Democrat Andrea Cunningham in March when she filed for Los Alamos County Council. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
Andrea Cunningham, Democratic candidate for County Council has launched her campaign website at www.andreaforcouncil.com.
“I am running for County Council to create a community environment in which families and businesses want to move to, and stay in, Los Alamos,” Cunningham said. “A broad range of ages and stages of life are needed in a community to keep it vibrant and welcoming for all. I would like Los Alamos to be a place where my children would like to return to work and raise their families! My ‘strapline’ is Community-Building in Action.”
For 20 years, Cunningham has had the opportunity to work with County Council on behalf of Los Alamos families, with high expectations and more often than not, successful outcomes, she said.
“I’ve learned the need for balancing the priorities of those on both sides of an issue and respect the values of those rooted in the community,” she said. “Like so many people in this town, my life in Los Alamos began right after college. My husband and I left Ann Arbor, Michigan and all of the conveniences of urban living to pursue an opportunity of a lifetime at the National Lab. That was 22 years ago.”
Since then, Cunningham and her husband have raised three daughters, bought and renovated two homes and became inextricably invested in this community, she said.
“Even as I’ve transitioned from full-time parent to a career in healthcare, I discovered a passion for making a difference – in large ways and small – stepping up wherever I saw a need for a hand and a voice,” Cunningham said. “While volunteering, I became a voice for young families in the political process and successfully led and participated in many projects, campaigns and organizations including; PTO’s, the 529 bond ordinance, the Trinity Site Revitalization project and zoning for the Reel Deal.”
In her professional life, Cunningham has worked for a private physician’s office, at a regional hospital and at Los Alamos National Laboratory, “the community’s dominant business entity” where she focused on process efficiencies. She now works for the State of New Mexico and serves as the Public Health Nurse Manager for Los Alamos County.
“I look forward to the opportunity to apply my knowledge and experience in this area to address pressing issues in this area, particularly those revolving around the needs of our teen population and mental health resources,” she said. “In order to best serve the community, our Council representation should reflect the diverse skill sets, backgrounds and experiences of our citizens. As a health professional, I can offer a unique perspective to the Council and have a proven track record of successfully bringing people together to work toward a common goal.”
If elected, Cunningham said she will focus on:
- Health and Well-Being resources of our community – centering on two groups most at risk, youth and the aged;
- Economic Development and Downtown gentrification.
- Reduce retail leakage “off the hill”, thus creating more income through GRT for the community.
- Removing barriers and facilitating fledgling businesses.
- Including ensuring a positive outcome for our local businesses and Mari-Mac as Trinity Site opens.
3. Judicious use of our resources by reducing waste and increasing efficiencies and spending our tax dollars wisely to support our Community’s existing strengths including our educational system and natural beauty.
For more information, visit www.andreaforcouncil.com.
“Be sure to make your vote count for the Democratic Primary Election June 3 … early voting is now in progress,” Cunningham said.
