Bad news for Socorro critics
The one thing critics of Socorro Superintendent Sylvia P. Atkinson didn't want just happened. Those critics didn't want a crowded race for the two at-large positions on the board of trustees. Nine people filed to fill those two positions, including board President Charlie Garcia. This crowded race could give Garcia enough name-recognition votes to win re-election. Oh yeah, Garcia is a supporter of Atkinson.
The people on a cleverly-named online forum have thrown their support to two candidates: Joe Sarabia and Tony Ayub. But so many people threw their names in that they are afraid the votes on May 10 may be scattered. This could give Garcia, or any of the other candidates who allegedly support Atkinson, an edge.
Here's a list of all nine candidates in alphabetical order: Tony Ayub, Lorenza Fraire, Charles Garcia, William Goodman, Paul Guerra, Karina Hagelsieb, Rafael Hernando, Ernest Peña and Joe Sarabia.
Of note here is the decision of Barbara Perez-Peña not to run for re-election. Perez-Peña is the county's longest-serving trustee currently active. She's finishing her 15th year on the board. While her last year was tainted by criticism that she backed Atkinson for personal reasons, it should be noted that she has served the district with honor for a very long time.
Not such bad news. With what was just reported in the news, maybe the field of candidates with thin out a little...
Posted by:LADY | March 15, 2008 at 06:55 PM
It should be noted that Ernest Pena has withdrawn his name from the running.
Posted by:Marie | March 22, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Just a correction here: Ofelia Bosquez of Tornillo ISD has served on the Board since May of 1989 - quite a bit longer than Ms. Pena. Carol Escarciga, also of Tornillo ISD, has served since 1990 - minus one three-year block from 1999 to 2002.
Posted by:Paul Vranish | March 23, 2008 at 05:17 AM