Good News! There are two excellent candidates challenging the incumbents in this June's MRGCD election, and a real possibility of reform, if they are successful.
Karen Dunning, a Los Ranchos resident and daily ditch walker, is known to some of you as a neighborhood planner for the City of Albuquerque, where she helped North Valley neighborhoods for a number of years. She is currently working for the MFA. Karen grew up on a ranch, and is committed to the preservation of the bosque and the ditch system. She has no vested interests and is running on a platform of "equitable, ethical and transparent governance." Karen says, "With increasing urbanization, prolonged drought and compliance with federal laws, things are changing and new challenges need to be addressed in a common sense, collaborative way." Her opponent is incumbent Bill Turner.
Adrian Oglesby is an environmental and water attorney who has worked on many Middle Rio Grande water issues, including river restoration, bosque, fish and wildlife conservation. He has worked for the Pueblos, the Attorney General and currently, the Nature Conservancy. Adrian wants to protect agriculture in the Valley and encourage more local produce production. He would like to see the Conservancy, as a steward of important natural resources, actively manage the bosque and water to benefit the ecosystem as a whole. He also acknowledges the need for the Conservancy District to be more responsive to joggers, walkers, birders and horseback riders in Bernalillo County. Adrian's opponent is incumbent Jim Roberts. For more information on Adrian go to www.protectthevalley.com.
For even more information, go the Conservancy District Candidates Forum that is sponsored by the Near North Valley Neighborhood Association on May 5th at 6:30 pm at the Los Griegos Family and Community Center, near 12th and Candelaria NW.
Both of these candidates need volunteers and contributors. The incumbents have financial backing and the inside track in this low-turnout election, and time is short. But you can make a big difference with just a little effort. Contact Karen at 898-7493 or [email protected]. Checks of any amount can be mailed to Karen Dunning for Conservancy, 1004 Ortega NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114. Adrian can be reached through his web site, www.protectthevalley.com. You can contribute and sign up for e-mail news there.
Voting Procedures: Election June 2, 2009
Any property owner within the boundaries of the district can vote. The district is roughly the Valley of Bernalillo County, east to Edith Blvd. For an exact map, go to http://www.mrgcd.com/cms/kunde/rts/mrgcdcom/docs/623660524-02-26-2009-10-05-32.pdf. Both husband and wife can vote, but not renters.
Early Voting begins April 24 at the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Office, 1931 Second St. SW, in Albuquerque 8 am -5 p.m. Office is closed on Saturday, except for the Saturday before the election. Bring government issues ID and two of the following: tax bill, utility bill or voter registration card (remember those things, send out by former Sec. Vigil-Giron?)
Absentee Voting: Call 247-0234 to request an absentee ballot application. Once you receive the application, you will need to get it notarized, then send it back. Stay tuned for more information about this, including a ONE STOP SHOP PARTY where were you can come to meet these candidates, pick up absentee applications and get them notarized.
Election Day is June 2, 2009,7 am to 7 pm. A list of polling places is at: http://www.mrgcd.com/cms/kunde/rts/mrgcdcom/docs/630610899-04-15-2009-09-17-58.pdf. Polling places are not hitched to addresses or precincts, so you can go to any of these. For North Valley, there are some old standbys--Duranes, Elementary School, Griegos Elementary, Valley High School, and the 4H Center, Wells Park Community Center, Alvarado Elementary and more.
Calling All Friendly Notary Publics
Does it seem restrictive to you that the Conservancy District requires all these Ids, and now notarization of absentee ballots? I guess literacy tests are next….. Perhaps it is not a big surprise that the % of voters who turn out for Conservancy District Elections is in the single digits.
Oh well, if there are any notary publics out there who can help, please contact me at 242-1997 or at [email protected].
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