CANDIDATE COLUMN: Corrine Rios

Rio Rancho is a special place. I know firsthand why people come here — for the neighborhoods, the views, the sense of safety, and the feeling that this is a good place to raise a family or build a life. I am a native New Mexican, have a master’s degree in education, and have called Rio Rancho home for the past 18 years. My husband and I raised four of our five children here, and three of our five children live here today, along with three of our 10 grandchildren. I have also spent more than 20 years in the landlord business. 

But loving our city also means being honest about what isn’t working — and being willing to fix it.

I am running because I live here and want more for my family and every family who calls Rio Rancho home.

Too often, if you want to take your children or grandchildren to a museum, the zoo, a play, or a concert, you have to leave Rio Rancho and drive to Albuquerque. That says something important about where we are falling short. Rio Rancho should be more than a place people sleep and commute from. As mayor, I want to explore how we can bring a right-sized community events or convention center to our city — not to compete with the Rio Rancho Events Center, but to attract smaller shows, events and conferences.

Quality of life is also shaped by how City Hall is run. Families are dealing with rising water rates and often feel decisions are made without clear explanations. At the same time, Rio Rancho has struggled with high staff turnover. When experienced employees leave, residents lose continuity and service suffers. As mayor, I will have an open-door policy so staff can speak honestly about problems and solutions, because listening to the people doing the work is how you fix a broken system.

We also need to fix how decisions are made. In a representative republic, laws should be initiated, sponsored and presented by elected officials — not driven by staff. Our own Rules of Procedure already require this. As mayor, one of my duties will be to preside over Governing Body meetings, and I will insist our rules are followed and the process is transparent and accountable.

I am running for mayor to fix what is broken and to restore trust in City Hall. I will serve one term, and I believe that is enough time to reset the culture, restore accountability, and put City Hall back where it belongs — working for the people.

Think Rio. Think Rios.