As the election grows near, voters want to know about their candidates. Over the next months the Observer will post a series of Q and As as responses come in. These are the candidates in Sandoval County.
Michael Meek(R): candidate for District 3(Rio Rancho) County Commission
Observer: What is your background with politics, community, and your education?
I have served our community for the past 29 years. For the past four years I have served as the elected Sandoval County Commissioner, District 3. While on the County Commission I served one year as Vice Chair and this year I was elected by my peers to be the Chairperson for our commission. I retired from Rio Rancho Fire Rescue after a 25 year career serving the community. I was able to lead the department to an ISO (Insurance Service Organization) accreditation rating of 2. On a scale of one to ten with one being the best rating, less than 4% of fire departments nationally were able to receive this ISO 2 rating. I have a college degree.
Observer: Why are you running for this position in particular?
I am running for re-election because there is more success to be had and current leadership is key to this happening. Over the past four years we were able to contend with the two-year Covid lockdowns by providing vaccinations for all those that wished to receive them. We also dedicated $2 million to local businesses to keep them from closing down or going bankrupt. During this time, with the collaboration of Sandoval Economic Alliance, we were able to bring businesses to the county. We were able to provide public safety with ambulances, sheriffs vehicles, communications equipment and keep salaries competitive. In addition to our positive gains the current commission had to clean up at least five major illegal agreements from past administrations. I have a track record of helping the community to be a better place to live.
Observer: What do you plan to do in the first year (if you are elected)?
I will continue to work at bringing new business to Sandoval through our recent membership in the ABQ Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) . As a member of this AREA board, I will work to finish Paseo del Volcan. We will continue the infrastructure improvements on our prioritized list, continue our small business economic gardening (helping employee growth in local companies), and continue improving the quality of life as we have for the past four years that I served. I am ready to lead four more years of improving our county. Thank you for allowing me to continue serving our community.
