KRWG Public Media is covering contested races around the region. Scott Brocato spoke with Raul Telles Jr., who is running for Sunland Park District 6 Councilor. KRWG has reached out to the other candidate for this position.
Scott Brocato:
What in your background has prepared you for this office?
Raul Telles Jr.:
I've got a plethora of experience both in government side and civil side. I've been a senior executive level military retiree. I’ve also served with the public in different capacities around the world and here in the United States. I’m currently serving as a police officer with the Crisis Intervention Team out of El Paso, Texas.
Scott Brocato:
And what do you see as the top issues facing Sunland Park?
Raul Telles Jr.:
Top issue right now is to make sure that transparency is in place. There's a lot of major projects that are coming into the areas people don't know about. There's infrastructure that's continuously failing around the area. And it seems that the cities tend to be growing a little bit faster than the roofs can support it. I've been a big advocate for infrastructure within the city to make sure that we grow, but at the same time, let's grow responsibly and make sure that infrastructure is there to support us, the constituents.
Scott Brocato:
And how do you propose to best address some of those issues?
Raul Telles Jr.:
Again, start doing a deep dive. See where the money's going to. We've got an abundance of businesses that sprouted up in the city. GRT is being developed, but where are all those funds going to? Which major pieces are they actually addressing?
Scott Brocato:
And what are your thoughts--you mentioned projects. One big one is Project Jupiter. What are your thoughts on that?
Raul Telles Jr.:
You know, there's a lot of misconceptions, I believe, and I don't think we have enough information, or at least me; I wouldn’t have enough information to specifically comment on that project.
Growth is good. As in anything, we’ve just got to make sure it's responsible, it's structured correctly, and it's beneficial for everybody. Businesses are not going to come into a particular region not expecting to benefit from their product as well. And at the same token, we've got the constituents that are around those projects that also need a benefit, whether it be getting new jobs, formulating a career with those big companies.
So I think it's a win-win situation. However, me in particular, I can't comment specifics on it. It'd be something that we'll see as it develops, as it gets closer. I think we're all interested. I'll see what that's going to be.
Scott Brocato:
All right, final question: what else do you think is important for your voters to know?
Raul Telles Jr.:
What is (important) for the voters to know is that I'm one of them. I support them 100%. I've worked in a volunteer capacity for the last decade, helping, pushing along the communities and making sure that it's structured correctly, it's clean, it's safe. I've worked with numerous public safety entities throughout my time as an association president out here. Again, the main thing I want to push to the public is that I'm one of them. I'm working for them and I want the very best for our communities and city as a whole.
Scott Brocato:
All right, Raul Telles, District 6 Councilor candidate for Sunland Park, thanks for joining us on KRWG Public Media.
Raul Telles Jr.:
Thank you for having us, sir. Thank you.
