CANDIDATE COLUMN: Fred Hashimoto, mayoral candidate, Corrales

I moved to Corrales more than 50 years ago. My wife and I married in the Old Church, and our kids were raised here. I was a village councilor and am a retired professor of medicine.

I am running for Corrales mayor because I think that Corrales has been heading in the wrong direction toward being a regional attraction and trying to be a big spot on the map. On the other hand, I favor Corrales as maintaining its small-town character with peacefulness, open spaces and rural character and not becoming a suburb.

I support farming, animals and agriculture, Corrales artists and business, inclusive and transparent government and planning, and “Keeping It Corrales.”

My mayor’s pledge to the people of Corrales is to:

• Communicate openly and respectfully with our people.

• Conduct Village business in an inclusive and transparent manner.

• Pursue solid planning as recommended in the Comprehensive Plan, considering villagers as primary stakeholders.

• Pursue purchasing senior, not junior, water rights.

• Work for safer roads and pathways, collaborating with the Department of Transportation.

• Enforce ordinances evenly.

Hopefully, Corraleños will support me in my bid to become mayor.