Michelle D. Tafoya
Michelle D. Tafoya
Age: 66
Occupation: Retired
Education: High school graduate, two years college coursework in English/technical writing, countless workshops in working with others, customer service, maintaining records, privacy act requirements, etc.
Previous elected political offices: None
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a felony or DWI in New Mexico or in another state? “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“Mission first, people always. Retired from the AFRL, where I swore an oath to our Constitution; maintained a secret security clearance. Secretary/treasurer, AFGE Local 2263 under two different presidents. Because I interact respectfully, without drama, I’d been name-requested for complex assignments requiring deadlines and complex reporting up the chain of command.”
- Why is it critical to pay property taxes on time?
“Property taxes go to pay salaries and supplies for first responders as well as other county obligations. Paying late gets you a late fee. The employees at the treasurer’s office do a wonderful job at encouraging and communicating how to make payments throughout the year to avoid late fees.”
- Once delinquent property tax bills have been turned over to the state, how will you work with the state property tax division to ensure Valencia County receives what it is due in a timely manner?
“Honestly, I’m not going to mess with something that isn’t broken. The treasurer’s office has very knowledgeable employees who I will be listening to and learning from, maybe through weekly meetings on lessons learned and best practices. There are several workshops and an excellent handbook available to me as well.”
- What is the role of the treasurer in assisting the county in making sound investment choices?
“It’s always going to be a team effort, and the treasurer is just one member of the team. My role is to keep our county’s bills and obligations paid first and foremost and to be a member of Valencia County’s governance, where we manage our investments as a team.”
Leyda Martinez Hahn
Leyda Martinez Hahn
Age: 58
Occupation: Senior escrow officer for First American Title Company
Education: High school graduate
Previous elected political offices: None
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a felony or DWI in New Mexico or in another state? “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“My professional background as an escrow officer, coupled with a deep commitment to community service, uniquely qualify me for the role of county treasurer. I am committed to transparently and responsibly managing taxpayer funds to promote the well-being and prosperity of our community.”
- Why is it critical to pay property taxes on time?
“Ensuring property taxes are paid on time is critical for meeting legal obligations and funding essential public services like education, transportation, law enforcement, and emergency services. They also support infrastructure maintenance and community enhancement projects, enriching the lives of Valencia County residents.”
- Once delinquent property tax bills have been turned over to the state, how will you work with the state property tax division to ensure Valencia County receives what it is due in a timely manner?
“To ensure timely receipt of delinquent property tax revenue from the state, I will establish clear lines of communication and collaboration with the state property tax division. This will involve regular updates, efficient documentation exchange, and proactive follow-up measures, ensuring Valencia County receives its rightful dues promptly.”
- What is the role of the treasurer in assisting the county in making sound investment choices?
“The treasurer assumes a crucial role in steering the county towards sound investment decisions, analyzing investment prospects, assessing risks, and proposing strategies that match with the county’s financial objectives and risk tolerance. This ensures a smart approach to managing public funds for long-term growth.”
Ron Saiz (I)
Ron Saiz (I)
Age: 57
Occupation: Valencia County treasurer
Education: LLHS graduate and community college of the Air Force
Previous elected political offices: None
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a felony or DWI in New Mexico or in another state? “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“I currently hold the position of treasurer and understand its day to day operations and its importance to the residence of Valencia County. My experience in financial management and leadership promotes transparency and integrity with taxpayer money. My 28 years as a leader in the military makes me qualified.”
- Why is it critical to pay property taxes on time?
“Property taxes are the financial backbone of our county and timely collections ensure that services such as public safety, education, and infrastructure are adequately funded. Property taxes are essential for budget planning and the monthly distributions are critical in order to provide these services to the residents of Valencia County.”
- Once delinquent property tax bills have been turned over to the state, how will you work with the state property tax division to ensure Valencia County receives what it is due in a timely manner?
“All delinquent property taxes are managed and handled at the Treasurer’s office. Each month the state receives its share of costs, penalties, and interest from these accounts through our monthly distributions. My goal as Valencia County treasurer is to prevent properties from reaching the state level and keep funds in the county.”
- What is the role of the treasurer in assisting the county in making sound investment choices?
“The treasurer helps to ensure the county’s investments are compliant with relevant laws and regulations. The treasurer’s role in managing the county’s investments is paramount for maintaining financial health and achieving long-term financial goals. This includes tasks such as accessing investment opportunities, diversifying portfolios, monitoring trends, and implementing risk management strategies.”
Danielle Marie Trujillo
Danielle Marie Trujillo
Age: 39
Occupation: Certified appraiser
Education: Bachelor of Arts
Previous elected political offices: None
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a felony or DWI in New Mexico or in another state? “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“I have been a public servant with Valencia County for more than 12 years. In my current position as a certified appraiser, I have extensive experience with dealing with the public. I believe that the treasurer needs to be an advocate for taxpayers, while working in the best interest of the county.”
- Why is it critical to pay property taxes on time?
“Paying property taxes on time is not only for the benefit of the taxpayer, but also for the community as a whole. When property taxes are not paid in a timely manner, they are delinquent and penalty and interest fees are applied. Along with the delay of community improvement projects.”
- Once delinquent property tax bills have been turned over to the state, how will you work with the state property tax division to ensure Valencia County receives what it is due in a timely manner?
“I have always believed communication is key in order to accomplish goals. I would ensure that the treasurer’s office and the Property Tax Division at the state of New Mexico has an open line of communication to properly complete the process and guarantee every entity receives the proper funds.”
- What is the role of the treasurer in assisting the county in making sound investment choices?
“The treasurer’s role is to check with local banks on the interest rates and invest with the bank that offers the best return. If you build more, you are able to keep more.”
VOTING INFORMATION
Absentee by mail
The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the June primary election is Tuesday, May 21. Absentee ballots can be requested by visiting nmvote.org.
If they are not returned by mail, absentee ballots can be returned in person at the following locations by 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 4:
- Valencia County Clerk’s Office, 444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
- Any of the early in-person or alternate early voting locations.
- Any of the 15 Voting Convenience Centers open on Election Day throughout the county.
- Any of the three secure absentee ballot drop boxes
- Belen Community Center, 305 Eagle Lane, Belen
- Bosque Farms Public Library, 1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Valencia County Administration Building, 444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
Early, in-person voting
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, through Friday, May 17, Monday through Saturday
Valencia County Administration Building, 444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
Alternate, early voting
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 18, through Saturday, June 1, Monday through Saturday
- Belen Community Center, 305 Eagle Lane, Belen,
- Bosque Farms Public Library, 1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Center, 4001 N.M. 314, Isleta
- Valencia County Administration Building, 444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
Voting Convenience Centers
7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 4
- Ann Parish Elementary, 112 Meadow Lake Road, Meadow Lake
- Belen Community Center, 305 Eagle Lane, Belen
- Belen Public Library, 333 Becker Ave. Belen
- Bosque Farms Public Library, 1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Century High School, 32 Sun Valley Road, Los Lunas
- Del Rio Senior Center, 351 Rio Communities Blvd., Rio Communities
- Don Jose Dolores Cordova Cultural Center, 426 Jarales Road Jarales
- El Cerro Mission Community Center, 309 El Cerro Mission Road, El Cerro
- Logsdon Hall, 19676 N.M. 314, Los Chavez
- Los Lunas Schools Administration, 119 Luna Ave.,, Los Lunas
- Meadow Lake Community Center, 100 Cuerro Lane, Meadow Lake
- Pueblo of lsleta Veterans Center, 4001 N.M. 314, Isleta
- Tomé Adelino Fire Department Valley Station, 2755 N.M. 47, Tomé
- Town of Peralta Town Hall , 90A Molina Road, Peralta
- UNM-Valencia Workforce Training Center, 1020 Huning Ranch, Los Lunas
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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May 16, 2024
