If only the Truth or Consequences City Commission held themselves, city staff and hired engineers accountable in the same manner they questioned Office of the State Engineer officials.
Hooray! Since 2019 a state law allowed local municipal governments to have their county clerk run its elections. The secretary of state, overseeing the county clerks' elections, noticed some municipalities had quirky, hard-to-administer individual-seat contests. "Uniformity" has eliminated this inherently unfair voting practice.
Settling out of court leaves what happened shrouded in mystery, which is probably the point, but not good for the rule of law or for maintaining a transparent government that holds its city staff and elected officials accountable.
Electric rates have gone up over the years, especially behind closed doors. Don't believe the city's claim it's been 22 years since rates went up.
I don't think the new city manager is going to attack or solve the infrastructure crises. I don't think she knows what good management is. Therefore more and more of citizens' labor-wages will go toward paying too much to fix long-neglected infrastructure.
We'll have to wait until purchases go to closing and the new owners are posted on the Sierra County Assessor's website.
Hot Springs Land Development, after 15 years of ownership and no development having occurred due to legal issues with the City of Truth or Consequences, is giving up their plans.
No more well applications will be approved by the Office of the State Engineer in the Hot Springs Underground Water Basin, which includes a lot more than just the Hot Springs District.
Truth or Consequences Water and Wastewater Director Arnie Casteneda said, "We've gotten a lot of low-pressure calls," referring to low water pressure caused by empty water tanks and other problems. Water pressure should be up in a few days, he said.
Following the downtown water project from inception to the conclusion of its attendant financing is relayed to you, dear reader and rate payer, to illustrate this project's opaque and non-transparent process, which is, unfortunately typical for all of the city's capital projects.
The decay of democracy and the rule of law in Truth or Consequences is nearly complete, as seen in Fenn's recent scapegoating. Beware, you could be next.
Three seats are up on the Truth or Consequences city commission. We need serious, fresh, hardworking candidates. The city is facing failing water, wastewater and electric infrastructure. Current commissioners have failed to lead or inform the public what is to be done.
