Michael Leon Otero (I)
Age: 69
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired business owner; currently working with Otero Farms
Highest level of education: College
Previously held elected office: Peralta town counselor since 2007
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?
Having spent nearly all my life in Peralta as well as operating a business and running a farm here, I know the needs of the community. Also being on the town council has helped me and this council to translate some of those needs into realities.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“Even though we are a relatively small town, we face the same demands as big cities. I want to work with our state and federal representatives as well as increase our (gross receipts tax) in order to meet those demands: roads, police, fire, EMS, wastewater, a community center, a new fire station, etc.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“As stated above, the town’s biggest challenge is securing the funds through our GRT and available grants to keep our existing programs and duties going. We have a very professional staff that keeps our government on track and our budget in line.”
- How can the town maintain its rural charm while encouraging economic development?
“That’s a tough one because so much of Peralta is being subdivided while landowners are selling off their water rights. No water, no agriculture. On the other hand, we encourage businesses, particularly along N.M. 47. Our new park and annual town fiesta help keep the rural charm.”
Joseph Romero (I)
Age: 45
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Engineer
Highest level of education: Bachelor’s degree
Previously held elected office: Peralta Town Council (since 2007)
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?
“I have an advanced understanding of infrastructure systems and how they contribute/impact the operation and development of the town. I also have extensive experience in managing high value/volume programs and projects.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“I will continue working to expand our wastewater service until available to all residents as well as advocating for a disciplined and data driven road maintenance program. I also plan to focus on making improvements to public safety within the town including fire, EMS and police services.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“Fostering sustainable development while maintaining the character our residents desire is difficult. I believe the answer lies in our ability to embrace farming and encourage locally sourced retail and agricultural businesses. Our planning and zoning and development regulations must be consistent with that, and protect the character of development along the N.M. 47 corridor.”
- How can the town maintain it’s rural charm while encouraging economic development?
“See the answer provided above. Locally-sourced products, especially as related to agriculture are key, along with tweaking our regulations to establish an appropriate character of development throughout the town.”
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
