DISTRICT 3

Paul “Pablito” Hererra

Age: 43

Paul Herrera

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Television producer, writer for the Republican Party; worked for ESPN for 14 years.

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. “No.”

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

“I work as a television producer and I advocate for seniors. Right now, I’m working across the aisle fighting a state tax on Social Security, also to increase Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.

“With divorced parents, I grew up between El Cerro Mission and Albuquerque. I am one of them poor little Spanish-speaking kids from El Cerro Mission and who better to represent them little kids than myself.”

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“I believe in consensus, I don’t believe one person can fix it all. It takes a community. My doors are always open and my phone is on 24/7. We need to think big, and in order for it all to come together, we need to communicate. I’m for making apps, using technology, working with Facebook, open mic town halls, paid parent volunteer programs. Let’s get everyone active!”

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.

“My highest priorities are, besides academics and safety, is mental health! We need to remind our children they are more special than they think they are. I believe mental health plays a vital role in a child’s upbringing. It is crucial we lay emphasis on mental health throughout a child’s development in addition to academics and sports.

“Also, the language program they have in Las Cruces is amazing, and we should look into it.”

 

Jessie Lewis

Age:  45

Jessie Lewis

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Planning and landscape design

Highest level of education: Bachelor’s in environmental planning

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.
“No criminal convictions.”

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

“I am currently serving as an appointed member on the Los Lunas Schools Governing Committee, which is providing me an introduction into school board service. Through many years as a designer working with New Mexico municipalities, I have worked on projects which serve the state’s communities, been a trustworthy steward of public funds, and as part of a team, have met stakeholders’ goals.”

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“The best way to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board, is to listen to parents, families, and community members. As a member of the school board, I will carry ideas and concerns brought to my attention, on to school administration and the board.  Along with the board, and where practicable, I will work to move those concerns to action.”

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.

“I want to see students excel and learn to love school as well as see the district’s scores improve. An untapped opportunity for improving student proficiency is through implementing bilingual education at the earliest level. I will support policy to bring this about. Improving communication skills from the start of students’ school experience, will foster more engagement among students, and in the long-term increase their proficiency in English, math and science.”

 

Charles Rhodes

Age: 57

Charles Rhodes

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): School bus driver, Los Lunas Transportation; retired, respiratory therapist

Highest level of education: Associate degree in respiratory therapy

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. “No.”

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

“My experience as a respiratory therapist and as a bus driver and in helping train bus drivers can attest to the fact that I am a collaborative team member and can work in various professional and performance-focused environments. I care for the children and staff in the Los Lunas Schools and can bring an important voice to the table in listening to concerns of the staff, students and families and work to find solutions.”

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“I plan to hold monthly or quarterly “town hall” meetings at the schools in my district and possibly the El Cerro Loop and Monterey Park fire station to facilitate open discussions of concerns the families of students and faculty of the schools may have that need to be brought to the attention of the school board.”

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.

“I have goals to be a transparent and honest voice and steward with integrity for our students and school staff by listening and acting on concerns brought to me and to work collaboratively with the school board in making sound financial and policy decisions that best serve the students, families and school staff, including support staff at the school level as well as the district level.”

 

David Vickers

Age: 65

P. David Vickers

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Entrepreneur

Highest level of education: BA

Previously held public office: Los Lunas Board of Education (1995-1999); N.M. House of Representatives (1999-2000); NM Board of Education (2001-03); Los Lunas Board of Education (January 2020-May 2021)

Have you have 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?

“I have been a board member before for four years and I have served recently for 17 months during which time I received numerous trainings on being a responsible board member. I am also aware of current issues facing the schools at this time. I also have a good rapport with the current superintendent and central office staff.”

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision- making process of the board?

“1.) Provide for maximum public comment at board meetings; 2.) Make sure decisions on curriculum and any policy changes affecting kids include committees made up of all stakeholders but especially parents and their children.”

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.

“Short term: Increase visibility and accessibility for parents to every aspect of decision making in the district. Long term: Do whatever it takes to raise reading and math competency at every grade level to a level of at least the middle of the nation.”

 

DISTRICT 5

Bruce E. Bennett

Age: 65

Bruce Bennet

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Veteran United States Coast Guard

Highest level of education: Associate degree in business administration

Previously held public office: Appointed to the Los Lunas Schools Governing Committee

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 prior convictions.”

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

“I had the unique experience of being both a parent and employee of Los Lunas Schools. By directly working with all levels of students, I have greater understanding of their concerns and needs. In addition, I served on the NM NEA Board and NEA Los Lunas. During this time, I learned valuable lessons working with administration and staff. My hands-on experience in district operations qualifies me to be an effective board member.”

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“My focus is to create a strong alliance that allows me to have a more open communication channel between myself, staff, students and surrounding community. I plan to visit school and work sites throughout the district, send out questionnaires and surveys, and have one-on-one contacts.”

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.

“My leadership style would be participative. I want to involve the community, staff and students in any decisions made that will affect their learning experience. Short-term commitment would be to obtain trust and confidence while reinforcing that the school board is here to benefit them. Long-term commitment would be to provide the leadership and funding necessary to ensure a diverse and high-quality education.”

 

Brandon Campanella

Age: 40

Brandon Campanella

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Youth pastor, owner of Bosque Roasters

Highest level of education: Master’s degree

Previously held public office: Los Lunas Board of Education

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?

“I am a former teacher and school board member. I know the working of the school system from the classroom to the behind the scenes work of policy and budgeting. I still work with youth in our community as a youth and outreach pastor. My passion is for the students in our communities and our teachers.”

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“I strongly believe the community should have a large voice in the school’s decision-making process. This is why I am fighting to keep local control of our school boards, so that decisions made are coming from representatives of this community and not handed down from Santa Fe; these our children and our tax dollars.  I want to keep supporting the School Advisory Committee and listen to their insight as decisions are made. I also feel we should have open comments at board meetings so that all stakeholders are given a chance to be heard.”

  Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.

“I want to see even more tech and skill classes offered at the middle and high school level. Students need many options for career paths. I also want to see more community involvement in our schools, when the community is completely invested in our students everyone succeeds.”

 

Steven R. Otero

Age: 63

Steven Otero

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Construction project manager for Compass Engineering and Construction

Highest level of education: Attended WNMU, non degree 1976 to 1979

Previously held public office: Served on the Los Lunas Board of Education, January 2020 to May 2021

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 DUI / no misdemeanors / no felony.”

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

“Serving again on the Los Lunas Schools BOE will reinforce my commitment to continue utilizing my experience in facility management to participate on creating a safe and healthy environment for our community, student and staff. Working almost 30 years for our public education system has afforded me enormous knowledge that I can apply as a BOE member.

How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?

“Community involvement is very important to me. During my time serving on the Los Lunas Schools BOE, I continuously encouraged our community to speak up and be heard without fear of retaliation. Our schools administration need to be more accessible to our community with a smile and encouragement. Our community should have been notified prior to Dr. Romero getting a pay increase and an extension to his short-lived contract.”

Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.

“I will continue holding our administrators accountable as it pertains to questionable spending. I will continue holding our administration accountable as it pertains to fair and equal treatment of all staff. We need to make sure favoritism is a thing of the past. Our staff and students are our number one priority which is a direct result on how our administration conducts our day to day operation of this district.”

 

 

 

VOTING INFORMATION: Absentee by mail

Monday through Friday, through Thursday, Oct. 28

  • Valencia County Clerk’s Office

444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas

Request an absentee ballot by calling the Valencia County Bureau of Elections, 866-2080 or visit the Secretary of State’s website, sos.state.nm.us. Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Absentee ballot secure drop box locations

  • Valencia County Administrative Building

444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas

  • Bosque Farms Public Library

1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms

VOTING INFORMATION: Early in-person

8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 5-29 (Monday through Friday)

10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30

•County Clerk’s Office (Bureau of Elections)

444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas

VOTING INFORMATION: Early voting

10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 16-30 (Monday through Saturday)

•Belen Community Center

305 Eagle Lane, Belen

•Village of Los Lunas Village Hall

660 Main St., Los Lunas

•Town of Peralta Town Hall

90-A Molina Rd., Peralta

•City of Rio Communities City Hall

360 Rio Communities Blvd., Rio Communities

VOTING INFORMATION: Election Day Voting Convenience Centers

(Any registered Valencia County voter can cast a ballot at any center.)

7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 2

  • Belen Community Center

305 Eagle Ln., Belen

  • Belen Consolidated Schools Administration Building

520 N. Main St., Belen

  • City of Rio Communities City Hall

360 Rio Communities Blvd., Rio Communities

  • Don Jose Dolores Cordova Cultural Center

426 Jarales Rd., Jarales

  • El Cerro Community Center

309 El Cerro Mission Blvd., Los Lunas

  • Los Lunas Schools Administration Building

119 Luna St., Los Lunas

  • Tomé Dominguez de Mendoza Community Center

2933 N.M. 47, Tomé

  • Town of Peralta Town Hall

90-A Molina Rd., Peralta

  • Village of Los Lunas Village Hall

660 Main St., Los Lunas

(Editor’s Note: The village of Bosque Farms opted out of the consolidated local elections in November. The village holds its election in March of even numbered years.)

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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.