District 3 City Commission Candidates Respond to Questions for the Candidate by KALHRadio.org and AMT

AlamogordoTownNews.com and KALHradio.org shares a responsibility as a media platform to allow all candidates to express why they should be considered for the offices they seek. Our role in journalism is to showcase the details of candidates and offer information then you the voter will decide. As we get closer to the actual election our editorial board will release our endorsements for the various offices. 

The District 3 race is a contested election between the appointed incumbent, Karl Melton who is challenged by a former city commissioner, Jim Talbert and a well know local leader and Chaplain with the Alamogordo Police Department and Gerald Champion Hospital, Warren Robinson.

Note two of the 3 candidates opted to participate in our questions. 

Karl Melton has opted to only participate in partisan events. He opted out of the non-partisan League of Women Voters Forums and he failed to respond per our deadline to our series of questions. Mr. Melton a newcomer to Alamogordo and without family roots in the area seems to be relying on the support of his domestic partner District 51 Representative John Block. Melton is promoting an endorsement by former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell. as well. In both cases of the endorsements, he has failed to disclose that he is the domestic partner of Mr. Block, that they share a home and life together, and thus that endorsement is a given. 

Melton also fails to disclose that he has a business arrangement with Yvette Herrell and the Gallacini Family and that his compliance business does Federal Election Commission Filings for each, thus it would be a given with a money trail leading from them to him that he would receive their endorsement. Melton was the one city commissioner that opposed changes to the city of Alamogordo's Code of Conduct which encouraged transparency and tightened up the rules around social media posts of those in elected office, as reported by the traditional media of the AlamogordoNews.com. The social media standard raised questions from Alamogordo City Commissioner Karl Melton per the  AlamogordoNews.com. Part of the reason for update to the policy was to ease public records requests concerning elected and appointed city officials' social media activity that may or may not involve city business.

The two candidates that are serious about serving the public good and are participating in any opportunity to be before the public at large is candidate Jim Talbert and candidate Warren L Robinson. Both have demonstrated leadership in the community over several decades unlike Melton and both have demonstrated an eagerness to be head by a cross section of the constituency in their district and beyond.

What follows is their responses to the questions offered....

AlamogordoTownNews.com Question: Provide a brief biography of your governing and business experience or if a new candidate for office what community experience qualifies you for public office?

Jim Talbert Response: Hi, my name is Jim Talbert and I am asking for your support to represent you on the Alamogordo City Commission for our district, number 3.

I have lived in Alamogordo since my first assignment at Holloman AFB in 1974. I have returned to Alamogordo two more times as an Air Force member and remained here since my retirement from the Air Force in 1993. Both of my Children are graduates of the Alamogordo High School and have gone on to very successful careers in the Air Force. I have a masters degree in Aviation Safety.

I served on the Airport board from 2000 to 2008, as a member and chairman. I have served the citizens of Alamogordo as a City Commissioner prior to the latest redistricting that allowed for a mayor to be elected at large. I have also been a business owner in Alamogordo.
I was selected to be the Airport Manager with the specific task to get the main runway extended to accomodate the latest generation of firefighting aircraft, the BAe-146-200. With the FAA grant and contract in place, I was assigned to execute and complete the construction. That was accomplished in 2016.
During my 9 years as your Airport Manager, I successfully brought many educational events, involving over 4,000 attendees, as well as numerous FAA and State grants to the airport. During COVID alone, the Airport was awarded at least 11 grants, many were 100% grants, something unheard of in earlier times.

What I offer is experience on both sides of the Commission, as a City Employee that had a very large budget, and as a former City Commissioner to manage the entire City Budget.
I have worked extensively with the youth of our community, as they are our future.
I am a proud member of Christ Community Church, a youth leader at that Church, the Civil Air Patrol, the Experimental Aircraft Association, President of the local chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, the NRA, and the ACLJ.

I have a proven track record of getting things done in the proper order. I do not claim to have answers to every situation, so I am open to your comments and concerns. I ask that you will put your faith and trust in me to make the best decisions. Remember, I work for you, I am here to serve the citizens of our community.

On Tuesday, November 7, please take the time to vote, for experienced leadership for district 3 by supporting Jim Talbert. Even if you choose someone else, make your voice heard and vote.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me, Jim Talbert at 575 442 6531.
Thank you for your vote and future support,

Endorsed by Robert (Bobby) Duncan, former City Manager and Police Chief, “…his leadership, integrity, and character are unquestioned in the City of Alamogordo. I will tell you he has one of the strongest work ethics of anyone I have met, and he has remained that way the entire time we have been colleagues.”

Warren Robinson Response: My bio is well known by locals that have been in Alamogordo like myself for several decades. I have been a teacher, minister, nonprofit director, chaplain, community board leader, Rotarian, Juvenile Justice Mediator, Center of Commerce Member and a Civil Rights Activists. The best answer to the question posed would be reflected in a profile listing me as a trailblazer as showcased in New Mexico Influence Magazine. The article profiled my history and decades of contributions and impact on the local Alamogordo Community. The article titled "The High Calling of Pastor Warren L Robinson, outlines a bit of my history.

Robinson served as pastor of Owen AME Church on Delaware Avenue from November of 2003 until October of 2023 when he retired. Robinson's professional career spans in excess of 35 years with unique skills in counseling, education as a teacher, a trainer and facilitator and a community leader. Prior to his residency in Alamogordo he founded the first charter high school in the state of Nevada. He also demonstrated the uncanny ability to motivate people instructing over 600 welfare to work participants in a Portland Community College Program. according the the Influence Magazine New Mexico Article.

Additional SERVICE TO ALAMOGORDO that I can offer includes...

 Director United Way (2009-2013)
 Board President Boys & Girls Club (2004-2009)
 Public Library Board President (2007-2019)
 Otero County NAACP (Past President)
 Mayor's Youth Council Adult Advisory Board (2009-2013)
 Rotary Club Board Member (2007-2013)
 Alamogordo Police Advisory Board (2014-2016)
 Eastern Area Workforce Board (2009-2013)
 GCRMC Advisory Board (Since 2015)
 Current Alamogordo Center of Commerce Member
 Current Prince Hall Lodge #11 Member
 Current Alamogordo Police Department Chaplain
 Current Board Member: COPE, CAPPED, Zia Therapy Center, 100% Otero County
 Current GCRMC Hospital Chaplain

With many endorsements to include a former police chief and an endorsement from others of influence my reputation is clearly one of consensus building no matter ones background, economic situation or political influence.

Robinson's character meets the full meaning and strength of each trait ... honest, brave, compassionate ... " - Robin French, Alamogordo Businesswoman

"Mr Robinson is impartial and non−partisan: centered on the collective values of the community and the great state of New Mexico"
- Brian R Peete, Former Alamogordo Police Department Chief

AlamogordoTownNews.com Question 2: As a candidate seeking office, please explain 3 initiatives you propose to directly impact your district or village and how you will facilitate passage with the commission.

Jim Talbert Response: As a City Commissioner, it is my purpose to accept the responsibility to run the city. Unlike many other elected officials, the Alamogordo City Commission does not represent just the district we are elected from. However, one issue will effect district#3 and possibly others. That is to re-establish the playground on East 10th street. It is my understanding that it was removed for safety reasons. I would like to get that playground active again. Another item is for the entire city, and that is to get an Air Force aircraft for a static display on White Sands Blvd. The third; prior to COVID, the City required a certain number of safety training hours (up to 14 hours per year) and provided management and leadership training to supervisors. This had been terminated most likely, due to COVID. I would like to help the City reinstate this safety and leadership training.

Warren L Robinson Response: As a city commissioner I will listen to constituents and act on issues not only specific to my district but the city at large. The role of commissioner is to secure support as I am one of multiple votes on the commission. Given the many challenges in our community beyond our districts my experience in education and commerce combined with the faith based approach to morality I would bring to the commission is exactly what is needed in city leadership. I'll approach the job with wisdom, justice and service top of mind with every vote brought before the agenda.

AlamogordoTownNews.com Question 3 -Why are you running for office? What is your motivation to be an office holder?

Response Jim Talber -I believe that I have the experience to serve the citizens of district 3 as well as the entire city. I have been a volunteer and a city employee for many years and now I can put that experience to good use as a servant leader as a City Commissioner.

Response Warren L Robinson: Service. Several citizens have approached me and encouraged me to offer my service to the city. I like to think I am a problem solver and can work with anyone who wants to make life better for as many people as possible.AlamogordoTownNews.com Question 4 - What do you view as the biggest opportunity as a leader in the role you are seeking? How will you expand community engagement and bipartisan leadership?

Response Jim Talbert - Please keep in mind, that this is a non-partisan election. I will do my best to make decisions based on what I believe is the best course of action for the City, and not base decisions on what political party those involved in the discussion are associated with.

Response Warren L Robinson - I would really listen closely to the concerns and ideas of my district. A weekly or bi-weekly session for citizens to give input and suggestions. I have many years of working with all types of people in different levels. I would like to be a person dedicated to what CAN BE DONE and not fight about what can't be done.

AlamogordoTownNews.com Question 5 - The demographics of Otero County 4.6% Black, 8.1% Other 39.7% Hispanic, 46.9% Caucasian, 7.1% identify as members of the LBGTQ community according to the US Census. What outreach have you done to build consensus and constituencies within the diversity of the citizens in your district or village?

Response Jim Talbert:  It is my thought that what ever is being done now is not working. The country is more divided than in a long time. It is time for something different. My proposal is that we concentrate of the similarities instead of the differences. Many want freedom, respect, and the availability to grow. 

There is a proven way to success that has worked, and it will still work if used. Think of ourselves as Americans first, concentrate on what it means to be an American. Leave behind what you left your former place for. Not, a something dash American. We are all Americans, created equally by God, but it is true, what we do after that causes the differences. So let’s work together and concentrate on being Free Americans and not what is before the dash. 

It is very important for any City Commissioner to discuss and vote on the issue at hand and leave personalities, political parties and personal appearances out of the discussion. Discuss the issue and do not attack the person.

Response Warren L Robinson: My track record is service. My track record is in serving people where they are. In public service you go to the people and their problems, not their race nor political party. I am someone willing to work to solve their issue, I am more than willing to offer what I can do to build a partnership and a working team.

AlamogordoTownNews.com Question 5:  What is the one thing about your district city or village that excites you the most?

Response Jim Talbert: The people of district 3 are friendly and willing to help work toward a better Alamogordo.

Response Warren L Robinson: Alamogordo is a very decent and nice place to live. I enjoy the people who want this to be a place that is a quality area for anyone to live. I enjoy and am excited by those in my district and in Alamogordo as a whole that advocate for quality of life. The potential for growth of the quality of life opportunities within the city is enormous. My representation of my district would include listening to my constituents, and acting in a respectful manner to all voices of constituencies - that portrays wisdom and integrity. I would work in honesty and courage in all that I do. The citizens expect that of a elected representative and that excites me.

Commentary: AlamogordoTownNews.com, AlamogordoConservativeDaily.org and KALHradio.org appreciate the time the candidates put into their responses. It takes courage to run for elected office and courage to before the public. To those candidates that are willing to put themselves before a broad cross section of audiences not just those of their "party" we applaud your courage and thank you. Thank you Mr. Talbert and Mr. Robisonson for your past service many years of service to your community and good luck to each of you in a safe and civil election 2023.

For transparency sake we share that our media business is owned by Rene Sepulveda a registered Democrat. He has issued a few personal endorsements via opinion pieces. Those are of his personal choice and may not reflect the opinions of the editorial board.

The primary author of a majority of the content on our site is our lead journalist a registered Republican, Chris Edwards. Mr. Edwards during past elections assisted in the campaigns of two Democrats and one Republican Judge. The judge who's campaign he assisted with in crafting a web presence and social media engagement won her race. She is a seated 12th Judicial District Judge.

The editorial board consists of representation from each party plus a Libertarian, Independent and Decline to State affiliations. We do not offer commentary on their responses in this series of articles and thus allows you the reader to decide the merits of the candidate based upon responses. A future endorsement commentary will be issued closer to November 7th.

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