Vote '08 started off in the Upper Valley with a bang. Luckily, no one was shot but, there were many students from both El Paso Community College and also from Canutillo High School which is just nextdoor.

The El Paso Community College Sheriff Candidates Forum was held at the Northwest Campus Library. Librarian Loudres Garcia coordinated the effort and was instrumental in making sure that there was a full house for the nine candidates to address. Thomas Wilson, an EPCC instuctor who teaches a dual-credit course with students from Canutillo High School had twenty two CHS students in attendance.

Wilson indicated that forum may have been overwhelming to his students noting that to him they seemed "kind of confused... that it was a blur". Wilson also said that the students were not able to solidify their preferences. Wilson indicted that he will follow up to see if some of the studens have been able to assimilate the information.

One student not attending CHS is Eden Clark. Clark is a student at EPCC and currently working on her GED thought that the forum was helpful in that she was unaware of who was running before attending the forum. Clark, wasn't too sure if the forum was required for her class, "I thought it was required, but, maybe it's voluntary" she said laughing.

Clark didn't think it was a gender issue concerning a women being elected to the office of Sheriff. "I think it's fine", said Clark. Regarding the level of experience of the candidates, Clark felt strongly that the candidates have experience but that they not necessarily have experience in the Sheriff's department. Clark noted that as "long as they know what they are doing they should give it a shot". To those candidates that didn't have either Sheriff's department or EPPD experince, Clark had this warning "They have a tougher road ahead". And she adds that she wouldn't necessarily rule them out if they are from outside of those departments.

Clark added that she thought Gabriel Serna's idea of taking "the drug money (that is confiscated) to support... (the department and anti-drug effort) was a good idea. I think that they need that."

Michael Vargas, 15 years old, from Canutillo High School also attended. Vargas is a member of Wilson's English III/English 1302 class. Vargas thought "that it was very interesting... they are all very good candidates". Vargas admitted that he didn't know any of they before he attended the forum.

Vargas thought that women running for Sheriff is fine. "They can be very good leaders and do a good job as well as a man... and I belive that they make good candidates as well", said Vargas. Vargas' Mother works at the EPCC campus. As far as supporting a candidate who might come from out of town or out of the law enforcement departments in El Paso to root out corruption Vargas added, "I think those people who live in this area are better able to deal with the corruption because they know more about it.

  For details on the forum - Click here.

  (Photos: Brax - Valley Publishing Company)

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