2021 Election: City of Rio Communities

MAYOR

Joshua Ramsell

Age: 32

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retail manager

Highest level of education: Bachelors in Business Administration, UNM.

Previously held public office: Rio Communities City Council

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. “Never been arrested, charged with or convicted of drunk driving, any misdemeanor, or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state.”

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

“Four years on city council, New Mexico Municipal League training.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“Improve public safety, increase housing, and recruit new businesses.”

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

“Increasing law enforcement, if the public is willing to approve funding.

Broaden the tax base by adding new housing and recruiting new businesses.

Road reconstruction plan, having a complete streets program for our community.”

Should the city continue with contracting with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement, or should the city form its own police department?

“This has been a priority for the community since day one. At the present time, continue and expand the number of deputies. Forming a police department will have additional costs. The voters should be able to vote for increasing revenue to accomplish this. If voters approve funding then forming a police department can begin.”

 

RIO COMMUNITIES COUNCIL

Arthur L. Apodaca

Age: 68

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired from food service sales and management

Highest level of education: Bachelor of Arts, business administration, management from College of Santa Fe

Previously held public office: None

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. “Clean record, no DUIs, no arrests, no convictions of any kind.”

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

“BA in business administration and management from College of Santa Fe. Six years in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Board member of Roadrunner Food Bank and chairman of their public relations committee. Board member of Friends of Tijeras Pueblo and chairman of their building fund committee. Volunteer U.S. Forest Service. Volunteer in the village of Los Lunas Economic Development Department. Various management positions at Maryland Cup Corp. and Fort Howard Paper Co. and General Mills, Inc. Business owner and broker at Cornerstone Sales and Marketing LLC.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“Create a strong economic development program designed to attract new businesses and investments to the city of Rio Communities. Help develop partnerships with our neighboring communities, such as Belen and Los Lunas to promote and create economic opportunities that will be mutually beneficial. Explore any and all avenues to increase law enforcement presence throughout the city to include night patrol throughout our neighborhoods. Improve and repair our streets and add lights in certain areas.”

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

“Attracting new business and industry to our city is key to creating additional revenues needed to pay for our own police force, repair our streets, add lights in strategic areas throughout our city, build new parks and recreational facilities which will all add to the quality of life for all residents. Our ‘want list’ is long but our current revenues are minimal. Researching and gathering all the facts before making key decisions will be important.”

Should the city continue with contracting with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement, or should the city form its own police department?

“I would like to explore all of our options as a city to increase law enforcement presence in our neighborhoods and business districts. As a community, we are still experiencing too much crime such as break-ins (both businesses and residences) which result in theft, property damage and in some cases threatening personal encounters. Crime throughout our city should not be tolerated, therefore an increase in law enforcement has to be a top priority.”

 

Lawrence R. Gordon

Age: 57

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired police officer

Highest level of education: High school diploma

Previously held public office: I have never held a public office

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. “I have never been arrested for any crime in New Mexico or anywhere in the United States.”

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

“I have 30 years of voluntary community involvement. Much of this was through police supported programs such as, Cops in Schools, the D.A.R.E. program, being an elementary school chess coach, bike safety, drug prevention programs, the Boy Scouts of America, the Bayonne Police Athletic League Day Care and now as a Rio Communities Planning and Zoning commissioner. With me being retired I can now commit myself  more time to promoting and developing our community.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“I want to bring parks to the city, increase law enforcement presence, improve our roads, bring in more business and improve ways to communicate with our residents.”

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

“Bringing more business into our city and getting parks built. I am looking to accomplish this by strengthening Economic Development Commission (EDC) activities, so we can start applying for federal and state grants.”

Should the city continue with contracting with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement, or should the city form its own police department?

“Yes, It would be more cost effective to continue working with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office and getting a second officer than paying the yearly training of officers, administrators and insurance costs. New Mexico’s serious shortage of law enforcement officers is also a problem. During my research, I have found that many cities started this way for financial reasons. New Mexico cities concern of potential law enforcement law suits may lead to more consolidation.”

 

Richard Henderson

Age 61

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): I am a retired captain from the New Mexico Department of Corrections and currently the manager of public safety for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Highest level of education:ACA certified NM correctional officer. Holds DPS and FEMA certifications.

Previously held public office: None

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

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

“In my past career, as a captain of the NMDOC, I was responsible for writing policies and procedures for the facility. I worked with many types of people and personalities. I was able to maintain a safe and healthy environment. As a public safety manager for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, I oversee that all field operations, personnel, and guests are safe. I am proactive and ready to take on challenges to improve our city.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“Public awareness, slow crime, create a safe environment and restore health to the city of Rio Communities and its residents.”

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

“We need to stop being victims. I have heard the voices of the residence in Rio Communities. I will work closely with the local law enforcement agencies to come up with solutions on how to fight crime in our city, so our families feel safe and want to continue to live here. I want to see our city grow and become healthy.”

Should the city continue with contracting with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement, or should the city form its own police department?

“Because of budget constraints, I feel it would be necessary to continue the contract for the safety of our community. However, as time and budget allow, possibly looking at building our own department in the future.”

 

John K. Thompson

Age 65

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired from U.S. Marine Corps, 22 years.

Highest level of education: Master’s degree in business administration

Previously held public office: No prior public office

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, never arrested.”

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

“As a 22 year Marine Corps officer, I’ve been a problem solver all my life. I know the decision making process. I’ve owned and operated a small chain of dry cleaners and had to meet payroll.  As a stock broker, and economics instructor, I understand how the economy works.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“If elected, I will focus on increasing law enforcement, improving roads and streets and getting some nice parks.”

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

“The challenge is expanding the tax base, which means more businesses, which will come when we have more residents. It’s really about marketing our community.”

Should the city continue with contracting with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement, or should the city form its own police department?

“One day we may have an internal police force, but until we grow, we are best served by contracting with the VCSO.”

 

Ronnie White

Age: 30

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Walmart Distribution Center

Highest level of education: High school diploma

Previously held public office: None

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. “I got a DWI when I turned 21. I was young and I have learned from my past.”

 

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

“I have met specific people who work in commercial real estate, that can help bring in new businesses to Rio Communities.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“I want to bring in new businesses, and I plan on fighting for our own police force in Rio Communities.”

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

“We must hear the community and their concerns. I will address their problems by coming up with active solutions.”

Should the city continue with contracting with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement, or should the city form its own police department?

“We need our own police force in Rio Communities! When Rio Communities became it’s own municipality, they promised our own police force. We must be men and women of action!”

(Editor’s Note: According to state statute, Ronnie White is legally qualified to run for office; however, because he is a convicted felon, he is not eligible to hold office if elected to the Rio Communities City Council.

The News-Bulletin asked every candidate about their criminal history; however, Mr. White failed to include convictions of aggravated battery against a household member, a misdemeanor; aggravated assault of a household member (deadly weapon), a fourth-degree felony; possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a fourth-degree felony.

The judges who presided over these cases ordered a dismissal on a deferred sentence, but individuals who have been convicted of a felony are barred from exercising three basic rights — voting, holding elected office and possessing firearms.

The governor may exercise her pardon authority to restore some or all of these rights under New Mexico law.

His voting rights have been restored by the district court.)

 

 (Editor’s Note: Leyda Martinez Hahn, a candidate for Rio Communities city Council did not respond to the News-Bulletin questionnaire.)

 

RIO COMMUNITIES MUNICIPAL JUDGE

Holly Noelle Chavez (I)

Age: 32

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Co-director at H2 Academic Solutions

Highest level of education: Master of Science in psychology

Previously held public office: Appointed Rio Communities municipal judge

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.”

What qualifications/experience do you feel you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities of the elected office you are seeking?

“Through my work at H2 Academic Solutions, I oversee the at-risk youth cases and facilitate some of the Restorative Justice Circles. I think this has given me the skill set needed to hear a case and be open to finding solutions that will satisfy the community. With my educational background, I am also aware and attentive to behavioral health which I think is important for all judges.”

How do you anticipate your personal philosophy would translate to your service as municipal court judge?

“I think it is important to remember the humanity of each person who comes into court. We are all people capable of making mistakes and mistakes do have consequences, but there are also opportunities for growth and change that can positively impact our community.”

How would you handle cases of friends, relatives or business associates if they come before your court?

“I work with a wonderful pro tem judge, Michael Vallejos, who would hear these cases.”