This letter is in response to the June 3 editorial entitled, “Praying Offends Some; Stick to County’s Work” and an editorial published March 5 entitled, “County Resolution Not for Constituents.”
As a Christian, I am called to demonstrate my faith in every area of my life. Being a Christian is a lifestyle, a way of life. I do not have a switch to turn my Christianity “on” and “off.” I am a Christian first and foremost and my faith in Jesus Christ guides my decisions in all that I do.
Before I started my term as Rio Arriba County commissioner, the County has included prayer at the beginning of Commission meetings. Many of my constituents have expressed support and are in favor of continuing prayer at our meetings.
Very few have expressed support for a moment of silence. The Bible tells us to “pray continually,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to “pray and God will heal our land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). As a pastor, I recognize the need for prayer and believe in the power of prayer. As a commissioner, I listen to and respect others’ points of view and take action accordingly. That is why I am in favor of prayer and a moment of silence.
As an American, I am thankful for the freedom of speech and of religion. Under the protection of the U.S. Constitution, we are free to exercise our faith. Whether in public or in private, I should be respected for exercising my faith as I respect others’ who exercise theirs.
I believe in and uphold the separation of church and state, where many misinterpret the intent. The intent was not to exclude religious practices from government, in fact the opposite is true. The intent is that government would not interfere with the free expression and exercise of religious practices.
My purpose has never been to bring division, offend, disrespect or exclude others. In fact, my purpose is to bring people together to make a positive difference. And that is what I have done. The Rio Grande SUN’s editor suggests I “work at something that will help constituents.” Again, that is exactly what I have done. In my first year as commissioner much has been accomplished.
I regularly travel my district meeting with County residents, listening to their concerns and taking action.
I’m helping bring a much needed nursing and recreational facilities to Rio Arriba County,
I’m hosting community/town hall meetings in every community within my district.
We’re maintaining County roads and bridges and improving community and senior centers.
The County is beautifying community landscapes.
It provides community identification signs.
We work with the Solid Waste Authority to host community clean up days.
We work with our state and federal delegations to bring needed infrastructure and services to county residents, such as natural gas pipelines and regional domestic water systems.
We work to support local water associations to ensure fresh drinking water to our residents.
We work with cell phone providers to bring improved cell phone service to our residents.
We work with internet providers to bring reliable internet service to our residents.
We collaborated with the city of Española on creating a Lowrider Museum, the first of its kind.
We have collaborated with the city of Española and Santa Fe County to establish the Española Pathways Homeless Shelter, the first of its kind, providing free meals, clothing, blankets, hygiene items, medical care, substance use treatment, job training and comprehensive case management.
We brought a $150 million solar electric generation and storage facility, which provided over 200 jobs during construction and other jobs during operations.
We approved steps to lease the former nursing home to a 104 Bed Behavioral Health Facility, bringing 75 new jobs.
We met with the governor and the state and national delegations on behalf of our residents.
We funded multiple organizations, such as Española YMCA Robotics Team and China competition, Boys and Girls Clubs, 4-H, Special Olympics, Senior Olympics, YMCA, Northern Youth
Project and our County rural libraries and acequias.
I have many more projects and proposals in the planning phases. My role and responsibility is to represent my constituents, listen to their concerns and to take action accordingly. With God’s help, that is what I have done and will continue to do.
James Martinez is the Rio Arriba County commissioner for district 1.