RR Municipal Election 2022: Mayoral candidates

Greggory D. Hull

What are your qualifications and experience for the position you seek? As a former business owner and job creator, I have brought a lifetime of experience to the mayor’s office over the last 8 years. I have the unique distinction of being Rio Rancho’s first full time mayor, devoting 100% of my attention to the city’s budget and operations. Yielding award winning budgets, nationally recognized, designated as best place to live in America, consistently recognized as one of New Mexico’s safest cities and aided in the addition of thousands of jobs to Rio Rancho.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or DWI? No.

If elected, what would you like to do or change in Rio Rancho, and how would you get money for those efforts? My priorities would not change, I will continue progress on fixing roads, replacing leaking water lines, adding and upgrading quality of life facilities such as Campus Park and Broadmoor Senior Center while pursuing investments from companies like Intel and NTX that create jobs and opportunities for Rio Rancho. I will also continue my support of the growth we are seeing in the healthcare and bio-tech industries.

If elected, how will you address deteriorating strip malls in Rio Rancho? The retail facilities throughout the city suffer from the same problem many of the city facilities do, age. And just as the city is investing in improving its facilities, private property owners will need to do the same. While I support legislation that will encourage this type of investment, such as redevelopment tax incentives, private property owners must step forward to make these investments.

What is your plan for addressing the condition of neighborhood roads and how would you fund that plan? When I took office in 2014, no roads were being repaired. In the last 6 years, I have overseen the reconstruction of over 27 major road segments and the repair of more than 60 miles of residential roads through the NSIP program. Our plan has been to start with the major roads, proceed to the collector roads then begin the process of replacing residential roads. At the same time the roads are being replaced, a plan to replace underlying utilities has been implemented. While the process takes time and is very expensive, we have made great strides in improving roads throughout Rio Rancho.

How do you define economic development, and how would you address it? Economic development can be defined in many ways but action is what it takes to recruit businesses looking to invest in any community. Our actions speak for themselves with the successful recruitment of companies like NTX Bio, Safelite and several others along with a renewed investment from Intel Corp., collectively creating thousands of new jobs in Rio Rancho. Retail recruitment is also a key factor for Rio Rancho as Gross Receipts tax is crucial to our economy and providing services to our citizens. As such we have developed business friendly policies that have led to the recruitment and investment of numerous businesses including, Dutch Bros., Dunkin, Popeyes, Whiptail, Turtle Mountain, Fish Factory, Morningstar, Del Norte CU, 66 Cuts, and many others.

If elected, how will you address water and sewer rates? Rio Rancho’s water system is highly complex and very different from systems around the state.
Over the last 4 years we have stabilized the rates by improving system efficiency, replacing over 6,000 aged and failing water lines, refinanced millions in debt to lower interest costs, consolidated wastewater operations, recovered over $6M in federal funds owed to the city while pursuing state and federal dollars. The number one priority is a water/wastewater system that delivers sustainable and reliable water to our citizens. Through my efforts to recover federal funds owed to the city, Rio Rancho is leading the state in conservation best practices for a sustainable future. I will work to continue these successful policies that protect our citizens, embrace sustainable practices, and insure a lasting water future for Rio Rancho. Through our efforts in bringing the Aquifer injection system online, we have returned over 100 million Gallons of water back to the aquifer for future use.

How do you propose to increase city revenue to meet growing needs? Through my work with the legislature, Rio Rancho now receives its portion of revenue from internet sales. This was vital in growing revenues to meet the growing needs of the city. Over the last 4 years, I have opposed new tax and fee increases and focused on a budget that lives within our means. This successful approach has led to a nationally recognized, award winning budget 8 years running and the city’s cleanest audits to-date.

What are your goals regarding public safety and the city’s police and fire departments? Strong public safety is a hallmark of what makes Rio Rancho one of New Mexico’s best and safest cities. It is what our citizens count on. From the beginning I have championed for police and fire, from supporting the public safety bond to fighting for increased funding and increased personnel. If reelected, my commitments to public safety will not alter. During my administration we have increased funding for both agencies and I am proud to be endorsed by both.

How can people reach you if they have more questions? [email protected]

Barbara Ann Jordan

What are your qualifications and experience for the position you seek? Growing up, I survived multiple forms of trauma and suffered through food insecurity. I joined the United States Air Force with absolutely nothing and made a life for myself and raised a good human being. I served for over 20 years managing budgets in excess of $4B and supervising over 500 personnel in various military operations. I was recognized by Betty Sapp who is the first female Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, which is one highlight of the many awards I received while serving in the United States Air Force. I served our country and fought for our freedom, me being the Mayor is an extension of this service. I am here to lead but more importantly, I am here to serve.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or DWI? No, I served my entire 20 years in the military with my top-secret clearance. I note this to speak to the integrity I will bring to our office.

If elected, what would you like to do or change in Rio Rancho, and how would you get money for those efforts? We need to change the focus of Rio Rancho government to put the residents first. Our water costs are soaring, our roads are deteriorating and solid waste disposal costs continue to rise. We need to use the Federal infrastructure monies to repair our current roads, before we spend to create new ones. We have to study the long-range water use and supply before we continue to build out the City. And we need to look for competitive pricing for our solid waste disposal costs.
I will work with our State and Federal officials to ensure that the available State and Federal monies come to Rio Rancho and are used to benefit the residents.

If elected, how will you address deteriorating strip malls in Rio Rancho? The City’s economic development must prioritize infill development. We should be creative in attracting businesses to existing strip malls that might not have traditionally sought these locations. I would work with the RR Chamber of Commerce and Sandoval Economic Alliance to accomplish this task.

What is your plan for addressing the condition of neighborhood roads and how would you fund that plan? New Mexico is set to receive $3.7B from the non-partisan infrastructure bill. I will work to obtain a fair share of these funds for Rio Rancho, to be used to fix our neighborhood roads and end the negative effect this issue has had on the quality of life for Rio Rancho residents for good.

How do you define economic development, and how would you address it? Economic development for me is a high quality of life for all citizens of Rio Rancho that can be felt through continued business development here. I will l put small businesses first!

If elected, how will you address water and sewer rates? Our water and sewer rates have been on a steady rise and our citizens deserve clear answers. Addressing the water issue begins with implementing a water study to determine present and future water needs in relation to the availability of water. We will examine why our wastewater costs are increasing and determine if there are alternatives we can implement. As we expand the City, we are creating more wastewater that needs to be managed. In all things, the citizens of Rio Rancho deserve to be heard to and made aware of decisions that will effect their quality of life before they are implemented and this includes holding sessions that are highly advertised and encourage our citizens to attend.

How do you propose to increase city revenue to meet growing needs? Our residents are already taxed to the maximum. Much of the City’s growing needs are driven by the increased development. We must work with developers to defray the City’s costs that are increased by these projects. We want to continue to encourage development, but the burden for increased costs should not be borne by the residents.

What are your goals regarding public safety and the city’s police and fire departments? We are fortunate to have well trained police and fire. However, we must be proactive instead of reactive. Services for substance abuse, homelessness, and domestic violence victims need to be implemented in Rio Rancho. The need is here and the need is now. We must not continue to rely on Albuquerque and surrounding areas to assist our citizens. It starts with us.

How can people reach you if they have more questions? I look forward to our community members getting to know more about me and reaching me for any questions by going to my website: www.jordanforriorancho.com; e-mail: [email protected]; or by phone at 505-803-2003.