Saturday, February 23, 2008

Municipal Elections '08

Candidates for Bosque Farms Village Council

Russell Walkup

Age: 44

Education: Not answered

Occupation: Oracle database administrator

Previous political experience: None

Have you ever been convicted of DWI or a felony? "No."

Have you ever declared bankruptcy? "No."

Do you believe Bosque Farms should invest in additional recreational facilities for the community? What type and how would you accomplish this? "Additional recreational facilities are important to the village. Obtaining property is vital for the growth of the additional facilities which could be accomplished by applying for federal and/or state grants."

Given the increasing population throughout Valencia County and the amount of traffic it brings through your community, what solutions would you offer about local transportation issues? "The Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments is working on a traffic study for transportation in the county. Once the plan is complete, the village can see what action would be best."

Are there infrastructure issues in your municipality that you'd like to find solutions for? "There are roads that need attention within the village. The main offices also need to be updated. I would also like to look at the feasibility of wireless Internet access throughout the village."

Are there law enforcement issues you'd like to address? "Of course, the village will continue to face the problem of finding and keeping officers because of higher pay in other communities. We must continue to provide the best training available."

Are there planning and zoning issues you think need attention — and how would you handle them? "As a member of the current planning and zoning commission, we always try to make the regulations fair for residents, business owners and village. By continuing to refine the ordinances, we will build a better community."

In what direction would you like to see economic development go? "The village needs to continue to encourage all types of business which benefit and meet the needs of the residents."

What would you most like to accomplish in this office? "I would like to see more activities bringing family and friends together. The basic needs of the residents must come first, but we need to remember and enact the rhythms of community."

Dolly Wallace

Age: 55

Education: Los Lunas High School graduate; Certified Muni-cipal Official (the only female in Valencia County to be certified by the New Mexico Municipal League.) Graduate of the New Mexico Municipal Officials Insti-tute. Attended seminars on public officers government conduct act, ethics, financing, public records, land use, law, tax structure.

Occupation: Co-business owner of Wallace Quarter Horses LLC, trainer, instructor, bookkeeper, certified/carded pinto and buckskin judge, horse show manager.

Previous political experience: Has served on council for one term.

Have you ever been convicted of DWI or a felony? "No."

Have you ever declared bankruptcy? "No."

Do you believe Bosque Farms should invest in additional recreational facilities for the community? What type and how would you accomplish this? "A larger new site for all sports, with plenty of parking would be exciting for residents. Sometimes state land trades can be negotiated, and funding for infrastructure might be secured from Legislation or the governor."

Given the increasing population throughout Valencia County and the amount of traffic it brings through your community, what solutions would you offer about local transportation issues? "Maybe two bus stops. One, to help people take advantage of the bus network in Albuquerque, and two, to give people of Bosque Farms the opportunity to access the Rail Runner System in Los Lunas."

Are there infrastructure issues in your municipality that you'd like to find solutions for? "Due to the new police/fire department, the maintenance building was taken down. We have now secured enough funding and have started moving forward, constructing a new, larger, improved building for a deserving maintenance department."

Are there law enforcement issues you'd like to address? "With many of the other municipalities having more funds to pay their officers, it's a challenge to keep good police employees. We offer support and continuous training, and try to keep the best equipment possible."

Are there planning and zoning issues you think need attention-how would you handle them? "Council will hear about a 'No Zone' issue. M1 was deleted from these properties, but no zone was reissued. The decision in rezoning these properties will take lots of research, integrity, ethics, and moral value."

In what direction would you like to see economic development go? "I would strongly support senior housing, a badly needed service for our aging village. Other in-coming businesses might include light manufacturing, human services, or retail. I'm not in favor of Wal-Mart-type growth."

What would you most like to accomplish in this office? "Continue guarding our rural and agriculture lifestyle, keeping us the safest place in Valencia County to live and raise families, providing quick emergency fire service, including a new EMS, all with open government."

Robert (Bob) Knowlton

Age: 50

Education: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering; master's degree in hydrology, Ph.D. in hydrology

Occupation: Engineer, Sandia National Laboratories

Previous political experience: Currently serving first term as a village councilor and mayor pro-tem, elected in 2004; four years previous experience as a planning and zoning commissioner

Have you ever been convicted of DWI or a felony? "No."

Have you ever declared bankruptcy? "No."

Do you believe Bosque Farms should invest in additional recreational facilities for the community? What type and how would you accomplish this? "The Village could use a shade structure for the playground area at the recreation park, and I wrote a proposal to the legislature for funding. The Village also needs a Juniors Little League baseball field."

Given the increasing population throughout Valencia County and the amount of traffic it brings through your community, what solutions would you offer about local transportation issues? "Bus transportation is likely the only reasonable option for Bosque Farms. The Rail Runner offers no direct access, and the Isleta Pueblo will not allow the Manzano Expressway to be extended to relieve traffic flow."

Are there infrastructure issues you'd like to address? "The Village has requested funding from the feds and the state for a second clarifier for the sewage treatment plant. I wrote a proposal to the State Legislature for an addition to the library."

Are there law enforcement issues you'd like to address? "The village needs to enhance the retirement plan from PERA 3 to PERA 5 for the police officers and all village staff. Economic development could increase tax revenues to pay the increased premiums."

Are there planning and zoning issues you think need attention - and how would you handle them? "During my first term in office, the village revamped the zoning ordinance. A property maintenance ordinance is under development and should help the village clean up some run-down properties."

In what direction would you like to see economic development go? "I started an Economic Development Committee. A Web site is being developed for economic development. We are seeking new businesses that generate gross receipts taxes. With success, a nonprofit economic development corporation could be formed."

What would you most like to accomplish in this office? "I will work to maintain a rural character within the village, to make it a safe place to live, to be fiscally responsible, with an open government, and to support quality of life issues."

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