Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control District Board of Supervisors candidates

Incumbent board member Michael Montoya has refused to answer the News-Bulletin's election questions.

Danny Goodson (I)

Age: 71

Current occupation: Airport technician, city of Belen

Education: B.S. in agronomy from New Mexico State University

Previously held elected office: Appointed to VCAFCD board, Feb. 2025

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy and if so, explain the circumstances. No

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or 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?

“Retired agronomist from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Mexico. During my career with the NRCS, I was involved with many projects to protect against the loss of our valuable natural resources. These projects included providing protection or prevention to mitigate the devastation of flood events.”

2. What are the most important challenges facing the district, and how do you propose to address them?

“The Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control District as a new entity, must be decisive in its commitment to solving flooding in our county. Valencia County has many areas that have flooding potential. A comprehensive plan to address flooding across our county must be in place. This plan is a first step to help in producing solutions to the flooding. Prevention and protection of our residents and infrastructure from flood events will be a great challenge to the new flood district.”

3. How would you explain the benefit of this district to the population of Valencia County?

“This new flood district will be a vehicle to bring together all resources needed to solve the risk of flooding in the county. The district must listen to all concerns and needs in order to bring the best results to protect and prevent devastating floods for our county.”

Brenda Lou Hume

Age: 66

Current occupation: Valencia County chief deputy clerk

Highest level of education: Degree in retail banking, NM certified public official, NM certified public supervisor, NM certified county clerk, NM Certified advocate of public ethics

Previously held elected office: Union County clerk

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy and if so, explain the circumstances. No

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or 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?

“As a former county clerk, and current chief deputy clerk, I can bring knowledge of conducting public meetings, how to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Act and provide the administrative support this board needs to continue moving forward as a new government entity.”

2. What are the most important challenges facing the district, and how do you propose to address them?

“The district still has administrative work to be done to become fully functional. I hope to perform that work so the board members with flood control knowledge and experience can focus on needed projects.”

3. How would you explain the benefit of this district to the population of Valencia County?

“This district’s sole focus is flood control. Once the district is fully functional, projects can be developed and implemented addressing this issue.”

Tyler Otero

Age: 35

Current occupation: Belen Division manager Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

Highest level of education: High school/journeyman carpenter

Previously held elected office: None

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy and if so, explain the circumstances. N/A

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain. N/A

1. What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?

“I am aware of the issues that Valencia County has during rain events and the most impacted areas.”

2. What are the most important challenges facing the district, and how do you propose to address them?

“There will be a list of challenges. We’ll need to prioritize and set goals to be successful.”

3. How would you explain the benefit of this district to the population of Valencia County?

“Unfortunately, we have built our community in a flood plain. Arroyos run off both east and west sides of Valencia County. Some of the community is extremely aware of these issues and hopefully we can make a difference in the future.”

Charles “Chuck” Schick

Age: 65

Current occupation: Consulting geologist specializing in soil and groundwater remediation. Retired UNM-Valencia faculty from 2001 to 2025

Highest level of education: MS Geology

Previously held elected office: None

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy and if so, explain the circumstances. No

Have you ever been arrested, charged with or 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?

“40 years professional experience in the environmental restoration field has included stormwater monitoring, and inspecting sediment and erosion controls associated with remediation at landfills, impoundments and mining reclamation.”

2. What are the most important challenges facing the district, and how do you propose to address them?

“The district has funding and has started identifying locations for mitigation structures to retain sediment and water or divert water from flood prone areas. The challenge will be to maximize mitigation benefits with the available funding and coordinate these actions with landowners and local governments.”

3. How would you explain the benefit of this district to the population of Valencia County?

“Most residents have observed or experienced the impacts of intense precipitation events over the past few years resulting in either flooding, damage to property, washout of roads and sediment covering roadways. The district will work to mitigate this type of damage where it can.”