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.
T or C residents were clear, but city commissioners left it open whether the city will join the proposed private business/government alliance.
The Sierra County Commission balked on approving a joint powers agreement to create an alliance between government and private industries to seek funding for new infrastructure. The proposal goes to the Truth or Consequences City Commission next.
In addressing many years of neglect of its infrastructure, the City of Truth or Consequences is faced with a herculean task not unlike building the pyramids. The capital projects pipeline is long, with big projects taking five years or so to fund, design, bid and build. Of course the people’s…
Talon Septic, owned by Mark Shipley, has a discharge permit to dispose of 600 gallons a day of "domestic septage" on city land at the municipal airport, which the NMED will re-permit every five years. The city's 30-year lease will also be reviewed every five years.
Where land use and government authority collide, especially if its an infill development that shakes up an existing neighborhood, sparks fly. It's hard to fight city hall on your own, but Diane Gunning is giving it a try.
There is an onslaught of repugnant behavior these days and it is critically threatening the meaning of democracy and community. It is saying "throw out your moral compass.' It is time for an internal reflection of what having a moral compass truly means.