The city commission evidently thinks we are too stupid to understand capital projects and procurement procedures so they don't bother to explain them. An uninformed electorate dooms democracy and invites autocracy or kleptocracy.
Abiding in the midst of ignorance, thinking themselves wise and learned, fools go aimlessly hither and thither, like blind led by the blind.
— Katha Upanishad
The city almost ran out of water the week of Nov. 6 because Cook Street Station, the Grand Central of our water system, had a slew of problems. The $9.4 million downtown water project was supposed to include upgrades to Cook Street.
Enough with the secrets. It's been two and a half years since the possible sale of the electric facility was floated by previous-City Manager Bruce Swingle. The people are paying for the studies, let us see them!
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.