Alonzo Baldonado
Age: 49
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Self employed, real estate broker
Highest level of education: Bachelor of business administration, UNM 1996
Previously held elected office: New Mexico State Representative District 8, 11 years
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?
“The challenges of running a small business and concurrently serving in public office have refined my skills as a leader and negotiator. If elected I will bring my unique skill set, knowledge of state government and my relationships with state leaders to the role of mayor of Los Lunas.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“Los Lunas is an up-and-coming municipality that has missed many opportunities. I will address our lack of infrastructure planning and construction, focus on crime reduction and find solutions for the growing homelessness problem we are facing.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“Infrastructure is the number one issue for Los Lunas. We have been growing for 40 years and failure to plan and make those projects come together have caused our community to suffer from a lack of mobility. Our conversations today should reflect our needs in 10, 20 and 30 years from now.”
- What quality-of-life initiatives would you advocate for if elected?
“A municipality should provide its citizens quality of life projects. During my time in the Legislature, I was able to appropriate millions of dollars for these types of projects. Our children depend on their leaders to provide pathways for exciting and engaging activities in our community.”
Charles Griego (I)
Age: 72
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Manager, Heritage Title of Valencia County
Highest level of education: Graduate University of New Mexico, degree in history
Previously held elected office: Mayor since 2014, council member 1982 to 2014
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 been involved in many exciting projects that have benefited, the residents of the village of Los Lunas, as well as addressing many of the challenging issues facing our village. This gives me the background to continue to implement policies and decisions that benefit our village.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“Completing the new interchange and bridge, giving Los Lunas, its much needed second corridor across the Rio Grande. The recent collapse of the drainage structure near the existing bridge emphasizes the need for a second crossing. The current project, which has been funded, will begin construction next year.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“1. Traffic. The village has acquired the funding to construct a new interchange and bridge crossing the Rio Grande.
- Establishing new community parks, including a swimming facility, while maintaining the quality of our existing parks.
- Maintaining the high level of community service and safety services provided by the village.”
- What quality-of-life initiatives would you advocate for if elected?
“The term quality of life covers many aspects of the services the village of Los Lunas provides to its residents. The village of Los Lunas must continue to provide and expand, the high level of services village residents receives and expect, from our utilities, public safety and recreation departments.”
Gino Romero (I)
Age: 52
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Packaging and supply broker in Foodservice and Janitorial Supply.
Highest level of education: Associate degree
Previously held elected office: Current village of Los Lunas Council, representing District 2. Position held for nine years.
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, driving under the influence in New Orleans, La., in 1997. Never convicted as all charges were dropped.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“While serving the village in this capacity for the last nine years, I have become knowledgeable in budget analysis, village planning and economic development. I’m committed to the residents of Los Lunas and making decisions that have a positive impact on growth while respecting the rich history of our community.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“Obtain funding to build and operate an aquatic center. Currently, design is 50 percent complete, project needs assessment is forthcoming.
“Work with parks and recreation to complete the bosque master plan and obtain funding to create an environmentally friendly trail system in the bosque to add to our quality of life.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“Traffic control-with funding secured, the second interchange should help immensely.
“Infrastructure for calculated and sustainable growth — proper maintenance of current infrastructure and progressive planning to meet the needs necessary as a result of the growth we are experiencing.”
- What quality-of-life initiatives would you advocate for if elected.
“Aquatic Center, trail system along the bosque to assist in a healthy lifestyle, increased recreation programming for youth and adults, continued support for stem programming at the library and museum.”
Dr. James Runyon (I)
Age: 55
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Senior pastor
Highest level of education: Doctorate
Previously held elected office: Los Lunas City Council District 4
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 a pastor, I manage the church I work for, including the restaurant named “The Branch” located across town and next to Albertsons. Also, one of my largest responsibilities is to unify people for a larger goal. I would like to do this for the village of Los Lunas.”
- What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
“Families and small businesses of Los Lunas should prosper and not be weighted down with regulations and taxes.
“Everyone should have the same access to city services and opportunities no matter your size or income. As a village councilman, I will ensure everyone is heard, and all are equally represented.”
- What are the most important challenges facing the community, and how do you propose to address them?
“Better streets, more parks including dog parks, various courts and local pools are necessary for those families living here and wanting to relocate.
“The council’s focus should be in planning for a city where everyone feels like they are home. My goal is for a vibrant community!”
- What quality-of-life initiatives would you advocate for if elected?
“Los Lunas is a growing community; therefore, it is imperative that the village offer time, and places for families to feel safe and connected.
“Los Lunas Boulevard must be completed to ensure less time in traffic.
“Also, expanding Daniel Fernandez Park with pools would offer more options for families.”
Mark Aguilar
Age: 64
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Los Lunas code enforcement supervisor
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. “No.”
- How can you ensure your fairness in adjudicating criminal cases?
“I believe fairness is done on a non biased basis and each case looked at based on the presentation of facts.”
- What can the municipal court do to help ensure compliance of municipal ordinances?
“Work with the individuals and officers so we can come to an agreement and time frame for compliance to be met. Repeat offenders would be held to a different standard depending on the violation.”
- Do you believe in alternative sentencing? If so, explain.
“Yes. I believe that in these times that we are facing we should allow for not only fines but also make available an option for community service for those who are unable to pay fines.”
Avilio Chavez (I)
Age: 70
Current occupation (If retired, from what field): Municipal judge
Highest level of education: Bachelor of Arts
Previously held elected office: Current Los Lunas Municipal Judge
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.”
- How can you ensure your fairness in adjudicating criminal cases?
“First, adjudication is the process in which a court judge resolves issues between two parties. These are similar to the arbitration hearing process. The process helps expedite and deliver a court’s resolution between two parties. The result of the process is a judgement and court opinion that is legally binding.”
- What can the municipal court do to help ensure compliance of municipal ordinances?
“Municipal ordinances are designed to protect all property owners. Noncompliance is initiated by code enforcement, which initially works with property owners to bring them into compliance. If property owners do not come into compliance. They will be cited and ordered to report to court which, at that time, they could be given a final opportunity to come into compliance or subjected to fines.”
- Do you believe in alternative sentencing? If so, explain.
“Alternative sentencing is many times a necessary tool in the sentencing process. Instead of demanding monetary compensation we could have people perform community service.”
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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April 25, 2024
