Developers, city need to engage residents in a true dialogue on massive, city-changing development

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In recent days, there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding an application to the City of Las Cruces to annex more than 4,200 acres on the East Mesa as part of a planned 6,000-acre development that could double or triple the population within 20 years. The controversy mostly surrounds the fact that the public didn’t know much about the development until a little more than a week ago, even though final approval of the annexation and master plan is scheduled for April 23. If you haven’t heard about the proposal for The Vista at Presidio, you can find a lot of information by clicking here. My first opportunity to listen to a public presentation on the development was at today’s meeting of the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners. Their role is to make a recommendation to the city council on the annexation, but they have no actual say in the approval process. Continue Reading

Commissioners certify spaceport tax election results

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The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners today certified the results of last week’s spaceport tax election. On a vote of 5-0, commissioners approved the final results. Voter approved the tax by 270 votes, or a difference of 1.6 percent, out of 17,770 votes cast. The final count had 9,020 votes in favor of and 8,750 votes against imposing a 1/4 percent gross-receipts tax increase to help fund Spaceport America. The approval came only after Paul Borunda of Las Cruces alleged to commissioners that his daughter was denied the right to vote on Election Day. Continue Reading

Former treasurer begins serving prison sentence

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Former state Treasurer Robert Vigil reported to prison Monday to begin serving his term, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting. Vigil began serving a 37-month sentence at a federal prison near Austin, Texas. He was convicted of one felony count of attempted extortion using his elected office, but acquitted on 23 other counts, and is appealing his conviction to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The facility is a low-security prison that houses about 1,300 men in dormitories in two-man rooms. Continue Reading

ABQ councilor Heinrich might also challenge Wilson

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Soon after I reported Monday that New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans might run for Congress, I received a call from Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, who said he is seriously leaning toward challenging U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. next year. “I’m actually leaning very much toward moving forward and trying to get the pieces together to do that,” Heinrich told me. “I’m pretty serious.” Heinrich, 35, and his wife have two small boys, and he said he is trying to figure out whether he can juggle his family life and a run for Congress. Heinrich’s announcement sets up a potential Democratic primary between Homans and Heinrich. Both are employees of Gov. Bill Richardson. Continue Reading

City council picks multi-purpose recreation center

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Las Cruces city councilors decided today to proceed with the creation of a multipurpose aquatic and recreation facility. They decided at a work session today to build the multipurpose center, rather than a facility whose focus is a 50-meter, Olympic-sized pool, in part because of pressure from lawmakers who appropriated the funds for the facility. Several councilors favored using the $18 million from the state to build an initial facility that is primarily an aquatic center, but they agreed to begin with a multipurpose facility and plan for a future expansion that includes an Olympic pool after lawmakers pledged to help with funding for the second phase. Some lawmakers said they would provide such help only if the city honored their intent with the first phase – the creation of a multipurpose facility. “We want to touch as many lives as positively as we can with health and wellness,” Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, told councilors. Continue Reading

Homans considers challenging Wilson for Congress

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Fresh off securing approval of the spaceport tax in Doña Ana County, New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans is seriously considering running against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson next year. A source who has been directly involved in the conversations confirmed that Homans, 50 and a Democrat, is “very seriously considering getting into the race.” The source also said Gov. Bill Richardson has pledged to support Homans in a Democratic primary. New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District race was one of the hottest in the nation in 2006, with the Republican Wilson defeating Democratic challenger Patricia Madrid by 861 votes out of more than 211,000. Since then, Wilson has been dogged by her role in the burgeoning U.S. attorney scandal, and many analysts believe she is more vulnerable than ever. Though the district has a Democratic majority, Wilson has fought off strong challengers to keep the seat since she was first elected in 1998. Continue Reading

Richardson, delegation secure soldiers’ remains, discuss nuclear program deadline with North Korea

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Though Gov. Bill Richardson’s trip to North Korea is about securing the remains of U.S. servicemen, you had to know the impending deadline for the nation to shut down its nuclear reactor would come up. It did. North Korea’s top nuclear negotiator told the delegation today that it would let U.N. inspectors into the country as soon as $25 million in frozen funds is released, the Associated Press is reporting. Richardson is co-leading the official delegation of the Bush Administration. The nation agreed on Feb. Continue Reading

Non-scientific poll: Gov. shouldn’t call special session

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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site say the governor should not call another special session for ethics reform. Of 98 voters, 60, or 61 percent, said Bill Richardson should not call a special session, while 38, or 39 percent, said he should. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located near the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Flores leaving NMSU for job in Santa Fe

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New Mexico State University Provost Bill Flores is leaving that job to work for Gov. Bill Richardson. “I’m very proud that, finally, Bill Flores is now going to work in the Richardson Administration as deputy secretary of higher education,” Richardson announced during today’s appearance at NMSU. Flores said he was looking forward to the new job. “It will be a great pleasure to work in your administration,” he told the governor. University President Michael Martin said he’ll miss Flores, who he said has been a friend and golf partner. Continue Reading

Richardson’s sister travels with him to Las Cruces

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Gov. Bill Richardson’s sister Vesta made her first visit to Las Cruces today. Richardson’s younger sister sat in the back row of chairs in front of Hadley Hall at New Mexico State University while Richardson thanked voters for approving the spaceport tax and signed a number of bills. She wore dark sunglasses, and smiled and waved when Richardson pointed her out. State Rep. Joseph Cervantes welcomed Vesta Richardson to Las Cruces. “I hope you’ll come back,” he said. Continue Reading

Richardson signs ethics bill, reconvenes task force

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Gov. Bill Richardson signed into law today the only bill in his ethics reform package that had widespread support during the legislative session. House Bill 823, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, makes several amendments to the Governmental Conduct Act. It requires that public officials disclose, in cases of contracts and other business with the state, not only their own business but also that of spouses, children, parents and siblings. It also makes the act apply to judges, who are currently exempt from its provision that prohibits bribery. “It makes sure that the public knows that the people serving them are there for the highest reasons,” Cervantes said during the bill-signing ceremony, which was held at New Mexico State University. Continue Reading

Supporters celebrate spaceport tax victory

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Supporters of the spaceport tax celebrated its passage this afternoon at an event in Las Cruces, but also spoke about the clear division revealed by the 270-vote victory. “To Doña Ana County: You made the history books this week,” Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans said on the steps of Hadley Hall on the New Mexico State University Campus. “Now it’s time to come together.” Gov. Bill Richardson, standing in front of about 100 people, said he understands that county residents will demand accountability and that they have concerns about the project. “We got the message,” he said. “… I am here not to gloat, but to say thank you. Continue Reading

Denish talks about spaceport, ethics and her future

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Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is a strong supporter not only of Spaceport America but also of using local gross receipts tax increases to help fund it. “I think the state has done its part by putting in its big chunks of money,” Denish said. She made her comments during a visit to Las Cruces on Thursday hours before the tallying of ballots in Doña Ana County revealed that the tax increase here had passed. Denish said such a victory would “give the spaceport some legs with the other counties.” Otero and Sierra counties have also been asked to approve tax increases, but their commissions were waiting for the results from Doña Ana County before deciding whether to take the question to voters. Denish agreed with tax supporters who said the vote in Doña Ana County was critical to the project’s future. Continue Reading

Final tally has tax approved by 270 votes

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Doña Ana County voters ended up approving a 1/4 percent increase in the gross receipts tax to help fund Spaceport America by 270 votes. After completing the canvass this morning, which included considering all provisional ballots, the county released final results: 9,020 people, or 50.8 percent, voted for the tax; 8,750 people, or 49.2 percent, voted against it. That means 17,770 people voted – 18.4 percent of the 96,435 who were registered to vote in the election. The results remain unofficial until commissioners certify them at a meeting on Tuesday. The tax taxes effect on Jan. Continue Reading