Hi, I’m Jose L. (Joe) Diaz.  I am married to my lovely wife Judy Diaz and have two children, Vanessa (Michael) Grinie and Mark (Jade) Diaz, and seven grandchildren  and I am running for Mayor of Bayard. This is a city/town that has a lot of potential for advancement by the quality of the lives of the people who live in it.

Now is the time for this leadership to continue to take on the city’s toughest challenges. That’s what I have been doing currently as a city councilor and will continue to do as Mayor for the citizens of Bayard.

I grew up right here in this neighborhood (mining district). I went to school and graduated from Cobre High School. I have attended many activities in our district/town, along with supported and sponsored many clubs and organizations for our youth and elderly as well and will continue to do so.

I am a NM Army National Guard Veteran (Persian Gulf Area), past member of the Knights of Columbus, past president (6yrs) and member (15yrs) of Copper Little League Program, past president, member of the Bayard Beautification Committee, liaison to the Bayard Housing Authority, Beautification Committee, alternate judge (6yrs) for Bayard Municipal Courts, currently employed with the NM Department of Health/FBMC, past member of the Silver City Bass Club, Moose Lodge, Bayard City Council member (2006-2010 & 2022-current), and past Grant County Senior Citizens Board.

I learned my values from two loving parents, my father the late Agustin Diaz Sr and my lovely mother Maria Juanita Diaz who still resides and lives in Bayard. This is where I learned that what matters, is not your name, but what you get done. It is where I learned that you usually get more done when you work with people, by listening with empathy and compassion to get things done to resolve issues at hand. Respect is something that is earned and not given, and you get that when you treat people with respect, kindness, firmness, leadership, love, sincerity, honesty, and most importantly remembering all the core values your parents, grandparents raised you when you were growing up, while always interacting with others.

But it’s where I also learned that you must be prepared to take on tough fights and that making a real difference in people’s lives is what matters most, when you are honest, transparent, accountable, respectful, and sincere with a decision that is going to always impact the citizens of Bayard.

When I look at any child, parent or grandparent at the park, the library, store, baseball/softball game, school, restaurant in town, I am reminded that every decision we make as elected officials we shape the daily lives and future for all. I want the residents of Bayard to know that I am working for their families just as hard as I am working on my own, because when our residents succeed, it helps this city succeed in every shape, form, and fashion.

The City of Bayard as well as all other towns/cities throughout the state and nation for the past few years have had to endure the challenges of COVID and the ominous clouds of tough choices with unwelcomed outcomes at times. In that climate, our community worked like never before to withstand the worst crisis ever experienced, with having to distance themselves, isolate, illnesses, loss of loved ones, schools shutting down, and many businesses having to shut down and never reopening back up.

Together we have fought to preserve what we have. We hired a new police chief who has established the best police department in the southern part of this state to make our neighborhoods, streets, and town a better place to live, a new city clerk to help manage, seek additional funding for Bayard, new fire chief as well as new membership and most importantly departments/employees who have worked together, while working short-staffed with taking on additional duties and responsibilities to continue to serve the citizens of Bayard. As this storm continues to part, I want the citizens of Bayard to know I will continue to work relentlessly to help them make it through tough times and make sure better days are ahead.

As your Mayor I want to assure you that I have my own vision while I serve in that position to move Bayard forward which will be:
            Keep you safe (public safety (police, fire & rescue) always.
            Provide clean water and other essential health and safety functions.
            Seek additional funding for a better if not new wastewater treatment plant.
            Seek additional funding for street & sewer improvements.

Work with Freeport-McMoRan Mining Company officials to seek additional property, funding, and assistance with any challenges this city has.
            Bring people together to create shared plans for our community to grow and evolve.
            Show you all, where how and why your tax dollars are being spent.
            Improve the beautification of Bayard by encouraging residents to clean their properties, areas and offer free pick-ups of debris.
            Holding everyone accountable for their actions, while accountability starts with me.

As your Mayor Together, :
     We will keep our neighborhoods safe, by creating neighborhood watch programs, working with law enforcement groups to share ideas and be open to suggestions and resolutions when it comes to public safety.
     We will ensure that Bayard is the best place anywhere to live, work, learn and raise a family.
     We can inspire our neighbors to work together to solve issues or help those in need.
     We can turn a visitor into a neighbor by showing compassion, caring and love for one another.
     We can bolster local businesses, with supporting them locally by shopping in town, and assisting in any way we can to help improve his or her business.
     We can open better communications with ever resident, business owner by having conversations to help make their needs and wants heard.
     We can create the Veteran’s Park, which is well overdue for our veteran’s here in Bayard/Mining District Area.
     We can make Bayard the HUB of the Mining District again, however, make it stronger and better than before.
     We can make things happen because I am an ACTION person.

So, I leave you with this, If you are seeking a Mayor with experience in city, local and state government to have Bayard moving forward, then I am the individual you want to Vote for during the early voting month and on November 7, 2023.  I am available for your reach at 575-313-1512 and will meet and return your calls.

Remember, “I am your VOTE of Confidence/ Su Voto de Confieanza AS MAYOR OF BAYARD.

Thank you!

Jose Diaz for
Mayor of Bayard