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FARMINGTON — A local attorney and former city councilor announced his candidacy for mayor of Farmington.
Tommy Roberts, who served two terms on City Council from 1998 to 2006, said he decided he would run for mayor last weekend.
Mayor Bill Standley, who is serving his third four-year term, publicly announced Nov. 3 he wouldn't seek re-election. Roberts said in an interview that day he was considering a run for the seat, and he confirmed his candidacy this week. The election takes place March 2.
Roberts, 58, said he wants to continue the city's "positive, forward-looking leadership."
"Farmington is a great place to live," he said. "It took strong leadership at the elected level and at the managerial level. Farmington's been fortunate to have that kind of leadership."
Roberts is an attorney who represents three producers, Merrion Oil & Gas; Robert C. Bayless, Producer LLC; and D.J. Simmons, Inc.; and individual clients, he said. Roberts was born in Farmington, is married and has two daughters.
He has participated in several civic and community organizations. He is serving as chairman of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Commission and is a board member of the San Juan Economic Development Service.
Roberts described himself as a "pro-business, pro-development" candidate. He wants to improve downtown and surrounding neighborhoods by encouraging private investment in projects in the areas.
He also wants to encourage industrial businesses
He desires to get the city to work with the economic development service to connect local businesses with state aid. He wants to add to Farmington's economy by promoting tourism and attracting green businesses.
"We're always going to be an energy-dependent economy," he said. "But we certainly need to look for diversification."
In addition to development and business concerns, he desires to improve cultural harmony.
The city's Community Relations Commission, formed last year to handle discrimination complaints and promote cultural understanding, needs a staffer who could focus on their work, he said.
"We have a group of people very committed to their role on the commission," he said. "They just need some help."
He also wants to create an ethics policy for city employees.
"We need to have a system in place to deal with those kinds of issues," he said.
As a city councilor, Roberts said his accomplishments include helping start Red Apple Transit, building the Farmington Public Library and acquiring land where the city could extend Piñon Hills Boulevard across East Main Street south across the Animas River.
Farmington resident Jack Little, who raised money for Roberts' City Council campaigns, said Roberts listens to people and works well with them. He has known Roberts since 1974.
"He's been active in the economic development activity, which is very important," said Little, a retired insurance business owner. "I think he's the kind of guy we need to continue Farmington going forward."
Roberts doesn't know whether he will face opposition, but he hopes others with different ideas will run.
No one else has publicly announced a bid for the seats. Council and mayoral candidates can file only Jan. 5 in the city clerk's office to run.
Candidates must bring a certified copy of their voter registration to the clerk's office dated after Nov. 24, when councilors are scheduled to pass an election resolution required by state law that establishes polling places. They declare Jan. 5 which seat they are seeking.
Steve Lynn:
