Santa Fe County Commission Endorsements: Miguel Chavez, Ed Moreno

Residents of Santa Fe County Commission District 2 are fortunate to be represented by Miguel Chavez, who has been a stalwart in his work to make the county’s new Sustainable Land Development Code live up to its title.

The code establishes zoning for wise land-use choices, imposes impact fees for developers to offset or pay for infrastructure improvements, and contains energy efficiency building requirements. Moreover, thanks to Chavez’s strong support, it establishes a mechanism for public input when the county is considering landfills, junkyards, and extractive operations.

As vice president of the North Central Regional Transit District Board, Chavez collaborated with several agencies in the creation of the Mountain Trail Route Shuttle service to Santa Fe Ski Area. This shuttle has reduced the number of vehicles traveling to the Ski Area, thus reducing the carbon footprint and boosting economic development via tourism.

In Commission District 5, Ed Moreno has developed expertise in policy development, collaboration and understanding of the issues that are facing Santa Fe County.

In 26 years in the district, Moreno has practiced policy development as a journalist, senior advisor to former State Land Commissioner Ray Powell, and as a public-policy facilitator.

As a government analyst, Moreno staffed three legislative committees and two executive agencies. He has showed a strong commitment to environmental protection in all of his roles, including as president of the Eldorado homeowners association for nearly four years. There he developed a framework for financial sustainability, and structured a process to give the community a voice in whether residents could keep hens on their properties.

Moreno emphasizes preserving the quality of life in the southern “suburbs” of Santa Fe, including protecting water sources and improving transportation, health, housing and senior services. He will be a valuable addition to the county commission.

By Susan Martin, 
Chapter Political chair

Paid for by the the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club PAC.

Featured image from NewsCastic.