BY KEN MILDER
Los Alamos

There is much to be admired about Denise Derkacs’ service to the community and leadership on the Los Alamos County Council. Both the quality of her service and the results of her accomplishments are reasons for my endorsement of Denise for the County Council.

In addition to those accomplishments, are my observations of her personal interactions with citizens of Los Alamos. Humility and respect from elected officials are important to me. Denise
listens to her constituents and shows respect for their opinions, whether or not she agrees with them.

Samples of her accomplishments that are particularly important to me are:

• Supporting creation of Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas to stimulate an environment that supports a vibrant business community, both on the Hill and in White Rock.
  
• Supporting parks and recreational facilities, trails and open spaces, and other projects that
  improve the quality of life in Los Alamos, as well as support increased tourism.
  
• Continuing to honor a promise Los Alamos County made to the New MexicoLe gislature when Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) moved to management by a private company, currently Triad National Security. Few citizens may know that the change in management led to an increase in undesignated GRT revenue to our community of between $15 million and $20 million. At the time of the change, the Legislature looked into ways to grab that revenue for itself, but Los Alamos, recognizing that nearly half
  of the LANL workforce lived outside our county, promised to annually earmark a portion of
  that revenue for projects outside Los Alamos that support regional needs and regional
  economic development, Denise’s support of $4.7 million for capital project initiatives in Española and Rio Arriba County continues to fulfill our promise.
  
  This list could easily be lengthened, but the bottom line is that your vote for Denise Derkacs is well deserved. She certainly has my vote.