By PETE SHEEHEYWhat do I have to offer the citizens of Los Alamos, if re-elected to County Council? I have learned a lot in my first term on Council, and worked for the things residents told me they wanted when I knocked on their doors four years ago: to go ahead with the most important investments for our future, but don’t spend too much, and make sure we get good value for taxpayers’ dollars. We went ahead with projects like the Teen Center, the Nature Center, and the new White Rock Library, Senior and Youth Centers, and we have still maintained healthy financial reserves.
I’ve lived and worked as a Lab scientist here thirty years, first a single person, then with a family, and now a retiree. The new generation coming to work here see a lot of the same things I saw when I first came in 1986: a healthy and beautiful environment, challenging work, and friendly, interesting people. We need to make investmentsso that these people will want to stay: infrastructure to offer better places to live and work, improvements in services to help small businesses grow, support for our public schools, and recreational amenities.
Because I’m retired, I have the time and energy to give to the job and continue to learn about the issues affecting our town. That means reading the Council meeting agenda packets that sometimes run hundreds of pages, listening to our many informed citizens, and doing my own research. I am also active with community and regional groups, such as serving on the board of the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD).
I have completed “NM Edge” certification programs for elected officials offered by New Mexico State University. These programs have educated me about local and state government, and put me in contact with many fellow elected officials and experts on subjects important to county government, such as economic development.
My voice on Council has been and will remain an independent one. I gather facts and form my own opinion, listen to others, and try to find common ground. My conclusions may differ from the majority of the Council, but I always have what’s best for our community in mind. I’m not afraid to state my opinions, with the facts supporting them, on controversial issues. When the voters have spoken on an issue, it is my job, as their representative, to implement that decision.
I offer a balanced view of our town and its future on my website, www.petesheehey.com.A growing and diversified local economy will make this a better place for all of us. Los Alamos will remain a prosperous town, even with the uncertainties of Lab contracts and budgets. We can afford the important things, as long as we make good choices.I would be honored to serve you on the Council for another four years, and I respectfully request your vote.
