Here's an e-mail that I received from one of my constituents who lives in the area around Garfield Middle School in the North Valley. I think it really is a good example of the kind of trail improvements that I envision with Senate Bill 222. I hope you will spread the word to Sen. Public Affairs Committee members and others in the public.
Concerning the idea of trails on the ditches in Bernalillo County, here is a short "before and after" story of one ditch that really should help put this in perspective.
The ditch of this story is behind my house. The "before" was a nearly impassable area with broken fences, garbage, and fallen trees. It was used mainly by teen boys to hide and smoke, and there were many blackened trees from a series of fires. As a form of volunteer work, my wife and I cleaned it out and leveled the ground. Now, lots of people use it for getting to school and taking walks - including families with children. Because there is a little "traffic" on the ditch now, and you can see across it, no one hides out there. The level of fear has gone down.
This relatively small amount of work has improved the safety and appearance of our whole neighborhood. And it has helped people walk to places that otherwise they might have to drive to.
What's needed now is to get all agencies - the Conservancy district and the police in particular - to start recognizing that all the ditches are public rights of way and deserve some basic maintenance and visibility, rather than seeing them as a "no mans land" or hideouts. Since not everyone is willing to get out shovels and do it themselves, this will take a little public money.
Ian Ford
3110 Ninth NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Please pass this word to others….
Here are the names and contact info for committee members:
Tim Eichenberg
Capitol Phone: 986-4859 or 986-4300
Home Phone: 828-9474
Email: eichenberg4senate@gmail.com
Vernon Asbill
Capitol Phone: 986-4349 or 986-4300
E-mail: vernon@asbillforsenate.com
Mary Jane Garcia
Capitol Phone: 986-4726 or 986-4300
E-mail: maryjane.garcia@nmlegis.gov
Eric Griego
Capitol Phone: 986-4862 or 986-4300
E-mail: eric.griego@nmlegis.gov
George Munoz
Capitol Phone 986-4387 or 986-4300
E-mail: munozgeo@gmail.com
Cynthia Nava
Capitol Phone: 986-4834 or 986-4300
E-mail: cynthia.nava@nmlegis.gov
Gay Kernan
Capitol Phone: 986-4274 or 986-4300
ggkern@valornet.com
The best kind of lobbying is in person of course, and you are welcome to come up and try to visit with any of these Senators, or to testify when the bill come up for a vote on Tuesday or Thursday. Stop by my office in Room 300 first.
Is that the best e-mail address for Tim Eichenberg? His website says to use Tim@EichenbergForNewMexico.com
Posted by: michelle meaders | February 16, 2009 at 08:32 PM