Cibola candidates go on record

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Thirteen area residents have filed Declaration of Candidacy papers to run for five open offices in Cibola County, which includes three seats on the Cibola County board of commissioners, Districts 2, 4 and 5 respectively; the County Clerk and County Treasurer offices.

All candidates are Democrats, which means each of those who win the primary election are effectively elected to office.
As of Tuesday there are 9,929 Democrats in Cibola County; and 3,074 Republicans, said George Trujillo, county elections department coordinator.

Only Democrats and Republicans can vote in the primary election, Trujillo said. Other registered voters, such as Independents, Green Party, etc., may not vote until the general election in November.

The last date to register to vote in the primary election is May 6. Registration may be completed in person at the county clerk’s office, 515 W. High St., or by calling the clerk’s office at (505) 287-2535, and requesting registration documents, which must be completed and in the hands of the elections department no later than the registration date.
Each of the candidates will be profiled in the Independent in the next few weeks. Candidates who filed are listed below by the office in which they file and alphabetically by last name. Most have made a brief statement as to why they are seeking office.

Cibola County Clerk
• Cynthia L. Arrossa: “Having worked in the clerk’s office for a couple of years I want to maintain the stability and continuity of the office and the programs which we are working. I am looking for the public’s vote of confidence to continue that work.”

• Elisa Bro: “I want to continue swerving the community. I have served the public for 26 years at District Court Clerk and I want to bring the clerk’s office into modern technology standards in an efficient and cost effective manner.”

• Kathy F. Gonzales: “I feel there is a need to work for the people and with the people, which the office now lacks. I will have an open door policy.”

Board of commissioners

District 2

• Elmer A. Chavez: “The county is in good shape now. I want to keep it going like when we started four years ago. I want to complete the family center and get roads done in my district.”

• Mary P. Chavez, no statement.

• T. Walter Jaramillo: “I would like to continue to serve and the give the people another choice.

• Ruben J. Sandoval, no statement.

District 4

• Dr. Jane C. Pitts : “I want to finish what we (the county) started four years ago. We settled down with the hospital and I want to see us complete the hospital expansion and the professional building and I hope to get a new county building.”

• Patrick E. Simpson: “I want to help seniors. Seniors are on a fixed income and property taxes keep going up. Seniors need help.”

District 5

• Cecil F. Eriacho: “I want to represent District 5 and the entire county. I want to represent everyone equally.”
• Lloyd Felipe: “ I want to represent the county for the betterment of the community. Economic development and education are important.”

• Danny Maria: “I want to gets the roads improved and the infrastructure of the county as well as serve the best interests of District 5.”

Treasurer

• Dolores Vallejo (unopposed): “I have worked in the Treasurer’s office for five and years. I have the experience and knowledge to run the office professionally and I am looking forward to working with the public.”

Absentee, early voting

There is absentee and early voting for the primary, Trujillo said.

Absentee voting begins May 6, early voting begins May 14 and both end on May 29.

Anyone wanting to vote absentee is required to contact the elections department and request an application. Once the application for absentee ballot is approved, an absentee ballot will be given to the individual is in person, or mailed. That ballot must be received, not postmarked, by the elections office no later than May 29.

There will be four early voting sites instead of just one or two this year. One each will be at the pueblos of Acoma and Laguna and Ramah Navajo as well as in Grants.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.