New Mexico News
| Cordova Faces 2 Dems for Seat |
| Posted by () on May 21 2008 at 6:13 PM |
Three Democrats are fighting for the District 2 Bernalillo County Commission seat that covers the wide area from Tóhajiilee to Mountain View.
Incumbent Teresa Córdova is facing challenges from Art DeLaCruz and Andrew Leo Lopez, who also ran against her in 2004.
Córdova said she has done a lot in her first term and wants a second to continue her work. She pointed to the completion of the South Valley Health Commons, the Isleta Boulevard widening project, and the contract between Mesa del Sol and some South Valley plant growers— through the South Valley Economic Development Center— as being accomplishments of which she's especially proud.
Her opponents say there needs to be a change.
Lopez took issue with the fact that Córdova voted to raise both property and gross receipts taxes.
"Change from the incumbent is necessary to protect the purchasing power of the constituents," Lopez said, adding he would not vote to approve any new taxes if he is elected.
DeLaCruz also took issue with Córdova's tax votes, saying the county's budget needs to be studied more closely to find ways to fund projects without raising taxes.
"I want to take existing funding and move it to other areas," DeLaCruz said. "I think the county's priorities need to be refocused."
Córdova defended her votes, saying services depended on them.
"I wouldn't have voted for them if I didn't think they were necessary," Córdova said.
Balancing acts
DeLaCruz said his priorities if he were elected would be to improve social services such as before- and after-school programs in the district. Those programs have been moved from county community centers to schools because the county said it can't use the vans it had been using due to safety concerns.
"The county could use those vans if it wanted to. The city and the state use those kinds of vans," DeLaCruz said, adding he would push for the programs to be reinstated at the community centers.
He also said he would put more resources into the county's economic development office to help stimulate job growth and other economic opportunities.
"I don't believe they put enough effort in that area," DeLaCruz said.
Córdova said if she is re-elected her priority will be finding a balance between preserving the historic character of the South Valley while bringing in more resources, amenities and jobs.
"We do that partly with long-range planning like the Isleta Sector plan," Córdova said.
She also said she would continue to strongly support public safety issues.
"I've helped move the number of firefighters on an engine from two to three, and in the next term I'd like to move it from three to four," Córdova said. "And I will support the sheriff's deputies by making sure they have the equipment they need and good pay, too."
Córdova has been endorsed by the firefighters' and sheriff's deputies' unions as well as the governmental employees union.
Lopez said his priorities will be to change the county zoning code to better reflect current realities, because a lot of land is zoned A-1, or rural agricultural, that doesn't need to be. He said the Southwest Mesa area, where a lot of undeveloped land is A-1, should be rezoned for other purposes.
"I want to balance economic needs with environmental needs," Lopez said.
His other priority would be to improve infrastructure for businesses, specifically widening Second SW from Woodward south to three lanes, and to extend a water service line to Tóhajiilee. He added he would try to increase public transportation opportunities in the South Valley.
"We need to set new routes and times to meet the schedules of both blue-collar and white-collar workers," Lopez said.
Grade-change scandal
Córdova faced a firestorm of controversy last May when one of her son's grades was changed from an F to a D to allow him to graduate from Rio Grande High School. Upon learning of the F, Córdova asked the teacher who gave him the grade, as well as the school's principal, to reconsider the grade. They refused, and Córdova then appealed to the Rio Grande cluster leader, who had another teacher review the student's work. The grade was then changed.
Córdova said the events did not affect her work as a commissioner.
"I acted as a mother," Córdova said.
She said the experience actually gave her motivation.
"It gave me additional ideas how to better serve my constituents by fighting for better health care, safer streets, good-paying jobs and more opportunities for kids," Córdova said.
Yolanda Fernandez said she will vote for Córdova and believes the grade change mess should be left in the past.
"People should vote for her based on her performance," Fernandez said. "She's done a terrific job. She finished off that economic development center, and we really needed that. That was a big thing for us ... She's very honest and she truly cares about the community."
Steven Gutierrez supports Lopez.
"He's really concerned about the community, he's a people's man. I've known him for many years," Gutierrez said. "He's run for things before, but between elections he's still involved in community things, whereas other politicians run and then disappear."
Art Sanchez is voting for DeLaCruz.
"First and foremost, we need to go back to an individual who comes from the South Valley," Sanchez said. "I see great skills and leadership in him. He's doing it for the gente, to help the poor and to help improve our streets."
County Commission Chairman Alan Armijo said he is staying neutral in the race, as he did four years ago. Steve Gallegos, who supported Córdova when he left his position on the commission in 2004, said he is also staying neutral this time because he works for the Mid-Region Council of Governments and wants to work with whomever is elected.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Cecilia C. de Baca in the November general election.
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