BY THERESA CULL
Democratic Candidate for
Los Alamos County Council

Dear Editor,

I have been asked by several people to state how I would vote on certain issues (e.g., the Nuisance Code, the Cannabis Ordinance, etc.) if I was elected as your County Counselor.  I hesitate to say how I would vote on an issue, since there are many things to consider before casting a vote.  It’s not that I don’t have my personal preferences, but as a County Counselor, I believe it would be my job to listen to and consider everyone’s preferences and the general welfare of the community before I cast a vote.  Like other candidates, I haven’t run for public office before, so I have no record for potential voters to review, at least with respect to local government.  So, how do you know if I would support your specific concern?  Well, I can tell you what I value – fairness and integrity, diversity, quality of life, communication, environment, safety and health, and fiscal responsibility.  You can also judge how I might perform as a County Counselor based on my background and involvement in community activities – youth sports coach and advisor, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddy, parent, Board member of several non-profits (Sage Cottage Preschool, the Unitarian Church, Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Laboratory retiree, pet owner, outdoorsperson, and golfer.  Most importantly, I consider myself a good listener and a life-long learner.  It’s my character versus the character of other candidates that you need to consider before you cast your vote.  Some of the other candidates have refused to answer questions about environmental sustainability, are proposing to develop our open spaces with housing, and refuse to support the results of the 2020 presidential election.  What does that say about their character?

I encourage you to look at the numerous letters in the local papers and the recordings from the League of Women Voters and the Chamber of Commerce Forums.  Review what I and other candidates have stated and make your best-informed judgment of each candidate’s character.  If I’m elected, I can’t promise that you will always agree with my decisions, but I promise to make the best-informed decisions based on my values.  I’m asking you to vote for me for Los Alamos County Council because character does matter.