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State Auditor Hector Balderas released his long-awaited audit of the New Mexico Land Office on Monday and accused the land office of “losing millions of dollars of valuable land.” Land Commissioner Pat Lyons called the audit flawed and Balderas delusional. Continue Reading
A recent posting by Michael Swickard contained many inaccuracies and reflects an incomplete understanding of the elements involved in the effort to extend Sonoma Ranch Boulevard north from U.S. Highway 70 to two new public schools and the new Las Cruces Country Club golf course. Here is what has happened to date. Continue Reading
Having recently heard so much about the incompetence of bureaucrats, I didn’t know what to expect as I rode the elevator to the third floor of the city hall building. Continue Reading
The proposed special assessment district to fund construction an extension of Sonoma Ranch Boulevard in Las Cruces has generated lots of conversation. But it’s a complicated process that takes time. It can still be done, but let’s do it correctly the first time. Continue Reading
Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez says the state has already spent lots of money on Spaceport America and can no longer be its “major financer,” while Democratic opponent Diane Denish says she is a supporter of the spaceport but didn’t directly answer a question about the project’s funding.
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In the last month I have had a front-row seat to a controversy in which the Las Cruces leadership has acted improperly. At stake are millions of dollars and jobs for our local economy. Also at stake is the reputation of our city, with companies wanting to do business but unsure if the city leadership can be trusted. Continue Reading
The Doña Ana County wilderness bill that New Mexico’s U.S. senators and local activists are trying to push through Congress before the end of the year puts U.S. Rep. Harry Teague in a very tough political spot. The legislation has to be pushed through this year or its chances of passing could go way down. But pushing the bill through this year could seal Teague’s fate. Continue Reading
UPDATED: Recently, a local building association official advocated for electing “business friendly” politicians. But we as a community have different, more dynamic priorities than does an industry representative. Healthy communities are more than housing developments and market shares. Continue Reading
The dedication and blessing of the Eastern Navajo Waterline at Counselor, New Mexico, earlier this week epitomized the very essence of what Senator Gaylord Nelson envisioned 40 years ago when he established the first celebration of what eventually become known as Earth Day around the world. Continue Reading
A project to build a new city on Albuquerque’s west mesa has been on life support since lawmakers rejected a controversial proposal to fund it using tax increment development district financing in 2009. The tenuous nature of the project was made clear Monday when the developer filed for bankruptcy. Continue Reading
If the refueling station in Santa Teresa is the type of project that the adjoining communities support, I would recommend looking at some other options that could generate a greater dollar return for the State Land Office — and thus for our schools. Continue Reading
The State Land Office says it may be open to a land swap with Philip Philippou that’s part of a settlement between the developer and the City of Las Cruces. Continue Reading
As part of the settlement with developer Philip Philippou that the City of Las Cruces announced earlier this week, the city said Philippou was giving it a right of way along Mesa Grande Drive from U.S. Highway 70 to Lohman Avenue. That may or may not happen, because Philippou doesn’t currently own that right of way. Continue Reading
The City of Las Cruces and developer Philip Philippou have reached a tentative settlement to a lawsuit in which the city accused Philippou of failing to build millions of dollars of required infrastructure in his developments. Continue Reading
UPDATED: The land commissioner is attempting to erase questions about the legality of development leases like those the AG has said are “not comprehended by and in conflict with” state law. Continue Reading