Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
In the race to fill the Roosevelt County District 5 commissioner’s seat, two Republican candidates are vying in the June 7 primary election to represent the party in the Nov. 8 general election.
There are no Democrats running in the primary election.
Incumbent District 5 commissioner Paul E. Grider is being challenged by Glynn “Eddy” Wilhoit Jr.
The job pays $22,832 annually.
Paul E. Grider
Q: Why do you believe you are the best candidate for the job of District 5 commissioner?
A: I am a lifelong resident of Roosevelt County. My wife and I raised our family here.
I have 14 years of commissioner experience that includes an appointment by the governor in 2015. I have a great working relationship with my fellow commissioners. I know our state legislators and can call them anytime.
I know how the budget process works. In the past year we have secured $1 million in capital outlay projects.
I have always been available to my constituents and they can call me anytime.
I do believe that my experience makes me the best candidate for District 5.
Q: Why are you running as a Republican?
A: I am a conservative Christian and I believe the Republican Party better represents my principles.
I am pro life, pro Second Amendment and pro law enforcement and military. I believe our constitutional rights must be protected.
Q: What are the most pressing issues in Roosevelt County?
A: One of the state’s major resources is oil and gas. We receive revenue from that source. Due to agenda changes the money may not be as easy to access.
Rising gas and diesel prices will affect all departments, including the road department and the sheriff’s department.
Inflation will be a challenge to all departments.
We will have to budget accordingly to cover the added costs. The budget will have to be monitored on a regular basis to account for the spikes.
Q: What is the job of a county commissioner?
A: County commissioners are responsible for overseeing the county’s management and administration.
We have to present our needs to the state Legislature to secure needed funds.
We have to be forward thinking in long-range plans and know how to manage the budget and finances.
Q: What is the purpose of government?
A: The purpose of government is to protect the rights of its citizens, to provide leadership according to the Constitution, to provide public safety and national security.
Above all it should provide the freedom to pursue the life this great country offers.
Glynn E. Wilhoit Jr.
Q: Why do you believe you are the best candidate for the job of District 5 commissioner?
A: I’m not a politician. I have no political ties or obligations to anyone. I will look at all matters with a fresh set of eyes.
I will serve the people of my district, I’ll be accountable and available.
As a commissioner you are responsible for the way business is conducted in this county, not the county manager or attorneys.
I’m fulfilling my obligation in the New Mexico National Guard and my experience on the County Fair board and my own businesses give me insight into many of the community’s concerns.
I will never support any effort to de-fund law enforcement in Roosevelt County.
Q: Why are you running as a Republican?
A: I came of age politically during the Reagan Administration. I believe in smaller, less intrusive government that interferes in people’s lives less, not more.
I don’t believe the Socialist Democrats that are controlling our state and federal government represent the values of rural America and we have to start at the local level to bring about change in our government.
Q: What are the most pressing issues in Roosevelt County?
A: First thing is the county budget.
As our water situation in the county becomes increasingly desperate, our taxable values of our farms and dairies will be declining.
So we’re going to have to make some hard financial decisions regarding the budget.
We need to address the retention of our county employees in our road department, facilities maintenance, our law enforcement and our corrections officers in our jail.
We need to address voter integrity. In my district I found several people that I personally know were deceased or no longer living in Roosevelt County.
We need to increase our demand for purging our voter rolls and requiring voter ID.
Q: What is the commissioner’s job?
A: First is to represent the people in his district. There can be no personal agendas.
The next thing is to approve our budgets and spending.
To seek and maintain a good working relationship with the various other elected officials in the county and state governments.
Q: What is the purpose of government?
A: The function of government is to provide basic services for the people, for instance road infrastructure, law enforcement, emergency services.
Our government should be representative of the people.
The most important thing is what government should not be: It should not be your momma and your daddy, It shouldn’t be trying to change what our Constitution says.
I believe we need a government that is not constantly trying to change or redefine the Constitution.
To use an old famous adage: “Beware of anyone who says, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”
Look at what a mess all this free money has done to our economy.
— Compiled by Grant McGee, The Staff of The News
