General Obligation Bonds to appear on election ballot

With the general election just around the corner, local officials are hoping for the passing of New Mexico General Obligation Bonds A, B and C.

If Bond A passes in the Nov. 8 election, over $15.4 million total will be provided across the state to improve senior citizen facilities.

Public libraries will receive over $10.1 million through Bond B while higher-education institutions will receive over $142.3 million state-wide through Bond C.

“All public libraries use the resources to purchase additional materials,” said Clovis-Carter Public Library

Director Margaret Hinchee. “It’s dependent on the per capita population.”

Hinchee said they anticipate $69,000 for the Clovis library through Bond B, about the same amount they received in 2014.

She added “there are lots of proposals” on how the money will be used, including “more technology and Internet databases to best suit the needs of our public.”

“It shows commitment from the state legislatures that they believe in our libraries (and) their sustainability,” Hinchee said.

Portales Public Library Director Denise Burnett said they anticipate $28,700 through the bond.

“What we use it for is we keep our maintenance of our (32) public access computers,” said Burnett, adding that computers have to be replaced every three years.

Burnett said they are careful to save what they can should the bond not pass with money still left over from 2014.

“If we don’t get the 2016 bond, we’d have to look at it differently,” said Burnett. “(We would possibly) replace half of the computers or wait another few years.”

She added bond money is also used to purchase books, including MP3 players pre-loaded with audiobooks and online magazines.

The Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, Roosevelt County commissioners and Portales city councilors have all publically declared their support of Bond C.

Officials from Eastern New Mexico University and Clovis Community College said they are hoping for the best when it comes to the passing of Bond C.

“I think it’s valuable for the whole entire state,” said Scott Smart, vice president of Business Affairs for ENMU. “The money helps with construction fees.”

Smart said ENMU is expecting $11 million through Bond C, which will complete funding for the renovation of the Golden Library to the Golden Student Success Center.

This second phase of funding will provide library materials, he added. The $11 million received in 2014 went to building infrastructure.

The total cost of renovations is $26 million with $4 million provided by the university, he said.

“We’re here to educate our students,” Smart said. “Education has changed quite a bit. All of your reference materials were always in a paper format. It’s all electronic now. A lot more technology, a lot less stacks of books.”

Smart said he hopes the center will provide a more open environment to “encourage students to collaborate and learn together.”

This includes giving tutors and advisors one place to stay, so students can find them more easily, he added.

“Everything has a direct impact on student retention,” said Smart. “One of every three students starting off comes back and we want that number to increase.”

CCC President Becky Rowley said she anticipates $2 million for the community college.

The money will be used to upgrade HVAC systems across campus, she said.

Money from previous bonds has been used for their Allied Health building, the physical assistance program and the library, Rowley said.

“We encourage people to support the bond election,” she said. “It’s very important for all of higher education.”

General Obligation Bond D will also be included on the ballot and entails over $18 million to the state for public safety capital improvement and acquisition for state facilities, including the National Guard, public safety and police.

An amendment to article two, section 13 of the state constitution will also appear on the ballot. The amendment proposes giving courts the authority to deny release on bail for dangerous felons and allowing pre-trial releases for non-dangerous defendants not posing a flight risk.

The following is a list of dates, times and locations for absentee, early and election day voting:

Absentee Voting

• Tuesday-Nov. 4: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Roosevelt County Clerk’s Office. Voting times will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Early Voting

• Oct. 25-Nov. 4: Noon-8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, beginning Oct. 22 at the Memorial Building.

Election Day

• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Memorial Building, Jake Lopez Community Center, Floyd Community Center, Dora school lobby and Elida Community Center.