Margarita Hibbs, Estancia Mayoral Candidate
(Editor’s note: The following information was submitted via e-mail by Margarita Hibbs, candidate for Mayor of Estancia. Ms. Hibbs also submitted this resume.)
Age: 47
Education: High School Graduate, 2 years college education toward Bachelors in Business Administration
Work: Small Business Owner of Fine Arts Gallery and Flower Shop
Related Experience/Community Involvement: Resume Attached
Family: Married to Martin Hibbs for 26 years with 4 children, ages 23, 22, 19 and 17
Why should the people of Estancia elect you to the office of mayor?
Hopefully people will recognize that I have a record of community service with a broad and diverse understanding of our small community, its assets and its challenges. My work for and with children are evidenced by the Estancia Youth Development Group Basketball program of which I helped organize, my history as a foster parent and advocacy to “at risk” children through my work with the Rio Grande Valley CASA board, as well as my support of youth organizations such as Teens-Need-Teens Activities Program and the Rotary Club Scholarship fund here in Estancia. Over the years, I have been recognized as a Rural Community Advocate within New Mexico and with Senate and Congressional Leadership in Washington, D.C. and will gladly use those contacts to further promote the success and prosperity of Estancia. As a former board member of the Salt Missions Trail Mainstreet Board, and a small business owner, I understand the importance of small business creation and community heritage preservation programs. These programs have the ability to marry cultural and aesthetic business goals of a community and help promote healthy and controlled growth.
What experience/traits do you bring to the table that would benefit the town?
I have no fear when it comes to tackling projects, great or small. My energy is high and my tenacity and ability to research is something that I have come to rely upon over the years. Really, I think that my greatest ability is in knowing that I don’t know all the answers, but I will work hard to find them.
What are the most important issues in the town you believe need to be addressed/changed/etc. and how will you go about addressing them?
During the previous three weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak and listen to people regarding their concerns and find that many of them fall in line with many of mine. Here are 5, as follows:
1. Business and Job Creation – I believe that we can use a two pronged approach.
The first prong is by aggressively pursuing local history and heritage preservation through Estancia’s role within the Salt Missions Trail Scenic Byway, as the oasis on this ancient salt trade route. In doing so, we can create increased impetus for travel to our entire region and increase demand for hotels to be built here in Estancia. Estancia has a profoundly rich history of western, as well as ancient history, such as the commemoration of Howard Jack Thorpe, Cowboy Song Historian. We can support and encourage organizations such as the Torrance County Archeological Society and archeological departments within our state universities, the promotion of tourism to our scenic byway and the phenomenal preservations sites, like Quarai and Abo, that are beautifully cared for by the U.S. Forest Service. The second prong is in creating more opportunities to bring in small manufacturing businesses as well as other service niche businesses by fostering targeted business zones. Our land is very affordable and we have an eager work force.
2. Schools, Police and Our Youth – We must continue to foster and encourage strong collaborations between our police, our youth and our schools. I truly believe that when communities take great care with their youth and their schools, it makes for a stronger and healthier community. It is my belief that our police staff are here to support cooperation and thereby increase overall public safety. We are very fortunate to have a caring police force that is open to engaging and teaching our youth. These efforts should continue. Within the vein of youth development, I would also like to see a return of the Youth Conservation Corp. programs back to our community and will aggresively pursuit these types of community service grants and programs.
3. Senior Housing, Transportation and ADA Accessibility – Currently, our elderly population is about 21% and as someone who loves this charming little town, I firmly believe that our community is well suited for elderly people. We are small enough to be easily spanned, but we currently lack basic ADA accessibility in some of our businesses and community areas. We need to be mindful of heavy doors and poor access routes for not only our elderly, but our profoundly handicapped. In the end, it makes good business sense. If it is difficult to get into our stores, we lose gross receipts dollars. In addition to accessibility issues, we should pursue specialized housing development for our elderly and handicapped citizens so that they can continue to remain close to their families and hometowns. Luckily, we have a few organizations like Enchantment Legacy that work to improve the long term ability of our elderly to remain in their homes as long as possible.
4. FEMA Flood Plain Replatting and Revision – I would like to aggresively pursue the completion of the Flood Plain Replatting with FEMA. In doing this, we could then move forward in seeking the funding from our state and Congressional leadership to build the “Dam” that is already engineered and designed. Upon completion of the dam, Estancia would officially be removed from the Flood Plain and thereby eliminate the need for the costly Flood Insurance, which is approximately $1,600 per year for the average homeowner in Estancia. It would probably take 2-3 years to complete, but it would make a huge impact to families and businesses throughout our community.
5. Community Bonding – This is an area that I have a great deal of experience in but I still believe that we must approach community traditions and events as opportunities to keep our families, businesses and community strong. For example, during the many years that the Estancia Youth Development Group has enjoyed their Saturday games, almost every business, from Sturgis Market to the Blue Ribbon and the Old Mill and both gas stations have experienced increased customer support. In the case of the Old Timer’s Day, we get to enjoy a huge influx of old friends, neighbors, relatives and classmates reconnecting, but all of the businesses benefit from these important traditions. We must never give up these special events. They are the soul and character of our community.