2021 League of Women Voters Election Guide

VOTE 2021 Regular Local Election Tuesday, November 2

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization for men and women, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

As a nonpartisan organization, the League does not support, oppose or make recommendations regarding any political party or candidate.

Essential dates

• Santa Fe County Fair Building – 3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe

All dates are subject to change or revision based on the effects of the pandemic. Access to the County Clerk’s Office is by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 505-986-6280.

• Southside Branch Library – 6599 Jaguar Drive, Santa Fe

Tuesday, Oct. 5: Last day to register to vote online. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. at the Santa Fe County Clerk’s office at 100 Catron St. or online through the New Mexico Secretary of State Voter Portal (www.NMVote.org) by 11:59 p.m.

These locations may change due to limitations caused by the pandemic. Final information on Vote Centers will be posted when available.

Monday, Nov. 1: Early Voting locations are CLOSED Tuesday, Nov. 2: Vote Centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 5-Friday, Oct. 29: Same-Day Registration and Early Voting available at the County Clerk’s office, 100 Catron St., during regular days and hours of business (Monday through Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m). The office is closed Monday, Oct. 11, in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.

All Absentee ballots are physically due back to the County Clerk’s Office no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Saturday, Oct. 30: Same-Day Registration and Early Voting available at the County Clerk’s office, 100 Catron St., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This is a local election. Since change starts at the local level, this is the best opportunity to vote for the candidate that represents what is important to you.

Saturday, Oct. 16-Saturday, Oct. 30: Absentee, Same-Day Registration and Early Voting available at the following locations from noon until 8 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

VOTE EARLY! Apply for an absentee ballot NOW. When you receive your absentee ballot, vote immediately.

Expanded Early Vote Centers and Drop Boxes are located at: • Abedon Lopez Community Center – 155A Camino De Quintana, Santa Cruz • Christian Life Church – 121 Siringo Road, Santa Fe • Town of Edgewood Administrative Office – 171A State Road 344, Edgewood • Max Coll Corridor Community Center – 16 Avenida Torreon, Eldorado • Pojoaque County Satellite Office – 5 W. Gutierrez – Suite 9, Pojoaque Pueblo Plaza

Voting information

Return your absentee ballot to a designated drop box available during business hours from October 5-October 30 at the County Clerk’s Office or from October 16-October 30 at the Early Vote Centers (see listing under Essential Dates).

If using USPS mail your ballot as soon as possible so that it arrives at the County Clerk’s office by November 2.

If you have moved or changed your address or your party affiliation, you should re-register to vote.

Applications may be made in person at the County Clerk’s Office, by mail or online.

First-Time Registrants: If you are registering for the first time in New Mexico, and you submit the registration form by mail, then you must submit with the form a copy of (1) a current and valid

photo identification; or (2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address. If you do not submit one of these forms of identification with your mailed-in, first time registration, then you will be required to present one of the forms of identification when voting in person or absentee. No identification is required if a voter is merely changing a registration (name, address and/ or party affiliation) within the state of New Mexico.

The online Voter Portal (www.NMVote.org) is only available to those individuals that have been issued a New Mexico Driver’s License or Identification Card.

When voting at the Vote Center, you will be asked for your name, address as registered, and year of birth.

If you cannot provide this information orally, or if you registered by mail or online, you will be asked for one of the above-mentioned forms of identification.

With the exceptions noted above, no physical voter identification is required at the polling place.

Since electioneering within 100 feet of polling places is prohibited, and since displaying buttons, T-shirts, hats, or other such items is considered electioneering, voters are reminded not to display these items when voting at any Early Voting location or Vote Center.

Voter information online: The LWVSFC Regular Local Election 2021 Voter Guide is available at www.lwvsfc.org. You can also visit the website www.Vote411.org for an interactive look at your ballot and all the candidates. Local voting information and sample ballots are available at nmvote.org.

Ranked Choice Voting Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) was adopted by Santa Fe County in 2018. With RCV, voters rank candidates from favorite to least favorite. On Election Night, first choice votes are counted to determine

who voters like the best. If a candidate receives a majority of votes, they win. If no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the fewest firstchoice rankings is eliminated. If your favorite candidate is eliminated, your vote is instantly counted for your next choice. This repeats until one candidate reaches a majority and wins. If you would like more information on RCV go to lwvsfc.org.

Candidate responses to questions from the League of Women Voters The League of Women Voters of New Mexico and the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County sent questionnaires to all candidates for the 2021 Regular Local Election. This is a nonpartisan election, so no parties will be associated with the candidates.

The names of all candidates who will appear on the ballot are listed in the guide in alphabetical order.

Because of space restrictions, the League advised the candidates that the length of the responses would be limited. The responses of candidates are printed exactly as received by the League other than possibly being reduced in length. We have in no way edited for meaning, grammar, punctuation or spelling. The League assumes no responsibility for the content of any candidate’s reply.

With thanks We would like to thank the League of Women Voters of New Mexico and the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County for their help in compiling the information for this guide, especially Kelly Davis, Pat Hawkins, Akkana Peck, Sally Sabo and Judy Williams.

We would also like to thank the candidates for their participation in this guide. The Santa Fe County Clerk’s office and the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office provided necessary and helpful information as well.

We are grateful to The Santa Fe New Mexican for printing and distributing this Voter Guide.

SANTA FE MAYOR The mayor administers all city services and enforces all city and state laws within Santa Fe County. The mayor serves a four-year term.

This is a Ranked Choice Voting race as there are multiple candidates for this office. Please see the description of Ranked Choice Voting in this guide.

The League asked:

Alan Webber

Alexis Martinez Johnson

Joanne Vigil Coppler

1. Why do you want to be Mayor of Santa Fe and what are your strongest qualifications for the job?

2. What are the three most important issues facing the city now and in the next five years?

3. How do you think the recent reorganization of city government is working?

What, if anything, would you change?

4. What ideas for the economic vitality of the city would you support or encourage?

I ran for Mayor because I love Santa Fe and want our city to work for everyone. I have experience in local, state & federal government & as an entrepreneur & businessman.

As our 43rd Mayor, I’ve worked to guide us through a global pandemic: We provided $6 million in direct support to families for basic needs; prohibited evictions & water shutoffs; & adopted a life-saving mask ordinance.

That’s the kind of leadership we need to get us through COVID & keep Santa Fe a progressive and united city.

Affordable housing; sustainability and growth management; social equity. I budgeted $6M for affordable housing and $200K for the City’s first growth management plan. We permitted almost 2500 housing units in 3 years.

We’re securing Santa Fe’s water supply for decades to come, solarizing City buildings and electrifying our fleet. My Guaranteed Income Project will help 100 families achieve economic security. We must strengthen the living wage. Everyone who works here should be able to live here.

The reorganization is part of my plan to modernize and professionalize City government.

By creating Community Development, Health & Safety, & Community Engagement departments, we made the City more efficient and effective. There’s more cooperation and collaboration within and across departments: The Alternative Response Unit is a great example; economic development and tourism work better together; our response to homelessness and encampments is coordinated. It’s working.

Next: we fine-tune it.

Enough talk about diversifying our economy— we’re getting it done! As a businessman, I know what it takes. Film & digital entertainment are big & getting bigger, offering good jobs and opportunities. Meow Wolf is booked solid; LANL is locating 800 employees on St. Mike’s. Construction is booming; tourism is stronger than ever. Our cherished markets & unmatched arts & culture make us Santa Fe. Next: we work with SFCC, SFPS and unions to give our young people job training and talent development.

As an environmental engineering professional, I want to make sure that Santa Fe designs, engineers, and implements sustainable initiatives in utilizing our very precious resource of water. My strongest qualification is my background in engineering and taking into account all voices for positive solutions. Safety, results oriented, transparency, and accountability are areas where we can improve in Santa Fe. Keeping businesses open, reducing crime, and implementing safe infrastructure is key.

Safety and beauty in the community are my main goals. A safe water source is crucial for our current and future growth and development and I am the best suited candidate to deliver water conservation and safe allocation of this resource with sustainable practices.

Secondly, safety in our person and in our businesses is vital. I do not support shutting down businesses and look to work with small business owners since my family is a small business. Lastly, we need to reduce violent crimes.

In the last mayoral election we saw the mayor salary increase to over 300% with two mayors’ donors voting for this. This is the salary of the NM governor. I would not accept more than 1/2 of the salary. Reducing the mayor salary and instead utilizing this money to pay for much needed crime reduction and city beautification (focusing on our parks, trails, acequias, and children’s playgrounds). Lastly, we need to have an increase in employees in our Prks/Recs Dept., City Police, and, Weed Cntrl.

I support the vitality of the city by making Santa Fe a safe and beautiful place to live and visit by working with small business owners, promoting youth mentorships and entrepreneurships in monthly meetings. The city should process business permits as soon as possible, with proper review, and host monthly small business meetings for the community.

Vocational training is imperative for our youth and to promote jobs in construction, welding, plumbing, as well as nursing to meet current demand.

I am running to be your next Mayor because I have a successful, proven track record in public service to make a notable difference. I envision a Santa Fe where taxpayer money is well managed—not wasted; where we devote it to clean parks for our children; maintained buildings and streets; where all sections of this city are beautiful and worthy. I will be a Mayor who knows how to get things accomplished through good management of well-experienced and valued employees.

The three most important issues facing the city of Santa Fe in the next five years are: Establishing Fiscal Responsibility; creating Affordable Housing; and a curtain call on the Mid-Town Campus; and I’ll add a fourth— Revising the Land Use Code. I am committed to working on all of these for the betterment of Santa Fe. I intend to pick up the pace. My priority will be to select the most experienced people to head up these areas and to tighten accountability standards.

Reorganization of city government was unnecessary. This occurred during peak COVID times and during a furlough. Measurable change has not occurred; in fact, there haven’t been any established measures at all. One item that is worthwhile was devoting a mental health counselor to assist on police and fire calls.

Though, that addition could have been implemented without reorganization. To begin with, but not the end, I would return Planning and Land Use to its previous department status.

I would clean up Santa Fe so it doesn’t lose its main economic driver in the attraction of tourism. I would create affordable housing so employees don’t earn their money here and spend it at their homes in other cities. I would deploy city of Santa Fe tourism and economic employees to other cities to recruit new, clean business. I would work with our high schools and colleges to develop curriculum to train in areas where we lose business because we can’t offer those businesses skilled employees.

SANTA FE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 The city council is the legislative body for the city. Its role is to adopt laws and policies to govern the city. Councilors are elected to staggered four-year terms and one councilor from each district is elected every two years. The candidate must be a registered voter (qualified elector) who resides within the district from which they are running.

The League asked:

1. What is your vision for managing growth in the city in the next ten years?

2. What additional methods can the city implement to guarantee an adequate water supply now and in the future?

3. What environmental goals or policies would you champion as councilor?

4. How might the city do more to combat homelessness, poverty and food insufficiency?

We must look at our Land Use General Plan and make sure that we are growing the city in a responsible way. As Chair of the Finance Committee, I voted for the funding of a growth management study to start this process.

However, this is just the beginning. We also must make sure that the growth in Santa Fe is sustainable to meet our commitment of being a carbon neutral city by 2040.

I co-sponsored a Resolution directing the City Staff to begin the planning for a return flow pipeline that would return treated effluent water to the Rio Grande. This will generate a new source of water for Santa Fe that will help guarantee supply for the future. In my second term I would like the City to start to exploring aquifer storage and recharge options for the City to consider.

In my first term I supported the LED street light retrofit program that will light up our street for safety while protecting our dark skies. I am also in favor of getting the city carbon neutral by 2040. I will also introduce a resolution to move City Hall and all its departments to one location. This can save millions of dollars in heating and cooling each year.

Having it LEAD certified will set the standard for buildings in the future.

I supported the creation of an Alternative Response Unit to help combat homelessness.

I also supported the allocation of funding to help purchase the SF Suites for the purpose of creating housing for homeless. I also support the mayor’s initiative to give working mother’s attending SFCC a $400 a month stipend so they can obtain a degree to improve their employment situation. I will work on creation of a Southside Community Kitchen for nonprofit organizations who can address food insufficiency.

My Vision for managing growth in the city over the next ten years will include revisiting top priorities for the general Plan primarily as it pertains to land use and current code requirements. While many parts of the code are very useful and need to remain, Some need to be re-visited. We must look at common sense changes that will benefit all Santa Fe Residents, and at the same time not lose the flavor of Santa Fe. Responsible growth will be key in the next ten years.

I believe we are doing a good job with water conservation and enforcement, as well as developing and creating policy that pertains to green building. I would support incentives that reward customers who save water and reduce consumption through their own conservation efforts. This would come in the form of credits for reducing water usage. We also need to fix and or replace old infrastructure.

Water conservation happens at all levels. From Personal usage to large organizations and municipalities

Taking care of our environment is essential.

Creating policies that help individuals and businesses have the least impact on the environment is the goal. I would advocate incentivizing people to make sound environmental decisions. For example, we offer programs that companies can take advantage of for recycling; this saves us money, but it has less impact on our environment. Lets bring back the “Toss no Mas” Campaign or something similar and get our community involved!

There needs to be more work done on getting homeless families and individuals off the streets and in to housing. We need to provide more counseling initiatives to help with mental health as well as drug and alcohol addictions. Lets work on the root of the problems. Not all homeless fall in to this category.

In order to combat poverty we need a better pathway to jobs and teaching specific job skills. Identifying each individuals situation is key. Assign a case manager and build from there.

Roman “Tiger” Abeyta

Lee A. Garcia

REGULAR LOCAL ELECTION VOTERS GUIDE | OCTOBER 2021

SANTA FE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 The city council is the legislative body for the city. Its role is to adopt laws and policies to govern the city. Councilors are elected to staggered four-year terms and one councilor from each district is elected every two years. The candidate must be a registered voter (qualified elector) who resides within the district from which they are running. This is a Ranked Choice Voting race. Please see the description of Ranked Choice Voting in this guide.

The League asked:

Joe Hoback

Roger Michael Carson

Brian Patrick Gutierrez

Signe I. Lindell

1. What is your vision for managing growth in the city in the next ten years?

2. What additional methods can the city implement to guarantee an adequate water supply now and in the future?

3. What environmental goals or policies would you champion as councilor?

4. How might the city do more to combat homelessness, poverty and food insufficiency?

Any vision for a long-term plan must first address the need to solve our problems today. As a Native American whose family has been in Santa Fe for generations, I will always stand for the care and nurturing of our neighborhoods, our parks, and the protection of our unique character. First, we must fill the 200-plus empty jobs at City Hall so we can clean the streets, pull the weeds, and paint the crosswalks. Managing growth requires the much-needed update of our city’s future land use map.

Our city’s water supply must always be at the forefront of any projects or plans for future growth and development. We must build the San Juan/Chama return flow pipeline. This will provide a 60 percent reclamation of our current water supply. This will also provide for an increase of our water supply as aquifer storage in the Buckman well field. We must provide for an annual evaluation of the city’s building permits issued that directly relates to our city’s limited water supply.

All new residential and commercial buildings must be required to follow Santa Fe’s Green Building Code which includes the use of energy efficient appliances and water saving devices. We currently do not do this. Specific efforts must include the conversion of all city buildings and vehicles to complete energy efficiency status by 2025. We must improve our recycling program which will reduce our landfill waste, create jobs, and provide for a real impact to save our clean air and fresh water.

We must champion public/private partnerships and funding to provide options for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. I would endorse an expansion of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund services and I will sponsor a ballot initiative for the voters to approve a property tax mill-levy that would provide substantial funds for food, shelter, and basic health care services to those in need. As my elders always taught me, people helping people is life’s true reward.

The first step would be to update the city’s comprehensive building plan. This hasn’t been done in over 22 years and make this a requirement every 10 years based on census data. We need an anti-sprawl initiative that focuses on vibrant, mixed-use communities with high walkability and less dependency on automobiles. I would make it a priority to get the Midtown Linc & Midtown Campus moving.

This area of St. Mike’s was designated as an opportunity zone in 2016 and no new projects have begun.

Begin a “slow the flow” policy that would focus on slowing monsoon rains in our arroyos and help recharge our aquifers. The use of check dams and gabions would allow us to harvest rainwater that would not violate our downstream legal requirements. I would start an initiative to implement greywater systems for home use. The idea that water in your toilet must be the same as the water from the tap is outmoded. A secondary line for greywater would allow us to better use more of our water resources.

Apartments are exempt from residential water & energy codes and I would bring them in line with our residential codes. New developments will be focused on sustainability. By eliminating natural gas in new developments and using community solar, our homes can be all-electric producing less greenhouse gasses and improve affordability. New homes will have all their power produced onsite. For the homeowner, their heating, cooling, and the power to charge an electric car or bicycle will be provided.

Homelessness should be brief and nonrecurring. To achieve this goal, improved outreach and social services should be in every district.

By repurposing smaller obsolete buildings, we can provide needed temporary shelter for this community and a transition to productive lives. Housing insecurity stems from the lack of affordable housing. I will champion affordable housing initiatives and believe that Cannabis tax revenue should be used for these social programs and affordable housing.

If a city is not growing then it is dying” a quote I once heard. Growth is healthy for a city. Uncontrolled growth and sprawl will negatively impact the city’s infrastructure, resources, and, quality of life. I’m for smart growth that enhances our city and quality of life. My vision would be to work with the public, & the governing body to update the general plan, also update the city code and look at zoning.

What was once unwanted water is now very much a commodity effluent. The city must look at effluent as just that. Innovation is needed going forward. Capture of grey water for use in both landscaping, & toilets as a possibility. Stringent enforcement of ordinances and if need be new ordinances. Make multifamily housing be as water efficient as possible. I would prefer to advocate for conservation as opposed to toilet to tap water.

Moving all city offices together. This will both cut down on vehicle transportation for both the city employees, and the citizens. In construction many recyclable materials are landfilled and need to be diverted & recycled.

Community solar. Evaluating the city fleet and changing vehicles to electric or hybrid.

Homelessness poverty and food insufficiency are big issues and must be dealt with. The best approach is one step at a time. Start with the low hanging fruit. Some people will be in need of less help, than others. Some people don’t want help. Figure out what kind of person you are working with, and help those who are willing to take it. Santa Fe is a great city, and has many wonderful non profits, from places to get free groceries, to soup kitchens.

Make these well known in the community.

We have to take a hard look at zoning which is essentially density. The zoning designation of R1 (one house per acre) is not a realistic zoning in a city. Allowing duplexes rather than single family homes might be one possibility. Increasing the construction of accessory dwelling units could happen if we promise a building permit within 30 days. We need to manage areas not projects. Climate change is here and now – every decision we make will need to take into consideration sustainability.

The City has a diverse water portfolio. We have surface water and well water. Our preferred source is surface water so that the wells and aquifer can rest and replenish. I have committed along with the City to a fifth supply source - the San Juan Chama Return Flow Project. These return flow credits make our treated effluent very valuable and a new source of supply. I will also commit to a new Green building Code for multi-family dwellings. Conservation must continue for our future.

The City committed to be carbon neutral by 2040. Projects I am committed to include, changing the city fleet to electric vehicles, developing programs that incentivize greywater reuse in landscapes and rainwater for both landscapes and indoor use, and adapting our Green Building Code to multifamily structures as well as commercial buildings. I have a record of advocating and championing environmental issues. I am proud to have been endorsed twice before and currently by the Sierra Club

I will continue to champion the Connect program. This is a program 200 navigators directing people to resources in our community. This is important because it allows us to collect data and know what is working so that we continue to improve and target funding. I believe in this program, it is comprehensive and data driven; fostering the efficient use of our limited resources. Connect actively combats homelessness, poverty and food insufficiency. Continued funding is essential.

SANTA FE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 The League asked:

1. What is your vision for managing growth in the city in the next ten years?

2. What additional methods can the city implement to guarantee an adequate water supply now and in the future?

3. What environmental goals or policies would you champion as councilor?

4. How might the city do more to combat homelessness, poverty and food insufficiency?

As part of the current budget, we have funding for a growth management study which will initiate important conversations with the community on how we manage growth in the next ten years. Together we will need to better understand where and how we can grow in a manner that fits our values,

Even in this drought, our water system sustainably produces more water than we are using.

The return flow pipeline will provide more resiliency in our system. There is more to do in conservation. The building community supports a lower WERS standard (Water Efficiency Rating Score). We will make changes to the green building code to incorporate multi-family housing. We will continue to demand continued efficiency at every turn. 40 and 80-year water planning efforts are also underway.

Climate change requires us to continue implementation of the Sustainable Santa Fe 25-year plan that we adopted when I was first elected.

This plan will move us to carbon neutrality by 2040. We are also looking for opportunities to lead by example across departments.

These are intractable problems that will require more effort. Policies and initiatives around homelessness have been a major focus. We joined the national Built for Zero Initiative to end homelessness in Santa Fe. Economic assistance, educational opportunities and fair policies will help us continue to address poverty.

Our economic development team is working to strengthen local food networks which will enable us to begin to diversify our economy and help with food insecurity.

Carol Romero-Wirth

SANTA FE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 The city council is the legislative body for the city. Its role is to adopt laws and policies to govern the city. Councilors are elected to staggered four-year terms and one councilor from each district is elected every two years. The candidate must be a registered voter (qualified elector) who resides within the district from which they are running.

The League asked:

Amanda Camille Chavez

Rebecca A. Romero

1. What is your vision for managing growth in the city in the next ten years?

2. What additional methods can the city implement to guarantee an adequate water supply now and in the future?

3. What environmental goals or policies would you champion as councilor?

4. How might the city do more to combat homelessness, poverty and food insufficiency?

I will advocate for development and housing that concentrates on equity, accessibility and affordability across all of Santa Fe. Affordable housing is one of my biggest concerns—in part because of how concentrated it is in certain parts of the city. If we keep isolating it to one area, resources will fall short. Santa Fe is building for a beautiful future, however we need to ensure that we don’t forget about all Santa Feans.

I would advocate for efforts to educate the public about water conservation and support funding for new and existing infrastructure that increases water conservation. I plan to proactively work with experts and advocates to find solutions to the fundamental challenges of our water security and environment.

Let’s recruit Santa Fe youth to plant 100 trees in the city. I also support not rolling back existing efforts the city has established like the LED streets light and getting Santa Fe to net zero before 2040.

The city needs to adopt a continuum of care approach that focuses on a path back to a place of security rather than just enforcing ordinances or doling out services. A defined path from Point A to B, etc. clearly showing how someone can get their feet back under them. I believe the Alternative Policing Unit the city has established is a good move in the right direction.

My vision for managing growth in the city of Santa Fe over the next ten years would focus on filling staffing in the city assuring that all positions are filled. This is essential in order to fulfill the necessities of constituents throughout the city. Having a strong foundation and services attracts constituents to stay local as well and live in the community they work in. I would also support more local businesses to bring in revenue.

In 1907 water rights were invented in New Mexico. These rights have been abused over the years leaving all of our reservoirs cempty.

We need to fill our reservoirs and have reserves for actual drought situations. Currently there is plenty of water that goes down the Rio Grande it’s just abused by farmers. The city needs to regulate all water use to maintain adequte levels in our resevoirs

I believe that most residents aren’t aware of solar panel incentives and how much more energy it will save. I believe as a councilor it shold be a great idea that I work with other councilors to help brign in incentives for residents to get solor panel for their homes. I also believe that Santa Fe should implement the emissions testing as Bernalillo and Sandoval counties do. This will help with our air quality and help clean up vehicles that are giving off smog.

You can’t solve a problem you can’t see. Solving chronic homelessness is only possible if every individual experiencing or at risk of it is located and identified across a variety of settings. To do so, our community should conduct coordinated outreach, implement data-driven targeting by using and cross-referencing data sets (e.g., HMIS, Medicaid, jail/corrections), and use other methods to identify people experiencing chronic homelessness.

EDGEWOOD COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 On January 1 2022, The Town of Edgewood will change from a Mayor-Councilor form of government to a Commission-Manager form of government consisting of five commissioners. The commissioners will act as the legislative body. The District 1 Commissioner will serve a two-year term.

The League asked:

Kenneth Donald Brennen

Ralph D. Hill

1. What is your vision for managing growth in the town in the next ten years?

2. What additional methods can the town implement to guarantee an adequate water supply now and in the future?

3. What environmental goals or policies would you champion as commissioner?

4. How might the town do more to combat homelessness, poverty and food insufficiency?

Edgewood is growing and will continue to grow. Growth, both population and commercial needs to balance each other. Growing commercially will attract people to move to Edgewood. But we will need to improve our infrastructure and amenities to meet the needs of a larger population. Proper planning of locations for business and types of business will be crucial. There will be a need for limited high density residential areas but keeping the majority of residential areas at 2+ acre lots.

Work with the local water utilities to ensure they have adequate wells and delivery systems in place for existing and future development. Encourage residents to use water conservation methods such as limited landscape water use and Zero Scape landscaping, rain barrels and catch basins on their property.

Work with new and existing commercial developments to incorporate water conserving measures.

I would like to see town hall outfitted with solar as the town has the capitol to do it.

The wastewater treatment plant needs to be brought into compliance and better maintained. I want to start a yard waste composting program where yard waste can be picked up from the homes like trash pick up on a quarterly or semi annual schedule. The collected yard waste can then be composted to be used on town green areas or for use by the townspeople

Currently there are three food pantries in the Edgewood area. These will need continued support from the town to properly service the town. Increasing the number of businesses will help to increase available local jobs and in turn improve the financial viability of our residents. By approving limited high density residential areas will allow for low cost housing that lower income families will be able to afford.

Improve roads, overhaul waste water system, expand health care, and give serious attention to safety, financial responsibility, and transparency. Keep the public informed.

Clean up current waste water discharge for recycling. Conduct proper management and control of the Estancia Basin. Keep water from being exported, and look at possibility of future desalinization of Basin salt water.

Adopt Green Infrastructure (Tuscon’s model): capture/use rainwater and storm runoff for rain gardens and drought tolerant vegetation/ grasses.

Encourage low impact industries. Support technical vocational college extension courses. Develop eco-friendly prescription trails and meandering pathways.

Support the Edgewood churches that are already a huge food bank resource for the poor, and encourage community gardens as proposed by the Cowboy Church. Bring in more local jobs and promote movie locations.

EDGEWOOD COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 On January 1 2022, The Town of Edgewood will change from a Mayor-Councilor form of government to a Commission-Manager form of government consisting of five commissioners. The commissioners will act as the legislative body. The District 2 Commissioner will serve a two-year term.

The League asked:

Jerry Dean Powers

1. What is your vision for managing growth in the town in the next ten years?

2. What additional methods can the town implement to guarantee an adequate water supply now and in the future?

3. What environmental goals or policies would you champion as commissioner?

4. How might the town do more to combat homelessness, poverty and food insufficiency?

I am planning to hold a town hall for the people to express their views on this subject and to follow the guidance of all those citizens who participated in the Edgewood Comprehensive Plan which is a detailed roadmap for how our town wants to grow and still preserve Edgewood’s unique rural character. Working with our local Chamber of Commerce can aid in attracting the most beneficial high-benefit low-impact employers to our area.

Our local water system has developed a 40 year plan to insure an adequate water supply. Supply is not as much of an issue as the natural mineral hardness of the water in our aquifer. We can look into a public/private partnership to address this issue that is particular to our area.

Edgewood has an immediate environmental problem with the poor operation of our sewer plant under the current town administration.

There have been several serious violation notices form the New Mexico Environment Department over the past 5 years. The immediate need is to fix the operational and design problems of our sewer plant to protect our groundwater and local environment.

Supporting business-friendly policies that keep employment high and the cost of living low will help keep our community employed, housed, and fed. We can work with our local resources of farm-to-table food sources and our abundant agricultural base in the Estancia Basin to ensure the availability of quality affordable, local products. There are many local food charities and pantries in our area and developing good relationships and cooperation with these groups will help those most in need.

EDGEWOOD COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 No responses were received from Audrey Jean Jaramillo, the lone candidate for the District 3 post.

EDGEWOOD COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 On January 1 2022, The Town of Edgewood will change from a Mayor-Councilor form of government to a Commission-Manager form of government consisting of five commissioners. The commissioners will act as the legislative body. The District 4 Commissioner will serve a two-year term.

The League asked:

1. What is your vision for managing growth in the town in the next ten years?

2. What additional methods can the town implement to guarantee an adequate water supply now and in the future?

3. What environmental goals or policies would you champion as commissioner?

4. How might the town do more to combat homelessness, poverty and food insufficiency?

Stop the HOSTAL takeover, created by former administration, of the water company, EBCOR, which has cost the Town HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, and start a new relationship with all stakeholders involved.

I will work with EBCOR so they invest in the infrastructure to supply adequate and quality water to our people. The Town of Edgewood, Santa Fe County, and the State will also work collaboratively to build new water tanks, fixing the fire flow for the safety of our community.

As Commissioner, my goal is to provide access to good quality water to all in our community.

I will also implement light-industrial businesses that do not create pollution, as well as change policies to allow renewable resources such as passive solar and wind turbines.

Filandro R. Anaya

I believe that the Town of Edgewood has a greater future ahead. We have such an opportunity to place state-of-the-art infrastructure like high-speed internet, sewer systems that work, and even a new bridge over Williams Ranch Rd. or Basset Blvd. to bring in new businesses. We will pave our roads through the income from taxes these new businesses bring in, NOT BY RAISING TAXES FROM OUR LOCAL PEOPLE, attracting tourists to stop and gas up along Route 66.

I will bring in new businesses, creating jobs to help keep food on the table for the food insecure. I have worked with local food pantries and will continue to support these charities and others who are dedicated to serving the East Mountains. I also support the transformation of the old First Choice building into a new mental health and domestic violence crisis center, providing access and resources, while collaborating with experts to support the most vulnerable in our community.

John C. Bassett

There is a widely shared concern about the impacts of growth on the community. I support intelligent growth; growth that keeps our smalltown ambience and scenic natural environment while increasing our economic strength. We should work to diversify our tax base by pursuing tech and light industrial development. We need to plan for and encourage growth that builds a reliable, long term tax base that will help fund improvements to our community and improve quality of life for everyone.

Unfortunately the Town of Edgewood does not own its water utilities. Instead we rely on a CO-OP and a foreign owned water company, EPCOR to provide water to most of the residents in Edgewood. If the Town owned the water utility currently operated by EPCOR, the Town could access government funding not available to EPCOR and we could improve both the quality of the water as well as the system it is delivered in and bring home some of the tax dollars we pay out but never see returned here.

I would encourage high efficiency LED street lighting, I would also consider switching some of the Town’s fleet of cars over to hybrid electric vehicles where possible. The Town should look into installing electric vehicle plug in stations in our various municipal parking lots.

I would also build on previous investments in solar and wind energy that helped to reduce our Town’s electric bills. Cleaned wastewater effluent in certain instances might be used to help conserve our potable water.

The best anti-poverty measure I know of is a good paying job. We must expand and diversify our tax base to provide our citizens the opportunity to work and be productive. Many of our local churches do an incredible job of combating food insufficiency with their food pantries as well as other outreach programs like the St. Vincent DePaul society which helps with other issues like unpaid utility bills. The Town might be more proactive and identify people who could benefit from these programs.

EDGEWOOD COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 No responses were received from Sterling Donner, the lone candidate for the District 5 post.

EDGEWOOD MUNICIPAL JUDGE Judges of the New Mexico Municipal Courts are elected to four-year terms. To serve on this court, a judge must be a qualified elector.

The League asked:

William H. White

1. What experience and qualifications do you bring to this position?

2. What are your priorities as a municipal judge?

3. What is your philosophy in adjudicating court cases?

4. What court procedures, if any, would you change? Explain.

Professional Municipal Judge, Town of Edgewood, 2003-Present (appointed March 2003; elected March 2004; re-elected March 2008, March 2012 and March 2016). Municipal Judges’ Association President 2014-2015.

Planning and Zoning Commission, Town of Edgewood, 2002-2003 (appointed, resigned to take Judge’s position). Military Analyst, KRQE-TV 2001-2002, on air commentary regarding operations in Afghanistan. Wing Commander, 150 TFW, New Mexico ANG.

My first priority is to ensure that my relationship with Town government scrupulously guards and respects the separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Mexico.

Secondly, I strive to ensure that all parties are treated with courtesy and respect from the time they enter until the completion of their cases.

My fundamental philosophy is to recognize the twin responsibilities of judges to protect both the rights of residents to remain secure in their homes and businesses, as well as the rights of the defendants to be accorded appropriate due process.

Recognizing, as stated above, a judge’s twopronged duty, I believe that our bail/bond system is broken. We have moved so far in favor of a defendant’s rights that we are now forced to release most defendants on their own recognizance. This is at times a gross disservice to our duty to protect our communities.

We desperately need to remove the strictures which now force judges to release dangerous or repeat offenders.

SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER DISTRICT 3 The Santa Fe Board of Education consists of five members elected to four-year terms. Candidates must live in the boundaries of the school district and be qualified electors of the state.

The League asked:

Kate I. Noble

1. What are the two or three best ways to improve district schools?

2. How would you allocate the increased funds coming from the federal government?

3. How can the board foster the recruiting and retention of teachers with full credentials?

4. What programs or approaches, if any, should be developed to raise the graduation rate?

Schools underpin our society and our future; investing in them pays off. The best way to improve schools is by increasing pay. We need to make this priority clear to our Governor and Legislators. We can further address the school staffing crisis by embracing bold recruitment, retention, and talent development strategies.

We should also develop strong wraparound support with community resources, like health clinics, and continue adding to in-school services to help children and families thrive.

SFPS’s plan for allocation of stimulus funds was presented at the Aug 12 School Board meeting. The plan was developed after hearing from about 3,500 community members, most of them parents. Funds will be used to address pandemic learning loss, with a variety of academic supports for students. The funds will also provide retention stipends for staff members who have worked through the pandemic, a critically beneficial use of these funds.

Increasing pay is the most significant factor in recruiting and retaining great teachers.

We should also look at paying people while they get their teaching credentials. We must continually strengthen the support and mentorship for new teachers to effectively develop and retain talent. SFPS is also considering child care for staff, partnerships to provide housing, social and emotional wellness support, stronger community appreciation, and educator recognition programs.

The Santa Fe Pubic Schools’ graduation rate rose to 86.3% for the 2019-20 school year.

This is a strong increase from 78.1% the previous year. Much of this is the result of individualized support provided for each and every student. We need to continue this work, identifying students’ needs and gaps as early as possible, often before senior year, and helping students with credit recovery and other solutions to get everyone to graduation day.

SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER DISTRICT 5 The Santa Fe Board of Education consists of five members elected to four-year terms. Candidates must live in the boundaries of the school district and be qualified electors of the state.

The League asked:

Sascha Nicole Guinn Anderson

1. What are the two or three best ways to improve district schools?

2. How would you allocate the increased funds coming from the federal government?

3. How can the board foster the recruiting and retention of teachers with full credentials?

4. What programs or approaches, if any, should be developed to raise the graduation rate?

Improving schools starts with ensuring equity across the district so that all students have what they need to succeed. We must ensure that resources are equitably distributed to students of color and Indigenous students, students with disabilities, English learners, and students experiencing economic challenges including housing or food insecurity. It’s critical that we engage families inside and outside of the classroom and care for the social-emotional needs of students, families, and staff.

The district engaged stakeholders to find out how they wanted to spend ESSER funds, and it’s important that we honor the insight of the community into how the funds should be spent. Stakeholders, including teachers, students, and families, said that they wanted smaller class sizes, more out-of-classroom activities, pathways to prepare students for college and careers, and increased access to activities that promote social skills and interaction--all incredible ways to utilize increased funds.

The Board has to utilize its power as a unit to work with the Legislature, boards across the state, and state leaders to increase teacher salaries and allow retired, fully credentialed teachers to return to the classroom without delay. The pay differential between New Mexico and surrounding states has a huge impact on our ability to attract and retain quality educators. The Board can also support programs to help credential school staff who wish to pursue teaching as a career.

It’s critical to use a comprehensive approach to raising the graduation rate. This starts with expanding pre-K, shown to increase graduation rates down the line. We must ensure that programs for English learners, students experiencing homelessness, and special education students are fully funded and staffed. Teachers need the time and flexibility to truly differentiate instruction for each student. We have to support families and their needs to increase school attendance and student wellness.

The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County will host five Candidate Forums in October: Santa Fe City Councilor Districts 3 and 4: Tuesday, October 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Pojoaque Public School Board Positions 4 and 5: Wednesday, October 6, 6-8 p.m.

Town of Edgewood Commissioners: Wednesday, October 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Santa Fe City Council District 1: Wednesday, October 6, 6:30-8 p.m.

Santa Fe City Mayor: Thursday, October 7, 6:30-8 p.m.

For details, go to lwvsfc.org

POJOAQUE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 4 Board members serve four-year terms.The Pojoaque Valley School District (PVSD) serves approximately 2,000 students in the Pojoaque Valley including students from the communities of Nambé, Jaconita, Tesuque, El Rancho, Arroyo Seco, and San Ildefonso as well as the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, Ohkay Owingeh, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, and Tesuque.

The League asked:

Susan Marie Rudolph Quintana

1. What are the two or three best ways to improve district schools?

2. How would you allocate the increased funds coming from the federal government?

3. How can the board foster the recruiting and retention of teachers with full credentials?

4. What programs or approaches, if any, should be developed to raise the graduation rate?

The district needs to identify ways to retain qualified teachers. It then needs to look at both academic and extracurricular programs for all students. Every student needs to find his or her place to achieve. To do this we as a community may need to think outside the box. Using local resources that we have not used before. We might have to rethink the way in which we have done things. Lastly communication must be improved using multiple sources. No one way guarantees strong commination.

We need to continue with our Covid-19 needs such as cleaning supplies and materials. Students and teachers need to feel safe inside of classrooms. Left over money should go directly to teaching and learning. A needs assessment needs to be created for the school community and from the results apply the money from the federal government. If the needs assessment finds a need for tutoring or technology, that is where the money should be put. All funding needs to go directly to student learning.

There are so few teachers in the pipeline to earn full credentials that districts must try to retain those teachers they have. As with all employers there many things that make employees happy. First and foremost, will be money. Teachers are highly underpaid. Teachers need to be asked and then heard regarding educational issues that directly affect them in the classroom. Promoting team work and allowing for self directed professional development could help to retain teachers.

Students need to feel that graduation from high school is important and something they want to accomplish. Next guidance from counselors and teachers needs to help all students find a path that the student wants to accomplish. For many of our students school to work programs may help when the program looks at the local economy and provides training for high paying jobs in the community. Every student needs to feel school is a safe place where people care about them.

POJOAQUE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 5 Board members serve four-year terms.The Pojoaque Valley School District (PVSD) serves approximately 2,000 students in the Pojoaque Valley including students from the communities of Nambé, Jaconita, Tesuque, El Rancho, Arroyo Seco, and San Ildefonso as well as the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, Ohkay Owingeh, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, and Tesuque.

The League asked:

Sharon A. Dogruel

Jerome P. Lujan

1. What are the two or three best ways to improve district schools?

2. How would you allocate the increased funds coming from the federal government?

3. How can the board foster the recruiting and retention of teachers with full credentials?

4. What programs or approaches, if any, should be developed to raise the graduation rate?

Creating an environment in which all students are excited to learn and teachers are fulfilled by their profession can make dramatic improvements. There are multiple ways to accomplish these goals and understanding where students are both in their academic program and their personal growth are important first steps. From there schools can tap resources tailored to meet student needs and directed to individual growth with diversified teaching practices that are meaningful and effective.

Funds can be used to improve student accomplishment through proven programs and teacher professional development. Technology can be a big part of a high quality school along with facilities and support structures that keep the child at the center of all efforts.

Security and safety are key components and community involvement is critical in making funding decisions for all aspects of the education system.

The board can promote programs that ‘Grow Your Own’ by supporting staff in securing their teaching credential and encouraging undergraduates from the district to consider an education career. A stable, well-run district is attractive to prospective teachers with staff that are welcoming and able to help new teachers. Complimenting new teachers and honoring returning teachers sends an important message that we value our staff.

Having an advisor that monitors each student as they enter high school and continue their academic program can help ensure the student is on track to graduate. If not, rapid intervention is needed before the student falls behind. Often, students lack a few credits that can be attained prior to graduation or may need support in earning a passing grade in a course they may have failed.

Require the students have certified and qualified in person teachers. Provide students and staff with safe up to date facilities that will support their learning. Support preventative maintenance programs to ensure the upkeep of the facilities and the systems that will decrease long term major repairs and replacements of our facilities. Require that any modifications, repairs to facilities and new construction incorporate energy efficient products that will cut down utility costs to PVS.

Modernize the schools to meet the needs of our students and staff. A few examples in immediate need are the systems supporting technology need to be modernized to ensure they provide the proper bandwidth to support all the electronic devices currently in use. Heating and cooling systems need to be repaired or replaced to ensure our students and staff are provided a quality area of learning. Third party inspections of the facilities and address needed repairs. Install Electronic locking systems.

Focus on both retention of our qualified licensed teachers and recruitment, not just focusing on recruitment. Request the Superintendent of PVS have a third person firm perform exit interviews and provide the data for review to understand why the teacher(s) are leaving. Review the data and request the superintendent of schools to address any concerns as well as hold the Superintendent of school accountable for any administration changes needed based on the data. Find out the specifics for PVS.

Develop pipeline programs that support student success. Support the PVS Superintendent to work with NMPED, local labor council, local apprenticeship programs, businesses and LANL to develop life skills program that would expose students to different career paths. This program would allow students that participated to enter into a second year of an apprenticeship program as all of the safety basics, match, etc. would be integrated into this program. These elements would teach life skills as well.

MORIARTY-EDGEWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 1 School board members serve four-year terms. The candidate must be a qualified elector of the state, physically reside in the District and have physically resided in the District on the date of the school board’s proclamation calling a regular school district election.

The League asked:

Rebecca ‘Becky’ King Spindle

1. What are the two or three best ways to improve district schools?

2. How would you allocate the increased funds coming from the federal government?

3. How can the board foster the recruiting and retention of teachers with full credentials?

4. What programs or approaches, if any, should be developed to raise the graduation rate?

I think that advocating for raises for teachers, especially during this time, would help districts to retain teachers.The shortage of teachers and use of long term subs is not helping our kids. We also need to advocate for smaller classroom sizes. New Mexico is ranked last in education, we need to be researching what other states are doing to erase the gap our students need to overcome, to catch up with peers from other states. Offering a wider variety of trade school classes for students.

I would like to purchase text books for every student, for each class, to take home as a reference for times when they can’t be at school due to quarantine, etc. Live streaming equipment for every classroom for the same reasons. Hiring bilingual instructional coaches.

Investing in work/study opportunities. Offering courses in computer science, wind/solar and other trades. Investing in future technology, our district currently has chromebooks for each student, so we need to be looking ahead.

Offering stipends and buying supplies they need to assist them with teaching. Having mentoring available for new teachers. Encouraging and supporting all teachers to become Google Certified Educators. Providing professional development for every staff member in our district. Fostering an environment of support, and respect among administrators, teachers, and students.

First of all we need to have students in person for learning, as much as possible. many kids had so many issues last year with spotty, or no internet, and just not being able to engage and focus on the teachers. We also need to provide extra tutoring to help catch the kids up from basically losing an entire year of education.

Focusing on mental health, and providing support in that area. Hiring bilingual instructional coaches to help struggling students so they don’t give up.

1. Improving student/teacher ratio in our classrooms. 2. To return to traditional classrooms with emphasis on character development and curriculums steeped in the basic subjects of Math, Science, History, Social Studies, literature and the Arts. 3. Improve facility maintenance standards

Funds should be allocated primarily to the classrooms, curriculums and to enhance the learning experience.

Decreasing the emphasis on activities not directly related to curriculum instruction.

Developing a mentoring program between students and representatives from the myriad of professions available in our communities.

Through this program it would give students an excitement about their future possibilities after graduation.

Linda R. Hudson

MORIARTY-EDGEWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 5 No responses were received from Lyndsi Kaye Donner, the write-in candidate for Position 5.

SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOLS GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND “Shall the Santa Fe Public School District issue $100,000,000 of general obligation bonds to erect, remodel, make additions to and furnish school buildings within the district, to purchase or improve school grounds, to purchase computer software and hardware for student use in public schools, and to provide matching funds for capital outlay projects funded pursuant to the Public School Capital Outlay Act or any combination of these purposes?”

SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS TAX “Shall the Santa Fe Public School District continue to impose a property tax of $1.50 per each $1,000.00 of net taxable value on residential and non-residential property allocated to the Santa Fe School District under the Property Tax Code for the property tax years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 for the purpose of (1) erecting, remodeling, making additions to, providing equipment for or furnishing public school buildings; (2) payments made pursuant to a financing agreement for the leasing of a building or other real property with an option to purchase for a price that is reduced according to payments made; (3) purchasing or improving public school grounds; (4) administering the projects undertaken pursuant to sections 1 and 3 above, including expenditures for facility maintenance software, project management software, project oversight and district personnel specifically related to administration of projects funded by the Public School Buildings Act provided that expenditures pursuant to this section shall not exceed five percent of the total project cost; (5) purchasing and installing education technology improvements, excluding salary expenses of school district employees, but including tools used in the educational process that constitute learning and administrative resources, and that may also include:(1) satellite, copper and fiber-optic transmission; computer and network connection devices; digital communication equipment, including voice, video and data equipment; servers; switches; portable media devices, such as discs and drives to contain data for electronic storage and playback; and purchase or lease of software licenses or other technologies and services, maintenance, equipment and computer infrastructure information, techniques and tools used to implement technology in schools and related facilities; and (2) improvements, alterations and modifications to, or expansions of, existing district buildings?”

POJOAQUE VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOND Shall the Board of Education of the Pojoaque Valley Public School District No. 1, County of Santa Fe, State of New Mexico, be authorized to issue general obligation bonds of the District, in one series or more, in the aggregate principal amount not exceeding $5,500,000, for the purpose of erecting, remodeling, making additions to and furnishing school buildings, purchasing or improving school grounds, purchasing computer software and hardware for student use in public schools, providing matching funds for capital outlay projects funded pursuant to the Public School Capital Outlay Act; or any combination of these purposes, said bonds to be payable from general _(ad valorem)_ taxes and to be issued and sold at such time or times upon such terms and conditions as the Board may determine?

MORIARTY-EDGEWOOD SCHOOLS GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND “Shall the Moriarty-Edgewood School District No. 8 be authorized to issue up to $11,000,000 of general obligation bonds for the purpose of (1) erecting, remodeling, making additions to and furnishing school buildings, (2) purchasing or improving school grounds, (3) purchasing computer software and hardware for student use in public schools, (4) providing matching funds for capital outlay projects funded pursuant to the Public School Capital Outlay Act, or (5) any combination of these purposes?”

MORIARTY-EDGEWOOD SCHOOLS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TAX “Shall the Moriarty-Edgewood School District No. 8 be authorized to continue to impose a property tax of $2.

00 per each $1,000.00 of net taxable value of property allocated to the Moriarty-Edgewood School District No. 8 for the property tax years 2021, 2022, 2023 2024, 2025 and 2026 for capital improvements in the District and Estancia Valley Classical Academy including payments made with respect to lease purchase arrangements as defined in the Education Technology Equipment Act or the Public School Lease Purchase Act, but excluding any other debt service expenses for: (1) erecting, remodeling, making additions to, providing equipment for or furnishing public school buildings, including pre-kindergarten classroom facilities; (2) purchasing or improving public school or pre-kindergarten grounds; (3) maintenance of public school buildings, including public school or pre-kindergarten grounds, including the purchasing or repairing of maintenance equipment and participating in the facility information management system as required by the Public School Capital Outlay Act and including payments under contracts with regional education cooperatives for maintenance support services and expenditures for technical training and certification for maintenance and facilities management personnel, but excluding salary expenses of school district employees; ( 4) purchasing activity vehicles for transporting students to extracurricular school activities; (5) purchasing computer software and hardware for student use in public school classrooms; and (6) purchasing and installing education technology improvements, excluding salary expenses of school district employees but including tools used in the educational process that constitute learning and administrative resources?”

FIND MORE ONLINE For a full roster of candidates and races, including information on the Santa Fe-Pojoaque Soil and Water Conservation Board, Eldorado Water and Sanitation District and the Santa Fe Community College Board, visit VOTE411.org