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Opinion: Voter Awareness Important.
How long do you think a candidate's political life would last if they announced in their campaign that their aim was to destroy the Upper Valley? Would their support for high-density housing next to a horse farm win their support of Upper Valley residents? What about support from Westsiders? What about El Pasoans in general? The answer to these questions would be: "Not very long", "No", "No", and "No".
It is clear to everyone that high-density housing is appropriate in the desert and NOT for the farmbelt. Unlike the desert, the Upper Valley has water from the Rio Grande and thus can support groves of trees, agriculture and grazing land for horses and other farm animals. That is a treasure for all people in our region and those who visit and may wish to move here. How could anyone believe that paving over the greenbelt would be a great idea?
When the incumbent Representative Austin was running for office, a political newcomer at the time, she never told people her intent was to do the irrational. If she had would anyone really have believed her.
But she didn't have to. Her record in the Upper Valley zoning wars of 2003-2004 suggest that she was "Irrational like a fox". And the very life of the Upper Valley was the chicken coop.
Austin's record makes everyone view her campaign funds as the missing link in trying to understand her motives. Heavily subsidized by developers, contractors, builders, mortgage bankers, cement producers and/or their families and friends; it became very clear to many what makes "Susan ... Run". Remember, there are actually people who have made huge profits while the Upper Valley was being destroyed. Those individuals worship greed instead of people, neighborhoods and quality of life.
Has Austin undergone a lobotomy? Has the leapard changed its spots? What on earth would give Rep. Austin the assuance that Westside/Upper Valley residents actually want her back for another term... or three? The answer is ignorance. She is counting on ignorance. That and a huge financial war chest to sway the uninformed voter. But we must hear from her. Has she changed?
Austin won the election in 2003 through ignorance. No one could imagine that she would be a Jan Sumrall clone. "Smart Susan" never was envisioned to be "Back Stabbing Susan". Through their ignorance, voters assumed that she would be a breath of fresh air instead of a blast furnace. Her influence has charred the Upper Valley just as if she had used a torch.
Therefore, it is important for voters to speak with and learn everything they can from all District #1 and #8 candidates. It is important not to be lazy and assume that Austin or any of her opponents will be rational in their actions. We will provide space for all candidates to address the voters. But we need your input as well.
Ask the tough questions. Make sure as best you can of what the candidate will do once in office. Get pro-active and change the city charter to actually allow the voters to actually recall an elected city official. And then vote. But vote infomed.
To those who have destroyed the very fabric of the Upper Valley we say: Fool us once... Shame on You. Fool us twice... Shame on Us. Will it be "Fool us a fifth time....?
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Editor, Upper Valley Beacon
Copyright 2004 Valley Publishing Company
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