Rudy Jaramillo, a restaurant owner and city councilor, said he’s running for mayor of Belen because he wants to make city government more pro-business.

“The mayor and city council have never really addressed business issues, seeing what we can do to help businesses during the economic crisis that’s happening right now. I think we should step in and ask what we can do,” he said.

He wants to focus on the interior of Belen’s business community, to help existing businesses, before looking outside of the community for new business.

“If we take care of our businesses, they will hire employees. They will create jobs,” he said.

He said as a restaurant owner he’s seen how businesses can create jobs. He also stressed that major companies like Signet Solar, a solar manufacturer who wants to build a plant and create 600 jobs in Belen, are also important for the community.

He said city government should pay more attention to youth, helping foster a better future for them in terms of quality of life and jobs.

With businesses and the public in mind, Jaramillo said he voted against a gross receipts tax increase approved by the city council in 2008 without a public vote.

“I felt that it should have been brought to the voters, giving them a voice instead of four city councilors telling people we’re going to raise their taxes. I stood up against it. The vote was 3 to 1,” he said.

Jaramillo said he’s worked to put money toward neglected infrastructure.

For example, he’s spent years fighting for sidewalks, including one along Delgado Avenue near Belen High School for the safety of students who sometimes walk on the road to stay out of the mud.

“They walk in the road. Thank God nothing’s happened, but it’s an accident waiting to happen,” he said.

Part of Delgado Avenue, between the high school and Mesa Road, now has a sidewalk, but he’d like it to extend down to Tenth Street.

Jaramillo said Belen has a lot of infrastructure needs the city government should take a look at.

“Our roads are in disarray. They need a lot of attention,” he said.

He said the city’s done a good job of improving sewerage and drainage.

If elected mayor, Jaramillo would also focus on hiring a city manager who has good management skills, an education and even some engineering in his or her background.

“Our city employees do well. They can take care of their positions,” he said. “But the city manager’s position needs to be closely looked at and addressed.”

Jaramillo said he’s contributed a lot to the community over the years, and as mayor, he’d continue to be there for citizens who need his help.

“The mayor needs to be a community leader,” he said. “I’ve been involved with the community in all aspects. I involve myself with many events and issues.”

This page was published on February 4, 2010 at 11:25am and is filed under Economy, Politics.