Four-Candidate Mayor's Race Underway in Taos

Background:  Like most places, Taos County is facing a major spike in omicron cases, with 147 cases reported by Johns Hopkins yesterday, after a record high 279 cases a week ago.  Given the reliance of many businesses in Taos on tourism, the labor shortage that has emerged here, as everywhere, during the pandemic, is affecting local businesses and staffing for local and county governments.

This year elections will be held to replace three county commissioners.  Darlene Vigil of the South and West-side District No. 3 was elected chair of the commission earlier this month, and AnnJanetter Brush, of the North and East quadrant of the county, was elected Vice Chair. 

From the candidate forum held last night, sponsored by the Taos News and the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, several major issues seem to define the current debate:  creating affordable housing, delays so far in opening a detox center now being used as an auxiliary wing for covid patients at the Holy Cross Medical Center; finding funds for the regional airport and industrial center, and dealing with the pandemic.

Incumbent Mayor Dan Barrone, elected to the office eight years ago, is facing three opponents in the forthcoming mayoral race:  Pascualito Maestas, Genevieve Oswald, and Dustin Sweet.  City Council member Pascualito Maestas has challenged Barrone's leadership, criticizing him for not doing more to obtain funding for the regional airport and industrial park, as well as other issues such as the failure to open a detox center.  Maestas also cited a shortage of plumbers, electricians, and welders, suggesting the city might try to invest in technical education to fill in some of these needs.  Genevieve Oswald focused on raising wages for city workers as a means of maintaining adequate staffing levels, and in taking steps to achieve carbon neutrality.  Sweet promised swift action on the housing shortage, the detox center, and improving recycling services.

All of the candidates opposing incumbent Mayor Dan Barrone indicated they felt the city needs to make a stronger effort to work in tandem with county government to tackle outstanding issues in a more coordinated, cohesive, way.