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Opinion: City Council Elections Key.
For as far back as anyone can remember, the City Council Representative for District #1 (once there was only the Westside Representative) has been financially backed by developers and special interests. This has to stop if the Upper Valley is ever going to survive the recent changes and have a chance at improving its quality of life.
Jimmy Goldman, Dr. Gene Finke, Jan Sumrall and Susan Austin have all done their part to undermine the future of the Upper Valley. There were monumental stages that each in their own way helped to support.
To begin with, the annexation of the west valley, all the way up to Borderland Road and the New Mexico state line. Valley residents were told that services would be provided and that in keeping with the valley, Ranch and Farm would stay as such and R-1 zoning for residential would be the highest density allowed in the valley.
That turned out to be the biggest misinformation ever in the valley. Upper Valley residents within the City Limits still do not have sewer nor clean water. Soon after that, R-2A density was allowed... even though only seven homes were built at that time. Higher densities would follow.
Dr. Finke, fought to allow Laguna Meadows to break the R-1 limit. Some have indicated that pressure was put on a valley resident to withdraw their opposition to the plan. Dr. Finke, held up the item for four (4) hours until he could get a new letter from the resident; Laguna Meadows was approved. The opponent turned supporter was not that big of a supporter as he was abscent. Dr. Finke had to have someone pick-up the new letter.
Artcraft was the first NIMBY battle between two Upper Valley neighborhoods. Charles Crowder, the developer of Santa Teresa, had offered to build a new bridge on Country Club Road. What the city representative failed to tell those residents around the country club was that the new bridge would have a weight rating allowing 18-wheelers.
Soon those residents were complaining about the traffic and became supporters of the Artcraft project knowing that residents in that area were against it. Upper Valley Alliance proposed an alternative route that would connect San Jeronimo and Sunland Park to I-10. That route is now beginning to be planned and supported. But only after the developers got Artcraft. Dr. Finke did not support the alternative route.
Jan Sumrall, did not announce to the residents in the Artcraft corridor that R-4 and R-3A zoning were being considered (R-3A is more dense than R-4). Without any public opposition, Sumrall voted for high density residential development. The Upper Valley was now headed for the ER.
Susan Austin, tried to take Sumrall’s lead but in her case there was strong opposition to any further high density development. Even before Save the Valley, (a newly formed neighborhood group) remnants of the Upper Valley Alliance and other valley residents strongly opposed the Borderland subdivision by Damian Elementary School. Austin’s first vote was in favor of R-3 which would have allowed up to 5 or 6 homes to the acre. This was again way beyond the 2 per acre of R-1. Austin, did not then nor has she since taken into account that the Upper Valley is a neighborhood, a region and home to many residents. She has never respect their wishes.
Now it is time for Upper Valley Residents to oppose the developer funded Ms. Austin and support one of the other challengers.
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Editor, Upper Valley Beacon
Copyright 2004 Valley Publishing Company
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