Three Republicans are seeking the nomination for the Roosevelt County Board of Commissioners District 4 seat in the June 1 primary election.

District 4 covers Elida up to Eastern New Mexico University, state roads and a small area near Avenue I and 14th through 16th streets.

The following profiles are part of a series on candidates in local races. All candidates were asked the same set of questions.

David W. Craig

Why do you want the position?

I’ve lived here for my whole life and I feel like I could do the county a good job to help the whole county.

What makes you qualified for the position?

I was born and raised in Roosevelt County and graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a business degree and minor...agriculture and science. I know almost 50 percent of the people in Roosevelt County. I grew up as a farmer and left for a few years and came back so I’ve been a farmer for over 20 years now. So I know the people, the country and the system.

What would be your goals if elected to that position?

I’m going to have to find out what is going on. I know a lot of the county roads are a problem and I know they are having a lot of nightmares with the detention center. I’m just going to have to get into it and see what I can do.

What is the biggest issue facing the county right now, and how would you address it?

Right now, there is no money, but that is worldwide. Everybody says we are not in a recession, but we are definitely in a recession. So, we’re going to have to tighten our belts.

How would you handle the tight budget the county is facing?

There again it is a deal you’re going to have to look at whenever you get there to see what can be cut and can’t be cut. What needs to be done immediately, what can be put off.

There’s a lot of stuff that we’re doing right now that can be done immediately, but then there is a lot of stuff that they are into that we might can put off and figure out a way to do it cheaper.

What is your position about the problem of litter in the county?

Litter is a nightmare. There is a lot of talk about the detention center and I would like to see those people out there working on it.

Right now, I been involved with the FFA chapter in Dora and we get with the state highway department and some of those outfits will pay a non-profit organization like that and 4H to clean up a few miles. So a lot of our children are benefitting from the litter. They’re getting out and working and by doing a money making project. Legally, there’s not much we can do other than get out and do it.

How long have you lived in the county?

He has been in Roosevelt County for over 20 years.

To contact Craig: 760-1982

Nancy Gentry

Why do you want the position?

I think I just want to continue serving the community. I’ve been real involved for a lot of years and I’m just interested in continuing that.

What makes you qualified for the position?

I been involved for many years in the chamber and I was the probate judge for 10 years. I’ve also done a lot of activities here in town and I think that I am qualified to help the county.

What would be your goals if elected to the position?

I know there are several, but until you get in there you don’t know. You need to continue work with economic development people in order to recruit high paying jobs, businesses and industries. I believe Cannon Air Force Base is a big thing, improving county roads and their programs. I know that the capital outlay is pretty short right now. We got a lot of money from capital outlay for roads and stuff and we may not always have that, we’ll really have to watch the budget.

What is the biggest issue facing the county right now, and how would you address it?

I would probably say it is the budget because of the funding you normally get from the state Legislature. We’re not able to get as much of that so I would think that the budget would be a big issue. I think I would have to wait until I got in there in order to be able to address what is going on there.

How would you handle the tight budget the county is facing?

I think on the tight budget situation...like I said until I can get in there and see what the facts are, it would be hard for me to say. I think we all need to realize that with the economy like it is, it is a bad situation so we need to be more careful on our spending.

What is your position about the problem of litter in the county?

I think it is a big problem. But I think they have been working on addressing that issue. I would just continue to support getting things cleaned up.

How long have you lived in the county?

I was actually born here, so I’ve been here 62 years.

To contact Gentry: 760-7570

Scott L. Burton

Why do you want the position?

“Just to make our district and our county better. I have a lot of family in this district, and in the county, so I’d like to see it keep getting better and better.”

What makes you qualified for the position?

Burton said he’s been on the Elida school board for five years and serves on the Roosevelt County Fair Board. He and his wife have owned a business in the county for 12 years, “so I know what it takes to run a business, make things work, make things flow.”

What would be your goals if elected to the position?

“I think we need to work on our budget; I know it’s tight.”

Burton said he wants to get available money from the state and work with people who can obtain it.

What is the biggest issue facing the county right now, and how would you address it?

“I believe it’s going to be the budget. The state froze up our money for our roads, so we need to work with those entities in getting the money to Roosevelt County.”

How would you handle the tight budget the county is facing?

Burton said revenue is down and the county needs to find a new source of income or improve the current ones.

What is your position about the problem of litter in the county?

“I think it needs to be worked on.”

Burton said he knows there’s a problem with dead animals dumped along roads and he would probably work with the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office on the issue.

How long have you lived in the county?

Burton has lived in the county for 13 years.

To contact Burton: 760-8088.

— Compiled by PNT writers Argen Duncan and Clarence Plank