New Town

On January 5th citizens of the South Valley will decide whether they wish to become a municipality and incorporate. This question was posed and supported by State Representative Miguel Garcia, as well as his securing State funds for a fiscal feasibility study. The study completed by the University of New Mexico, in essence determined that current level of services provided by Bernalillo County could not be maintained with the tax base available to the new town. According to their study, this proposed new municipality would have to raise taxes or cut services.

It is possible that a new town would have to do both – raise taxes and cut services. In my estimation this is not logical or feasible and would hurt the citizens of the South Valley.

I believe that we would take a giant step backward in terms of self-governance and determination. We are faced with a worldwide economic crisis and we are a community that needs greater services, not reduced services.

We cannot simply rely on raising taxes, we must control our budget and work within our means. If a new town requires new taxes for less services – that is bad government. I am staunchly opposed to incorporation because of these facts.

An additional issue is the type of election that will be held. We were posed with the question as to whether the election should be by “all mail” or “traditional.” I supported a traditional election and this was supported by two other Commissioners.

I was recently criticized by the local news paper for supporting this type of election due to the fact that a traditional election will cost approximately $100,000more than an all mail in vote. My rational is this; by having a traditional election we will ensure South Valley citizens have as many options to vote on this critical issue.

This issue is simply not whether to proceed with a town, it involves governmental services, taxation, and representation – all issues which will seriously impact the lives of South Valley citizens.

A traditional vote means absentee voting (mail in), early voting, and lastly the vote on January 5th, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. I believe that these varied options serve South Valley residents best and will ensure a greater turn-out.

We have faced small interest groups desiring to change our governance status in the recent past, i.e. consolidation with the City of Albuquerque, a new County, and new towns before. How many times do South Valley residents have to say no?