By: Kylie Garcia Reporter
VILLAGE OF MILAN, N.M. — March is coming quickly and that means, so is municipal election time. For the Village of Milan Board of Trustees, three board seats will be available — that of the mayor’s and two trustees. Two candidates are running unopposed for the two seats. One will be entering a second term, and one will be entering his first. The latter of the two being James A. Mercer.
Mercer was born and raised in Grants, but he has lived in the Milan area since 1989, so for 33 years. Some of the things that Mercer has enjoyed most about living in the Milan area is that it is rather easy to navigate, it is quiet, has a good police force, and has community-centered activities to participate in. Some personal facts about Mercer are that he is a local business owner. Before opening a business, Mercer worked as a Lab Technician at the local Marathon Petroleum Corporation Refinery before it shut down in 2020. Mercer then went on to become the co-owner/co-founder of Four Corners Spray Foam Insulation LLC, which is located on 1618 Prewitt Street, Milan, NM, 87021. As for hobbies, Mercer enjoys spending time with his family and biking, with anything from dirt bikes to street bikes to motorcycles.
Now, Mercer has decided to step into the world of politics for the first time. According to Mercer, he decided to run for trustee because he wants to try to make a difference and “take Milan to the next level” instead of “doing the same thing and expecting different results.” As a business owner, one of Mercer’s top priorities will be opening Milan up to new business opportunities that will benefit both the village and its growth. When asked what he felt he would be bringing to table as a a new member of the Board of Trustees, Mercer said he thinks he can offer a fresh set of eyes, new perspectives, and different ideas. Mercer explained that he plans on striking a balance between being open to methods that worked in the past and the guidance of former trustees, while being open to new ideas, doing things differently than the way they have always been done, and creating positive change.
Mercer stated his vision for the Village of Milan as including growth through an income of new business opportunities. Mercer mentioned the future Milan Industrial Park as being one of the business opportunities he is excited about. Mercer also said he wants to continue to see Milan’s landscape cleaned up and empty buildings be taken care of. Mercer even mentioned the idea of a hotel and how he believes such business would be beneficial to have in Milan.
If elected, which is likely considering Mercer is running unopposed, the local business owner says that the thing he is most looking forward to is simply getting started. Mercer wants to jump in, “get [his] feet wet,” and begin working with the other trustees to put into motion some positive changes for the Village of Milan. Mercer said he considers himself a team player who can work well with others to reach solutions, all skills he developed while working for the refinery. Mercer said he especially hopes that the local spread COVID-19 slows down so that the trustees are able to meet in person and business can be conducted as usual in the village. Mercer also wanted to make his availability to the Milan community clear by saying that community members can text or call him if they have anything they want to discuss.
Mercer can be reached at 505-290-1332.