Sen. Lujan Visits with City, Town and County Leaders

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan visited Sandoval County last week, meeting with county officials and the mayors of Bernalillo and Rio Rancho.

According to a news release, Lujan discussed the wants and needs of local leaders and what he can do to support them.

“Today’s meetings are one of the most important parts of my job – hearing from leaders on the ground about what they need from the federal government to continue supporting their communities,” Lujan said in a statement. “In Rio Rancho, we talked about how they have the second fastest-growing community and how policies and infrastructure must keep up with their needs. Next, I met with Sandoval County leaders to discuss prioritizing investments in our local governments and ensuring that funding makes it to those areas intended.” 

The senator met with Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and City Manager Matt Geisel about how federal investments have impacted local communities, according to the release. Federal funding was also discussed when Lujan met with Sandoval County Commission Chairman David Heil and Commissioner Joshua Jones.

Lujan also spent time with Bernalillo Mayor Jack Torres, who showed off the city’s newly renovated library, skate park and wastewater treatment plant.

“I was also glad to see the improvements made in (the) Town of Bernalillo at the town library and the nearby skate park and discuss public safety and broadband improvements,” Lujan said. “It was also important to tour the wastewater treatment plant and see the upgrades needed to ensure this community has reliable access to clean water for years to come.”

Lujan’s comments came the same day the Village of Jemez Springs wastewater treatment system was overwhelmed by a surge of water down the Jemez River.