District One City Councillor Miguel G. Silva has announced he will be a candidate for the office of Mayor of the City of Las Cruces in the upcoming November 2015 municipal election. Silva is completing his second term as District One City Councillor.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve District One over the past eight years -- however I have always been a strong supporter of term limits. It brings forth opportunities for change which is good,” Silva said. “I’m excited and look forward to the challenge of leading the City in managing its affairs with a fresh perspective, different approach, and rekindled vision.”
“On the other hand I am very excited about tossing my hat into the Mayoral race,” Silva added. To lead our City into a new chapter of opportunity and growth is motivating. Providing strong creative leadership will be key components to move the City forward in a positive direction.”
Silva acknowledges the Council’s accomplishments over the past seven plus years. Yet he believes there is still more work to do. According to NMSU economy experts, and local business people, the City is still within the midst of the recession.
“My top priority is to improve our quality of life as a community. To do this we need to take an honest assessment of our present position which includes quality of education, jobs, recreation and workforce to name a few.” Silva said.
“Our situation is not as rosy as many believe. Without a strong, growing economy, we don’t have the quality jobs and growing wealth that are at the very core of increasing our quality of life. We have a lot of work to do as a community to pull together and address these issues,” Silva said.
Also, according to Silva, the minimum wage discussion and recent recall efforts divided the community in a manner that was non-existent over the past seven years.
“I am uniquely capable of bringing the community together to address these issues,” Silva added.
“We are divided by our diversity of views and opinions on all sorts of matters,” Silva said. “And we will never all agree on everything. However, I believe we are all in agreement in our desire to see our City become strong, economically healthy, and a place where everyone has the opportunity to have a good job, a good home, and to find the City a great place to live.”
“To overcome the present situation, cultivating a willingness to work together as a community is essential,” Silva said. “By joining forces as a community, we have the potential to rise above and move forward in a positive direction benefiting the City as a whole and each of us as residents.”
In strengthening the local economy, Silva recognizes as solid building blocks the new medical school at NMSU, our thriving call center industry, our growing community of retirees, the development in Santa Teresa, the drone testing at NMSU-PSL, and the State’s increased commitment to the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP)
“These are great community assets to build upon,” Silva added.
As City Councillor, Silva was at the forefront in leading many initiatives such as spearheading the initial audit of the Las Cruces Police Department, implementing the curbside and glass recycling projects, privatizing the Downtown Farmers and Craft Market, shedding light on the prior City Manager leadership, and starting the summer movies in the park.
Silva has also been very involved in the development of Downtown Main Street, the Historic Districts, and in moving forward with a sound long-term plan to maintain streets and roads.
“Also, as Mayor, I will work to restore the strong relationships the City had built with the County and the School District, but which have become less effective recently.”
During his tenure, Silva has also served and chaired many boards which include the Animal Service Center of Mesilla Valley, the Extra Territorial Authority and the South Central Solid Waste District.
In addition to being City Councillor, Silva is an Adjunct Professor at Dona Ana Community College.