Missed The Two Enlightening Local Candidates Forums? Both Are Now Available To Watch Online
County Council candidates at the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast October 10 are, from left, Beverley Neal-Clinton, James Wernicke, Incumbent David Reagor, Ryn Herrmann and Incumbent Denise Derkacs. Photo by Maire O'Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Felicia Orth, president of the League of Women Voters Los Alamos opens the LWV Candidate Forum October 7 at UNM-LA. Photo by Maire O'Neill/losalamosreporter.com
BY MAIRE O'NEILL Videos of the two prominent candidates forums for this election season are now available online for the community to view. The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos forum may be viewed at . The Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce forum is at . Although topics for questions at the LWV forum were varied, the Chamber forum questions focused as was expected on workforce, business recruitment and retention, commercial development, communications and transparency.
The first question read, "Housing, including affordable housing, is a significant factor in recruiting and retaining employees in our community, and is consistently ranked as one of the biggest workforce-related needs of our small business community. Recently the County Council approved its new Affordable Housing Plan. As Councilor, how would you help advocate for more affordable housing and ensure the Plan is actualized?"
On business recruitment and retention, candidates were told that a perception continues to exist that Los Alamos County is not entirely business friendly and they were asked what they feel is leading to that perception and what three steps they wood take towards improving the conditions upon which a business can start and thrive in the community. Questions were also asked about the Chamber and MainStreet program spearheading the Los Alamos Business Accelerator for the last three years, resulting in multiple new businesses being formed in Los Alamos. Candidates were asked what barriers that identify in the community to both recruiting new busin esses as well as retaining and supporting current small businesses. That question followed up with, "How would you address these challenges as Councilor and leverage LACDC and the Chamber to assist in economic development?"
Other questions were as follows: Commercial Development Los Alamos County is at a critical turning point in terms of commercial and residential development. There have been some recent property demolitions and major housing projects, some of which have stalled, with properties sitting vacantfor an extended time. Our local MainStreet program, in conjunction with the County, is also pursuing a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (also known as an MRA) for the Mari Mac Village Shopping Center and some surrounding properties, and Council has for the first time recently set aside an MRA fund for use in both Los Alamos and White Rock, and is in the midst of defining an MRA Board and guidelines for reviewing possible MRA projects that have a public-good component. o What do you view as the biggest barrier for successful development in our County, and what industry (or industries) would you help advocate to grow and expand in Los Alamos County to help diversify our economy, and why?
Communications and Transparency How do you plan to involve the small business community in decision-making processes in our community?
Responses on all these questions may be heard on the Chamber video.
Karyl Ann Armbruster moderates part of the Oct. 7 LWV Candidates Forum at UNM-LA. Photo by Maire O'Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas, left, is honored by the LWV with a gift presented by Jody Benson in recognition of Maestas for her service. Maestas will leave office Dec. 31. Photo by Maire O'Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Kristin Hendersons, chair of the UNM-LA Advisory Board, speaks about the upcoming bond issue on the general election ballot. Photo by Maire O'Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Former Los Alamos Probate Judge Michael Redondo, who is running unopposed for County Clerk, speaks at the October 7 LWV Candidates Forum. Photo by Maire O'Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Rep. Christine Chandler, who is running unopposed for reelection, speaks at the October 7 LWV Candidates Forum at UNM-LA. Photo by Maire O'Neill/losalamosreporter.com
A large crowd at UNM-LA for the October 7 LWV Candidates Forum. Photo by Maire O'Neill/losalamosreporter.com
