Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Socorro City Council; Ward 3

2008 Municipal Election Special

1. Please describe your vision for the city of Socorro.

Fraissinet: I believe that we are fortunate to live in Socorro. We continue to grow at a good and steady pace. I envision a city with a convention and civic center, good recreation facilities and economic development. Our present administration has adopted a five-year plan that addresses all these issues.

Foulenfont: More growth in the city and the Industrial Park. To advise the elderly of any programs that can be helpful to them.

Olguin: I envision a diverse and vibrant local economy that provides living wage employment for our citizens as well as a great place to retire. Socorro would be a significant destination for arts and entertainment for all ages. The Socorro of tomorrow would be that of a truly planned and modern infrastructure including technology, utilities, streets and parks while maintaining our historical features.

2. What sets you apart from your opponents and makes you most qualified for the position?

Fraissinet: I feel my eight years on the City Council and four years between terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission make me the most qualified for the position.

Foulenfont: I'm a good listener and will find answers to any concerns of Socorro citizens.

Olguin: Aside from earning my bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management, public service has been a very influential part of my life. I have been exposed to, and learned from, many government leaders with differing leadership styles. This experience, together with my personal experience as a leader in various organizations in college, and my professional life as a teacher and coach, make me an excellent candidate.

3. If you have previously served as city councilor, what was your greatest achievement in that position? If not, what has been your greatest contribution to the community in other roles?

Fraissinet: As a city councilor, I have served on the City of Socorro Budget Committee, with a year as chairman. I presently serve on the Utilities Committee and Industrial Park Committee. I also served as city clerk for five years. This has given me the opportunity to work on both sides of city government.

Foulenfont: Well, I haven't been in politics, but the contributions are that I deliver Meals on Wheels to the senior citizens who are homebound. They can't get out much. I also help with the senior center. They feel like they're at home when the go to the center, because that place really belongs to them. They worked all their lives for 30-40 years, and now it's time for us to wait on them.

Olguin: My greatest contribution to the community has been through my role as a teacher and coach. I thoroughly enjoy educating young minds and encouraging them to perform at their highest ability. It has opened my eyes to the amount of talent and potential the youth of Socorro can bring to the city. I feel I have been a positive role model in the lives of my students and I would like to continue that on a community-wide level.

4. If elected, what are the most important topics and needs would you address in the city, and what specific actions will you take to meet them?

Fraissinet: The most important topics and needs are: extension of utilities, meaning sewer lines to areas not presently served; continued work on city streets, to include curb, gutter and drainage; and development of the Industrial Park to attract small industry and jobs for Socorro.

Foulenfont: Get more people to apply for small businesses and show them how to get started.

Olguin: I feel there is a tremendous need for small-business assistance. I have spoken with small-business owners who feel that not enough support is given to them in order for their businesses to thrive on a consistent basis. My plan would be to have ongoing communication with our local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, collaborating on ways to improve our local retail economy.

I also feel that transportation costs have drastically increased. Due to the increase, I would like to make a strong move in opening up an economic impact study on bringing the Rail Runner to Socorro.

One more important need is educational encouragement for our youth. We need to find ways to encourage our youth to pursue education outside of high school and bring that knowledge back to Socorro. Realistically, the only way to prevent "brain drain" will be to bring better and higher-paying jobs to Socorro. I would research companies looking to expand their operations in the Southwest and seek ways, such as tax incentives, to attract them.

5. How will the budget be affected by your actions stated in the previous item, and how will you get the necessary funds?

Fraissinet: Funding is available from the state Legislature for various infrastructure projects.

We have also applied and received Community Development Block Grant funding for projects. Examples are the Blue Canyon Road, Reservoir and Nicholas Street projects and more recently the Texas/Hilltop Street project.

Funding is also available from the state Department of Transportation. These projects generate additional gross receipts taxes, which affect the entire city annual budget.

Foulenfont: The budget would not be affected.

Olguin: Communication, research, networking and dedication are free! The budget would be affected by the cost of implementing viable programs. Once I have an insider's working knowledge of how tax dollars are allocated, and I explore all avenues of alternate funding (grants, etc.) available to cities, I will have a better-educated answer to this question.

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