Candidate for Senate, New Mexico , District #7

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Education: I support a strong public school system that includes charters, special funding formulas for our smaller rural schools. New Mexico has come a long way in improving the state  of its public schools. Of course, there is always room for improvement and I will work hard to make sure our children have the best teachers, facilities and leadership we can provide them.

Our schools are by and large doing an excellent job of educating our youth and providing the opportunities for a ever changing world. We must continue to strive for excellence by providing answers, not criticisms that only tear down, divide and demoralize our children’s schools.

Our schools need Highly qualified administrators and teachers who are well paid and respected academic leaders who lead by example and help provide a nurturing

environment for all involved. Our classified support staff should also be well paid professionals.

I believe we need to educate and nuture the whole child in order to prepare our children for a future world that we may not even be able to envision at present. They must be given the skills that will help them to thrive and adapt to unforseen changes. These skills include; leadership, communication, art, social, citizenship, math, science and  business. We are not just preparing worker bees, we are preparing children for the responsibility of full citizenship.

Water: Clean and plentiful water is in precious short supply in our great and beautiful state and we must do whatever is necessary to protect and preserve this natural resource for future as well as the present. Conservation, pipelines, preserving our asequea systems and ranching,  and bringing in industries that need little water are just some the ares of concern that I will always keep in mind.

Law Enforcement: Being a Judge I have had a special relationship with law enforcements and the challeges our Sheriff’s departments have in rural communities. Our law enforcement need increased funding for more officers, improved training, better pay and high tech equipment that will help them preserve and protect us in this modern world. Over crowing in our jails and prisons could be aleviated with the use of electronic devices for non-violent offenders and mandatory jail time should only be for violent offenders. Many drug offenders need rehabilitation, not jail. Included in this issue and in this age of terriorism is homeland security, emergency preparedness and the National Guard.

Economic Development: We need smart economic growth with the kind of industries that will fit New Mexico’s unique culture and environment. Industries that need little water, employ New Mexicans and have little environmental impact. Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, medical facilities and recreation are also key. Tourism being a key to much of our local economies should always  be a consideration.

Health care: It is imperative for rural communities to have the help they need for quality health care without travel great distances. Clinics staffed with quality health care facilities should be available to everyone because it is the right thing to do and it is less expensive than using emergency rooms. With millions of baby boomers retiring and our area of the states attraction to retirees it is imperative that these facitlities be created and maintained along with air medical evacuations be available for the extreme cases.  Education here is also a key to good health as all research will confirm.