What the city looks like and how well its physical assets serve us is largely decided by the ICIP process, which badly needs the public's goad to improve that process, in the form of public critical thinking, questioning and input.
Grants, if they come through, may avert the need to impose higher rates. The city already increases wastewater rates by 5 percent and water rates by the amount of the Consumer Price Index every year in July. Even greater increases may not be needed.
Are you alarmed by rate increases in your city bill? Wait until you see the new ones proposed.
I link to an article by Laura Paskus, “Climate change, overuse send the Middle Rio Grande into ‘dire’ situation,” published March 20th by Source New Mexico.
Different government agencies' grants/loans come with different requirements and costs/rewards that the city commission doesn't consider--at least not in public--which is the only place that counts.
A grant application for the parking lot renovation and solar-panel-covered parking canopy has been submitted, but more money is needed for the interior renovation.
T or C Mayor Rolf Hechler claimed it was morally if not legally right to break a law and he'd do it again in response to a pending ruling from the court. The divine right of kings is resurgent for this local leader voted in three times so far.
The larger issue is the city commission's disregard for the democratic principal of equality under the law.
Capital outlay money from state legislators or the governor comes with the least oversight and strings. Grants from U.S. legislators are nearly as hassle free. The city manager and more city commissioners participated in lobbying this year, receiving about one-third of what was requested from state legislators.
The city's electric system was milked of its excess cash for many years, but proved to be better maintained than the water and wastewater systems, a recent study showed.
I link to an article by two very long-term observers of water in New Mexico. They are factual, detailed, informed, careful, persistent, intelligent, public-minded people not motivated by private interests, money, power, or any ideology except public service. You need to hear what they say about your water.
The following description of an oil spill by a guest contributor is submitted anonymously by me, Kathleen Sloan, because this person fears retribution and violence, which has already been threatened.