City receives $3.03 million from state and U.S. legislators this year

Lee Belle Johnson Building, photograph by John Murphy, image courtesy of Creative Commons

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.

Read MoreCity receives $3.03 million from state and U.S. legislators this year

What you need to know, March 4, 2024: Water in Sierra County

A puddle of water in Las Animas Creek.

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.

Read MoreWhat you need to know, March 4, 2024: Water in Sierra County

PreReal executive proposes alliance to lobby for tax money to handle coming economic boom

The photo shows the exterior of the Ace Lodge.

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.

Read MorePreReal executive proposes alliance to lobby for tax money to handle coming economic boom

T or C has $70M in funded capital projects–more than Las Cruces’ $53M

Pyramids of Giza Necropolis, image by KennyOMG, Wikimedia commons

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…

Read MoreT or C has $70M in funded capital projects–more than Las Cruces’ $53M

Could a bunch of 700 square-foot houses crammed three feet apart be coming to your R-3 neighborhood?

City of T or C's zoning map

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.

Read MoreCould a bunch of 700 square-foot houses crammed three feet apart be coming to your R-3 neighborhood?

What you need to know, January 29, 2026: Alex Pretti was not a hero; he was a mensch

Alex Pretti, official portrait by US Department of Veterans Affairs.

There’s still something left to be said about Alex Pretti. Saying it says what we already know, but we need to say it, because words -- misdirected, rhetorical, dishonest, sugar-coated, hiding threats, pretending to be other than what they say – are part of the problem today.

Read MoreWhat you need to know, January 29, 2026: Alex Pretti was not a hero; he was a mensch