Pulte award a joke

Editor:

I read where the Pulte development between High Resort and Loma Colorado has won an award — no doubt the Onion Award. What was once beautiful open space is now crammed full of oversized houses on undersized lots — adding to pollution, noise and traffic concerns. I understand why developers do this — money — but I wonder about the city council — those who are supposed to be concerned with making Rio Rancho a beautiful city and a great place to live. Could their primary interest be the same — money?

Helen Harres

Rio Rancho

Public safety or revenue enhancement?

Editor:

A news story ran about Rio Rancho using a cherry picker to trap speeders. Clearly, Rio Rancho uses speed traps, hence the change in the speed limit from 45 to 40 mph on Westside blvd. The change is enough that someone who was doing 50 mph and within the acceptable range at the 45mph speed limit can now be ticketed. Clearly an approach to public safety left over from the Jim Owen administration.

The practice of focusing enforcement only on NM 528 and Southern Blvd., and focusing on development without regard to quality of life has left our neighborhood in shambles. Earlier this year I was driving home and I saw two cars drag racing in front of Haynes Park. As I went up 19th Ave., I was passed by an elderly lady that had to be doing 50 mph in the narrow part of 19th. Remembering that I needed to go to the store, I headed to 528 and Southern. There were six cops at that intersection and two of the cops were walking up and down the center divider looking for seat belts.

19th Ave. has become as busy as Southern. The city allowed for the Cabezon development without considering how people get in and out. In their haste for money they didn’t consider making the developer improve the roads. Now, people cannot park in front of their houses and kids can’t ride their bikes.

I respect Tom Swisstack and I understand he’s inheriting this mess. The question is, “What is he going to do about it?”

Don Atchison

Rio Rancho

Associated Students

of Rio Rancho High School

Editor:

On behalf of Associated Students, I want to thank the students and supervisors who participated in the first-ever Rio Rancho High School Big Event on Nov. 22. More than 125 students and 30 adults, including staff from Rio Rancho Public Schools and parents, completed some 30 jobs in a one-day period. These volunteers provided time and effort for little or no recognition, all to say “thank you” to the Rio Rancho community for supporting our high school.

This project would not have been as successful without the support of RRPS, which encouraged staff to volunteer and allowed the use of its facilities; and the city of Rio Rancho, which donated the use of community centers, tools, supplies and vehicles and drivers that transported teams to and from the job site. Connie Peterson and Jonathan Daniels of the Parks and Recreation Department were especially helpful in the planning and execution of this event. Associated Students also wants to thank Twin Tips Nation for sponsoring the post-event celebration at the high school.

I want take the opportunity to recognize all 85 members of RRHS Associated Students for a remarkable job of planning, organizing and executing a project of this scale from scratch, in less than six weeks, while still producing several other events during the same time period. They represent the best of the best at RRHS and I am fortunate to work with them.

If you get the chance, please give these students and volunteers a pat on the back and ask them about their experiences at the Big Event. After hearing stories of how the hard work and enthusiasm of our students brought forth expressions of gratitude from total strangers, I’m sure many of you will come away with a full heart and a reaffirmation that given the opportunity and tools, our students can rise to, and exceed, our expectations.

Bill Duncan

Activities Director

Rio Rancho High School

Time for real change

Editor:

Maybe it’s time our government took note of The Observer’s “Rants & Raves” section. Kathleene Parker’s letter (Nov. 23) was right on when she asked “Where’s the logic?” The Rant section of the same date called the voters stupid. I disagree. The voters are not stupid; the voters are deceived. Perfect

Example: the CNM tax. The tax was touted at $119 for $100,000 of taxable value; not true. The tax is based on assessed value. Taxpayers will also be shocked when they receive their taxes on the new hospitals.

Now Mayor Swisstack wants us to pay for the infrastructure bond with no clear idea how much it will cost. Mr. Mayor, how do you expect us to pay all these taxes? I guess I must be one of those stupid voters.

It’s time for the people to be heard. City council does whatever they want, whenever they want. They reward those who reward them. An example is the La Plazuela fiasco. An entire neighborhood opposed this, yet council voted to go forward.

Handing out building permits without any thought to schools or traffic; rezoning with no thought to a neighborhood. Businesses in Rio Rancho are struggling. If you want a mall or high-end restaurant go to Albuquerque or Santa Fe.

We need change and that starts with us. If we don’t change things, they will stay the same. Vote no for anything that will raise taxes. At the next election, remove the incumbents. Get involved: Spearhead a committee to recall your council member or to put a moratorium on new taxes. If the council can put a freeze on anything they want, why can’t we put a freeze on the same things?

I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.

Helene Apper

Rio Rancho