By Mary Alice Murphy

Three candidates for Grant County Commissioner District 5 gave statements and answered questions at a forum Tuesday evening, Oct. 25, 2016. Hosted by the Silver City Daily Press, Editor Christine Steele served as the moderator

The three candidates are Harry A. Pecotte, Republican; Harry Francis Browne, Democrat; and write-in candidate, DeAnn Bencomo, Democrat.

Browne gave the first opening statement.

"I have been talking about change, and believe we need to see more in the county," Browne said. Discussing the economy, he said the county has a great opportunity to expand trails for bicyclists, attract more retirees and take advantage of the outdoors.

"If we're going to promote retirement, we need a top-notch hospital," he said, promoting the 4-mill levy to support the hospital.

Browne strongly emphasized the need for expanded broadband in the area to bring entrepreneurs to the area.

"We need to take the opportunity to prepare for the decline of the mining industry," he said. "We also need a director of tourism to promote the county."

He said the efforts of Santa Clara Mayor Richard Bauch to annex and develop old Fort Bayard need to be encouraged.

Browne was allowed to read his last paragraph after his time was up.

Bencomo said she was born in Alamogordo, but after attending Western New Mexico University and leaving for a year, she returned to Silver City to make it her home. "I worked in law enforcement for the Silver City Police Department. I did community policing and school-based programs regionally and on the statewide level."

She supports Big Brothers, Big Sisters, served on the Local Emergency Planning Council, worked with Juvenile Court and has been an advocate for victims of sexual assault.

"I work now as an instructional aide at Silver High School," Bencomo said. "I've been listening to people on their wants and needs for years."

On the topic of tourism, she said tourism has been at its highest for the past six years, but employs only 6.9 percent of the workforce. "We can't replace the economics of the county with tourism."

Pecotte said he came to the area when he was four years old, graduated from Silver High School and Western New Mexico University. He worked for 41 years with the mines and has served since then as a volunteer firefighter at Tyrone Volunteer Fire Department, as a station chief and lieutenant.

"My reason for wanting to become a commissioner is to give back to the county," Pecotte said. "It upsets me that we have such a beautiful area and we are not selling ourselves outside the area. We need to sell what we have here."

He said he supports mining and ranching, which form a large part of the county economy. "We need to diversify. Even if the mines close, they will have to be maintained, which will still require workers. Mayor Bauch has already put a candy factory in in Santa Clara. We need to do it ourselves."

"I'm willing to work for this county, because of all it has given to me and my family," Pecotte said.

The first audience question addressed the 4-mill levy that the county-owned Gila Regional Medical Center has on the ballot. "What if the 4-mill levy doesn't pass? What is the plan?"

Pecotte said he has spoken to the GRMC Board of Trustees Chairman Jeremiah Garcia. "He told me there is a fall back plan. Let's hope it doesn't fail, but they are already working on alternatives."

Bencomo said she has spoken to hospital employees who also told her a plan is in place. "As one of the five commissioners, we would look at and support the hospital."

Browne said: "It's great to be able to say they are developing a Plan B. There is no question that they are short of money. I presume if the levy doesn't pass that they will be cutting services."

He noted the County Commission could use up to five increments of gross receipts tax to support the hospital. "This levy targets property owners. I think maybe two or three gross receipts tax increments might make up the $3.3 million that the hospital is looking for. It's an option. I do thank the commissioners for agreeing to put the levy to a vote."

The next question asked if the mines are regulated enough and "do you support the Copper Rule?" Benjamin Fisher, Daily Press reporter, clarified that the mines have been embroiled in litigation on how much they can pollute the groundwater.

Bencomo said she believes the mines are regulated enough. "I support the Copper Rule. The mines have to balance their activities with production."

Pecotte said he believes the mines are overregulated. "As for the Copper Rule, the mines are probably well beyond the rule in how they manage their production. The litigation is messing with the livelihood of the county. The mines here have the most stringent regulations in the industry. I don't think we should mess with them."

Browne, who admitted he is a member of an organization that is suing on the Copper Rule, said there are two aspectsG