Pando seeks re-election to county commission

Valencia County commissioner Frank Pando has announced that he will seek re-election to the commission.

“Having been involved in county and city government for the past 18 years, 15 years planning and zoning, three years on the county commission, has taught me a great deal,” Pando said in a press release. “It has shown me more than anything to admire and respect the person who is sitting on the hot chair, for it is not the individual who criticizes you or praises you but who sits on that hot chair that has the responsibility and the privilege that make the decision that has to be made. The buck stops here.

“The current county commission has accomplished many great things,” Pando said and added that there are many more that need to be done.

His No. 1 priority, he said, “is to solve our budget problems and bring our employees back to a normal 40-hour week, and somehow reward our loyal and hardworking employees with a pay raise instead of a cut.”

Another important issue to Pando is the jail issue. The problem should have some answers soon, he said.

Also “we have a trash problem,” he said.

“We need a landfill to help us solve the trash problem, and we also need more transfer stations.”

There is also “an economic development issue.”

“We need jobs for our people. We need to keep our kids at home. We export around 60 percent of our resources, but the most important thing we export is our children,” Pando said. “We need to stop that. We have to find funding sources for our youth, extension service, YDI, etc.”

Pando then discussed the need to establish a hospital in the county.

“We have to provide some type of medical facility in our county to serve our residents. It is a shame when people die because we cannot get them medical assistance on time. We cannot be playing with human lives,” he said.

Other problems in the county include the animal control facility and traffic, “especially in the Los Lunas area.” He said he will work with the village council to try and solve the problems.

“These are just some of the issues facing Valencia County. As your current county commissioner, I have tried and will continue to try and find answers or solutions to all of the above. I ask for your support and input into all of the above plus many more, and I will make you one promise: to keep fighting for you and keep you as informed as possible.

“I have and will continue to be very accessible to all of the citizens of Valencia County. Anytime I can be of assistance, or help in any way.

“Thank you for the support, trust and confidence you have shown in the past. I again ask for your support and vote in the upcoming election. Together we can and will make a difference.”