Candidates: Village of Magdalena Trustee

Peter Emery

Age: 68, by Election Day

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired, 43 years, four million+ miles as a trucker, primarily hazmat, finished as bus driver for Magdalena Schools 2023/2024

Highest level of education: 6 hrs Syracuse University, 58 hrs Northern Arizona University, 10 hrs San Juan College, majored in zoology at NAU.

Previously held elected office: Two terms as Trustee for Town of Kirtland, 2015-2020. Board Member- Valley Water and Sanitation District, 2017-2020.

Years of residency in Magdalena: Janine and I arrived in Magdalena, November, 2021, from Farmington, NM.

Have you ever been convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. No

1. What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position? Elected to the first town council in Kirtland, NM. Helped build Code of Ordinances and framework for government. Asked by council to step into vacant VWSD board position, learned firsthand, challenges and expenses of wastewater collection. I have an eye for detail and strong work ethic.

2. What will be your priorities if elected? Maintaining and improving the utility services the town provides, working on streets and storm water drainage, and continuing the BIA dormitory demolition/transition. Enhancing the feeling of safety and security for residents with a proactive law enforcement present in the neighborhood.

3. What are the most important challenges facing the Village of Magdalena, and how do you propose to address them? Aging infrastructure must be proactively addressed with planning, utilizing existing and future grants, and being on the lookout for cost savings and revenue enhancements. Many residents have remarked on the disruptions caused by roaming dogs, and the Marshal’s office could focus more on that. Attracting new residents and businesses.

4. What qualities and actions define an effective village trustee? Willing to reach out to the public for their concerns and viewpoints, bring this acquired knowledge to meetings, make pragmatic decisions with the council on issues, have an eye for detail, help the mayor be successful, but for the good of the town as a whole, not separate factions.

James C. Nelson

Age: 74

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Editor, retired plant geneticist

Highest level of education: Postdoctoral

Previously held elected office: Trustee, Magdalena village council

Years of residency in Magdalena: 13

Have you ever been convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. No

1. What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position? I have managed research groups, classes, and small businesses, chaired an electric cooperative board, and served previously on Village council. I can evaluate and act on information, with the public good in mind.

2. What will be your priorities if elected? Support and supervise the mayor in managing Village personnel and infrastructure for long-term public benefit

3. What are the most important challenges facing the Village of Magdalena, and how do you propose to address them? Maintaining infrastructure: facilities and utilities including water, wastewater roads, and fire and EMS services. Minimizing harm from unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, and crime by employing effective but kind policing and supporting social agencies like SCOPE. Maintaining cooperative ties between the Village and our schools.

4. What qualities and actions define an effective village trustee? Honesty, impartiality (able to look beyond own interests), willingness to interact directly with the public, ability to evaluate and act on information.

Teresa (Teri) Winchester

Age: Old enough to know I’m crazy to be doing this

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired Community Health Nurse

Highest level of education: Masters Degree Community Health Nursing

Previously held elected office: None

Years of residency in Magdalena: 20

Have you ever been convicted of drunken driving any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state?: No

1. What in your experience, education, etc. makes you qualified for this position? I grew up in a small farming town, similar to Magdalena. With my master’s degree in Community Health nursing, my jobs taught me how to work within a community and make it stronger. I have been attending the village meetings for over a year and am aware of the issues.

2. What will be your priorities if elected? First – transparency. The village budget should be posted online. Second - water. There’s a loss of $120,000, old infrastructure causing breaks and leaks. A water study would determine rate increases and a long-term plan. A successful San Augustin water grab could cause a loss of water in the village’s aquafer.

3. What are the most important challenges facing the Village of Magdalena, and how do you propose to address them? Lack of money. Continuing to look for grants brings in the largest money but there are fewer grants with more applicants. And looking at the budget, small amounts taken off here and there add up. Also, new businesses bring in tax receipts, jobs and children to keep our school full.

4. What qualities and actions define an effective village trustee? First, transparency, community members have the right to know what is happening. Second, being available, willing to listen to differing opinions with an open mind. Next – taking the time to look at each agenda item. Sometimes that is questioning or researching the appropriateness, financing, timing, etc. of agenda items.

Editor’s note: Village Trustee Candidate Ray Olmstead did not respond. There are three seats open for the village trustee position.