White: Why I’m A County Council Candidate

By GREG WHITE
Democratic Candidate
Los Alamos County Council

My name is Greg White. I am running for County Council because I really love this community and I am really frustrated with the Council and top management of the County and the pervasive “Can’t Do” attitude.

The Council is suppose to Lead And Oversee. But there is no leadership from the Council, let alone oversight. They constantly fail to adequately question County staff. And a lot of the questions they do ask, they should have known the answer to before the meeting.

I’ve repeatedly emailed the Council and staff with measures they can legally take to assist our citizens and businesses during this virus crises. But all I get is “thank you for the suggestion” and no action.

How did they fail to ensure the County had a pandemic plan before the virus, when a pandemic has been warned by scientists for decades? And we have the Lab, which employs people from around the world.

Why do they not ask the County attorney why the words, “for the construction of any railroad”, appear in the supposed anti donation clause? Those words appear in the clause because it is NOT a blanket prohibition against the government helping, especially in extreme circumstances like a pandemic. If it was a blanket prohibition NM would be the Only State with a constitutional clause or statute with such a prohibition.

The Council gives help and money all the time to private interest! I am NOT saying anything bad about the following examples. I AM showing that the Council CAN help businesses and individuals during this virus and they have no excuse not to.

They loaned UbiQD, a private company, $325,000 at no interest and deferred payments for three years. They give $300,000/yr to the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, a private organization. They provide Ashley Pond and its pavilion at no charge to an out of county company and the bands at no charge. They give money to the JJAB, even though the JJAB claims to be a private organization. They give $20 million/yr to Main Street, a private organization. The Council CAN help during this virus, they simply chose not to.

Several recent letters to the editor have made great points on what we need in and from a County official. I feel these apply to both those elected and appointed officials. Namely: empathy, integrity, listening, leadership skills and good judgment.

What about diversity? I’m not speaking of just heritage, but also career(s), actual work experience, environment growing up, and education. And not just political view, but also social, religious, justice, and foresight. And most importantly can a candidate take all these life experiences and put them together to be an actual leader?

But the absolute prerequisite for public service is TIME! Does the candidate have the time? Because being on the Council takes a lot more time than 4 to 6 hrs twice a month. Council members are assigned as liaisons to several boards and commissions. There are public appearances like the Farmer’s Market, Homecoming, Main St. events, etc. All council meetings involve multiple subjects, which each member should be researching beforehand and not just accepting what staff has to say! Staff may have an agenda or not have the expertise they claim to have. Worse, staff may give the answers they believe the Council wants to hear rather than the truth! Remember the RCLC mess!

Honestly I don’t think any of the current council is a leader.

And most don’t have the time! They work full time for the Lab or run a business or are an underpaid and overworked teacher.

The last two Councils use to come to meetings with prepared written statements so you know they weren’t going to listen to citizens. And the current Council never engages the public except to say, “Thank you for your comment”. Nothing in the Open Meetings Act prohibits the Council from engaging citizens in questions and answers. It Only prohibits taking any action on anything a citizen says that isn’t an agenda item.

I have the time, integrity, experience, knowledge, empathy, listening skills, judgment skills and Leadership you need in a Councilor.

I’m retired (time), I was a paralegal in the Air Force specializing in contracts (the Council is asked to approve numerous contracts with no real understanding what they’re approving), also in the Air Force I spent a year each overseeing the Zero Overpricing Office and the Govt. Operated Service Store (which made all purchases for the Civil Engineers, aka Public Works).

I was a Coast Guard Search and Rescue Coxswain (had to make split second decisions to save lives, as well as intercept drug smugglers and make arrests), was local Law Enforcement in Las Vegas, NV (I know proper LE actions as well as needs and proper staffing).

I worked construction and was a Stationary Engineer at the Sahara Hotel/Casino and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, NV (I have the knowledge to asses budgets for construction, maintenance and repair of County properties, as well as assess bids and designs as to actual feasibility without going over bid cost and wasting tax dollars).

Between the military and construction I’ve lived in 12 States and in both small and large communities in each. From as small as a 200 population to 17 million and in between. I’ve seen first hand what works to revitalize communities and what doesn’t. I’ve seen first hand blight disappear and seen it increase.

I’ve lived in “Can Do” communities and “Can’t Do”. I’m tired of this community being “Can’t Do”, stuck in the past of the 1940s and blight increase while our hometown businesses fail and out of state business owners move in!!! Are you???

I thank you for your vote!

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