District 3 candidates: Dr. Joseph Villescas

Dr. Joseph Villescas sat down the El Paso Times editorial board today and I tagged along to hear his answers and ask a couple of questions of my own. Here is a rundown of what he had to say. Again, I must clarify that although I sit in these meetings, I have no say whatsoever in whom the Times endorses.

Here's what Dr. Villescas had to say:

• On community involvement: "We need to build the capacity among residents to focus the attention on their concerns. Previous representatives in this area never did that. Lozano made general statements about how he served the people, but never really followed through with it."
• On Downtown redevelopment: "This is not a priority to the people in my district ... what they're concerned about is eminent domain and what they believe could happen to their homes."
• On his efforts to bring bright, college educated "expatriates" back to El Paso: "After the baby boomers retire, we don't have enough qualified people of younger generations to take on the challenge of moving the city forward. That concerns me."
• "If we build up the capacity of what it means to be an El Pasoan, then we can produce super students that can benefit the city in a great manner. Our real resource is intellectual talent."
• On the medical school: "Technically, if done right, the school can bring all kinds of benefits to the city. But I don't see how it can directly benefit the immediate neighborhoods, except for jobs like cleaning linens or something like that. I want to see the medical school tied specifically to the community around it."
• Dr. Villescas said that, if elected, he will spend the 10 months of the unexpired term talking to constituents about the issues that need to be addressed. He said he realizes certain parts of District 3 -- specifically those south of Interstate 10 -- have been left behind.
• "I have 10 months to make sure I address education, that I address senior services, that I address jobs."
• On the border wall: "This is one giant sin. People don't realize how this disrupts life along the border. We don't need a fence between our cities ... we need a fence around them. Our future (Juarez and El Paso) is tied together."
• On his predication that the turnout for the May 10 election will be low: "People are tired of politicians ... they have election fatigue. I'm looking at May 10 and thinking: 'Is anyone really going to turn out?'"