Three candidates running for El Paso County judge
“There’s floors that aren’t being used right now, can we modernize those and do one floor at a time until we get the whole thing done? Should we tear the whole building down and start from scratch?” John Cook said.
“You do have the annex, and the annex does house prisoners at a lesser cost, so I think the annex has been a good thing, so we can try to see what we can do there” Laura Enriquez said.
“Maintain a certain part of the jail available, and really look at what we can maintain as is, what needs fixing, and leave some of the floors open” Ricardo Samaniego said.
John Cook, Laura Enriquez, and Ricardo Samaniego are running for El Paso County judge. Whoever is elected will help lead the El Paso County Commissioner Court.
One of the jobs the state of Texas prescribes to its counties is to oversee a county jail.
Our own El Paso COunty Jail has been described as old, expensive, and inefficient.
All the candidates say this is going to be one of the toughest challenges facing the next county judge.
Along with standing issues, county judges also have to look for solutions to problems that come back every year, like serious flooding in county areas without water control.
“Now if you can get the county to come up with the money, the city of socorro to come up with some money, and the state of texas, it’s a lot more equitable, because everybody is contributing to it” Cook said.
“Putting some money in from the county, but getting grant money in to get help with the sewer issues, with the flooding issues” Enriquez said.
“I’d like to know what [the residents’] thoughts are on that, i’d like to know what would happen if we created a zone for a reservoir instead of having the residents there” Samaniego said.
When it comes to the role of debt in government, the candidates had their own views.
Cook said it takes skill and experience to know when it’s necessary to take out a bond. Enriquez believes debt should only be taken on as an emergency measure, and Samaniego explained he would try to increase revenue in other forms before bonds.
Early voting started Tuesday, and goes on until next Friday.
Election day itself is March 6.
