2022 election interviews

The Pajarito Conservation Alliance invited all eight candidates for Los Alamos County Council to answer conservation-related questions to help voters inform their choices. We sent a questionnaire by e-mail to the candidates on Friday, October 7, using e-mail addresses published by the NM Secretary of State voter information portal, with a deadline of Thursday, October 13.

Four Five of the candidates responded:

Their responses are below. We fact-checked them; our comments are in bracketed italics. (We did not verify resume-type claims.) Otherwise, the text is as submitted, with no editing other than formatting.

No response or explanation was received from the other four three:

  • Theresa Cull (D) did not respond.

  • Sharon Dry (R) did not respond.

  • Reginald Page (R) did not respond.

  • Gary Stradling (R) did not respond.

We do find it notable that none of the Republican candidates responded.

Melanee Hand

E-mail address for voter contact: handnhand2023@gmail.com

What do you believe makes Los Alamos County special?

Los Alamos is unique in that we have four adjacent national attractions for people to visit, great mild climate, four seasons, beautiful atmosphere, and a safe and secure community. Los Alamos County is a great place to visit and wonderful place to live. Our open space is a treasure, and we have a rich history, great variety of trails for hiking and other activities, and many recreational opportunities. We also have some amazing concerts and arts programs for our small town.

How should we grow while keeping Los Alamos County special?

Senators, NM Representatives, DOE and LANL have suggested considering a regional approach for LANL growth because there is an opportunity to support other nearby communities in our region and potentially accommodate growth more quickly. This information has been presented in several different public meetings including Council sessions recently. If we focus on the health of our region, maybe one of our priorities should include better and more convenient transit interconnections between different towns and communities. Also, supporting a regional approach can preserve our precious open space. However, the County has already been working on many new housing projects which are in different stages of development and construction.  Projects can take years to plan, design, and construct partially because County participative processes put a high priority on citizen input. Additional housing has already been approved by Council and I can see several projects being built across the County. Many higher density apartments and shops are in different stages of development to fill areas where vacant buildings now stand. Keep in mind that the additional growth will require additional infrastructure needs and services, which might cause inconveniences for citizens during construction. I was involved with land transfer processes over 20 years ago while working for LANL. I do not think that land transfer will be an answer for meeting current or near-term needs, especially since much land being proposed for transfer is not suitable for housing and could be transferred to the County for other purposes.

How do you think we should balance making Los Alamos County appeal to tourists vs. serving the outdoor recreation interests of local citizens?

Outdoor recreation interests of local citizens most likely will also appeal to many tourists.  The development of trails and recreation for broader use could appeal to more people locally and the public. The publication of information about recreational activities can lead to more use by both visitors and locals.

What is the appropriate level of public spending on restoration and conservation of county natural areas and open space?

The appropriate level of spending is determined through public input, plans and implementation strategies, and Council decisions on the amount of funding to allocate in a specific time period.

There has been little to no progress on implementing the conservation parts of the Open Space Plan approved in 2015. Can you comment on this situation? What do you plan to do?

This subject can be discussed in a Council meeting to better understand the reasons for the level of progress. There is a possibility of changing priorities and assigning budget in the next budget cycle.

In addition to our open space, Los Alamos County also has various urban greenery within the town sites, such as Ashley Pond, the trees planted along Central Avenue, and private yards. How should we promote and manage these resources?

It is important to have a tiered landscape maintenance program for all of Los Alamos County's grounds and open space that ties to adequate budget to implement. Alternative approaches for managing pests should be explored, including public input on pros and cons of the approaches used. Training staff to perform proper maintenance on plant materials supports healthy plants.

What should the county do when it damages/removes trees during construction projects?

The County should replace trees in other areas when trees are taken down. We have severely damaged areas due to previous wildfires that could be re-forested using best practice forest management techniques.

How should we manage wildfire danger while maximizing access to local outdoor recreation opportunities?

The County has a Wildfire Management Plan that is important to implement for the safety of the community and the environment. Implementation of an Emergency Management Plan, or other type of emergency planning document could include a system and process for public access of open space, recreation areas, and trails during fire restriction stages.

How should we balance the water needs of local citizens with the water needs of wildlife and ecosystems?

Water conservation practices are important to preserve wildlife and ecosystems and local citizen needs. Education about water conservation techniques is important for all citizens. Re-use of greywater and non-potable water should be explored for feasibility of expanded use.

Do you believe that climate change is real?  If yes, what is the cause of climate change and how should we respond at the local level?

Yes, I believe the scientific data that shows climate change is real. The cause of climate change is due to fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. [Mostly correct. The main point is that it’s caused by people. The things mentioned are major contributors, but there are many additional sources of GHGs that contribute to climate change, such as refrigerants, methane from animal agriculture, etc.] We can respond at the local level through the implementation of LARES, recommendations from the Environmental Sustainability Board, and other comprehensive and resource management plans for Los Alamos County.

What distinguishes you from the other candidate(s) on conservation issues and natural resource management?

I have education and experience in the area of conservation and natural resource management. I was a Team Leader for NEPA at Los Alamos National Laboratory and also became an acting Ecology Deputy Group leader at LANL that developed Natural Resource Management Plans. I was part of a planning team that developed a 70-year Forest Management Plan at LANL and was also a recipient of two Pollution Prevention awards at LANL for my work and leadership with stormwater management improvements.

I was a member of the Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board for 2 years.  I have a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design and performed years of site design using sustainable practices and promoted erosion control technologies. I was a member of the Parks and Open Space Advisory Subcommittee for Los Alamos County for several years, and also on the Los Alamos County Landscape Review Committee many years ago.

Suzie Havemann

E-mail address for voter contact: suzie4council@gmail.com

What do you believe makes Los Alamos County special?

Our natural surroundings! As a Realtor helping newcomers learn about Los Alamos, I always expressed high enthusiasm for our cultural amenities, easy access to an array of trails, and our variety of parks and recreation services. I often boast about our high level of civic involvement and the fact if one has a hobby or an interest to pursue, they will find an organization with whom to enjoy that activity! Having a major employer with LANL, a local college with UNM-LA, and an excellent public school system also make Los Alamos County very special.

How should we grow while keeping Los Alamos County special?

Our small-town quality of life and natural surroundings are attributes that help our local employers, large and small, recruit and retain a workforce. At the same time, our small businesses, service organizations, County government, and LANL are struggling to meet staffing needs partly due to a lack of housing, especially in the entry and mid-market segments. More housing and commercial spaces are needed and should be pursued but only in ways that incorporate the guidelines from our Open Space Management Plan. Building mixed use and multi-family housing on undeveloped or poorly utilized lots closer to downtown and near the commercial area of White Rock is a way to alleviate our housing shortage, enhance downtown vitality, and preserve open space. New developments should maximize green belts, walkable pathways, trail access, and preservation of open space. We also need to continually re-visit our zoning to ensure areas valued by the community as open space remain that way.

How do you think we should balance making Los Alamos County appeal to tourists vs. serving the outdoor recreation interests of local citizens?

When we make land use and policy/budget decisions about where to invest for the benefit of our local citizens, we should refer to our various planning documents for guidance. Our stated goals include economic vitality and local business support along with protecting our recreational amenities. Visitors to Los Alamos (tourists and new hire recruits) can enjoy a wide variety of attractions here that in turn benefits many of our small businesses. While I think our local residents benefit from the visitor patronage and incremental fees income to these amenities (e.g. PEEC, ski hill, ice rink, golf course), we also need to be mindful about the cost/benefit of improvements to our facilities that might add bells and whistles for tourists but only marginal enhancement to our residents. For example, if I had to choose between better trail signage that would benefit visitors versus trail maintenance that provides more benefit to the local hiker, I would choose the latter. Ideally, we would balance improvement and maintenance of our outdoor recreation amenities in a way that benefits both visitors and local residents-- all in a way that does not degrade the locals’ enjoyment of them. An example of this is signage that provides both mapping and history/cultural/environmental lessons along the way. Another example is our summer concerts at Ashley Pond where some attendees are from out of town; this enhances the vitality of the event while providing more patronage of our local businesses and I love that!

What is the appropriate level of public spending on restoration and conservation of county natural areas and open space?

While I’m not sure what the appropriate level should be, I think the current funding of two FTE’s and a stipend for on-call trail contractor services is insufficient. I am a strong advocate for more investment toward restoring, improving, maintaining, and conserving our natural areas, open space, and trails.

There are so many reasons to do so: environmental sustainability, preservation of undeveloped space for future generations, and the ecological health of our surroundings. These investments could be done in collaboration with other entities; the County could leverage the skills and volunteer resources of PEEC, Tuff Riders, trail users, the Sierra Club, the YMCA etc. by coordinating and managing conservation and restoration activities. Such investment also supports what our local residents have named as a top attribute to their quality of life here. Our natural resources enhance our well-being and provide exercise and recreation opportunities for all age groups and physical abilities (though improvements are needed to make more spaces and trails accessible to those with disabilities). We should invest in our natural areas for the benefits of climate change mitigation, resiliency, watershed stewardship, and wildfire fuel management.

There has been little to no progress on implementing the conservation parts of the Open Space Plan approved in 2015. Can you comment on this situation? What do you plan to do?

It is a point of frustration to me when talented citizens and County employees work together to develop meaningful plans for the benefit of our greater community only to see them partially implemented or forgotten altogether. If a plan is considered for adoption by the County Council, that plan needs to include actionable recommendations, a schedule, preliminary budget, and deliverables for reporting progress. Progress with the Open Space Plan would be a priority for me during the annual budget review process and continually with our Parks & Recreation Board.

In addition to our open space, Los Alamos County also has various urban greenery within the town sites, such as Ashley Pond, the trees planted along Central Avenue, and private yards. How should we promote and manage these resources?

While we do have some urban greenery, I wish we had a lot more. It frustrated me when the Sullivan Field parking lot was re-done with very few new trees or planters; ditto with some private sector parking lots. I would advocate for zoning that requires more native trees and/or xeriscape plantings in our parking lots, street medians, and along public sidewalks when possible. We could partner with PEEC and other entities to incentivize participation in the Certified Wildlife Habitat designation, garden tours, tree identification and seed programs, etc. We could support events at Earth Day to promote tree planting and the creation of parklets in our downtown and White Rock business districts.

What should the county do when it damages/removes trees during construction projects?

While planting new trees to offset the damaged or lost trees should be a given, the County needs to consider the location, type, and maturity of the damaged or lost trees in its replacement plans. Input from stakeholders, advocacy groups, and professional arborists should be sought out. [There is no skills requirement to be a professional arborist; anyone can advertise such services. However, skills certifications do exist, for example from the International Society or Arboriculture.] But better yet, existing mature trees should be incorporated into the design of a new project in order to minimize the loss of any trees whatsoever.

How should we manage wildfire danger while maximizing access to local outdoor recreation opportunities?

While we need to rely on professional, expert advice from our Fire Chief and Fire Marshall, along with input from our Pueblo, Forest Service, and DOE neighbors, we also need to consider ramifications of policy decisions on local residents. If our community enters a Ready/Set/Go situation, we should defer to our professionals and err on the side of health and safety. But once a fire situation has stabilized and there is time to garner input, we should acknowledge the nuances of various options and utilize cost / benefit analysis in our decisions. For example, with the Cerro Pelado Fire, it may have initially been prudent to close all trails, 24/7, County wide. But over time, the ‘all or nothing’ approach seemed counterproductive. It was hard to understand why some trails couldn’t be open at least partially, or at least during specified hours, or for specified activities. Safe access to our outdoor spaces is part of our health so that benefit should be given consideration.

How should we balance the water needs of local citizens with the water needs of wildlife and ecosystems?

I believe in thinking globally and acting locally. While we may have sufficient water to meet the needs of Los Alamos residents for quite some time, I believe in conservation and caring for our larger ecosystem and environment. Locally, we should make sure our government and institutions are adopting and adhering to water use guidelines that maximize conservation. Likewise, landscaping of public spaces should include water catchment systems, xeriscaping, irrigation timers to water at night and not during monsoons, etc. We should include appropriate watershed restoration in our parks planning so that natural wildlife habitats can flourish here.

Do you believe that climate change is real? If yes, what is the cause of climate change and how should we respond at the local level?

Yes, and its consequences have been accumulating rapidly for decades now. It is caused in part by some natural phenomena events but today it is mostly caused by the build-up of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane) from the burning of fossil fuels. Virtually everything we do in modern life (agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, etc.) results in the emission of greenhouse gases.

Every community, large or small, should think globally and act locally. We can start by implementing the recommendations of the Resiliency, Energy and Sustainability Task Force (of which I was a member until a bad mountain biking accident caused me to retire). We should collaborate with LANL, our regional neighbors and the state to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, if not sooner. The RES Task Force report outlines the means to achieve this and other goals; granted, there are challenges with intermittency of renewable resources, along with transitioning to electrification of our buildings and transportation systems. But these challenges are being addressed with massive amounts of investment nationally and globally and I am confident there will be technology solutions to solve the challenges; we are past the time of making excuses for inaction.

What distinguishes you from the other candidate(s) on conservation issues and natural resource management?

I’m not sure where some of the other candidates are on this topic but I am a long time environmentalist and supporter of over a dozen conservation and wildlife/wilderness/nature non-profit organizations. In fact, I just received a certificate from the Sierra Club for 35 years of continuous membership and support. My minor at UC Davis was in Energy Policy; I’ve served on the LA RES Task Force, the Environmental Sustainability Board, PEEC’s Business Advisory Board, and various conservation committees under DPU. On a lighter note, my podcast playlist and subscription in box is dominated by the topics of energy, climate change, and environment. If not elected to County Council, I will invest my volunteer efforts in local conservation endeavors; if elected, I’ll work hard to enact policies that favor our natural environment and help us do our part in mitigating climate change.

Randall Ryti

E-mail address for voter contact: ryti4council@gmail.com

What do you believe makes Los Alamos County special?

The natural environment. I enjoy walking in the County and in the neighboring public lands. They are truly a treasure. I also think the people that live and work here with the emphasis on science and research make us special. I also appreciate the many cultures here now and those who have been here for generations.

How should we grow while keeping Los Alamos County special?

We need to redevelop vacant or underutilized land and buildings. This way we can protect open space within the County and that space that also serves as buffer areas on DOE property. So, part of the answer is policy and the other is the development code, which is in process of being revised.

How do you think we should balance making Los Alamos County appeal to tourists vs. serving the outdoor recreation interests of local citizens?

I think we can do both, but my priority is on local citizens. One major constraint we have for tourism is the lack of hotel rooms. Without enough places to stay it is difficult to really build a tourism market. I’m also focused on places to stay and things to do for residents. Tourism can help augment sales for the restaurant and retail sectors so can improve the local business environment broadly.

What is the appropriate level of public spending on restoration and conservation of county natural areas and open space?

Open space is about 6% of the land in the County; private and school-municipal land is about 14% and about 80% is public lands. Open space does not require as much funding to maintain as the buildings and active recreation assets, but it does require funding. I voted for an additional trails maintenance position two years ago. So far the County has not kept that position filled. My proposal would be to develop some simple metrics for open space, e.g., based on trail conditions related to erosion impacts, plant overgrowth, feral cattle impacts, among others. We could use metrics to assess conditions and increase people or equipment allocations as needed.

There has been little to no progress on implementing the conservation parts of the Open Space Plan approved in 2015. Can you comment on this situation? What do you plan to do?

Funding is certainly one aspect. Successes are noted with the Graduation Canyon stream restoration project and ongoing efforts to remove feral cattle. We also have a stream restoration project underway in Los Alamos Canyon. Coordination is important to other property managers. Perhaps the biggest reasons are the lack of an adaptive management plan and explicit responsibility for County staff to monitor, implement, report progress with recommendations on management options.

In addition to our open space, Los Alamos County also has various urban greenery within the town sites, such as Ashley Pond, the trees planted along Central Avenue, and private yards. How should we promote and manage these resources?

Plants on County lands that are more actively managed should be used to help demonstrate options for residents that grow well and show beauty under current climate and into the future. Generally, plants that require less water and are native to the plateau should be used. These will also have benefits for the local biota.

What should the county do when it damages/removes trees during construction projects?

I’m proposing that the County have an environmental review process and the Council develop an associated policy document. If there is an impact like removing trees, at a minimum there should be some planted. The number and type should be consistent with the answer to the previous question. One cannot replace a mature tree but planting substantial replacements, not seedlings, should be promoted.

How should we manage wildfire danger while maximizing access to local outdoor recreation opportunities?

I asked for an agenda item to discuss this very issue. Drought conditions and fire restrictions can be expected in the future. We have a vertical mile of topography and a related difference in vegetation types. Therefore, a blanket approach is not reasonable for the entire County. Given the importance on outdoor recreation to our community, we need to take a risk management approach and not use the precautionary principle.

How should we balance the water needs of local citizens with the water needs of wildlife and ecosystems?

Some of the springs in White Rock Canyon are connected to the regional aquifer so drawing down our drinking water can have wildlife impacts. This would be one reason to be cautious in our use of groundwater and conduct projects that improve infiltration – like Graduation Canyon stream restoration. Such projects also benefit wildlife.

Do you believe that climate change is real? If yes, what is the cause of climate change and how should we respond at the local level?

Yes. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane. The County Department of Public Utilities has had a net zero by 2040 goal for electric production. The LARES task force offered over 40 recommendations, some of which Council has taken action to fund. The League of Women voters had a question LARES, here is my answer to that question –

1. Develop a partnership or cooperative agreement with LAPS and LANL (GR-7) that would lead to opportunities in the areas of electric and transportation, such as deployment of rooftop or parking lot solar installations. Such a partnership would help LANL meets its carbon neutral goals and provide a revenue stream for LAPS. 2. I would encourage the BPU/DPU to evaluate distributed storage (E-7,8) in addition to utility-scale storage projects. Storage is key to addressing renewables fluctuations.

What distinguishes you from the other candidate(s) on conservation issues and natural resource management?

I am a biologist by training, and I have worked in applied environmental projects during my professional career.

James Wernicke

E-mail address for voter contact: jameswernickeforlosalamos@gmail.com

What do you believe makes Los Alamos County special?

Safety, low traffic, low pollution, high education, high income, and amazing outdoor spaces

How should we grow while keeping Los Alamos County special?

Build high-density, high-efficiency housing and commercial on the existing vacant concrete space. Build bike/pedestrian/accessible commuter infrastructure in and between WR & LA. Work with the lab’s Community Partnerships Office to leverage their research capabilities so we can actually plan for the future.

How do you think we should balance making Los Alamos County appeal to tourists vs. serving the outdoor recreation interests of local citizens?

The best way to maintain a resource is to have people use it, appreciate it, learn about it, and ultimately, take responsibility for it. We can encourage that with environmental awareness campaigns through social media, at trailheads, on trails, nature classes, etc. Organizations like PCA, PEEC, and LAC Open Space already do this. Let’s keep doing it.

What is the appropriate level of public spending on restoration and conservation of county natural areas and open space?

To know the appropriate level of public spending, we would first need to know who uses it, to what extent, and for what purpose. Although we do not have that knowledge, I’m fairly certain that the FY23 budget of $330k for Open Space isn’t enough. It doesn’t make sense when Parks has over $17M. It doesn’t make sense that the ice rink has just as many employees as Open Space despite having 4,000x more to manage. [There is $339,000 in the budget for Open Space. We could not verify the number of employees for the ice rink and Open Space.]

There has been little to no progress on implementing the conservation parts of the Open Space Plan approved in 2015. Can you comment on this situation? What do you plan to do?

There’s no road map. We need to specify what conservation objectives we want, how we’ll measure progress, when we want it done, and invest the funds to do it.

In addition to our open space, Los Alamos County also has various urban greenery within the town sites, such as Ashley Pond, the trees planted along Central Avenue, and private yards. How should we promote and manage these resources?

We should use diverse, native, water-efficient, low-maintenance, and pleasant plants in our green spaces and provide educational resources for citizens to practice high desert landscaping in private yards.

What should the county do when it damages/removes trees during construction projects?

Ideally, plan their projects to not damage or remove them in the first place. If unavoidable, restoration efforts like reforestation should be applied sensibly so as to promote natural biodiversity.

How should we manage wildfire danger while maximizing access to local outdoor recreation opportunities?

Prohibit use of open flames, but not access to trails.

How should we balance the water needs of local citizens with the water needs of wildlife and ecosystems?

There is vast room for improvement in local citizens’ water use from sustainable landscaping to efficient appliances. Water conservation education opportunities and awareness campaigns can help citizens make more environmentally responsible choices.

Do you believe that climate change is real? If yes, what is the cause of climate change and how should we respond at the local level?

Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and livestock are significant contributors to the problem. At the local level, we can plant trees and reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and animal products.

What distinguishes you from the other candidate(s) on conservation issues and natural resource management?

As a trail steward, I demonstrate that I’m both passionate about caring for our outdoor spaces and willing to personally take action to do it. As a younger candidate, I challenge the status quo with curiosity, out-of-the-box thinking, and a longer lifespan to suffer the consequences of our choices today.