If they’ve asked you once, they’ve asked you, well, at least a handful of times. And time after time, very few citizens have taken the opportunity seriously.

We’re talking about the multiple opportunities the City of Rio Rancho has given residents to provide feedback regarding issues that affect the future of the city.

Let’s consider all those missed opportunities ancient history and focus on the present shall we? The city is asking once more for input and public comments on the soon-to-be updated version of the Vision 2020-Integrated Comprehensive Plan. According to city officials, the plan will be used as a long-range, living document, guiding the city over the next 20 years. Why wouldn’t you, as citizens of one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the Southwest, want to provide feedback that will possibly determine the progress and fate of Rio Rancho?

It’s easy to sit back after decisions are made and be critical, but if residents fail to provide alternatives or help determine where they’d like the city to go in terms of growth and development, then it’s hard to take those criticisms seriously.

Rio Rancho is full of talented professionals with serious backgrounds in a wide variety of fields. Many people here have lived in other cities across the nation, and can perhaps suggest some of the things they loved about other places as possible avenues of growth for Rio Rancho.

What was it that drew you here? Why do you stay? How can it be better? What are we missing? Where do you see the city in 20 years? These are the questions you should consider and answer before attending one of the three upcoming meetings on the plan (see story on page 1 for dates and times).

If the city doesn’t act on your suggestions, then you have every right to complain; if officials do act on them, then maybe you have a city you can be even more proud of than you already are.