Four candidates are competing for two seats on the board of directors for the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority (SSCAFCA), including the board chairman.
Ronald A. Abramshe is one of two board members whose terms expire at the end of the year. The other, Jim Fahey, who was elected mayor of Corrales last year, is not seeking reelection, meaning the top two vote-getters will earn seats for four-year terms.
Also running are Michael Vidal, Robert Joseph Martinez and Maria Isabel Marquez.
Voters can select two candidates on their ballots for this election. Eligible voters are those who live within the boundaries of the SSCAFCA, which is bordered by the Rio Grande to the east, the county line on the south, the top of the Rio Puerco drainage on the east, and Zia and Santa Ana pueblos and US 550 to the north.
The SSCAFCA, is an independent corporate political body tasked with managing flood and storm water control within those boundaries, which include the communities of Bernalillo, Corrales, and Rio Rancho, according to its website.
Abramshe, who makes his home in Bernalillo, says the top priority of the organization is to carry out that mission.
“This translates to protection of life, property, businesses and out local environment. We address these matters through rigorous civil engineering,” Abramshe, who has a master’s degree in civil engineering and 30 years of management experience in the field, said in response to questions from the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico.
Vidal, of Rio Rancho, also boasts 30 years of industry experience as a contractor. The owner and CEO of ThreeSixty, a software manufacturing company, said his experience translates well to the board position.
“As a leader it is my responsibility to review information provided by staff, architects, engineers, and clients to determine the best course of action for both the company and clients,” he wrote in response to a question from the League of Women Voters.
Martinez, a resident of Corrales, brings a legal perspective to the table. In addition to being a Princeton educated civil engineer, he has a law degree from Georgetown and spent much of his 40-year career in construction and government contracts, according to the information he provided to the League.
“Proactive evaluation in weather patterns, including global warming, and of the capacity of our flood control system to handle those changes,” he said in response to a question about how the Authority can deal with volatile weather conditions that could increase flooding.
Marquez did not respond to questions posed by the League of Women Voters. She lists a Corrales address on her candidacy forms. And while this is a nonpartisan election, the Democratic Party of Sandoval County lists Marquez, along with Ambrashe and Martinez, as Democrats running for office this election.
Election day is Nov. 7, but early voting in this and other elections is already underway.