KRWG is working to profile the Mayoral Candidates ahead of the November 3rd election. Samantha Sonner spent the day with incumbent Mayor Ken Miyagishima to see what he’s doing as Mayor and what he wants to see for the future of the city.
Mayor Ken Miyagishima says he has two full time jobs both working at Farmer’s Insurance, and working as Mayor of the second largest city in New Mexico. If re-elected this would be his third term, and he says he’s excited for the possibility.
“I enjoy serving the public,” Miyagishima said. “I enjoy being able to meet with the public and see and hear their concerns, and basically help solve their problems.”
Over the course of 2 hours, Miyagishima met with three people to hear about their problems in the city. First up was John Preston, who told the Mayor about his problems with leaks on his street.
“I did, and he answered my questions,” Preston said. “He came out the next day, and he’s out again today, and he’s on top of it, and I believe he’s a good man, he’s going to get the job done.”
He also wen out to see how overgrown bushes at a city park were making it easy for people to vandalize homes with graffiti, and answered questions in his office about his campaign. As a two-term Mayor, Miyagishima says he can run on his record in city office.
“We’ve never had any layoffs,” Miyagishima said. “We have no furloughs, there has been no shutdown of government. Our financial situation is extremely strong. We have probably $100 million in cash, which very few cities can say that. We are very transparent; we allow the public the opportunity to speak their concerns. I meet with residents I’m extremely accessible.”
At the past few forums, many have questions the Mayor’s records on quality of life improvements, but Miyagishima believes there has been an improvement.
“I think that would be fair to say 8 years ago,” Miyagishima said. “In fact that’s the reason why I’m Mayor today. 8 years ago there was no parks, there was strictly construction. There was no room for open space. There was very few multi-use paths which we had to introduce that idea when I got elected.”
Miyagishima does however still see room for improvement, and says they are working on providing new youth activities near the new East Mesa Public Safety Complex.
“Nearby there we are going to be expanding some more recreational facilities,” Miyagishima said. “You are going to see archery, where people can use a bow and arrow, you’re also going to see some places for kids to play with their remote control cars. We’re looking to just expand a few other amenities out there.”
His opponents have also said the city isn’t business friendly, but Miyagishima says work is already being done to help and improve that.
“The city just hired a new business liaison,” Miyagishima said. “And that person’s job is to help navigate a person through the city’s permitting process, and also share with them different ideas including economic gardening, which is helping our local businesses expand their current operations. Because if we can have 10 businesses add 10 more employees, which is 100 more employees, that’s the same if not even better than having one company come in and hire 100 people.”
Miyagishima says he still has more he wants to do for the city, including helping bring it further into the 21st century to help people like John Preston faster.
“Our ability to become a leader of a smart city throughout New Mexico,” Miyagishima said. “You know right now you’re seeing technology move at lightning speed, and being able to use technology to help our residents. I want the city to develop an app that if you needed to know where the road closures are, you want to contact the street Department because of a pothole. You want to be able to pay your bill online, these are things through the app that they want to do, we want to basically move it in that direction.”
Miyagishima says he also wants the city to utilize more solar energy to help save money.
