By Hallie Richwine

The Grant County Commissioner District 2 Candidate Forum was held at the Bayard Community Center Friday, October 5, 2018. The event was sponsored by the Silver City Daily Press and Independent. District 2 candidates are Republican Tyson “Ty” Bays and Democrat Javier Salas. SCDP Publisher Nick Seibel acted as moderator.

Bays was first to introduce himself. “I know what it is like to work for someone, I know what it is like to be in business, and I know the consequences of government on small businesses,” he said. Bays is passionate about his community and plans to use the seat of county commissioner to make positive changes. He aims to bring focus back to the county commission rather than wasting time on issues that do not benefit the county.

Salas followed Bays and thanked the audience for coming out to the forum. Salas, like Bays, is a Grant County native. Salas went to Cobre and Western New Mexico University and went on to a career that took him all over the United States. “I know the education has gone down, but I’d like to see it get back. I’d like the area to be an education powerhouse and see Cobre and Silver compete academically, not just in athletics,” he said. Salas wants to work with the Forest Service, the mine, and the residents of Grant County to unify the people.

Seibel asked the first question from the crowd, “What do you believe is the proper role for county government?”

Salas answered first. “It needs to lead us, and define everything that needs to be defined, but not micromanage.” Salas feels the elected officials have duties and the commission provides oversight. Salas wants the commission to forge bonds with surrounding institutions and create partnerships to help face potential obstacles in the future.

Bays spoke next. He also believes the county commission’s main objective is oversight. “The commission manages a lot of assets,” he said, and he aims to keep the money in areas that will yield results.

“In the past few years, the commission has joined larger regional bodies like the Southwest County Commissioners Alliance and the New Mexico CAP entity. Do you think those groups benefit Grant County more than they diminish Grant County’s voice?” asked Ben Fisher.

“Those that show up run the meeting,” said Bays, “I don’t know much about the commissioners alliance but if you’re not there they will write up resolutions that could turn into law.” Bays feels as a commissioner and as a county we need to have a seat at that table.

Salas responded, “It’s good to interact and network with others with similar issues...band together for lobbying, a big group is more powerful.” Salas does not want the larger entities to speak for Grant County, but he does agree with Bays that the commission ought to get involved with that which will have an impact.

Seibel presented the next question, asking what the candidates think the role the county commission can adopt to support water in the district and the county overall.

“Water in the desert is precious. I remember the scares when the water table dropped. Everyone in agriculture and ranching knows it’s a big issue,” said Salas. One of his interests is in finding out how to use the volume of water produced by the Bayard wastewater treatment plant. He also believes in using the resources of the CAP entity.

“There are no bones about it, I’m supportive of the CAP entity to develop AWSA water, it’s the only new water in New Mexico,” said Bays. He said he knows about water rights, and there is no more water available. “If we see big growth or we see another industry come in, we don’t have it (water).” Bays believes politics have mired up the whole process in dealing with the CAP entity. “We need to see this through. It could be a potential source for the entire community. Hurley is working on a project through the town of Silver City. I encourage all municipalities to work together, water goes across district lines.”

Seibel proposed a follow-up to the question, mentioning that a lot of people living in the district area are on fixed incomes and already stressed about the cost of proposed projects. “What role do you see the County Commission playing in the process?” He also asked if the candidates had ideas on how to defray costs.

Bays believes there are federal and state grants available. “Water is essential. If we ran out of water, that could be an instance of raising taxes, but I can’t imagine a significant tax increase could cover that,” he said, “There’s CAP entity money and federals grants. We need to work with Santa Clara and Bayard and pool resources.”

“The proposal is to create a loop from Silver City to Bayard, Santa Clara, and Hanover. (Rep. Rodolpho "Rudy")Martinez tried to get 12 million dollars from CAP to help. It’s going to take a long time,” said Salas.

Fisher asked the candidates how they plan on developing the economy.

Salas wants to increase the infrastructure to support another industry. “We’re off the beaten path, I don’t think we’ll get a big industry, but maybe a cottage industry.” Salas wants to look into providing tax incentives and cooperatives with the university and schools.

“We could create a tax incentive, but when it’s over people leave town,” said Bays. “We have ranching and mining, but we watched logging get taken away from us. Catron County never recovered. We need something conducive to the economy we have, and the county commission should work with industry.”

“How do you propose the county commission fund the roads department, to maintain good roads in Grant County?” Seibel asked.

“Funding has changed. Richardson took funding away from the counties, we don’t have the money to maintain county roads,” Bays said. He stressed the importance of roads for business, recreation, and general travel. “I’m not typically in favor of bonds, but I’m in favor of that one (on the ballot this year).” The county’s previous bond will expire and renewing it will provide $4 million in road maintenance funding.

Salas is also in favor of the bond earmarking the funds for road maintenance.

“Is there any chance on changing the commission meeting times?” Seibel asked.

“I think the meeting should be for the public. We can find an optimum time. Working citizens can’t come out and give feedback, and it’s important to get that input. We need people to know what we are doing,” Salas said, “To get voices heard, we need people to be able to attend the meetings.”

Bays agreed, “At the county commission meetings, it’s usually the same crowd...working folks can’t have a say.”

Seibel added that often an objection is the overtime pay for county staff for their attendance at meetings.

“I think it’s important that the public has the opportunity to listen and have their say. I guess I’d have to look at that. If it’s a huge amount I might reconsider, but the public needs to be able to go,” said Bays.

“I believe in transparent government. People need to see what you do, maybe offer comp time or rearrange schedules. I also think some of those meetings should rotate to different areas,” Salas added.

Seibel asked how the candidates will become knowledgeable about the hospital.

Salas wants reports from the CEO, directly to the county commission, so people will know the status of the hospital.He said a commissioner served on the hospital board

“I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know about running a hospital, but that won’t be my job as county commissioner. The commission gets to appoint those folks, and the CEO does report on a monthly basis, but I need to learn more about that,” said Bays, “No commissioner serves on the board. I will become educated. The county doesn’t run the hospital, the board does. We need to find people dedicated to do that.”

Seibel asked the candidates if they were looking to change the policy regarding how county operated hospitals function.

Bays said the current law is perplexing and that the commission ought to have a bigger voice in how the hospital is managed. “As it is, we have no way to affect change other than selling the hospital.”

“If we have no oversight we have a great chance that things will go south again,” said Salas.

Fisher asked another hospital-related question, “Recently in commission meetings they toyed with the idea of issuing a bond to supplement GRMC...if finances take a dive, would you be open to supporting the hospital with taxpayer money?”

“It was defeated before, but the county owns that building," said Salas, “passing a bond is a one time thing, but if it is for infrastructure...it may help stay solvent.” Salas gave the example of communities with emergency rooms separate from the main hospital as ways to creatively handle day-to-day operations.

“GRMC may be a Grant County asset but it serves the whole area, it’s not fair to the residents to bear the burden,” said Bays. He does not favor a bond and thinks there are other ways to improve the business.

A completely different type of question came from the crowd, “Would you support a noxious weed ordinance?”

Bays said he deasl with that issue but he won’t support it because it’s hard to enforce. “It’s an education thing, people have weeds and they don’t even know what they are. We have a county weed specialist. But I wouldn’t be for passing an ordinance we can’t enforce, it’s upsetting and a waste of time. It’s not criminal, it’s educational.”

“I’m going to say I’m not very educated on noxious weeds, “ Salas added, “It has to be something other than being unsightly, it would have to be causing damage, but I have to say that it is an issue because the person bringing the issue (to the discussion) is one of the constituents.”

Seibel posed another question, “With the county commission, there are two schools of thought. Every voter votes for one, but some commissioners in the past thought all the folks in municipalities vote for people that look out for their interests so they believe they are in charge of the unincorporated areas, etc. Which school of thought do you agree with and why?”

“I want to be a representative for all the people, and the communities...finding out needs and how to help each other,” said Salas.

“I represent all people equally whether they live in Bayard or the far side of the county. Commissioners are for any and all,” Bays added.

Fisher asked if the candidates felt the county commission has a place in helping with Fort Bayard.

“Santa Clara is very passionate about Fort Bayard and I wholly support that, but I don’t want to bite off financial responsibility,” said Bays, “I don’t see it as a huge economic driver, but it could bring tourism. Santa Clara wants it, and we’ll support it.”

“I remember being in Fort Bayard when I was young and I thought it was a beautiful place. It’s the jewel of our community,” said Salas. He also believes in helping Santa Clara’s cause if there is not too much financial burden on the county.

Seibel continued, “What is the real job of the county commission? What is not?”

Salas said the county needs to stay within the realm of what it does, overseeing things like budgets, policy, and procedure.

Bays believes the county manages the budget and the assets. He does not want to waste time with federal issues like the flyovers or telling departments how to do their jobs.

Seibel then asked the “time machine” question that typically ends the SCDP sponsored forums. “In four years, what are you most proud of?”

“Getting the county government running efficiently, especially finding ways to tackle the drug problem,” said Bays. He also hopes to find a way to better maintain the county roads and saving money.

Salas said there was a lot he’d like to see but the most viable issue is with crime. “I would like to say we have resources for people suffering with drugs and family abuse. I’d like community centers working in collaboration, good role models, more kids in college being educated and getting good careers.”

Seibel followed up, “You both talked about crime, what is the role of the county commission to deal with the crime problem?”

“The first thing is money,” said Salas, “And it’s not always about money, the role is to support the sheriff and ask for their ideas.”

Bays agreed. “Let’s face it, the only say the commission has over the sheriff’s department is money. They can ask for more and we can give it, or not. I’d like to see a sheriff put on the spot at every county commission meeting and if I’m elected I’d probably do that. I want to see progress.”

Seibel asked how to approach dealing with people that are relied upon but not directly controlled by the commission.

Bays said the voters elect those positions, and that’s the main resource.

Salas looks to the commission as the entity that helps communications between different departments.

Salas continued, in his closing statement, “This job will not be a cakewalk. We will be spotlighted, mainly for things that go wrong.” Salas wants to partner with existing entities and look at possible industries to strengthen the area such as copper or solar. Salas ended with his statement by encouraging people to go vote.

Bays thanked the SCDP for holding the debate. He said he has dedicated his life to serving the community. “I’ll spend your money like it’s mine. I won’t spend it until I know it’s for the good of the county.”

 

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