The real question is: Can we afford it? The Truth or Consequences city commission hasn't even looked at the city's finances. This project wasn't in the July budget and wasn't on the Infrastructure Capital Improvements Projects turned into the state in September. Shouldn't we be addressing the water crisis instead?
The city almost didn't have water. The city's water and wastewater director gave a blow-by-blow of the crisis. It revealed the utter decrepitude of the system caused by long neglect.
Like a hermit crab, the city police station inhabited a vacated funeral parlor over 10 years ago and will now transition to a larger abandoned building, the National Guard armory.
The current city commission should take note of low citizen engagement and make needed communication changes.
Two items on the Nov. 15 agenda match: The waterline failures have created a state of disaster and we're too broke to fix it, according to the latest financial report. A third item, issuing $4.5 million in bonds to renovate the old armory into a police station doesn't match.
Good old boys succeeded in returning two of their kind, Rolf Hechler and Amanda Forrister, but Ingo Hoeppner's win may mean there is a chance for change.
Ten years ago Truth or Consequences Mayor John Mulcahy, showing leadership and a green mindset that we could use more of, contacted Van Clothier of Stream Dynamics in Silver City to do a “storm water harvesting assessment.”
This is a call out to citizens to comment. The more eyes, the more likely a good drainage plan will be put into effect. Those with knowledge about "green infrastructure" that will store and use storm water to enhance plant life for health, well being and sustainability are especially needed.
A new study on the hot springs may be useful to the City of Truth or Consequences in its protest against the Riverbend Hot Springs application to appropriate 400 acre feet a year more of hot mineral water. Find the study attached to the article.
It's hard to give input on a plan that is not available. I am seeking a copy I will make available in a follow-up article once I get it. Hopefully that will be soon.
The city government used to not allow campaigning in government buildings, but even that law has gone by the wayside. The rule of law and checks and balances among the branches of government have seriously eroded in Truth or Consequences.
Who knows if this project is a good idea or not. It's not being vetted in public, yet local taxes will pay for it.
