Belinda Martinez (I)
Age: 71
Current occupation (if retired, from what field): Retired Belen Consolidated Schools (high school)
Highest level of education: UNM Main Campus dual bachelor’s degrees in special education PreK-12 and regular education 7-12 graduating from UNM-Valencia prior in both areas. Both with cum laude honors.
Previously held elected office: UNM-Valencia Advisory Board and board secretary for the Belen Consolidated School district since 2003.
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, I have not.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“As a teacher I would engage and encourage good performance of all students and encourage growth and student success for all. I, myself, was a nontraditional student. I returned to UNM Valencia after my husband and I were raising a family of six children. I loved UNM-Valencia and wanted to help students realize it is never too late for anyone to further their education.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“Our meetings are open to the public and we will always welcome their input, and I am always a phone call away for questions, suggestions, and/or concerns.”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“As a leader I will continue to encourage our high school students to take advantage of the no-cost dual enrollment program. Also, our growing nursing program, and our amazing Work Force Center, so our students advance with credit hours to graduate quicker from main campus or continue to grow out in the workforce.”
Paul T. Luna (I)
Age: 70
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Retired educator
Highest level of education: Master’s degree, UNM
Previously held elected office: UNM-Valencia Advisory Board
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?
“With over 30 years in education, I have been able to use that experience in assisting UNM-Valencia, as our campus grows and continues to serve the residents of Valencia County. Working closely with our main campus in Albuquerque is a vital component in our success, as we continue to add programs for our students, such as our nursing program.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“Our advisory board meetings are open to the public, and we always welcome input from our students and our community, this input is vital for the success of UNM-Valencia. Input from our staff and faculty is also vital for our success, they are the backbone of UNM-Valencia!”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“It is important that UNM-Valencia keep up with the trends in education, therefore inviting public input, and collaboration with local businesses and local school districts. I believe in our dual credit programs that exist in our high schools, that bring high school students to our campus, and also takes classes to our school districts. This program also gives teachers an opportunity to become adjunct faculty at UNM-Valencia, a great opportunity for everyone!”
Christopher Williams
Write-in candidate
Age: 54
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Emergency planner
Highest level of education: AS nuclear engineering
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. “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“As an emergency planner, I use critical thinking and analytical skills to assess protective actions and determine future needs. As an instructor, I have developed the skillset to communicate at all levels. As a military veteran, I have honed strategic teambuilding to achieve mission successes.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“The role of an advisory board member is to serve the community and the college by offering strategic direction, guidance, and accountability. They ensure that the direction of the university aligns with the needs of the community. They give feedback on the effectiveness of the academic programs and suggest changes and improvements.”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“The priority of an advisory board member is to address the needs of the community and the university. Our community needs skills that can be used in our rapidly growing job market. My plan would be to ensure that we partner strategically to equip our local talent with the resources that are needed.”
Torres G. Leyba
Age: 47
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Community advocate; political consultant, speechwriter
Highest level of education: AAS, University of New Mexico (Valencia Campus), Class of 2012
Previously held elected office: I have been elected to numerous boards and advisory groups during my career.
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?
“Along with being a proud 2012 alumnus, I have served on various boards and advisory groups during a public career spanning four decades. As president of the Valencia Campus’ Student Government, I was honored to serve for two years as a student member on the UNM-VC Advisory Board from 2009-2011.”
- How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process of the board?
“By promoting the board’s regular meetings, held four times per year. I hope to also hold regular informational exchange meetings with all campus stakeholders. I will also be a visible and accessible member of the campus community, emulating the exceptional example of those who currently serve on the board.”
- Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in the school district — short term and long term.
“Both goals involve continuing the tradition of excellent service provided by the current board. Being a constant advocate for the campus at all levels of the community while learning best practices from my colleagues who have the experience to help me develop into a better public servant overall.”
(Editor’s Note: Write-in candidate Richard Montgomery did not return the News-Bulletin’s questionnaire.)
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
