New Mexico Mercury

An Open Letter to Bernalillo County Commissioners on Santolina

By David Vogel

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing to urge you to NOT approve the Santolina Master Plan and hope you will vote against this Proposal. Some of the most compelling reasons for rejecting this expansion include:  

1. The geographic expansion that has dominated the County’s growth pattern over the past several decades has contributed substantially to the economic stagnation and quality of life erosion for Bernalillo County citizens. The benefits that have accrued to private developers have been at the expense of essential urban infrastructure development. Approval of the Santolina Master Plan will further dilute our already scarce resources...

Continue reading...

There Must be a Better Idea for Expo New Mexico

By David Vogel

The audit findings recently released regarding EXPO New Mexico presents still more documentation of the mismanagement and lack of vision and leadership that have plagued one of New Mexico’s most valuable “commons” for at least the last several years.

How can we, as responsible citizens, continue to stand by and do nothing about the misuse of this public asset, an asset that has become a financial millstone around our collective necks? Shouldn’t this 236-acre resource that is so strategically located in the middle of the State’s largest city and in the middle of our State be the “pearl” of New Mexico, a thriving site that provides a year-round venue where citizens can gather to recreate, relax and enjoy some respite from today’s pace of life?...

Continue reading...