Richard Henderson
Age: 63
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): I am a retired captain from the New Mexico Department of Corrections, former code enforcement officer for the city of Rio Communities and former director of public safety field operations for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Highest level of education: New Mexico Corrections Academy, NMDPS Firearms and Defensive Tactics instructor
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. “Absolutely not!”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“My time with the NMDOC I ensured the safe running of the complex to include the officers, inmates, administration, and medical staff. I was involved in writing policies and procedures for the facility. As a public safety director of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, I oversaw field operations and personnel.”
- 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?
“Slowing the crime in the city. I will work closely with law enforcement, and the state to come up with solutions. We need to stop being victims. Building trust and faith with the residence of the city, they need to have their voice heard. As city councilor I will listen to their needs and allow them to state their opinions.”
- How would you attract businesses to the city in order to increase the tax base to better provide services to the residents and other businesses?
“I would assist the economic development team with promoting the city. I would do my best to receive involvement from the residents. I would try to find ways to attract younger families. The city must have places for people to gather for outdoor activities. Organize more city events.”
Matthew Marquez
Age: 48
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): U.S. Army veteran (retired), federal surface maintenance mechanic (retired) Highest level of education: High school
Previously held elected 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. “Yes. Making mistakes are inevitable, it’s what is done with those choices that defines the person.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“As a retired veteran who served in Iraq, Kuwait, South Korea and Kosovo, I maintained the activities of over 50 personnel including budget, moral, training and disciplinary actions. This experience provides a solid foundation to work in unison with the community, allowing me to anticipate and respond to city issues effectively.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“Work with our officials to improve transparency while involving community input and relations. Build the economy while maintaining and improving its infrastructure. Improving the cities ordinances reflecting the residents desired way of life.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“Some common concerns expressed by the community include lack of transparency and infrastructure (poor road/ sidewalks/ residential lighting/parks). To address these, we need to focus on training employees and community members to help write state and federal grants. Grants funding opportunities will increase the budget and help solve community concerns.”
- How would you attract businesses to the city in order to increase the tax base to better provide services to residents and other businesses?
“To attract businesses to the community we need to focus on the communities needs first and foremost. We have the population to support stores like a grocery store or recreational activities. With basic needs met, the community will grow and have the population to support larger industry.”
Thomas W. Nelson
Age: 54
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Master automotive technician and property development and management.
Highest level of education: Associate degree, ASE & GM certified master technician
Previously held elected office: NA
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. “Yes, DUI.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“Eight-year U.S. Navy veteran. Thirty-plus years in supervisory and management of employees, estimating and trouble shooting. Volunteer with local fraternal organization, planning and execution of food and toy drives in the local community.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“1. Quality of life: Build a live/work/play environment that accommodates longtime residents and the future generations of Rio Communities, promoting a community-driven lifestyle. 2. Transparency and trust between city government and residents by encouraging citizen involvement and city communication. 3. Support newly founded police department.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“1. Lack of EMS service. Work with EMS providers in the state to develop plans for recruiting and retaining staff. 2. Infrastructure. Create a working public/private partnership addressing insufficient infrastructure inhibiting future business and housing growth.”
- How would you attract businesses to the city in order to increase the tax base to better provide services to residents and other businesses?
“1. Build a relationship with developers to invest in infrastructure to provide buildable sites for businesses and home builders. 2. Encourage residents to support existing businesses so they can expand and grow in our community.”
Jim Winters (I)
Age: 75
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired. Laboratory scientist specializing in coagulation (hemostasis) – bleeding or clotting of blood.
Highest level of education: BS in medical technology; minor in chemistry
Previously held elected office: City councilor in city of Rio Communities
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 in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“Laboratory science involves chemical conditions. Observations and problem solving are similar in city government. Listening to citizens and finding best legal solutions is the goal. Listening taught me to try different solutions, choosing the best one. I’ve been a city councilor for four years and in Rio Communities government for 10 years.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“Increase officers and effectiveness of the police force. Secure ICIP funding for street lights ASAP. Keep working on street upgrades and working on a truck by-pass route to take pressure off 304/47 junction. Work on children’s recreation programs and stay focused on clean up projects. Encourage buying locally whenever possible.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“The same challenge facing our citizens — inflation. Oil at $90 a barrel makes it difficult to repair roads and everything cities do. It complicates keeping good employees doing their jobs. Horizon didn’t mandate a sewer/water system. It leaves us with spotty coverage and no way legally to fix it.”
- How would you attract businesses to the city in order to increase the tax base to better provide services to residents and other businesses?
“Improve the efficiency of the permitting process. A smile at the first contact point and willingness to get proper answers improves the city’s chance of additional businesses. Leads that our advisor and Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance create must be followed up quickly. Cleaning up main roadways is a business magnet.”
Important dates
Tuesday, Oct. 10
- Voter registration closes for all mail and online registrations.
New Mexico does offer same-day registration, so eligible voter can register to vote or update their voter registration and then vote on the same day at the county clerk’s office, at all early voting locations and any voter convenience center on Election Day. SDR cannot be used for absentee voting; it is only available for voters voting in person, on the same day they register or update their registration.
To use SDR bring one of the three following:
- New Mexico driver’s license or New Mexico identification card issued through the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department
- Any document that contains an address in the county together with a photo ID card
- A current valid student photo ID card from a post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico, accompanied by a current student fee statement that contains the student’s address in the county.
- Absentee by mail/early in-person voting begins.
To request an absentee ballot application, go to portal.sos.state.nm.us, or call the Valencia County Clerk’s Bureau of Elections at 505-866-2080. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, Oct. 24, either by mail or in person at the clerk’s office, 444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Absentee ballots must be completed and returned by 7 p.m., Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Ballots can be returned by mail, in person at the clerk’s office, at any of the early voting locations, at one of the Voter Convenience Centers on Election Day or in one of the following three secure ballot dropboxes in the county until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Ballot dropbox locations
- Belen Community Center
305 Eagle Lane, Belen
- Bosque Farms Public Library
1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Valencia County Administration Offices
444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
Early in-person voting
Early in-person voting will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from Tuesday, Oct. 10, through Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Valencia County Administration Building, 444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas.
Saturday, Oct. 21
- Alternate early voting begins
Early voting at alternate voting sites begins on Saturday, Oct. 21, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 4. The three sites are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
- Belen Community Center
305 Eagle Lane, Belen
- Bosque Farms Public Library
1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Valencia County Administration Offices
444 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
Voter Convenience Centers
7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7
- Ann Parish Elementary School
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
- Daniel Fernandez Intermediate 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 Mission
- Logsdon Hall
19676 N.M. 314, Los Chavez
- Los Lunas Schools Administration
119 Luna Ave., Los Lunas
- Peralta Town Hall
90A Molina Road, Peralta
- Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Center
4001 N.M. 314, Isleta
- Tomé Dominguez de Mendoza Community Center
2933 N.M. 47, Tomé
- UNM-Valencia Workforce Training Center
1020 Huning Ranch East Loop SW, 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 2, 2024
