Mayor Ken Miyagishima’s Answers To KVIA Candidate Questionnaire

ABC-7’s mayoral forum will air in its entirety Sunday, Nov. 6 in the 8 a.m. hour of Good Morning El Paso Weekend, and will be posted on our website. We will also use clips from it during our newscasts throughout the week to drive voters to watch ahead of the broadcast.

Here’s the format, which will be rapid fire-style: ? Candidates have 30 seconds to deliver an opening statement ? There will be three or four rounds of questions. Every candidate will get 30 seconds to respond ? Each candidate will have an opportunity to ask one opponent. The questions will not be revealed to the candidates. ? Opportunities for rebuttal will be provided as warranted.

Name: Kenneth “Ken” Miyagishima Age: 48 Occupation: Mayor of Las Cruces Education: NMSU Graduate (1985) – BBA: Major: Finance & Real Estate Family: Spouse – Susana Chaparro, 2 children: Danielle and Michael

1. Number One campaign focus:

My main campaign focus is to let people know that the direction we have set over the past four years will continue, including careful financial stewardship and strong economic development, enhanced public safety, important improvements in our quality of life, a good balance in the city’s growth and development, and an atmosphere of openness and transparency in city government.

2. What sets you apart from your opponents?

Under my leadership the city of Las Cruces has continued to move forward, creating jobs and improving our neighborhoods and quality of life. I invite voters to look at the list of our ccomplishments over the past four years at www.MayorKen.com

3. Relevant experience that qualifies you for Mayor of Las Cruces:

I served as both a county commissioner and city councilor before becoming mayor four years ago. That experience helped me guide the energies of newly elected and energetic city councilors, a new city manager, and new police and fire chiefs so that they have been able to work successfully with one another and with the people of Las Cruces, in the process creating a city that gets better every day!

4. If you had the chance to revoke an ordinance in Las Cruces immediately upon taking office, which one would it be?

Good governance isn’t a matter of swinging out wildly at one ordinance or another. It’s about building consensus among a variety of parties about how to make Las Cruces a better, safer and more dynamic place to live. I will continue to work collaboratively with everyone I can to make the best decisions.

5. Describe a moment that changed your life:

February 16, 1993 when my daughter was born. Although I was 29 years old, my newborn made me look at life in so many different ways. I knew that I wanted to make sure my city, my state and my country is the best we can be. That she had the best opportunity to become whatever she wanted to be. My children are grown now, but we have another generation that I am sure their parents want the same for them that I wanted for my children. It is that reason I continually strive for the best city we can be, that we have the best jobs available, the best educational opportunities and the safest city it can be.

6. In what ways is Las Cruces on the right track, and in what ways does it need to change course?

Las Cruces is very much on the right track, and we can thank the citizens of Las Cruces for electing good representatives who work hard on their behalf. The city consistently receives recognition in national publications as “top place to live” or “top performing city.” Las Cruces is a great place now and getting better every day.

7. If elected, how will you balance the needs of family, your career and your office?

Balancing family, career and office is a challenge for any elected official. For me, family life is usually the part that suffers, as I put in long hours at the city every day, and still have management duties at my agency. Fortunately our children are grown, and my wife is supportive. What keeps me going is the excitement of seeing our city so clearly on the move!

8. Where did you grow up?

I was born at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi, 3 months later my family moved to Vandenburg AFB, Lompoc, California. In 1968 my father moved us to Holloman AFB, Alamogordo, NM. We then moved to Las Cruces in 1971, where I have lived ever since.

9. When and why did you come to Las Cruces?

My family moved here to Las Cruces in 1971 so that my father could finish his college education.

10. Please indicate whether you have a website, Twitter or Facebook account:

I have a Facebook: People for Ken Miyagishima, Mayor. I also have a website: www.mayorken.com