For those that own property in the Valley, June 2 is Election Day for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board. (see polling places listed below) Two positions in Bernalillo County are up for grabs in this notoriously low turnout election where one (i.e. YOUR) vote can really make a difference. I’ve been following Conservancy issues since I was a reporter for the old Albuquerque News (anyone remember that weekly paper?) back in the early 1980s. One of the stories I covered revolved around a contested election that deprived Hector Gonzales of his seat. At that time the board itself counted the votes (now the have an independent contractor) and I remember being in the old courthouse as a judge recounted the ballots. Hector had really won. Lesson for 2009: Keep your eye on who is counting the votes. The District is not using paper ballots, as the legislature mandated for all agencies, instead relying on the kind of electronic machines that have been problematic in the past.
The other news story was the abrupt closure of the Harwood lateral in the area around San Lorenzo and San Clemente. Neighbors woke up one morning and there simply was no water flowing. Not enough people irrigating, the district said. And that was back in 1981-- imagine how many fewer are irrigating today. Another lesson for 2009: unless there is a vocal constituency that wants ditches open for cultural, historic and recreational reasons, economic realities may lead to closures.
Anyway, my MRGCD recommendations are: Karen Dunning for Position 3 and Adrian Oglesby for Position 4. Neither are incumbents, and I like each for different reasons, but basically, it’s time for a CHANGE at the Conservancy District.
The last day for Early Voting is Saturday May 30th and Lora Lucero and I are sponsoring a free Huevos Rancheros Breakfast at the Red Ball Café, 1303 4th St. SW from 8- 10:00 a.m. Come by have some eats and go vote early down the street at the MRGCD District Office, 1931 2nd St. Bring your drivers license, a property tax bill, utility bill or voters ID card—something official that shows an address.
Here's a link to a great article about the election from the New Mexico Independent at
http://newmexicoindependent.com/28081/battle-over-irrigation-ditches-comes-to-a-head
Call 247-0844 or 242-1997 for more information.
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