Editor’s note: The views contained in this letter are those of the author and the accounts of County Council meetings also were prepared by her. Councilor Derkacs is invited to respond.
BY HEATHER MUCK
White Rock
With the upcoming Los Alamos County Council election, I believe that everyone needs to know how the two incumbent councilors, Denise Derkacs and David Reagor, who are running for re-election have been voting for Los Alamos County over the last 4 years.
Back in 2022 the council had to vote on two motions, the first to sustain the findings and conclusions of the Board of Appeals’ Jan. 25, 2022 decision whether or not to uphold a stop work order given to Sirphey, LLC. This motion failed to pass 3-1 with Councilor David Reagor opposed and Council Chair Randall Ryti and then Councilor Sara Scott recusing themselves. The second motion was to reject the appellant’s motion to reopen the Board of Appeals’ proceedings. This motion also failed to pass 3-1 with Reagor abstaining and then Council Chair Randall Ryti and Councilor Sara Scott recusing themselves. Councilor Denise Derkacs voiced her support for the motion to sustain the board’s findings and conclusions. This vote has caused a
lawsuit to ensue against Los Alamos County, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees for the County.
VOTED to support Unquarked/Sirphey (a local small business that went out of business because of this stop work order)
Denise Derkacs NO
David Reagor YES
In November 2022, the County Council had a vote to repeal and replace the text in Chapter 18 of the County Code, which addresses nuisances. Los Alamos County Council voted in favor of passing the Chapter 18 Nuisance Code as is with a 4-3 vote. Councilors Scott, Izraelevitz, Derkacs, and Lepsch voted in favor, leaving Councilors Hand, Reagor, and Ryti voting against adopting the new code. According to members of the County Community Development Advisory Board there were still concerns that should be addressed before being passed. The ordinance passed by the slimmest possible margin – one vote. So, even though essentially all the public comments made it clear that this code needs additional public comment and additional language change, it passed anyway.
VOTED for the acceptance of Chapter 18 nuisance code to pass as is:
Denise Derkacs YES
David Reagor NO
In May 2023 the County Council votes on a half-cent gross receipts tax increase that is reflected in the FY2024 County Budget. Los Alamos County had close to $40 million surplus and a proposed budget of $382,810,801. Why did the County need this increase? Councilors Denise Derkacs, Suzie Havemann, Melanee Hand, Keith Lepsch and Theresa Cull voted yes, and
Councilors Randall Ryti and David Reagor voted no.
VOTED for a gross tax increase
Denise Derkacs YES
David Reagor NO
Let’s move to things Reagor and Derkacs have voted on since January 2024. On May 9, 2024, our County Council voted to approve the boundaries of a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area. On July 23, 2024, a petition was submitted to the County and presented to council during its regular meeting. The petition stated that this Commission should not include County Councilors or County employees, but rather key members from the community with experience in commercial property development, affordable housing, finances/banking and environmental sustainability. Additionally, there should be representatives from the small business community and our Planning and Zoning Commission. The MRA Commission would make recommendations to our County Council and should reflect a diverse and broad range of perspectives. As with other County Boards and Commissions, appointed members should represent all political parties. The motion to take no action passed 5-2 with Councilors David Reagor and Melanee Hand opposed.
VOTED for citizen oversight with small business representation for Mari-Mac redevelopment
Denise Derkacs NO
David Reagor YES
In July 2024, the County Council voted on a natural gas rate increase. Los Alamos County Council that was approved, 5-1, with Councilor David Reagor opposed and Councilor Melanee Hand absent, to adopt the proposed new gas rates during its regular meeting Tuesday July 30, 2024.
VOTED for natural gas rate increase
Denise Derkacs YES
David Reagor NO
On September 12, 2024, the County Council passed the continuation of the Trinity Road diet 5-2 with Councilors David Reagor and Randall Ryti opposing it. This continuation will be on Trinity Drive from Oppenheimer Drive to Knecht Street. The plan is to have 2 lanes heading east out of town and 1 lane heading west towards LANL with a 12ft. turning lane and a 5 ft. bike lane on each side. This approval was made although many councilors had concerns with how it would affect local businesses. There was also no official vote or recommendation from the Los Alamos County Transportation Board whose job is to advise the County Council and make recommendations regarding improvements in traffic conditions and all modes of transportation within the County.
VOTED for the hybrid Trinity Road Diet
Denise Derkacs YES
David Reagor NO
I just listed some important votes that have come before the two incumbent councilors running for re-election and how they voted. If you want more information on these topics there are references from both local newspapers at https://www.losalamosgop.com/about-1. The position of county councilors is important. They make decisions that affect everyone in the county and are supposed to represent you.
I leave you with only one question, who voted the way you would have voted?