is right for the people in it.

ALLEN:

Allen said she envisions economic growth and development for Magdalena. She said the village needs to look at businesses interested in coming into the community and make sure they are environmentally friendly for Magdalena. The people and services coming in to Magdalena, she said, must benefit the community as a whole.

3) What do you consider to be the single most important unmet need in Magdalena that village trustees should address? Describe how you would address it.

FAIRWEATHER:

The single most important need in Magdalena at the present time, in my opinion, is the need for continuing attention to public safety. Normally three police officers provide service 24/7 365 days per year. The requirement that new officers attend the academy in Santa Fe for 22 weeks to acquire certification often leaves us seriously understaffed.

Currently, on a monthly basis, our Marshal and deputies handle between 200 and 300 calls...ranging from traffic stops to more serious matters.

JARAMILLO:

Jaramillo said he wants to have better law enforcement and get more money in to pay better wages to the law enforcement. He said he would like to see money paid out with fines stay in the village and use that money for law enforcement. He said he would also like to see officers stay longer in the community, rather than becoming certified and leaving to fill higher paying jobs elsewhere.

DAWSON:

Dawson said, being off the board for two years, she was unsure what unmet needs there were in the village, but said Magdalena does need a new city hall.

ALLEN:

Allen said she saw a need for conservation education in Magdalena. She said she would also like to see the fire department expanded and get funding in for equipment and training, which, she said, would allow for improved medical services for the community.

4) Aside from the previous question, what would be your priorities for the next four years?

FAIRWEATHER:

Answered in Question 2

JARAMILLO:

Jaramillo said he wants to work with the community and make Magdalena a more involved town as far as education and the library. He said he would listen to the concerns community members might have.

DAWSON:

Dawson said in the next four years, her priorities would include the village finishing the third and final stage of the lagoon project as well as take care of the water system. She also said the fire department needs to be expanded to allow more room for fire trucks and other equipment and said she wants to continue to research titles for properties in the village.

ALLEN:

Answered in Question 3

5) Please estimate the budget impact of your proposals in items 3 and 4 and describe specifically how they would be funded.

FAIRWEATHER:

As to funding for continued infrastructure needs, Magdalena realizes some revenue from our share of the state gasoline tax and the state's Small Cities Assistance fund, about $82,000 in 2005-2006. Any large expenditure for improvements to the Village infrastructure must come in the form of grants from the New Mexico Community Development Block Grant program. That program is dependent upon action by the State Legislature and amounts may vary from year to year. Other grants and loans are available from entities making funding available to small municipalities. All such grants must be sought in competition with other villages and towns. Success depends upon reputation, need and financial stability. Grants are made only to municipalities with a solid financial report from the state level. In the period 2002-2006 the Village applied for and was granted funding which enabled us to complete Phases I and II of the sewer lagoon improvement project, construction of new water tanks and improvements to the water distribution system as well as limited street improvement work.

JARAMILLO:

Jaramillo said the community can use resources available from the Magdalena library and also from the school. These resources could help in offering programs and services to the community, such as lifting weights and playing ball.

DAWSON:

Dawson said she would look into applying for grants and loans to help pay for the proposed projects in the village. Dawson said she would also look into funding from capital outlay.

ALLEN:

Allen said the budget for Magdalena depends on House and State bills that go through and also on applying for available grants.

6) What sets you apart from your opponents that makes you the best candidate for the position?

FAIRWEATHER:

My decision to seek re-election to another four year term was based on my desire to work with a mayor and board of trustees with a realistic and committed approach to meeting the needs of Magdalena. I have no axe to grind or personal agenda.

JARAMILLO:

I am obedient, honest, loyal and caring and am committed to helping the people and community of Magdalena.

DAWSON:

I have the experience because I was on the board for four years before, from 2000 to 2004. I'm available to attend the meetings and I do go to the meetings.

ALLEN:

I promise to listen to people's concerns in the community and do what I can do in the community. I'm a person who believes In honesty, truth and consistency.

aolmsted@dchieftain.com

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