Council tables East Mesa development proposal

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The Las Cruces City Council voted this evening to put off consideration of a 6,000-acre development on the East Mesa until May 21. The council will now consider The Vistas at Presidio at 5 p.m. on that day. The move comes after the attorney general said Friday that voting today, as scheduled, on the annexation of the 4,200 acres that aren’t in the city would be illegal. State statutes require a vote on that annexation between May 16 and June 15, the attorney general said. The council still could have voted on the portion of the project that’s in the city limits at today’s meeting, but opted to consider the entire project at once. Continue Reading

Growth could be key issue in city’s November election

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It’s likely that the current controversy over growth and development in Las Cruces will be the main issue in November’s city election. The recent and narrow approval of the spaceport tax and the current dispute over a 6,000-acre development on the city’s East Mesa are the latest indicators of the controversy surrounding the city’s rapid growth. Mayor Bill Mattiace has announced that he will seek re-election. Three council seats – those held by Jose Frietze, Dolores Connor and Steve Trowbridge – are also up for grabs. Trowbridge has announced that he won’t seek re-election. Continue Reading

Hispanics in Congress aren’t lining up behind guv

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You might assume that, since he’s such a prominent Hispanic and a former colleague, Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential run would have the support of the majority of Hispanic members of the House of Representatives. That isn’t the case, at least yet. The Washington publication Roll Call, in an article published today, explains why a number of Hispanic members of Congress aren’t necessarily supporters of the governor’s presidential run, even though he spent 15 years in the House. In a story you can only view if you have a subscription (click here if you do), the publication reports that Richardson “has made no major outreach efforts in recent months” to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Richardson’s deputy campaign manager, Amanda Cooper, told Roll Call that’s because the governor isn’t focused on endorsements right now, and is instead focused on grassroots campaigning Another factor, Roll Call reports, is that a number of members pledged support to other candidates before Richardson announced on Jan. Continue Reading

Richardson out of state campaigning most of week

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Gov. Bill Richardson will be out of the state campaigning almost the entire week, with the biggest event being a Democratic candidate debate in South Carolina on Thursday. For those of you who like to keep track of him, here’s his entire schedule. His current trip to California began yesterday. Sunday, April 22 and Monday, April 23 – Pacific Time WHEN: Afternoon and eveningWHAT: FundraisingWHERE: Santa Monica and Los Angeles, CA Monday, April 23 – Pacific Time WHEN: Morning and eveningWHAT: FundraisingWHERE: Santa Monica and Los Angeles, CA WHEN: 3:30 p.m.WHAT: New America Media 2008 Presidential Candidate Ethnic Media BriefingWHERE: Japanese American Cultural Center, Garden Room A, 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA Tuesday, April 24 No public campaign events are scheduled. Wednesday, April 25 – Eastern Time WHEN: 9:45 a.m.WHAT: Keynote speech to the National Jewish Democratic CouncilWHERE: Almas Temple, 1315 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. WHEN: 6:30 p.m.WHAT: Speech to the Arab American InstituteWHERE: JW Marriott, 1313 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. Thursday, April 26 – Eastern Time WHEN: 7 p.m.WHAT: Participating in the South Carolina Presidential DebateWHERE: South Carolina State, MLK Auditorium, 300 College Street NE, Orangeburg, S.C. Friday, April 27 – Eastern Time WHEN: 12:30 p.m.WHAT: Lunch with Hispanic LeadersWHERE: Summit Club, Wilbur Smith Building, Corner of Gervais and Sumter, S.C. WHEN: 2:30 p.m.WHAT: Meeting with AARP Chapter PresidentsWHERE: 1201 Main Street, 12th Floor, Columbia, S.C. WHEN: 6 p.m.WHAT: Attending South Carolina Jefferson Jackson DinnerWHERE: Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, S.C. WHEN: 9 p.m.WHAT: Speaking at Congressman Jim Clyburn’s Fish FryWHERE: 1411 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C. Saturday, April 28 – Eastern Time WHEN: 8 a.m.WHAT: Breakfast Meeting with Democratic WomenWHERE: Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, S.C. WHEN: 8:50 a.m.WHAT: Breakfast Meeting with the Progressive CaucusWHERE: Damon’s Restaurant, 900 Senate Street, Columbia, S.C. WHEN: 9:30 a.m.WHAT: Speech at the South Carolina Democratic ConventionWHERE: Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, S.C. Saturday, April 28 – Pacific Time WHEN: 8 p.m.WHAT: Keynote speech to the California Democratic Progressive CaucusWHERE: Buca Di Pepp, 705 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA WHEN: 10 p.m.WHAT: Keynote speech to the California Young DemocratsWHERE: San Diego Museum of Fine Arts, 215 India Street, San Diego, CA Sunday, April 29 – Pacific Time WHEN: 9 a.m.WHAT: Speech at the California Democratic Party ConventionWHERE: San Diego Convention Center, 11 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA WHEN: 4 p.m.WHAT: Participation in the Save Darfur RallyWHERE: Plaza at San Francisco Civic Center, Grove and Polk Street, San Francisco, CA WHEN: 6:30 p.m.WHAT: Keynote speech to the Carson City Democrats Jefferson-Jackson DinnerWHERE: Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 211 E. Ninth St., Carson City, NV Continue Reading

Heinrich forms congressional exploratory committee

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Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich has set up a formal exploratory committee as he prepares to run for Congress. And though he says he’s not yet an official candidate, Heinrich has taken an immediate, unpaid leave of absence from his job as the state’s natural resources trustee as is required of candidates.He’s preparing to take on U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., in the November 2008 general election. “We’re not ready to make an announcement, but you can see which direction we’re headed,” Heinrich said this morning. Heinrich, reached on his cell phone, was on his way to his new campaign headquarters, and said he expects to make “an official announcement… in a matter of weeks.” Gov. Bill Richardson announced the leave of absence today in a news release. Heinrich will be replaced on an interim basis in his state job by Jim Baca. Continue Reading

Developers won’t sue if city delays annexation vote

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The developers of a proposed 6,000-acre project on Las Cruces’ East Mesa that includes a 4,200-acre annexation proposal won’t sue if the city council doesn’t vote on the annexation at today’s meeting. The developers released a statement late Friday indicating they will not fight the council if it opts to delay the vote scheduled for today. The statement came a day after the developers hinted that they would take the issue to District Court if the council didn’t vote today. In between those statements, the state attorney general issued an opinion interpreting the state statute on annexations to mean the council can’t legally vote on the annexation until at least May 16. “Logos Development does not agree with today’s AG decision, but the applicant stands ready to go forward on Monday, April 23, 2007,” Friday’s statement reads. Continue Reading

Many voters in non-scientific poll favor annexation

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A number of people who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site favor approval of a proposed 4,200-acre annexation on Las Cruces’ East Mesa. Of 234 voters, 90, or 38 percent, said the city council should approve the annexation without conditions, while 23, or 10 percent, said they should approve it but ask the developer to hold additional public meetings. 64 voters, or 27 percent, said the council should delay voting to allow more public input up front, and 57, or 24 percent, said they should deny the annexation application. It’s notable that, on Friday, after most votes had been cast in the poll, the attorney general said it would be illegal for the council to vote on the annexation at today’s meeting, which will likely delay the vote for about a month. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Check out Richardson’s first TV commercials

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For those of you who have been waiting to hear the words “I’m Bill Richardson and I approved this message” at the end of a television commercial, here’s you chance. The first of two television ads Gov. Bill Richardson will begin airing in Iowa and New Hampshire on Monday begins by displaying the quote, “We have to undo the damage. The world is waiting.” It’s attributed to Richardson. The 60-second advertisement, titled “Life’s Work,” focuses on Richardson’s extensive experience. While a narrator talks about his various jobs, black-and-white photographs of Richardson meeting with Saddam Hussein and doing other work fill the screen. Continue Reading

Steinborn, McCamley named to ethics task force

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Las Cruces will have significant representation on the ethics task force being reconvened by Gov. Bill Richardson. Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, and Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley were both selected by the governor to serve on the 23-member task force. The appointments are big boosts for Steinborn, a freshman representative, and McCamley, who is running against U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., and is the only local government representative on the task force. Garrey Carruthers, dean of New Mexico State University’s College of Business and a former governor, will again co-chair the task force along with Suellyn Scarnecchia, dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law. Carruthers was the only member of last year’s ethics task force from Las Cruces. Continue Reading

Annexation vote dispute could end up in court

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The statute that dictates the timeline for a vote on the annexation of 4,200 acres on Las Cruces’ East Mesa is “ambiguous in certain respects,” the attorney general says. That might help explain why it’s being interpreted in different ways. Whether those varying interpretations will result in litigation is now the question in the case of the 6,000-acre project, The Vistas at Presidio. The lawyer for the developer of the project hinted in a letter to the city on Thursday that the group might take the issue to District Court if the council doesn’t vote on annexation of the 4,200 acres that aren’t in the city at Monday’s meeting. Solo Investments interprets the statute much differently than the attorney general, who says the council can’t legally vote on Monday. Continue Reading

AG says Monday vote on annexation would be illegal

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The Attorney General’s Office says the Las Cruces City Council would be in violation of a state statute if it voted Monday on the annexation of 4,200 acres on the East Mesa. The land is part of a 6,000-acre proposed development, The Vistas at Presidio. The council is scheduled to vote Monday on the master plan of the development and annexation of the land that isn’t in the city. At issue is a state statute that dictates the timeframe for a vote. Deputy City Attorney Pete Connelly has interpreted the statute to say the council has to give an up-or-down vote on the annexation within 30 days of April 12, the day the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners provided feedback on the annexation proposal. Continue Reading

City councilor discloses relationship with developer

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At a meeting earlier this week, Las Cruces City Councilor Gil Jones disclosed a relationship he has with the man who wants to develop 6,000 acres on the East Mesa. Jones’ brother and Philip Philippou are married to sisters. Philippou is the developer behind The Vistas at Presidio, the project that’s up for master-plan approval and, in the case of 4,200 acres, annexation at Monday’s council meeting. Jones said he felt the relationship should be disclosed publicly but doesn’t believe it affects his ability to objectively review the project and does not require that he recuse himself from voting on it. “It would be easy for me, every time something came up with Philip, to dart out of the room, and there are other councilors who do that,” Jones said. Continue Reading

Richardson the first to air television ads for 2008

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Gov. Bill Richardson will be the first Democratic presidential candidate to air television ads when his face fills screens in Iowa and New Hampshire beginning Monday. Richardson’s campaign has purchased a small buy of 30-second and 60-second spots in New Hampshire and a larger buy of about $100,000 in Iowa, according to the Washington Post. The ads will focus on Richardson’s extensive résumé, his view on Iraq and why he’s running, The New Hampshire Union Leader reported. The Post reported that the buy in Iowa is coordinated to follow Richardson’s visit to the state, which ends today. He gave a speech last night and is making a series of campaign stops today. Continue Reading

Lyons urges city approval of East Mesa annexation

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New Mexico Land Commissioner Pat Lyons has written a letter to Las Cruces Mayor Bill Mattiace urging the city to approve the development of 3,200 acres of state trust land on the East Mesa. The land is part of the 6,000-acre development, called The Vistas at Presidio, that’s up for master plan approval and, in the case of 4,200 acres, annexation at Monday’s city council meeting. The development proposal has been submitted by Solo Investments and Logos Development, but more than half the land is owned by the state. The State Land Office and the developers have signed a lease agreement that will allow the developers to improve the land in preparation for future sale, but the developers will have to bid for purchase at a later date. Under the agreement, which was approved by the State Land Office at the end of December, the developers’ lease began Jan. Continue Reading

Homans changes jobs to direct spaceport construction

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New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans will step down from that position at the end of the month to become executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. The announcement, made this afternoon by Gov. Bill Richardson, comes the same day Homans announced that, for “personal and logistical” reasons, he would not run against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., next year, which he had been considering doing. Homans will be responsible for overseeing the construction of Spaceport America, which is on a tight timeline to become operational by late 2009 or early 2010. Homans requested the change, according to a news release, so he can focus on final design and engineering of the spaceport in preparation for groundbreaking in early 2008, the securing of a commercial spaceport license and the overseeing of a national search for a permanent executive director “who has the necessary engineering and space-related qualifications to manage the complex operations of the spaceport when it becomes operational.” The position has been vacant since Lonnie Sumpter died in February following a brief and sudden illness. The move comes two weeks after voters in Doña Ana County narrowly approved a 1/4 percent gross receipts tax increase that will provide about 25 percent of the spaceport’s funding. Continue Reading