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El Paso Matters sent questionnaires to every candidate in a contested primary race to help you decide who you want to represent you. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and to fit the word count.
County Commissioner Precinct 4: Republican Primary
The county commissioner is one of five members of Commissioners Court, which makes policy-making and budget decisions for county government.
Who’s running for this seat?
David Adams
David Adams, 53, is the president of CSI Roofing, Inc. and CEO of A-1 Construction, Remodeling & Roofing Inc.
Adams
I’m running because I have seen for too long the same old political landscape here in El Paso. We see the politicians do the following: Foolish Spending of taxpayers monies. Lies, secrets, back door deals. No accountability. No access. El Pasoans are tired of it and so am I! I will bring transparency, accountability, and integrity back to Commissioners Court. I am the only true Republican in this race. My opponents have no experience for this office. They are title searchers, who can only do more harm than good. The other is an Independent, who by his own words told my campaign staff he got in the Republican primary because they got back to him first.
Fatuch
Equality: Unless you live on the Westside, Eastside, or Paul Fosters Wonderland Downtown, neglect is your reward. No better example than NE and NW El Paso County.
Transparency: Make ALL information, legally allowed, available to all El Pasoans. No more selfish decisions and not allowing El Pasoans sincere audience and input. Elected officials work for El Pasoans, not the other way around. I intend to remind them each and every day.
Integrity: Our officials lie and cheat blatantly. I have pointed it out often. They need to be held accountable and ousted from leadership positions. I hope to be the beginning of removing the clowns and electing REAL El Pasoans.
Navarrete
As a family man and lifelong El Pasoan, I am eager to make a positive impact in our community that can better position us for stability and progress in what continues to be a more and more unstable and challenging world. Particularly in the political arena, we seem to be drowning in information but dying of thirst for wisdom. I believe that my decades of proven business management experience, my years as an ordained minister helping those in greatest need, and my willingness to place people over political party will resonate well with the voters of Precinct 4.
Trout
I’m running because giving is my first nature, serving my community is my priority! With passion, respect and effective actions working strong with successful changes with ethical principles and to make significant changes. I choose to run for this position for the passion in me to serve, with knowledge, experience, dedication, transparency and accountability that characterizes me as a good public servant. Direct communication with our community is my priority with my open doors policy. I’m a proud Hispanic Woman, and that gives me the great opportunity to communicate in both my languages. My experience in Legislate and administrate gives me the attitude of serving and to listen the community concerns mobilizes me to get into action with hands on in the workplace.
Adams
I believe we have a lot of foolish spending. My team and I will be looking to cut these programs, and expenses. We are at a critical time now. COVID-19 did a number on all of us. We need to find ways to save monies, invest in positive programs, get the most on our investment.
Fatuch
The problem is El Paso leadership has always had a terrible habit of frivolously spending taxpayer money. Instead of putting El Pasoans’ money towards the necessities of the city and county, officials decide to spend it on unnecessary projects guided by the hands of those they worship, Foster and Hunt. If they are not jocking the kingpins, they are building and claiming shrines to their “legacy.” I feel El Paso has more money than it appears and needs better decision making, but these elected idiots prefer clout-chasing the wants of the few over the needs of the many.
Navarrete
In capital letters: ECONOMIC GROWTH. The tax revenue for El Paso County depends principally on residential property taxes — and far less on business sales tax. According to the county’s 2022 Operating Budget, sales and use tax revenues account for only 12% of all fund-budgeted revenues. If entrusted by the voters of Precinct 4 to represent them, I will push for every opportunity available that will help draw in businesses and projects to El Paso so we can increase our revenues from the business sector. This way, we can provide relief to El Paso families who have had to carry and endure the weight of increased property taxes over the years.
Trout
Supporting and utilizing the benefits and funds from U.S. House and Senate Bills that provide federal and state funding guidelines for our county. That helps and improves local infrastructure without harming our tax rate.
Adams
I am 100% pro law enforcement, we need to support all of our first responders. We need to look at, again I say it, foolish spending, not needed items I will vote no. But I will vote for all necessary equipment, and infrastructure needed. That has proper needs for our community. The only way we can control our taxes is to be more frugal on our spending.
Fatuch
I would like to look into starting a program allowing those convicted of nonviolent crimes doing more probation instead of jail time. Also, adjust the fees that are associated with probation. With that, I would like to work with local businesses to assist in the hiring of those who are unemployed, paying them a fair and equal wage, all the while understanding the restrictions that come with probation and working with new hires to accommodate. Offer those businesses incentives for participating. There are safety and financial benefits to all three, the businesses, citizens, and the county.
Navarrete
I recently attended a candidate orientation organized by the Chief Administrator Betsy Keller and other department heads. They were all gracious in presenting the county’s successes. With respect to the department of criminal justice and community support, El Paso County experienced improved key performance indicators over the last 5 years. Since pushing for increased personal recognizance bonds since 2015, El Paso County has reduced pre-trial populations in jail for misdemeanors, produced more favorable recidivism rates, and helped reduce operational costs. Giving all credit to the justice department, they seem to be on the right track. If elected commissioner, I intend to further support their efforts.
Trout
Creating a financial balance and a risk management assessment to identify and analyze the priorities and needs for a better financial function not affecting our taxpayers economy with a conservative allocation in every function for a better control and operations without neglecting the important need, that is public safety and taxpayers.
Adams
My team and I have looked into the numbers, the county judge, and commissioners make more than enough money in their salaries. I will say no on any raises while I’m a commissioner. There are more important issues needed for the next five years, this office makes money. And it’s not on my top agenda.
Fatuch
Hell No! I could not be any more against it. The salaries that officials make in El Paso are absurd. This actually angers me. County and City officials are ripping off El Pasoans every time they collect a paycheck. The fact that such poor performance is rewarded so mightily, is disgusting. The fact that these jesters are allowed to vote on their own raises is stupid, pure and simple. The only reason city officials make as little as they do is because El Pasoans get to vote on it. I’m sure it’s supplemented somehow though, but that’s solely my opinion.
Navarrete
No. I’m not aware of the dynamics behind having recently approved significantly large pay increases for commissioners, by commissioners, going as far back as 2016, but it certainly seems wrong and disproportionate in comparison to the minimal pay increases county employees have seen over the years. Particularly now, the commissioners court should be solely focused on earning every cent of their pay by preparing El Paso County for the challenges that lie ahead in a post-covid world. Consideration for any further pay increases for commissioners (or county judge) should not even be a topic of discussion.
Trout
Not giving growth to the salary, this function directly affects the taxpayers and is reflected in our economy. I understand that each person is worthy of their salary, but it is very gratifying to put more effort, passion and dedication in what we do, but all with the established measure (the median) for a better public function and satisfaction for our community in this matter.
Adams
We need to bring better paying jobs to El Paso, Texas period. This will be on my get it done list, we also need to promote from within our city, keep our families here. Now is the time to strike. Jobs are there and they’re hiring. We need to get people back to work being a contributor to the community and society. I will work on helping anyone who needs a job, wants to work — job fairs, career days, mentorships, schooling. Everyone could use some help at this time, throw pride out the window. I will also work with other business-minded individuals to help with these problems.
Fatuch
Make transparent and investigate the ludicrous salaries of ALL El Paso leadership. Both city and county officials are collecting so much that even the slightest of pay cuts (and in some cases extreme pay cuts, ie: City Manager Gonzalez) would make a world of difference in our budget. And again, El Paso would have more money if it wasn’t being spent by narcissists on superfluous ideas. People should be able to trust their taxes are being spent where necessary, not just for leadership’s “look at my legacy” projects. Also, see question 3. I’m sure El Pasoans would have some ideas as well.
Navarrete
Government has the duty of providing a suitable climate conducive to business. As a County Commissioner, I would work with the court to develop strategic plans that would help us attract large regional to national companies/organizations that can see all the unmatched benefits our fine community has to offer. UTEP is a large economic powerhouse for the county, comprising about 5% of our overall economy. We happily send our children to UTEP where we know they will obtain a fine education. However, it is unfortunate that, upon graduation, our kids are forced to leave El Paso as there is a short supply of opportunities for them as they step into the workforce.
Trout
Always giving the most cordial welcome to new business and companies which create and are part of the great economy source creating jobs and important revenue and tourist attractions for El Paso County.
Adams
It’s hard to say I have a big wish list. Lol but I think the storm water issue on the westside of El Paso, Canutillo, Westway, and Vinton areas have top priorities. And also in the Northeast. We need to be proactive, not reactive. Number two: making serious headway in the Northeast side of town, it’s the stepchild of our city. We need to bring business and infrastructure to this much needed side of town. I will be out and about meeting citizens, hearing their ideas, their wants and needs. All of El Paso has issues that need attention. I will work on them.
Fatuch
There are many but here’s a few off the top. They finally began giving real attention to the flooding in Canutillo. I support that but it needs to be prioritized. Also, I would support putting pressure on El Paso Water Utilities and that sham of a Stormwater Drainage Committee (how are they still in charge of anything?!) to fix these problems or be removed entirely from decision making. Another sore issue is traffic collisions. To remedy a portion of those, I believe putting a retaining wall between north/southbound, east/westbound freeways would keep drivers focused and stop rubbernecking accidents.
Navarrete
My opponent and current incumbent for Precinct 4, Mr. Robinson, recently patted himself on the back via social media for leading the way in acquiring funds from the Texas Water Development Board for a flood mitigation project for the county. While terrific news for the far east areas of Socorro and Clint where the project is targeted, this does nothing for Mr. Robinson’s constituents in Canutillo who bring out their life jackets each time it rains for more than 10 minutes. If elected County Commissioner, I will push immediately for flood mitigation projects for the people of Canutillo and the upper valley who currently get little to no representation.
Trout
Safety and Security is one of my top priorities, to support the first responders and to provide them with fair benefits and services. This is essential for those who watch over our citizens’ security. Optimize our Public Health and community service facilities for a better financial and efficient management. Streamline and finish our roads, streets and bridges in optimal conditions for better ground transportation and communication for our community and travelers. Establish communication with other entities and reach to an agreement to establish new routes that are still deficient in our County. Optimize the transportation needs for our community and strengthen services and advocate for our disabled people with transportation options.
