Thanksgiving is a time when we reflect on why we are thankful. We also give thanks to those who are deserving of praise. As we celebrate this holiday season, I would like to thank voters for approving the expansion of the Central New Mexico (CNM) Community College taxing district. This action allows CNM to build a 40-acres campus in the heart of Rio Rancho’s Downtown City Center.

For this mail-in election to be approved, two groups had to vote in favor of this expansion. The first of group of voters, individuals in Bernalillo County and Rio Rancho citizens who live south of Northern Blvd., returned their ballots at a rate of more than 80% in favor of this expansion. To these voters I offer thanks.

The second group of voters in this election, those Rio Rancho residents who live north of Northern Blvd., approved the expansion by a 65% margin. By voting in favor of this initiative, residents seized the opportunity to bring additional higher education opportunities to our community. By realizing this value and taking this action, residents in this group increased their property tax by $119 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. A tremendous debt of gratitude is owed to those willing to make this investment in our city Rio Rancho’s Downtown City Center is well on its way to becoming a dynamic and vibrant addition to our city. The foundation pieces are already in place with the state’s premier multi-purpose facility, the Santa Ana Star Center, and Rio Rancho’s new City Hall. The CNM campus, expected to open by the spring term in 2010, will be another substantial component to this area. As the third-largest city in the state, the establishment of a higher education facility that will eventually combine with a University of New Mexico (UNM) West Campus is long overdue, but more importantly, needed for our children.

CNM will provide certificate programs in business, health, technologies, and trade occupations; associate degrees; coursework that will be transferable to UNM or other universities; GED instruction and college prep courses; college credit courses for current high school students; and much more. Knowing that these types of educational opportunities are coming to Rio Rancho sooner, as opposed to later, and that this expansion is being done at the right time and in the right place is something I am truly grateful for this year.