By Lynn Janes

On October 3, 2023, the candidate forum for the upcoming election in November took place at the Bayard Community Center. The forum had Bayard City Councilor Jose Diaz and Lawrence Ojinaga facing off.

Nick Seibel, Silver City Daily Press publisher, moderated the forum. The candidates received questions from the audience, Facebook, and the Press. Each would answer the same question and had two minutes.

Each candidate gave a three-minute introduction.

Diaz said he had been on the Bayard city council 2006 – 2010 and currently on since 2020. In the time in between he served as the alternate municipal judge. He has been involved in the community with the little league program, beautification committee, Moose Lodge, Knights of Columbus, and a veteran from the National Guard. He wanted to run because they still have some things to work on in the city.

Ojinaga said he has lived in Bayard since 1967 and has served the community with the National Guard (veteran), Copper Little League, local union, volunteer fire fighter (30 yrs.) and others. He will have ample time for the job because of being retired.

What experience do you have in politics and public service?

Ojinaga said being involved with the local union he had the opportunity to work with the legislature and meet with senators. As a volunteer fire fighter, he had to work with the city council.

Diaz as councilor 2006-2010, said he had been involved with the budget and had been part of getting $10-$15 million for the wastewater treatment plant. He said he has regularly had to meet with the legislature. "We have a lot of projects we need to continue to move forward on. I work well with the city council, mining district, city council in Silver City and we have worked well together." They look at the budget every year and try to do the best they can to serve all the residents of Bayard.

What will your three top plans be to improve Bayard?

Diaz plans to work on getting the funding necessary to fix the wastewater treatment plant. It has a lot of issues. He said he would continue to work on public safety. They currently now have a full staff of officers. The fire department has been working well. The other thing to find funding for would be improvement of the sewer and water system.

Ojinaga said he would be working on the abandoned buildings. He wanted to see police officers patrolling at night. The city needs something for kids to do.

What can the city of Bayard do to attract and keep employees? This question came from Juno Ogle with the Silver City Daily Press.

Ojinaga said the employees needed to be treated right and they needed to look for grants to help pay more. They need to be paid attention to and said a lot of bickering has been going on and it needs to stop. They need better wages. Many go back to the mines.

Diaz agreed with better wages. He said other municipalities in the area pay better wages and benefits. They have tried to stay competitive but said they could do better. The employees need all the training the city can give them, so they have the tools they need to do their jobs. When Diaz got on the council two years ago the council had been able to start paying the employees insurance which before they had not. The current council has not terminated anyone.

Would you be willing to do training with the municipal league? A question from the audience.

Diaz said absolutely it has been an asset to the council. It teaches leadership, how to handle situations, and more. They offer annual training and others throughout the year. "They have an awesome new director that is young and wants to help. I highly recommend it." Municipalities get together and learn from each other also.

Ojinaga said he had heard of it but was not familiar with the program but would be happy to go. "I have been told it tells you how to treat your employees and run a city. I would take advantage of the training."

What will your plan be to bring more businesses, housing, and economic development to Bayard? A question from the audience.

Ojinaga said he would clean up the town to start. Right now, it looks rundown. If cleaned up it would attract more people.

Diaz said that the city is landlocked. He would work with Freeport McMoRan (FMI) to get more property to bring in businesses. He would work with Silver City and Deming to see what they do to bring in business. Recently the council passed the abandoned building ordinance, but they have a process that has to be followed. They can't just knock buildings down.

This question came from the audience. They gave a scenario. An elderly owner has a rundown property but can't afford to fix it. You, as the mayor, how would you handle this?

Diaz said they have some organizations that can help. They have volunteers that could go out and help clean it up. As a city they can't send out their maintenance guys to clean up private property. They have had some progress with the new ordinance. "We have been learning on the ordinance and will continue to make it better. "

Ojinaga said a lot of programs to help. The city can help to identify the programs. Many of those abandoned properties they can't find the owners because they don't live here.

What would you do to improve the beatification committee to make it more effective. It has been around for a number of years but in its current form it does not seem to be effective. This question came from the audience.

Ojinaga said he didn't know what happened in the meetings but feels they could do more. He had gone to council meetings, and they talked about doing things but didn't act on it.

Diaz said as liaison for the beautification committee for the council they have been responsible, but the city can't tell them how to run the group. The committee has all volunteers. They have had clean up days. This month they will be having a cleanup day and be competing with Santa Clara and Hurley. They need more volunteers.

What are your thoughts about all the stop signs and speed bumps in town? This question came from the audience.

Diaz agreed "If it is not a stop sign it is a speed bump and it is hard on cars." Neighborhoods bring petitions and request them. He said he would like to look into seeing what they could do differently. People speeding has been a real problem.

Ojinaga said he had gone to the council because the speed bumps cause problems with the fire trucks. People run the stop signs. He said he would not be sure what the remedy would be.

Ogle asked a question. She referred to what Diaz had said about the cleanup day and said it can be hard to get people involved. How would you encourage people to get involved?

Ojinaga said they only had one clean up and Diaz had not been there. He recommended a prize or something, maybe a prize to encourage people to participate.

Diaz pointed out they had more than one. The last one he had not been able to be there but provided pizza for everyone. "Pizza is not enough or a pat on the back." The volunteers did a lot of work. They loaded a full dump truck of trash.

What ideas do you have to address the mental health crisis? This question came from the audience.

Diaz pointed out that the mental health crisis has been a problem everywhere. Recently in Farmington at a training they found out they have a great program. Guadalupe Cano, Silver City town council, will be bringing them down here to give the area a presentation on what they have been doing. He encouraged the public to attend. "Incarceration is not the answer. As community leaders we need to find the best way to help them and do it."

Ojinaga said he had not heard anyone at the council talk about this presentation. He said they needed training for the officers on how to handle the situations.

What are your main reasons for seeking the position of mayor? This question came from the audience.

Ojinaga said he kept bringing up issues at council meetings and nothing ever happened. "I was given the run around. I will address the issues."

Diaz said the current council and mayor has done a lot and he wanted to move that forward. He acknowledged that Ojinaga comes to the council with issues. The mayor can't just switch things, they have a process that has to be followed. "The mayor is not there to micromanage; we have department heads that do a good job." If someone has decided to run for mayor to micromanage, they have done it for the wrong reason. He added the job of mayor will be to serve the residents.

The audience brought the issue back to the empty buildings. What incentives have been used to get these fixed and what could you do?

Diaz started with the mine mill building. They have been seeking grants to get it repaired because it will need a lot of work. The other building would be the old HMS building that has been given to Bayard. The structure needs repair first. It can't be opened until those repairs have been done. He referred to a couple of abandoned buildings on Central Ave. In the past they have tried to purchase those but could not. "I would meet with other municipalities to see what they are doing to entice and bring in business."

Ojinaga said he would look for grants to get the buildings fixed to sell or rent. Now Bayard has a person that writes grants, and she can be used to get those. He referred to the mine mill building and the old HMS building.

Ogle asked the candidates what infrastructure still needed to be addressed and how would they go about funding those projects.

Ojinaga said Bayard got money to do the sidewalks but didn't do them. "We will lose that money and every meeting I ask them about it, and no one answers. I have been going to the meetings for years." The streets need paving and potholes need to be fixed.

Diaz said, "I will continue to advocate for the citizens of Bayard and meeting with the legislature and representatives to try and get the funding needed." He referred to the project Ojinaga said the city lost. It has not been lost but they have had some obstacles to overcome such as power lines, easements, etc. The city staff has been on top of it. If an extension will be needed, they will be on top of it. Since covid the cost of things have gone up substantially. He gave the example a bid comes in at $10,000 and by the time they get there it goes up to $30,000 and they must send it out for rebid and look for additional funding.

Seibel had a question about infrastructure. He referred to the wastewater plant and its effect on the whole mining district. Bayard has control of that. He asked what are their thoughts about it and what is the future of that facility.

Diaz said, "We are the fiscal agent, and we take the hit on it when anything breaks. We are currently seeking funding on the project." He said he would like to have a meeting with all the municipalities to see what works and what does not. Currently FMI has given the city $1 million towards the project. The city has been looking for grants and some have been identified. It needs repairs and upgrading.

Ojinaga said he had asked for a tour several months ago. He had been showed all the facility and what needed repair. He suggested they take the supervisor with them when they talk to the legislature to explain the help that they need.

It is your job to guide the council. Where is the line to not micromanage? This question came from the audience.

Ojinaga said it comes to leadership, the supervisors know their jobs. "The mayor needs to tell them what needs to be done. I would expect them to do it right."

Diaz said as mayor he would want to meet with the department heads before the council meetings and find out what they needed to get their job done. Then bring that information back to the council. Find out the residents' needs and concerns and see what they can do to get that done. "I am here to serve the residents of Bayard."

Mayor Chon Fierro has been mayor for a long time. Do you consider it an asset or a liability coming in behind him?

Diaz said, "All of the past mayors took an oath to move the city forward. I have the upmost respect for them." He said he would analyze where the city is and what needs to happen to move forward. Look at what they can do to make the city better, what works and what does not. He put out the idea of having coffee with the mayor as the Silver City mayor does.

Ojinaga pointed out Fierro had been there a long time and had done his best. "If I was elected mayor I would listen to the residents. I have been going door to door and getting ideas of what needs to be done in Bayard." He said he wanted to come in with new ideas and the ideas that the residents want.

What would you do to work with other communities on issues important to Bayard and especially in light of the Water Commission? This question came from the audience.

Ojinaga, "I would work with all the other municipalities. I know most of them. I would ask what we could do to make all the communities better." He would also attend their council meetings.

Diaz commented on the regional water project and said Bayard had contributed a good deal of money recently to the project. Bayard has been involved with the project and will continue. They have currently been seeking additional funding for the project. It will be a win-win situation for all the mining district working together and he said he would continue to support that project.

How do you see the relationship with Grant County and Silver City and how would you like to see that change?

Diaz said he would like to see more involvement with them and see what they have been doing and what has worked and what has not. He brought up a behavioral health meeting happening in November.

Ojinaga said, "Silver City has a lot going and we need to see what they do to help us get things rolling."

What will you do about water rates and the general cost of living in Bayard? This question came from the audience.

Ojinaga said he didn't know if they would be raising the water rates. "I won't raise the water rates."

Diaz started with everything has been going up. "I would try and keep the rates the same." The state does have programs to help people with the utility bills and knew some of the residents had been using them.

Ogle asked the candidates if they are elected would they make any changes in the administration or adding / eliminating positions?

Diaz would meet with the department heads to see what they needed and then look at the budget to see what could be done to add positions. "We have a good staff." He would like to do more but they must look at what the budget will allow.

Ojinaga said a few people asked if they would be fired if he won. "I am not getting rid of anyone." He would just ask they keep doing their job. The budget has been tight, and they probably could not do a wage increase.

Siebel asked about the 25 cent hourly raises and what they would do and added one of them could explain what it concerned.

Ojinaga said they had talked about 25 cent raises for certifications in the council meeting. "I don't think the money is there for all these people to get a raise." Retired people had even been brought up.

Diaz said it had come up on the agenda that someone had requested a 25 cent raise. It takes a government body a long time to work things out. It had been found not to be in the policy so no raise will be given.

Are you going to throw a tantrum if you don't get your way? This question came from the audience.

Diaz, "Yes, we have had disagreements but at the end we all shake hands and walk away. I will continue to stand up for the people of Bayard."

Ojinaga said he had seen this at council meetings, and they don't always shake hands. "I will work with everyone and not throw tantrums."

If elected mayor, how will you supervise the chief of police even if he is family? This question came from the audience.

Ojinaga said he gets along with the chief and they talk. He added he has done a good job and runs a good department.

Diaz commented the question had been for him specifically. The current chief of police is his nephew. "He is no different from anyone else and will be held accountable." He said he has been doing an outstanding job, the residents can see for themselves. "I am probably harder on him because he is my nephew."

If you are elected mayor, what would you do to keep our streets safe at night and stop the fighting? This question came from the audience.

Diaz said they now have six officers and two of those in training. Soon they would have 24-hour coverage. If people see a problem, they need to call 911 and not wait for a council meeting. If Bayard police can't respond the state police or county will.

Ojinaga said he had not seen any fighting. He had a complaint from someone that a dog had chased them when they had been walking.

The city has a new rescue truck that cost $200,000. When will they begin to use it?

Ojinaga said he had asked why, and the chief said they didn't have the equipment for it. The previous chief had ordered it, but it had not come. Ojinaga wanted to know why they could not use the old equipment.

Diaz said they have not received the equipment needed for the unit. It has been ordered and it will be coming. "The department is very well equipped."

Will the city consider paternity leave and what thoughts do you have about it? This question came from the audience.

Diaz thought this has been a federal offer and if the state can fund it, he would support it. "We need to treat our employees right and they will stay."

Ojinaga wanted to address something from the past question. When he asked why the chief could not use the old equipment he would not answer. Ojinaga thought it didn't make sense to have a nice truck and not use it. On the paternity he said they should do what the state and federal government does.

What is your stance on renewable energy and how can Bayard take advantage of it? This question came from the audience.

Ojinaga said he understood from a council meeting they have been trying to get it for the wastewater treatment plant.

Diaz said about a year ago a company had wanted to put up some solar panels. They had only sent a letter to a few people about it when it affected many more residents. The area had not been feasible for the project and would cause a lot of damage. He thought using it for the wastewater plant would be good. The Cobre School District will be putting in a solar panel system and the city should talk to that company about it. The opportunity for change will be good.

A management team has been requested by Frances Gonzales, Bayard city council. Would you be willing to meet with the directors and clerk on a weekly basis? This question came from the audience.

Diaz thought it would be a good idea and promote good communication.

Ojinaga said he would be for it and would meet with anyone to improve the city.

The last question by the press that Seibel always asks and calls it the time machine question. If you won, the election and we are here four years later what would you be most proud of?

Ojinaga said "I cleaned up Bayard and it would encourage more people to come here."

Diaz said, "I want the budget to be two to three times as big as it is currently so they can get all the projects done they want to. The budget will be strong, and we won't have to struggle for anything." It can be accomplished by advocating and seeking grants.

Closing statements

Ojinaga said, "If I am elected, I will assist my fellow council members and the residents of Bayard to contact our senators and representatives to make the city better." He can be reached at 575-538-8442

Diaz gave his phone number 575-313-1512 and has a Facebook page Jose Diaz mayor for Bayard. If elected, he wants to continue to open communication with the residents of Bayard and continue to look for funding for projects. He will continue to work on behavioral health and FMI for additional property for expansion. "I look forward to finishing the projects we have now." He went over the projects that have been completed. "We have no time to move backwards, and my opponent has no experience in government, budgets, or public relations. I have that and I ask for your support and vote."