‘CORE successfully gridlocked Edgewood’

It has been a difficult and tedious task attempting to keep sanity, logic and lawfulness as parts of our Town’s governance over the last thirteen years. Now, it has become impossible. Caused by councilors, whose coordinated efforts and probably compromised intentions, have derailed progress on many Town operations and projects. Since taking office, neither Councilor Jaramillo nor Abraham can credit themselves with accomplishing anything other than obstruction of the Town’s business. The question I have asked myself is – Why? The full answer is intriguing and complex. Part of the answer is water. Part of the answer is money. The easy answer is EPCOR.

Under Mayor Brad Hill the council decided to explore the possibilities of purchasing the water utility. That moved forward under the new administration. Because a foreign corporate interest owns our water and the service for many of our homes, the town has challenges and obstacles which most other communities do not have.

The most direct obstacle is to economic development. A municipally owned water utility can use the provision of service or the extension of service as an economic development tool thru the Local Economic Development Act, or LEDA. LEDA allows the Town to enter contracts which bring businesses in to better the economy for the community thru various incentives. It’s no secret that the interest of a privately owned utility is for its shareholders to profit. Bettering the local community will never be a priority. A private company charges for new development, making industry and commerce more expensive for any business wanting to locate here. The other challenge is to improve the service and quality of the water in our community. According to EPCOR, “This cannot be done without a major rate increase.” However, if the utility were owned by the municipality, it would qualify for both State and Federal funding, much of it in the form of grants, which cost ratepayers nothing and would allow improvement of the water quality and the infrastructure.

CORE, with the assistance it received from Councilors Jaramillo and Abraham, have successfully gridlocked our Town government and stopped any progress on road improvements, trail construction, recreational area improvements, and public events. Together, they caused the wrongful removal of the Mayor from his elected office and have inspired three of the best, most productive, and gifted people the Town has ever employed to seek employment elsewhere.

I swore an oath to uphold the Constitutions of the U.S. The State of New Mexico, and all laws and ordinances of the Nation, the State and the Town. How then is it that we can “wait for the new government” when the law commands the Governing Body to provide an appointed, approved and sworn clerk/ treasurer? Councilors Jaramillo and Abraham have, and are, willfully ignoring the law and have violated their oaths of office. Where is the openness and honesty of these actions from the Councilors who repeatedly purport to be for “open and honest governance”? This new brand of “open and honest” seems to pay little attention to the law. This is a sad day indeed!

The stark differences between myself, Filandro R. Anaya, and my opponent, John Bassett are crystal clear. I, Filandro Anaya, have effectively served the Edgewood community on the school board (12 years) and on the county planning & zoning board (8 years). It’s a fact that my opponent was removed from office by a judge for violating the town’s nepotism ordinance and malfeasance against the taxpayers of Edgewood. I believe integrity and openness are vital to a successful government and will never give my constituents any reason to question my actions in their service.

Edgewood needs to restore responsible government where the people and elected officials can ask questions, get answers, and respect one and other. The hostile town meetings of the last few years have been an embarrassment to Edgewood and a violation of the public’s trust, I want to see that changed and will work for a civil environment where comments are invited, heard, and respected. The public should not be limited to a narrow topic dictated by a single individual, they should be free to share their thoughts with elected officials at public meetings within reasonable time parameters as set out in the operating resolution.

I am a team player, with a history of working with fellow board members and county officials to get things done. I worked hard on section 16 where the Edgewood Middle School was built. I hold a GB-98 and MM2 (Utility Contractor) Construction licenses which I used to advise the School District on oversight with school construction and many other school projects. My track record shows that I understand the importance of working together with the other commissioners and town manager to make sure our roads are not neglected, that the wastewater treatment plant gets the repairs and attention it needs, that our recreational opportunities are restored and pursued, and that our town facilities and assets are maintained and ready to cheerfully serve all citizens as I have in the past and now in the future.

My 20 years of public service has all been on commission-style boards. That experience and skills set is another big asset that I will bring to the new town commission as additional support while we transition to our new form of governance. The transition will be a process as we work through the problems of the past and get Edgewood on a more positive, healthy path where citizens set the priorities and elected officials and town staff make it happen.

Edgewood, you have a choice who you elect and how this new government will start out. I’ve heard the majority loud and clear say they want to move in an optimistic, constructive new direction. I promise to work for YOUR benefit and to work hard at restoring confidence and civility in our local government. We all deserve that, and I would be honored to serve you. VOTE for Filandro R Anaya for Commissioner District 4, now through November 2 at Edgewood town hall.

Filandro R. Anaya, Edgewood Commissioner Candidate