Candidate Q&As: Roosevelt County Probate Judge

PORTALES — Three candidates, one the incumbent, are on the June 2 primary ballot to be the Republican nominee for Roosevelt County probate judge.

The winner of the primary does not have any general election opposition from the Democratic or Libertarian parties. Michelle Bargas is the incumbent, with Gracy Stone and Kendall Terry running for the position as well.

The judge handles the formal judicial process for transferring the property of a person who has died. The salary for the term will be $20,024.

Michelle Bargas

Occupation: Roosevelt County Probate Judge

Prior or current elected offices held: 2005 President, BESO (Bilingual Education Student Organization); 2009 -2012 Treasurer, Union County Crime Stoppers; 2018-2019 Vice-Chairperson, Probate Affiliate for New Mexico Association of Counties

What experience do you have that will prepare you for the upcoming four years?

Prior to the last four years, I worked for the state as a juvenile probation parole officer. During that those 10 years, I earned experience in the courtroom speaking before numerous judges on cases. The last four years has given me experience with probate law and working with county government.

What do you believe should be the role of government, and do you believe anything changes during a pandemic?

The role of government should be to protect us and our rights but not at a level that it hinders us. As for the pandemic, through this experience, a lot has changed. Being quarantined for two months and not allowing businesses to operate during that time changes everything.

How will you run the office in a way that’s efficient without sacrificing taxpayer service?

The probate office has a set budget. There is no secretary, no office staff and the probate office has a budget for office supplies of $100 a year. Currently, the probate office is highly efficient due to the fact that I handle appointments one day a week and meet families when convenient for them. The community can reach me by leaving a message on my office phone (575-226-3995) or cell phone (575-760-7605).

As difficult as it is to imagine Jan. 1 right now, what do you envision to be the biggest challenge of the office you’re seeking?

The biggest challenge is educating the community on what the probate office does do. Roosevelt County has a resource available and not a lot of people know what it is or how to use it. I would like to use the next four years to work on educating the public on utilizing this resource and show how it benefits them. I would like to start planning some informational classes on probate law and how it benefits the community.

Probate judges are authorized, but not required, to perform marriages. Following the state’s decision to allow same-sex marriage, various judges decided to stop performing all marriages. Would your office perform a same-sex marriage, and if not do you believe the office is providing full service to taxpayers?

I do perform marriages and when you agree to perform marriages, you agree to perform all types of marriages. (same-sex, interracial, etc)

Regardless of the primary outcome, you will be in your current position for the next six months. Should you win, what do you plan to do over the next six months to ensure your next term is successful?

I am planning on locating places to start scheduling classes on probate law and the benefits of it for the community. Hopefully, the quarantine will end soon and businesses will be able to function at full capacity again so we can look forward to a positive future.

Should you be defeated in the primary, what would you do in those six months to ensure taxpayers are best served?

As soon as the quarantine is lifted, I will still look into scheduling Probate classes for the next six months. I believe in being proactive rather than reactive.

Gracy Stone

Occupation: Retired school counselor

Prior or current elected offices held: None

What experience do you have that will prepare you for the upcoming four years?

I am a retired public school educator and counselor, and have worked and volunteered in local, state and national government. I formerly owned and operated a local business and currently serving as a lay pastor in my church. Helping those around me work through challenges, listening to understand others, and looking out for the best interest of all involved is what I've spent my entire adult life doing. These skills are imperative for performing the duties of probate judge. I also have the flexibility of time to ensure the taxpayer's needs are a top priority.

What do you believe should be the role of government and do you believe anything changes during a pandemic?

The role of government is multi-faceted; it is to protect its citizens, their liberty and property. During this COVID-19 pandemic, the government is the natural leader for overall coordination and communication for the public. The government needs to ensure the containment efforts are proportionate and do minimal damage to the American people. Government is expanding its role in many ways necessary (and some, sadly, unnecessary and overreaching) to meet the present needs of the nation. I earnestly look forward to the time where we can return to normal and the government lessens its overall control in states and local municipalities.

How will you run the office in a way that's efficient without sacrificing taxpayer service?

Office hours will be established; however, flexibility from office hours will be done to help meet needs of taxpayers as needs arise. Telephone communication will be available at all times, five days a week and all messages and correspondence will be answered in a timely manner.

As difficult as it is to imagine Jan. 1 right now, what do you envision to be the biggest challenge of the office you're seeking? How do you plan to address it?

I am deeply concerned about the lingering effects the pandemic and resulting shutdown will have on all Americans and its entities. I am hopeful rules and regulations will be lifted as quickly as they were put in place and we can assume our normal lives. I will do my best to provide needed service and follow the rules and regulations to ensure public safety.

Probate judges are authorized, but not required, to perform marriages. Following the state's decision to allow same-sex marriages, various judges decided to stop performing all marriages. Would your office perform a same sex marriage, and if not do you believe the office is providing full service to taxpayers?

The state's law allows same-sex marriages and if elected probate judge, I would adhere to the law. I do not believe it is up to my subjective opinion to choose who should or should not be legally united in marriage.

For this position, the Republican primary is the only contested one and there are no nominees signed up for the Democratic or Libertarian parties. Should you win the primary, what will you do to ensure a smooth transition?

The peaceful transition of power is a tradition that sets America apart from most of the world. I will do whatever is necessary to make the transition as smooth and positive as possible. My flexible schedule in retirement, allows for greater ability to be fluid, responsive and helpful.

Kendall Terry

Occupation: Small business owner (Allstar Auction Co.), real estate agent (Town & Country Real Estate), heavy equipment business consultant. Former Roosevelt County manager, 1999-2001.

Elected offices held: None.

What experience do you have that will prepare you for the upcoming four years?

I have been actively helping families throughout New Mexico and West Texas with estate settlements for the past 20 years. I have extensive knowledge in family estates, reading and interrupting wills, and have served as the personal representative for numerous estates. Additionally, I have training in estate sale liquidations.

What do you believe should be the role of government and do you believe anything changes during a pandemic?

Pursue prosperity without any government interference. As the great Ronald Reagan once said, “Big Government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem.” I believe during the COVID-19 Pandemic, things will be different as we have seen in the past, however, I do believe local, state, and federal government should not be overstepping and abusing our constitutional rights and freedoms we have held over the past 244 years.

How will you run the office in a way that's efficient without sacrificing taxpayer service?

If I have the great opportunity to be the next Probate Judge for Roosevelt County, I will operate the probate office in most efficient and productive manner as possible. I will establish set office hours, post and make available informative probate judge information and forms on the county's website, and be available to meet county residents by appointment if necessary. I also plan to implement new and proactive ideas that will help county residents with probate law.

As difficult as it is to imagine Jan. 1 right now, what do you envision to be the biggest challenge of the office you're seeking? How do you plan to address it?

The biggest challenge I see is COVID-19 issues and the economic impact that it will have on the entire state of New Mexico. I would use common sense and a conservative platform to alleviate these and any unforeseen problems.

Probate judges are authorized, but not required, to perform marriages. Following the state's decision to allow same-sex marriages, various judges decided to stop performing all marriages. Would your office perform a same sex marriage, and if not do you believe the office is providing full service to taxpayers?

I would not perform marriages if elected probate judge. It is of my opinion that duties of the Probate Judge court are to appoint legally qualified persons (called personal representatives) to manage and settle the decedent's business affairs. Personal representatives pass the deceased person's estate property — real and personal — to the rightful recipients. Clergy, magistrate judge, municipal judge, and/or district judge can perform marriages in New Mexico.

For this position, the Republican primary is the only contested one and there are no nominees signed up for the Democratic or Libertarian parties. Should you win the primary, what will you do to ensure a smooth transition?

• Prioritizing: Identify the probate judge office priorities, identify the resources

needed to achieve these priorities, and communicate these goals and priorities.

• Build relationships and support: I would build support within our county government, community leaders outside of government, and implement productive community relations.

• Actively manage office time: Implement office hours on a regular basis, improve and enhance the probate judge department on the Roosevelt County website.