Carlos Montoya has announced his candidacy for the Democratic primary for county commission, District 1.

District 1 is the west side of the river from Isleta Pueblo on the north to Peyton Road (south side) in Los Chavez.

Montoya, a lifelong resident of Los Lunas and former Village of Los Lunas Councilor, is the son of Nancy Maestas Montoya and Orlando Montoya, who was a Baatan Death March survivor and former POW who died in 1955.

Montoya has stated that his campaign will focus on finding the best option for operating the county jail.

“In order to bring our employees back to full-time status and to restore county programs, the cost of operating the jail must be reduced. Valencia County must be in a position to control its own destiny,” Montoya said.

According to Montoya, there are two options. “The county operates the jail or seeks competitive bids from the private sector. In both options, the jail should be an enterprise fund where, with productive management, revenues generated can offset expenditures and relieve some financial pressure in the general fund. The current contract expires in June, 2003. In the interim, we should follow the recommendation of the jail committee to renegotiate the current contract.”

Montoya says he would also work with the Village of Los Lunas, the Los Lunas School Board and the state lawmakers in order to solve the tremendous traffic congestion on Main Street in Los Lunas, which is in his district.

According to Montoya, “Everyone has experienced the frustrating traffic problem on Main Street. The solution is the construction of another interchange off of I-25, leading into Los Lunas.

“This project had been previously funded by the State Highway Department, but has been put on hold. It is imperative that we, as a unified body, not only revive this project, but get it completed. If elected, I will work diligently to provide relief on this major issue.”

The third major issue is to bring regionalized landfill to our county, Montoya says. “Taxpayers’ money is being spent on an out-of-state, private company to dispose of the Valencia County, Village of Los Lunas, City of Belen, and Village of Bosque Farms solid waste. Government officials must work together in solving our solid waste issues, and I vow to work on obtaining a regional landfill for the governments of Valencia County.”

Montoya is 48 years old and a 1971 graduate of Los Lunas High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Albuquerque. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

In closing, Montoya said, “We are aware of these problems facing the county, and people have expressed ideas on these issues. I am prepared to work on the solutions and pledge to work hard, be accessible and strive to make Valencia County a place where we are proud to be citizens.”

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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.