Duana Draszkiewicz
Duana Draszkiewicz
Age: 74
Current occupation (if retired, from what field): Retired Realtor
Highest level of education: More than three years at the University of New Mexico
Previously held public office: Valencia County Planning and Zoning commissioner (2017-2019); and Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District (VSWCD) board member (Feb. 2021-Dec. 2023) and VSWCD treasurer.
Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanors, or any felony offenses in New Mexico or any other state? “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc. makes you qualified for this position?
“My experience as a Valencia County Planning and Zoning commissioner and treasurer of Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, business background and education are my qualifications. As district treasurer, I helped keep the finances in the black. I frequently attend commission meetings and am familiar with issues people care about.
- What are the top three issues that need to be addressed in the county?
“As water becomes scarcer, private property and public lands—including the Bosque—are at increased risk for future wildfire. Our growing homeless population—many who have mental health issues, including addiction—have almost no services. As agricultural lands are sold and subdivided, water rights are sold to the highest bidder.”
- How can the county’s comprehensive plan best be used to spur economic development and growth?
“The plan should be used in the context of the Mid-Region Council of Government’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CES), which identifies five areas that could drive economic development in rural areas such as ours: agriculture and value-added foods, energy/renewable energy, entrepreneurship, tourism and outdoor recreation, and health.”
- Valencia County residents and taxpayers have been waiting almost 20 years for a hospital, while the current county commission has been negotiating with a possible provider for nearly two years. If elected, what will you do to bring this project to completion?
“Today’s newspaper revealed: “Hospital site announced; Valencia County commission approves healthcare facilities, contract, design-build team.” If elected, I’ll work on making sure the timelines are met, because the legislature is unlikely to approve another extension of the $50 million capital outlay, without which the hospital will not be built.”
Troy Richardson (I)
Troy Richardson (I)
Age: 45
Occupation: Well drilling contractor and farmer
Education: One year of classes at NMIMT
Previous elected political offices: County Commission District 2
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 am currently the commissioner for District 2 as well as the vice chairman of the board. My experience as a business owner gives me valuable perspective on economic development. My background as a contractor has been helpful in county contract negotiations.”
- What are the top three issues that need to be addressed in the county?
“The Valencia County Hospital needs to be completed. Valencia County needs a flood control agency. After several recent destructive floods in the county, an agency to operate and maintain flood control facilities is necessary. The sheriff’s department needs resources for recruitment and officer retention. The safety of our community is a top priority.”
- How can the county’s comprehensive plan best be used to spur economic development and growth?
“The comprehensive plan specifies areas within the county where various types of new growth is desired. The commission can use these guidelines when hearing zoning requests as well as during conversations about growth with constituents. This helps us to prioritize infrastructure improvements in areas of future economic development.”
- Valencia County residents and taxpayers have been waiting almost 20 years for a hospital, while the current county commission has been negotiating with a possible provider for nearly two years. If elected, what will you do to bring this project to completion?
“On April 24, the commission signed the contracts for land acquisition and the health care facilities contract. We gave authority to the county manager to finalize the design build contract. If re-elected, I will ensure that it meets the 2026 completion deadline by maintaining focus and handling all issues that arise expediently and efficiently.”
James Dean
James Dean
Age: 75
Occupation: Retired, federal service and U.S. Army
Education: 14 years
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 is your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“I was an administrative officer, budget analyst, program analyst, federal law enforcement and a deputy.”
- What are the top three issues that need to be addressed in the county?
“Water quality, law enforcement response and roads.”
- How can the county’s comprehensive plan best be used to spur economic development and growth?
“I have not read the plan. Therefore, I can not give an answer.”
- Valencia County residents and taxpayers have been waiting almost 20 years for a hospital, while the current county commission has been negotiating with a possible provider for nearly two years. If elected, what will you do to bring this project to completion?
“Review what has been done and work on removing the stumbling blocks to make the process move forward in a timely manner. This is based on the premise that the residents and taxpayers will get their moneys worth and not give a large corporation the money to put up a building and not provide quality service.”
(Editor’s Note: Samuel Esquibel, Republican candidate for Valencia County Commission District 2, did not return his answers to the News-Bulletin questionnaire.)
Charles Eaton
Charles Eaton
Age: 57
Occupation: Retired fire chief, Valencia County
Education: Belen High School graduate (1984).
Previous elected political offices: Probate judge, one term; county commissioner, three terms
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?
“Over 25 years experience in county government, as an elected official and employee. Belen High School graduate (1984).”
- What are the top three issues that need to be addressed in the county ?
“•Protection and preservation of our environment: Work to ensure the county has adequate drinking water for years to come. Additionally, address the illegal dumping on the east and west mesa’s of the county. And most importantly preserve the agricultural lands within our beautiful green belt.
- Public Safety: Fund the sheriff’s department and fire department to the highest levels possible to best serve the public, with good salaries and equipment.
- Homeless situation: Work jointly with the municipalities and state governments agencies to address the homeless situation.”
- How can the county’s comprehensive plan best be used to spur economic development and growth?
“This plan needs to be the driving force on any and all economic development, any deviation will result in failure and unplanned development and unforeseen needs.”
- Valencia County residents and taxpayers have been waiting almost 20 years for a hospital, while the current county commission has been negotiating with a possible provider for nearly two years. If elected, what will you do to bring this project to completion?
“The commission has awarded a contract to Community Hospital Corporation on April 24, 2024. My concerns are location and financial sustainability after mill levy funds are expedited for operations and maintenance.”
Joseph Bizzell (I)
Joseph Bizzell (I)
Age: 51
Occupation: Self employed
Education: Trade school
Previous elected political offices: Valencia County Commissioner District 4
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?
“If I’m re-elected, this will be my second term as a Valencia County commissioner, District 4. I’ve stayed committed to completing a deal for the Valencia County hospital. I’ll continue to be dedicated to being an upstanding community member, business owner, neighbor, husband and father.”
- What are the top three issues that need to be addressed in the county?
“During my first term, I was able to maintain my commitment to achieving the hospital. My second goal is transportation for ambulance services, and my third goal and most important is economic development.”
- How can the county’s comprehensive plan best be used to spur economic development and growth?
“The comprehensive plan can be used by inviting large companies to create business opportunities while preserving our rural farming community.”
- Valencia County residents and taxpayers have been waiting almost 20 years for a hospital, while the current county commission has been negotiating with a possible provider for nearly two years. If elected, what will you do to bring this project to completion?
“As of April 24, 2024, the Valencia County Commission approved the partnership with CHC for the construction of our hospital. To date, no other commission has put in more effort and time into the completion of the hospital.”
David A. Hyder
David A. Hyder
Age: 47
Occupation: Director of compliance and fidelity
Education: Bachelor of Arts in political science from University of Texas at El Paso, New Mexico certified county commissioner, New Mexico certified public official, New Mexico certified public supervisor, New Mexico certified advocate for public ethics, New Mexico certified public finance professional
Previous elected political offices: Valencia County commissioner, District 3
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 earned a Bachelor of Art in political science from UTEP. I was previously a Valencia County commissioner and know the procedures for the position. I have many certifications from New Mexico State University through Education Designed to Generate Excellence in the Public Sector.”
- What are the top three issues that need to be addressed in the county?
“Valencia County is growing. Public safety is my number one concern. We need to grow the sheriff’s office, public works, animal control, fire department, keep the budget balanced, finish the jail expansion, and each department for the citizens of Valencia County.”
- How can the county’s comprehensive plan best be used to spur economic development and growth?
“Valencia County has paid for an updated comprehensive plan that needs to be utilized. More people are moving here and we need businesses, infrastructure, and the ability to provide incentives.”
- Valencia County residents and taxpayers have been waiting almost 20 years for a hospital, while the current county commission has been negotiating with a possible provider for nearly two years. If elected, what will you do to bring this project to completion?
“On April 24, 2024 the populace learned the location and information of a Valencia County hospital. I will hold the provider accountable for their time line. If there are any delays, I will recommend they came to a meeting and explain to the citizens of Valencia County.”
Dante E. Berry
Dante E. Berry
Age: 31
Occupation: Financial advisor
Education: AA from NMMI, BA business administration from UNM
Previous elected political offices: N/A
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?
“As a financial professional, I am responsible for the life savings of my clients. Often, I am working with people who are retired and are depending on me to manage their funds. It is my responsibility to give my clients the best possible chance of attaining their financial goals. I will apply the same responsibility to my constituents, ensuring that they are getting the best possible return for their tax dollar investment.”
- What are the top three issues that need to be addressed in the county?
“•Increasing our gross receipt revenue.
- Ensuring that our first responders are well funded.
- Improving and maintaining our infrastructure.”
- How can the county’s comprehensive plan best be used to spur economic development and growth?
“The comprehensive plan will be best used to ensure that as a county we are preserving our historic cites and rural communities, as a foundation in pursuing growth and development.”
- Valencia County residents and taxpayers have been waiting almost 20 years for a hospital, while the current county commission has been negotiating with a possible provider for nearly two years. If elected, what will you do to bring this project to completion?
“(At the time of writing and submitting this request the location, provider and builder are all finalized.) Once I am officially elected as county commissioner, I will ensure that the construction of the hospital remains on time and on budget.”
(Editor’s Note: Additional candidate Q & As with other local candidates will run throughout the month of May.)
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 15, 2024
