Randall Ryti has announced his candidacy for a seat on the Los Alamos County Council. Ryti shown here in front of the Los Alamos Nature Center served on the Pajarito Environmental Education Center Board from 2002 to 2008 and as its president from 2005 to 2008. Courtesy photo

I moved to Los Alamos in 1992 to start a small business with three other scientists. After my wife Wendy arrived in 1993, our children attended middle school and high school. We stayed because Los Alamos has offered so many opportunities.

Almost within days of arriving in town I learned about the Over-30 basketball league and participated as a player. Later I was asked to be on its board and serve as its chairman. Over time, I have found other ways to contribute to our town. I served on the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) Board from 2002 to 2008 (President from 2005 to 2008). I supported the Los Alamos County District Science Fair as a volunteer and judges co-coordinator from 2005 to 2017. I was a Los Alamos County Transportation Board member from 2012-2016 (Chair from 2014-2016).

I have valued these opportunities to serve our community and decided to play a larger role in our future. Thus, I am running for the County Council. I ask for your support because of the skills I bring to this office. I graduated from Leadership Los Alamos in 2005 and found that course useful to me as informed citizen, leader in my business, and serving in a leadership role in my community activities. I have experience in running and growing a small business, Neptune and Company, and dealing with the County as the landowners of the property where our office is located. I sold my interest in this successful Company in 2016 and currently work part-time, so I have time to devote to being an effective Councilor.

I also enjoy developing collaborations and listening to the perspectives of others. I am excited to start my campaign by talking to residents about what issues matter most to them. To help start this dialog, here is my initial list of goals.

Enhance environmental stewardship. Los Alamos has abundant natural resources and many residents and visitors enjoy our local trails and other recreational activities in the surrounding National Park units and Forest Service lands. We also have abundant sunshine for potential solar energy development. Other resources such as land and drinking water are limited and need our protection.  

Improve community health outcomes. An area where County funds can produce the largest impacts to vulnerable populations, such as youth, is through community health services. Improved mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are a priority to me. We also need to continue to remove stigmas associated with such illnesses.

Increase housing stock. Given the limited amount of land in the County I would like to see redevelopment as a priority. This will improve housing opportunities and make the best use of existing infrastructure. We also need to increase housing options for a range of income levels.

Develop transportation facilities. The County has good facilities for some modes of transit, but we could see improvements throughout the County. I am a regular rider of Atomic City Transit and a strong supporter of that service. I would like to look to ways that the County can increase ridership and make this service even more cost-effective. We can continue developing the Canyon Rim Trail and a countywide bicycle trail. We can also look for ways to improve vehicle traffic flow and minimize hazards to pedestrians.

Build on successful public-private partnerships. The County seeks out such relationships on occasion and I think we can learn from those that have been successful. Our award-winning Nature Center is an excellent example of one successful partnership. Many of my other priorities are ripe for solutions based on such partnerships.

Our local government is built on collaboration and I look forward to playing a role in finding evidence-based solutions to these and other issues of concern to the County. My experience as a scientist, small business owner, and active participant in Los Alamos organizations demonstrates my qualifications and enthusiasm to serve on the Council. To contact me send a note to Ryti4Council@gmail.com.