Council Candidate James Wernicke
ELECTION News:
Libertarian James Wernicke is running for a seat on the Los Alamos County Council. He recently answered questions from the Los Alamos Daily Post about the local election.
This is part of a series of Q&As with political candidates that the Post will publish ahead of the June 4 Primary.
Post: How long have you lived in Los Alamos?
Wernicke: I’ve lived in Los Alamos permanently since 2013.
Post: Where do you work?
Wernicke: I’ve worked at the lab since 2013.
Post: Why are you running for County Council?
Wernicke: I believe there’s room for improvement in our community, and I’m eager to contribute positively to its development.
I see great potential for Los Alamos to utilize its resources for significant benefit. Having experienced various communities, I recognize the unique privilege and relatively light burdens of our town. This prosperity is owed to those who took risks to achieve ambitious goals. These achievements were made possible through responsible administration of resources by our bureaucracy, entrusted to it by the public in good faith.
A thriving community requires a balance of ambition and administrative efficiency. While times are good, it’s tempting to coast on momentum without pushing for further progress. However, we’ve become overly bureaucratic, hindering endeavors such as housing development, economic vitality, carbon footprint reduction, healthcare accessibility, and more. Unlike less privileged communities, we possess ample resources but lack the drive to utilize them effectively.
Restoring the balance between innovation and bureaucracy is within our means. By doing so, we can enhance the quality of life for our citizens and address our long-standing environmental and economic transgressions on the greater area. Despite discussing ambitious goals, our reluctance to take risks often hampers our outcomes. I believe our new County manager shares this sentiment but requires the support of bold Councilors to enact change.
Post: County Council requires a significant time commitment, usually 4 council meetings a month, committee meetings and other events as well as reading preparation prior to those meetings. How will this fit in with your other commitments?
Wernicke: I’m deeply involved in county affairs, serving on various boards and engaging in community efforts. As the saying goes, if you want something done, ask a busy person. I’m already immersed in Council business, attending meetings, researching issues, and engaging with the public. If elected, I’ll seamlessly transition into the role, leveraging my existing dedication and experience.
Post: What do you believe is the role of the Council in our community?
Wernicke: The Council’s role is to ensure equitable representation of community members and hold local government accountable for the responsible management of public resources.
Post: Do you think you have any personal or professional relationships that could become a conflict of interest while serving as a Council member?
Wernicke: I’m employed by the lab and own my house, but have no other financial interests in the county. I’m involved in several community boards, but I’m prepared to resign from those positions if elected. My track record on the Parks & Rec board demonstrates my commitment to advocating for all community interests.
Post: What is your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?
Wernicke: I believe in informed decision-making, which involves listening to diverse perspectives, conducting thorough research, and consulting with experts. I value diverse viewpoints and aim for equitable and sustainable solutions. Rather than focusing on divisions, I prioritize finding common ground and pursuing shared goals. This approach ensures that everyone’s concerns are addressed fairly and facilitates progress.
What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to the position?
Wernicke: My technical background in complex system analysis and study of ethical business economics equips me to ask the right questions and hold our government accountable. As a third-party candidate, I bring impartiality and a commitment to finding the best solutions, regardless of ideology. Additionally, my willingness to take calculated risks, balanced with careful planning, ensures effective decision-making.
Post: What previous community involvement have you had in Los Alamos or another community?
Wernicke: I currently serve as Parks & Rec Board Chair, Personnel Board, Election Canvass Committee Chair, Rotary Club Board, East Park Pool Board, mentor local youth in coding and rugby clubs, maintain local trails with outdoor groups, and find other ways to contribute here and there.
Post: Based on what you know about County government, what do you see as the top priorities?
Wernicke: Fostering trust between the government and its citizens. Decision making must be more transparent so that citizens understand how and why certain choices are made. Officials must be held accountable for their actions to ensure they act in the best interests of the community. Citizens must be empowered to contribute meaningfully by making communication channels more accessible, hosting more town hall meetings, and establishing more citizen advisory groups to provide guidance on key issues.
Increasing housing affordability and availability. The Council must prioritize initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing while maintaining the community’s character and quality of life. This involves zoning reforms to encourage the construction of diverse housing options, streamlining permitting processes to expedite development, and exploring public-private partnerships to leverage resources effectively. By addressing housing concerns, the Council can mitigate commuting burdens, support local business staffing, and enhance overall community well-being.
Committing to the success of small businesses. This priority involves implementing policies and programs that support entrepreneurship, innovation, and local enterprise development. Measures may include simplifying regulatory processes, providing access to resources and funding, fostering networking and mentorship opportunities, and promoting local procurement practices.
Exploring innovative solutions. As an example, the Land Value Tax presents an innovative approach to property taxation that could profoundly improve residential and commercial opportunities for Los Alamos. By shifting the tax burden from improvements on land to the land itself, this system incentivizes infill and discourages speculative land holding. Implementing such a tax could make housing and commercial real estate more affordable, reduce the tax burden on home and business owners, while generating revenue to support public services and infrastructure. Furthermore, it simplifies tax codes and reduces administrative burdens, enhancing overall tax efficiency and fairness. We must stop being scared of change.
