By GREG WHITE
Tourism Implementation Task Force
The following are facts and my own personal opinion. None have been discussed with or approved by the Tourism Implementation Task Force (TITF).
It would be nice if a candidate for Council knew what’s already been done and is being done getting public opinion. See: https://www.losalamosnm.us/cms/one.aspx?portalId=6435810&pageId=6435826 and: https://www.losalamosnm.us/government/county_council
This County, State and the U.S. are Republics. In a Democracy every citizen can vote on every decision by government. In a Republic, citizens elect officials to make the vast majority of decisions for them. This is why it is so important to vote for officials who research and will be making these decisions.
Every January for the last three years the County has held a well advertised meeting to specifically get the citizens opinion on growth, business, recreation, and everything that goes into the quality of living here. Only a dozen citizens have attended each year.
There have been almost a dozen public meetings held by two consulting agencies over the last four years. Fifty citizens show up.
Well published surveys have been on the County website.
The email addresses of all the Councilors are on the County website.
At some point Govt., has to stop talking and start doing. While adjustments may be needed, it’s not practical to delay doing anything indefinitely hoping for more public input. Nothing will ever get done that way.
Mr. Rickman (Council candidate) suggests allowing apartments on the 2nd floor of downtown businesses. That ordinance was passed two years ago.
Experts say by next summer a vaccine will be available to all Americans and we can return to normal. Now is the perfect time to go full speed ahead with the infrastructure needed for fast economic growth and tourism, including plans and ordinances. If we wait until the end of next year, we waste a year, putting more strain on our businesses and citizens.
Editor’s note: Readers are encouraged to fact check statements made in letters and opinion pieces.
