Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series.

Five seats are up for grab as Horizon City holds elections for city council. From retaining local talent to the city’s continued growth, candidates share their visions for the future of Horizon.

Guillermo (Willie) Ortega running for Alderman Place No. 1

Ortega is a longtime resident of Horizon City. He moved there in 1997 and has worked with the El Paso Fire Department for over two decades.

Ortega’s major goals are to attract more businesses to Horizon City and to retain local talent.

“Whether it’s teaching or whether it’s working, owning your own business, we want that talent to stay in Horizon City,” Ortega said.

He believes that the biggest challenge facing the City of Horizon is acquiring property and expanding.

He states that expansion could open the door for more big-name companies as well as small businesses, which could bring more opportunities to local residents.

“I think it would be a little unfair for the residents to pick up the tap on property taxes,” Ortega said. “We don’t want the businesses just for their tax revenue, but we would love for them to bring in jobs for the talent that we have in El Paso that goes unnoticed.”

Ortega encourages voters to attend Horizon’s town hall meetings to get well informed about the city’s growth ahead of the election. He also plans to encourage voter registration through door-to-door outreach.

Robert Avila, running for Alderman Place No. 4

Avila worked for 20 years with the El Paso Fire Department as a firefighter and paramedic. His work in Horizon City Planning and Zoning Commission inspired him to do more for the community and run for city council.

In his campaign, Avila is focused on effective public safety, ensuring public servants have the resources to perform their jobs efficiently while maintaining communication to keep residents informed. He wants to encourage diversity in community development and continued growth with businesses in the city.

“I would like to see different types of diverse opportunities for people that are interested in moving to Horizon, I’m talking about apartments, duplexes, condominiums, communities that have amenities,” Avila said. “I’d like to see more businesses coming to Horizon, within our city limits.”

Avila believes that one of the biggest challenges the city council will have to face is Horizon’s population growth and making sure that each community members’ voices are heard.

“One of the challenges that we’re going to have as a council is trying to make sure that we’re able to expedite the process so that we can capitalize on those opportunities,” Avila said. “However, at the same time, we need to make sure that if there’s any concerns, that they are heard and addressed.”

As an avid cyclist, Avila also hopes to make Horizon a better bicycling community by working with local bicycle clubs, businesses and government agencies to encourage development of more bicycle lanes and community events.

“We might be able to also help encourage a healthier lifestyle and encourage trying to improve the carbon footprint that that we have by the constant reliance on automobiles,” Avila said.

Matthew Gardea, running for Alderman Place No. 6

For five years, Gardea has served as the Vice Chairman of the Horizon City Planning Commission.

“My plan is an eight-point plan that includes supporting our seniors, public safety, community engagement, connecting infrastructure, defining Horizon, housing diversity, talent retention and economic development,” Gardea said.

A major focus in Gardea’s campaign is the retention of local graduates by bringing more economic development to the area.

“It’s important to be sure that we align industries we bring to Horizon, skills produced through the Independent School District and professions that our local university produces,” Gardea said.

This would include diversifying the city’s tax base by attracting more manufacturing and industrial businesses. His priority is to create relationships with mid to large size businesses, bringing them to Horizon to build headquarters and provide jobs.

He states that this growth has to be done responsibly so it does not negatively affect small businesses and community members.

“What I plan to do, [with] any major investments or major projects coming into Horizon city is that we have all of our business leaders and community members involved in that process,” Gardea said. “City council can only do so much with seven-member body, and the more opinions–the more data driven information we have allows us to make more strategic businesses.”

Katherine Ames, running for Alderman Place No. 5

Ames works for the El Paso County Emergency Service District No. 1. After seeing the low number of volunteers within the community, she decided to run for city council.

A key goal for Ames is to improve infrastructure to support the growth of Horizon.

“My concern is to make sure that we have the infrastructure for the growth, and that we’re considering everything that needs to go into it,” Ames said. “Because with that comes obviously more 911 calls for police and fire, and just more traffic, more residents. So, making sure that we are well developed, and we have a good plan in place for these additional residents.”

Ames shared that one of the biggest challenges she sees in the community is that many landowners are unaware of their property ownership.

“It’s hard for the Town of Horizon to grow in certain areas, because one plot of land might be owned by 12 owners, but then it’s somebody who bought it 80 years ago,” Ames said. “Now, it’s a great niece who has it, and they don’t even know where that land is, and they didn’t even know they were landowners.”

She shares that as part of the city council, she hopes to be an independent thinker and to encourage the community that while the city has a small town feel it should have a big town mentality.

“My goal is to be well informed and to make decisions that are what I think is going to be best for everyone in the Town of Horizon,” Ames said.               

Election information

Early voting is from April 22 to 29 and election day is May 3. For more information on the upcoming election, voters can visit epcountyvotes.com and check their voter registration and early voting locations.

Ximena Cordero is the audience and engagement editor for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected].