CANDIDATE COLUMN: Bob Tyler

It’s been an honor to serve the residents of Rio Rancho City Council District 3 (Enchanted Hills, Lomas Encantadas, Vista Entrada, Mariposa, Mountain Hawk, Cleveland Heights, Tierra del Oro, and High Range) for the past eight years.

Here is what we’ve been able to accomplish for you in the past eight years, as well as my priorities for the next four.

As a military veteran and retired law enforcement officer who has lived in our community for over 20 years, I understand how important public safety is for residents, as well as the challenges and risks faced by the brave men and women of our public safety departments.

Rio Rancho’s low crime rate and stellar fire rating are a result of prioritizing public safety. I strongly advocated reopening Fire Station No. 6 in Mariposa because of population growth. Ensuring that we add more police officers and firefighters, properly equip them, and offer competitive compensation will remain a top issue for me.

Improving roadways is another prime concern. Our district has seen numerous major projects and increased maintenance on residential streets, including a complete rebuild of Enchanted Hills Boulevard, as well as Montreal Loop, Santa Fe Hills Boulevard, Safelite Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue. Additionally, I pushed for the reconstruction of Springer Drive to be one of the projects funded by the General Obligation Road Bond on the upcoming March 3 ballot. And more work is on the way in Vista Entrada and Mariposa.

I will continue to advocate for a business-friendly environment that supports well-planned, private-sector development and investment, so that residents have more services to enjoy. In our district, one great example is the new, and very popular, entertainment and food hall, THE BLOCK.

Although northern Rio Rancho had historically lacked quality-of-life amenities because of early development patterns, that has been remedied over the past several years with the wonderful additions of a new senior citizen center, a joint library/recreation center with indoor pickleball courts (The Hub), and a large-scale outdoor community space (Campus Park). Continuing to enrich our community with vibrant quality-of-life services is of great importance to me.

All of these successes, both in our own district, as well as across the city, are the result of collaboration and a strong working relationship among city councilors, the mayor, city staff and others. I will continue to foster and support this type of teamwork and will rebuff any self-serving, nonconstructive agendas in order to keep Rio Rancho headed towards an even brighter future.

Please reach out to me at BobTyler4RioRancho@gmail.com with any questions or concerns, and thank you for your continued support.