Commissioner Chaparro looks to voters for second term

Susana Chaparro is seeking a second term as a Doña Ana County commissioner and faces a familiar opponent. 

Chaparro, a Democrat from Las Cruces, will face off against Organ Republican Stacie Durham, the same opponent she beat in 2020. Chaparro beat Durham by earning 11,045 votes (50 percent) of the vote to Durham’s 9,733 votes (44 percent) in a three-way race. 

The Bulletin sent out surveys to both candidates with questions generated by Las Cruces Bulletin readers. Durham did not respond to multiple calls and emails requesting her response. Below are Chaparro’s answers.

Please provide relevant experience or background information about yourself that readers should know.

Being raised in Las Cruces all of my life has helped me understand the different needs of our community. I currently own an interpreting/translating business and am working as a court interpreter. Being fluent in both English and Spanish has helped me communicate and serve the residents of District 4. District 4 is one of the fastest growing districts in the county. It encompasses most of the northeast of Doña Ana County, the East Mesa, Metro Verde, Sonoma Ranch Moongate and Organ.

As a magistrate judge, I paved the way for Spanish speakers to be seated on juries. My decision to do so was affirmed by the New Mexico Supreme Court a year later. I am proud to represent District 4 and ask for the opportunity to continue to serve that district.

 Why are you running for this position?

I am running to continue to be the voice for the residents in District 4 and to work to represent them in a thoughtful, strategic way. There have been many projects that have been moved forward during the last three years under my stewardship: repaving of roads, lighting and one of the largest flood control structures in the county.

I am proud to be part of the decision to invest $1.5 million in the Peachtree Canyon Apartments, located in District 4. This development will allow families to have safe and modern affordable housing.

I will continue to meet with residents, businesses and developers to discuss their ideas on how to help create the kind of county that we all deserve to live in.

What will you do to address homelessness in Doña Ana County?

As a former judge and court interpreter, I see on almost a daily basis the impact homelessness has on our community. We are not alone in this area. This is a concern throughout the country.

We must work together with the judicial system, law enforcement, the city, the county and our non-for-profit agencies to provide services to our homeless population. At the county level, I have always supported the Crisis Triage Center which will provide services to persons that need immediate attention when in crisis.

I have also had several meetings with land developers and Tierra del Sol to carve out housing for low-income families. I have personally worked with La Casa, the Gospel Rescue Mission, Casa de Peregrinos and small businesses to help provide financial help to individuals.

What will you do to improve the finances of Doña Ana County residents?

Last year, the BOCC created an Economic Development Director position and hired our first director. I am confident that this new position will allow us to create opportunities for residential, commercial and industrial development throughout the county. The new director is able to direct businesses to other resources available in our community.

As a small business owner, I support small local businesses in order to provide jobs for our residents. Focusing on the needs of our small communities will guide us to create a better infrastructure plan.

Last year, the BOCC commenced working on a five-year strategic plan which included collaborating with businesses and our residents to better address the needs of our community and to create budget priorities.

What will you do to improve the quality of drinking water for rural water systems in the county?

Throughout the county, there are 54 water associations. We find ourselves in a place where we need to collaborate with the current water associations to truly understand our water /wastewater challenges.

I have met with some owners of those systems to learn more about what our residents need. I am aware that some water line systems need an overhaul or need to be replaced completely in many areas throughout the county. Fixing a broken line at a time is not a solution. Steps to apply a uniform approach to supply water is a must when we are approving developments.

One of the steps moving forward in the Sunland Park/Santa Teresa area was modifying the Joint Powers Agreement between the county and the city of Sunland Park. I fully supported the move to create a board that changed the board from elected officials and their appointees to engineers and water specialists.

Do you support the board's choice of county manager? Please explain your answer.

I fully support our new county manager, Scott Andrews. During his interview process, he showed a new perspective in the way the BOCC would like to move forward with our strategic plan.

Scott engaged with our residents and staff at several public meetings that we had and listened to their concerns. His experience in his previous position, the demographics being similar to Doña Ana County, is very valuable.

He presented to us several ideas regarding engaging the youth in our community and his dedication to them is clear.

I believe that he will adapt to our county and our concerns quickly.