2021 Election: Town of Peralta

MAYOR

Margarita Castillo

Age: 63

Margarita Castillo

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Business owner

Highest level of education: Bachelors of Science in information technology, six credit hours from a master’s in computer science

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 am currently a successful electrical business owner. Previously, I held a position with the federal government in Chicago and was tasked with the development and implementation of the continuity of operations plan and coordinated with other agencies in preparation for local and national disasters.

“Additionally, I reviewed and revised risk management policies and procedures. Prior to this position, I retired from a large hospital where I managed 45 team members and the department daily operations.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“Invite businesses that enhance quality of life; create ordinances that restore/promote Peralta’s rural atmosphere; make Peralta’s governing practices transparent; give a voice to the citizens of Peralta; focus on the safety and security of Peralta’s residents; protect property values; focus on recreational activities for all ages that align with rural life; re-focus Peralta’s finances on necessary infrastructure projects instead of vanity projects; create a team of professionals dedicated to serving the townspeople of Peralta.”

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

“Peralta was incorporated in 2007 for the purpose of preserving its identity and place in New Mexico’s history. After 14 years, Peralta is headed down the wrong path. Peralta’s history and rural landscape is being erased by the industrialization of Highway 47, Peralta’s Main Street. Peralta’s impressive history and cultural heritage should be the focus to draw people and revenues in. I want to return to that focus and keep Peralta true to its roots.”

Should the town enact a more strict fireworks ordinance that would align with other local jurisdictions? Explain why or why not.

“Peralta’s fireworks ordinance should align with surrounding communities and use limited to celebrating July 4th. Livestock and pets are stressed needlessly due to excessive use of aerial fireworks. We owe a massive debt to our war veterans, and it is incumbent upon us to protect those who have earned the right to peace and quiet in their own homes. Inducing post traumatic syndrome with aerial fireworks does not honor veterans; it mocks them.”

Christine M. Murphy

Age: 62

Christine Murphy

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Dental hygienist. In addition, I have done bookkeeping for over 20 years for several clients.

Highest level of education: Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene.

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, I have not.”

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 longtime resident of Peralta, and raised my four children here. My grandchild attends school here in Peralta. I am concerned with many issues that face our community. For over 20 years, I was the manager in charge of a large dental clinic with a budget of over $1 million and led a staff of a dozen people.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“I want to see transparency in our town government. I want to encourage police presence by working closely with Bosque Farms Police Department. Water protection is an important issue we face. The current administration is planning a community center and park, and I would love to see that project completed. Small businesses should be encouraged to look at our town to grow their business while keeping the rural setting that many of our residents enjoy.”

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

“Many residents have spoken to me about how they feel they have been treated at some council meetings. I want the community to feel as though they have a voice in decisions made for them. Public safety is vital in a small community.”

Should the town enact a more strict fireworks ordinance that would align with other local jurisdictions? Explain why or why not.

“Absolutely! With the drought conditions we constantly face, I would like to see ‘Safe and Sane’ ordinances passed for fireworks.”

Bryan R. Olguin (I)

Age: 59

Bryan Olguin

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Senior service technician

Highest level of education: Associate degree-electronics communication graduate, Municipal Officials Leadership Institute (MOLI) NMML Graduate, Leadership New Mexico

Previously held public office: Mayor of Peralta 2008-Present

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?

“Thirteen-plus years as mayor of Peralta. Life long resident. Worked with council members and staff to build a township from scratch. Negotiated a contract with village of Bosque Farms for police services. Worked with Peralta Volunteer Fire Department chief to strengthen services. Built a strong administration department, public works department, code enforcement department and animal control department. I sincerely care about this community and all who live here.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“Public safety, emergency services, infrastructure, support our farmers. If gross receipts allow, build our own police department. Complete the Senior/Community Center and Park on Quail Run Road. Build state of the art fire department along recently acquired property on N.M. 47. Continue to expand wastewater infrastructure in order to provide services to residents who need it. Also to clean up ground water contamination. Continue to pave roads and rebuild bridges. Seek incentives to keep farming alive in Peralta.”

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

“Construct a state of the art fire department building and equip it to provide a higher level of safety and protection to both residents and our fantastic volunteer firefighters.
Develop/build our own police department. Support our public safety agencies to combat crime. Infrastructure, water and wastewater. Complete the community center, which will serve all ages. Seek funding via federal and state sources, grants, legislative appropriations and increase GRTs to help pay for these.”

Should the town enact a more strict fireworks ordinance that would align with other local jurisdictions? Explain why or why not.

“No. Peralta incorporated to retain its proud identity and chart its own course, not follow the lead of neighboring communities. When this great country of ours was founded, fireworks were the symbol of celebration, freedom and independence.

“I will not surrender nor give up this freedom of expression. I pledge my allegiance to the United States of America and will proudly honor all who have served us in the past, present and into the future!”

PERALTA TOWN COUNCIL (two open positions)

Claudio Moya (I)

Age: 67

Claudio Moya

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Semi-retired water well driller

Highest level of education: High school diploma

Previously held public office: Peralta councilor for six years

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 last six years on the council.”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“To really just continue with what we’ve been doing. The most important is the waste water, then the community, multipurpose center. It’s a slow process.”

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

“We’re a small town. There’s a bunch we can do and right now, wastewater is the most important. There’s the new fire department we’re working on and roads — like always, that never ends — and of course, the community center. The challenge is getting money from the Legislature.”

Should the town enact a more strict fireworks ordinance that would align with other local jurisdictions? Explain why or why not.

“I don’t think so. I think we’re OK.”

Randy A. Smith (I)

Age: 62

Randy Smith

Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Electrical contractor, Owner; REC Mini Storage

Highest level of education: High school

Previously held public office: Chairman of planning and zoning commission for town of Peralta, seven years; town of Peralta councilman since 2016

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 have past experience from serving on planning and zoning as well as serving as councilman. I’ve participated in training from the New Mexico Municipal League in both planning and zoning as well as (four) training seminars on ‘elected officials.’”

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

“Finish the construction of a community center and park area we have acquired partial funding for. Complete a new fire station we acquired land from the NMDOT for. Continue our sewer service to the community. Continue transforming our dirt roads to compacted millings or paving. Economic development where and when we can.”

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

“The New Mexico Environmental Health Department found that Peralta had areas that had a high risk of ground water contamination. Our sewer system has been a big success. However, we still need to be able to expand our infrastructure and connections to continue this success. I will continue to work on acquiring funding for this and other projects I mentioned earlier.”

Should the town enact a more strict fireworks ordinance that would align with other local jurisdictions? Explain why or why not.

“I have reviewed the town of Peralta fireworks ordinance many times. I am comfortable with the limitations in that ordinance as written. I believe other local jurisdictions should do what they think is best for their community.”

TOWN OF PERALTA JUDGE

(Editor’s Note: Peralta Municipal Judge Tracy L. Aragon is running unopposed in this race. He did not return his answers to the News-Bulletin questionnaire.)