BY KARYL ANN ARMBRUSTER
Los Alamos
The differences in the positive campaign messages of Democratic candidates for County Council Denise Derkacs, Ryn Herrmann and Beverly Neal-Clinton and the negative campaign messages of David Reagor are stark. The letters of support for these candidates are similarly positive versus negative. The positive letters come from Democrats, which one would expect, but also from Independents, former Republicans and even current Republicans. They tout the accomplishments and praise the ability of Democrats to work with others to get things done for the residents of the County.
Denise Derkacs is focused on housing development to support responsible growth, downtown revitalization to enable small businesses, and community services to sustain quality of life. Her letters of support lauded her for being prepared, diligent, and honest; for her fact-based decision-making; and for her leadership skills.
Ryn Herrmann is focused on economic vitality, downtown revitalization, and quality of life. In her letters of support, she is commended for her enthusiasm, for her work with small businesses, for her ability to get things done, and for her overall contributions to the community.
Beverly Neal-Clinton is focused on affordable housing, inclusivity, and mental health services. Her letters of support acknowledged her service as a Marine and her entrepreneurship as a small business owner. She was lauded for her judgment, character, and ability to listen and work well with others.
David Reagor’s campaign, by comparison, is focused on negativity, on saying NO to many County proposals.
Notably after four years on County Council, Reagor does not seem to understand the role of County government. On the County Council webpage, he states that “The primary responsibility of the county is to ensure that these businesses can thrive and continue to provide their services to the public.” However, State law says that “New Mexico counties are granted the powers necessary and proper to provide for the safety; preserve the health; promote the prosperity; and improve the morals, order, comfort, and convenience of any county or its inhabitants.” NM Stat § 4-37-1.
Reagor brags in his half-page ad in the Daily Post that he is the one who prevented the County from buying the Reel Deal Theater…. odd since it takes four votes to pass or defeat a motion. Actually, three Democrats (including Derkacs) voted with him to defeat the motion.
He did not mention that his NO vote for the revised Nuisance Code would have kept the old “weed ordinance” in effect. Luckily the Democrats (including Derkacs) were able to eliminate the weed ordinance by their YES votes for the revision.
He states that he is against DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) in Human Resources. So, he does not want to make an effort to hire qualified people with disabilities or of diverse backgrounds who are capable of fulfilling job requirements? How can a person be against this?
He states that he opposed the coronavirus lockdowns and vaccine mandates, which were imposed by the Governor, not the County Council. He apparently had little concern for teachers with infants or who lived with older parents or who were themselves immuno-compromised. Did he volunteer to go to homes to help students?
Reagor is a vaccination denier, a climate science denier, and a 2020 election denier (seeLeague of Women Voters forum recording). What is he for besides changing the solar reimbursement rate (which is approved by the Board of Public Utilities, not the County Council)? What has he proposed to help Los Alamos County be a better place for its 20,000 residents? I just hear him stating what he stopped and why he votes against County staff proposals. He seems to be against everything. That is truly sad.
My three votes go to the can-do Democratic women, Denise Derkacs, Ryn Herrmann, and Beverly Neal-Clinton!