By CHRIS CHANDLER I have decided to run for the Los Alamos County Council and I am asking for your support.
We face many exciting opportunities to move our community forward. We are also confronting a number of challenges that will impact the town for decades to come. I have a wealth of experience from which I can draw that will help the council address these challenges as they arise.
I have previously served as a county councilor as well as council chair and vice chair. During my tenure, I proactively worked on a bipartisan basis for positive outcomes. One outcome for which I am particularly proud is work that advanced the first significant transfer of Department of Energy lands to the County since the early 1960’s. I was the Chair of the Council Land Transfer Committee that successfully negotiated with the Department of Energy and San Ildefonso Pueblo for the transfer of hundreds of acres of land to the County. Negotiations were particularly challenging because the legislation through which the transfers were authorized required the County and the Pueblo to agree on the division of lands.
The Pueblo has a strong attachment to lands that it believes are part of its ancestral legacy. However, over a period of months, our team was able to convince the Pueblo that all available lands located in Los Alamos County should be transferred to the County. This positive outcome laid the foundation for new housing in White Rock (A-19), the development of the Trinity Site retail area, DP Road and the old DOE Area Office site. The negotiations also protected Rendija Canyon.
My active volunteerism spans more than 20 years of living and working here. I currently serve on the boards of the First Born Program of Los Alamos, the Delle Foundation and the Los Alamos Family YMCA. Past service includes the Los Alamos Schools Foundation (founding member of the Board), the Los Alamos League of Women Voters Board president, the Los Alamos Charter Review Committee (1995 and 2010) and the Los Alamos Planning & Zoning Commission.
Although the community is small, often it is faced with complex problems that arise from its relationship with the federal government. I was a lawyer at Los Alamos National Laboratory for more than 25 years, 10 of which I was a group leader. Understanding the connection and knowing how to navigate between the County, the County Utility Department, the Laboratory and National Nuclear Security Agency is critical.
The State of New Mexico also plays an increasing prominent role in County governmental affairs. For the past three legislative sessions, I worked as a legislative analyst for the Senate Judiciary Committee. This experience has broadened my understanding of state government, and given me the opportunity to develop relationships with state government staff and legislators. This knowledge and these contacts will be invaluable when Los Alamos looks to the State for funding or other support.
If elected I am committed to:
- Proactive, informed Council oversight of County operations
- Preserving and protecting neighborhoods
- Active Council communication and engagement with Los Alamos citizens
- Sensible economic development efforts
- Support of the schools
My husband George and I live in Eastern Area with our two adopted shelter dogs, Sophie and Gracie. We have a son and daughter-in-law who live in White Rock, and our grandchildren attend the public schools. Our ties run deep and our desire for a strong future is real.
Please contact me to share your thoughts and ideas. My email address is chris4council@mail.com. My home phone number is 505.662.5900.
Editor’s Note: The Los Alamos Daily Post will feature columns on each of the local candidates over the next few weeks.
