2024 ELECTION: County Commissioner District 5 candidates Montano and Montoya

Linda Montano

Age: 57

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Compliance officer with Positive Outcomes

Education: Associates degree in Business Technology

Previously held public office: I’ve never held a public office, but I was the Director of the Foster Grandparents/ Senior Companions and then the Director of all three Senior Centers for Socorro County which included Socorro, Veguita, and Magdalena. I also was the grant writer for those programs as well.

What would your priorities be if you were elected as a county commissioner?

• Better services provided in rural areas

• Crime/ law enforcement response

• Transportation, better funding sources for senior services

• Better infrastructure

• More grant funded services for county departments and programs, a bigger department within the county managers office that currently facilitates grant projects.

What kind of services would you support to help senior citizens?

• Better funding for senior centers

• Affordable housing for low-income seniors

• Another pharmacy in town.

• Senior employment opportunities

• Better services for all seniors

• More grant funded services for senior funded programs

Do you believe the county should address homelessness and drug use, if so, how?

• Yes, there are existing programs we have that are poorly funded, yet there is an increased need for services.

• Grant based programs are needed not just to help with mental health problems and drug addiction, there needs to be education, job placement, and housing.

• Grant writers

What are some of the challenges in law enforcement in Socorro County and what are your ideas on improving safety?

• Better pay

• Technology

• Better training to deal with mental health issues

• Community support services

• Better recruitment

• Better Public relations

• Grant writers

The county fire departments rely on an all-volunteers staff, how could the county ensure the fire departments are fully staffed and have proper training?

• Better Public relations

• Technology and equipment

• Community support services

• Better recruitment

• More safety equipment

• Stipends for all call outs

• Some of these can be provided by state and federal grants, advocating for better funding at the county, state, and federal level.

• Grant writers

Phillip Montoya

Age: 59

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired from Socorro County Sheriff's Office. Currently work as an advocate with El Puente de Socorro the Domestic Violence Program in Socorro.

Education: Graduated Socorro High School in 1983 Attended Western New Mexico Universities criminal justice program Graduated Law Enforcement Academy.

Previously held public office:

I was elected Sheriff for two terms from 2007 thru 2014.

What would your priorities be if you were elected as a county commissioner?

Work with the other Commissioners to provide the financial resources needed for Elected Officials and the other departments in the County government to run as efficient as possible to best serve the citizens of the county.

Roads, and public safety i.e. law enforcement/fire should always be a priority.

What kind of services would you support to help senior citizens?

I would support any and all programs or service the county provides for seniors.

Their safety and welfare is important.

Do you believe the county should address homelessness and drug use, if so, how?

The county should work with the state, city government, and private organizations to address the problem of homelessness in attempts to find some solutions. Drug use is an issue that can lead to homelessness. working with other agencies to provide resources to help those seeking help with their addiction.

What are some of the challenges in law enforcement in Socorro County and what are your ideas on improving safety?

The challenge of LE has always been never having enough officers. I will work to try and provide more Deputies to the SO so there are more Deputies patrolling the Streets of Socorro County. The more Deputies on patrol would help detour crime and response time to those in need of a Deputy.

The county fire departments rely on an all volunteers staff, how could the county ensure the fire departments are fully staffed and have proper training?

I believe training has always been available to those volunteers who serve in the fire departments. The fire marshals to my knowledge have always made sure of that. If there are problems getting volunteers maybe it could be looked into to provide incentives to get more people volunteering.