Is there anyone besides me who has a problem with public funds flowing directly to a private business, courtesy of the Los Ranchos board of "trustees"? Over $600, 000 of OUR money, earmarked in the last capital outlay request--and granted by our generous legislators---for the Unser racing museum, a private concern, went to the museum this year alone.
Capital outlay funds come from the state, via the legislature, to fund public works and to support local governments. The money is generated from our state income taxes and from the state portion of the GRT. Each fall, before the legislative session, all of the local government entities meet and approve a "wish list" of projects that they would like to have funded. This list is passed on the the local state representatives, who place them in proposed legislation. Typically, a municipality may ask for library books, a new fire truck, a community center and the like. But here in Los Ranchos, requests have been made by hizzoner, and rubber stamped--er, approved--without discussion by the board for this sad little museum. Lots of YOUR money has flowed to the Unsers in this manner.
And just what had the public received from the Unser museum? Answer---not much. The place is nearly inaccessible from Montano, is rarely open and provides no apparent public services whatsoever. No improvements have been made to the exterior of the place since it opened, and last I checked it costs to get inside to see one or two old race cars. So what reason is there for Larry to earmark OUR money for this boondoggle? And why is he such a booster of this pathetic endeavor, even disfiguring village hall with a big banner advertising the place?
A damn good question. El Picador has a theory, of course. As you recall, one of hizzoner's first acts as mayor was to ram through a 280 foot development setback on RGB, the better to protect his quality of life. Unfortunately, that decision took lots of potential income out of the pockets of big RGB landowners who had planned on developing their land----people like the Unsers and the Andersons. The Unsers threatened legal action, and the Andersons actually filed a suit, against the village because of the setbacks. Now co-incidentally, both suits are gone and both families have been the beneficiaries of Larry's largess with our money. The Andersons get the lion's share of the open space money, raised from our property taxes, and the Unsers get a big chunk of LR's share of the capital outlay for their "museum".
Larry certainly has some questions to answer here. At best he is a sloppy custodian of our money (besides this, the village is over $750,000 in the red this year). At worst, he is a crook. Either way, he needs to be held to account.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
From Red Lights to Red Tape
As you will recall, awhile back El Picador ran afoul of one of the big mayor's red light cameras. El Picador was poised to beat the rap at a hearing---he was accused of not coming to a complete stop before making a legal right turn on a red light, with no oncoming traffic, while the one-line camera shot clearly showed El Picador had at least momentarily come to rest---but upon reflection, it didn't seem worth the hassle. So El Picador paid the fine on line per the city's instructions, and also called craque red light office to cancel his hearing. A seemingly nice lady answered the phone, and suggested that El Picador fax the receipt of payment to her 'just to be on the safe side" , which of course I was happy to do.
You would think that would have been the end of it, but no! El Picador was hit with a "failure to appear" notice and a demand for another payment of $100! Multiple phone calls and faxes later, the matter still isn't settled. With all of that cash coming in, one would think that there would be ample resources and staff to take care of these problems.
EL Picador, being a good cynic, thinks there might be a purpose behind this apparent inefficiency. What could it be, other than to rake in even more cash from the distracted or the frustrated, and to discourage any future attempts to schedule hearings? Sounds paranoid, right? But have you timed some of the yellow lights, or green turn arrows recently? The arrow at Menaul and Wyoming lasts for 3.5 seconds---I've timed it. Just enough time for one car to turn left.
The city claims a drop in accidents at red light intersections, but that can be misleading. What you really want to know is the RATE of accidents to make any sense of the possible red light camera impact. It may simply be that people are avoiding these intersections (and the nearby businesses). Less traffic through a given location will result in less accidents at that location without any change in the accident rate. And less traffic means less GRT revenue. It also may mean more gas consumed and miles traveled to avoid these intersections, which could paradoxically lead to MORE accidents, not to mention increased pollution, etc. The company hawking these doesn't want anyone to think of these ramifications.
I had to put that last paragraph in just in case hizzoner Abraham (El mayor menor, aka the thug in a rug) gets the bright idea to bring a red light camera to Los Ranchos. I'll bet he's considering it. Six million buys a lot of shiny new fire trucks to park in front of the fire station so they will be ready to speed out of Los Ranchos to put out fires elsewhere, as they do now. It also buys a lot of old buildings and junk--er, art---to grace our public spaces. And there would be plenty left over for the Unsers. Don't do it, Larry!
On the other hand, Marty has perminently damaged his political career with these lights. And now he's been emasculated by state politicos making hay with flashing warning beacons and rumble strips. On second thought, go for it Larry!
You would think that would have been the end of it, but no! El Picador was hit with a "failure to appear" notice and a demand for another payment of $100! Multiple phone calls and faxes later, the matter still isn't settled. With all of that cash coming in, one would think that there would be ample resources and staff to take care of these problems.
EL Picador, being a good cynic, thinks there might be a purpose behind this apparent inefficiency. What could it be, other than to rake in even more cash from the distracted or the frustrated, and to discourage any future attempts to schedule hearings? Sounds paranoid, right? But have you timed some of the yellow lights, or green turn arrows recently? The arrow at Menaul and Wyoming lasts for 3.5 seconds---I've timed it. Just enough time for one car to turn left.
The city claims a drop in accidents at red light intersections, but that can be misleading. What you really want to know is the RATE of accidents to make any sense of the possible red light camera impact. It may simply be that people are avoiding these intersections (and the nearby businesses). Less traffic through a given location will result in less accidents at that location without any change in the accident rate. And less traffic means less GRT revenue. It also may mean more gas consumed and miles traveled to avoid these intersections, which could paradoxically lead to MORE accidents, not to mention increased pollution, etc. The company hawking these doesn't want anyone to think of these ramifications.
I had to put that last paragraph in just in case hizzoner Abraham (El mayor menor, aka the thug in a rug) gets the bright idea to bring a red light camera to Los Ranchos. I'll bet he's considering it. Six million buys a lot of shiny new fire trucks to park in front of the fire station so they will be ready to speed out of Los Ranchos to put out fires elsewhere, as they do now. It also buys a lot of old buildings and junk--er, art---to grace our public spaces. And there would be plenty left over for the Unsers. Don't do it, Larry!
On the other hand, Marty has perminently damaged his political career with these lights. And now he's been emasculated by state politicos making hay with flashing warning beacons and rumble strips. On second thought, go for it Larry!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Trustees pave the way for drive-throughs
With sadness, but with no surprise, El Picador notes the unanimous approval by the Los Ranchos Board of Trustees of the complete gutting of the VC zone. No longer is there any prohibition against drive-ups, gas stations or other examples of typical Albuquerque urban blight in our commercial center. Of course, hizzoner says he's "committed" to a pedestrian friendly development at Osuna and fourth. But if this is in fact the case, why did he propose to do away with the very statutory regulations that would insure this? Simple--because he has no intention of honoring this promise, uttered in a spirit of pure mendacity. Look for a drive-up gas-station/McDonald's golden starches combo similar to that which graces the soulless Montano-I25 intersection to go in, or maybe even a Sam's club discount gas station/tire store. Throw in a few vigas and some sad little ash trees that will either die or grow to crack the extensive asphalt, and you have Larry's idea of a village center. That is the only bone old "SellTower Larry" is going to throw to the hapless and apathetic east siders.
He claims he is "protecting the neighbors"--from what? From a progressive, unique design that just might get people out of their cars to actually walk or bicycle from home to market? From a development that would set Los Ranchos apart form the giant truck-stop monolith that surrounds us, and could actually make Los Ranchos a shopping destination rather than a sad copy of failed urban planning?
Our Mayor, in his zeal to close a business deal, has sacrificed the heart and soul of this village. And no one, except one neighborhood association, has bothered to register even a peep of objection. Oh, the ultra-rich on Rio Grande have their quasi-bucolic vistas, secured with our tax dollars---but east-siders are basically living with the worst of 'craque.
Who is to blame? Of course, it is easy to point fingers at that indolent and inconsequential gang of simpletons that sit on the board. They are a disgrace, to be sure. The Supreme Soviet would have been proud of their rubber-stamping abilities (never a dissenting vote since hizzoner ascended to the throne). But the ultimate responsibility for this fiasco resides with us--the residents of the village--who have silently tolerated the many outrages perpetrated upon us by this administration and who could not even muster a single credible candidate to run for the board in the last election cycle.
He claims he is "protecting the neighbors"--from what? From a progressive, unique design that just might get people out of their cars to actually walk or bicycle from home to market? From a development that would set Los Ranchos apart form the giant truck-stop monolith that surrounds us, and could actually make Los Ranchos a shopping destination rather than a sad copy of failed urban planning?
Our Mayor, in his zeal to close a business deal, has sacrificed the heart and soul of this village. And no one, except one neighborhood association, has bothered to register even a peep of objection. Oh, the ultra-rich on Rio Grande have their quasi-bucolic vistas, secured with our tax dollars---but east-siders are basically living with the worst of 'craque.
Who is to blame? Of course, it is easy to point fingers at that indolent and inconsequential gang of simpletons that sit on the board. They are a disgrace, to be sure. The Supreme Soviet would have been proud of their rubber-stamping abilities (never a dissenting vote since hizzoner ascended to the throne). But the ultimate responsibility for this fiasco resides with us--the residents of the village--who have silently tolerated the many outrages perpetrated upon us by this administration and who could not even muster a single credible candidate to run for the board in the last election cycle.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Corruption and Public Funds
El Picador has been following the courthouse scandal with a mixture of interest and disgust. It is the same old story---a big pot of taxpayer money, earmarked for a public works project, just presents too big of a temptation for some folks. Closed-door meetings, "no bid" contracts, and "just trust us" rhetoric are tools used over and over by these thieves--er, public servants--to fleece us credulous citizens.
Could this happen in little old Los Ranchos? You betcha. Our current administration loves to make big decisions in secret, presenting the plans as fiats at the last minute with little or no notice or public discussion. Remember the fire station on fourth street? We heard about that land purchase after the fact, for a greatly inflated sum, based on a so-called "appraisal" by an outfit that was chosen by the administration. Then there's the famous 'barn' the village got as a "donation". Another wildly inflated appraisal was used to give the "donor" an outrageous tax break for what was basically a junky pile of old rotten plywood that blew over in a mild windstorm, after more public money was wasted on its erection. Ditto for the worthless hunk of marble on the handball court that looks like it came off of the Reichstag. And then there is the very interesting diversion of public funds via LR-requested capital outlay funds that went to fund the private Unser Racing museum---which interestingly began just after the Unsers dropped their threat to sue the village over the RGB setbacks. Quid pro quo? There's no proof, but it looks mighty suspicious.
Now we villagers have agreed to give these shady characters more of our money for "open space'. The particular property that these funds will purchase was decided on in advance by the administration with exactly zero public input and before the fact. It happens to belong to the Andersons, who also had a suit against the village over the setback that was quietly settled. And don't get EL Picador started on the huge overpayment the village made on the Blanchard property! That one really reeks.
Just like downtown at the courthouse, there are a lot of dodgy things going on here. No public input on big-ticket purchases, no-bid contracts, crazy appraisals and money going to people who "have" something on the village. Couple all of this with the fact that you have Juan Vigil at the helm, with many years in county government under his belt and knowing where all of the bodies are buried, and you've got all of the ingredients for a good old fashioned pillaging.
And now there is this steam-roller proposal for Fourth and Osuna. The potential for kickbacks and cozy deals there needs little imagination to conjure.
Is Larry a crook? El Picador has no proof. Maybe he is just a tool of others, or maybe El Picador is just too cynical, and hizzoner is really a dedicated public servant. (Like he made all of that money in business by being above board?)
But no matter what, we cannot depend on that gang of worthless sycophants we call the trustees to watch out for us. We need to stand up and hold these people accountable for the way they squander--and maybe even steal--our money. We must demand reasoned public debate, full disclosure of property assessments and rigid adherence to the open meetings act and the procurement codes.
Or, you can just stay at home and open your wallet.
Could this happen in little old Los Ranchos? You betcha. Our current administration loves to make big decisions in secret, presenting the plans as fiats at the last minute with little or no notice or public discussion. Remember the fire station on fourth street? We heard about that land purchase after the fact, for a greatly inflated sum, based on a so-called "appraisal" by an outfit that was chosen by the administration. Then there's the famous 'barn' the village got as a "donation". Another wildly inflated appraisal was used to give the "donor" an outrageous tax break for what was basically a junky pile of old rotten plywood that blew over in a mild windstorm, after more public money was wasted on its erection. Ditto for the worthless hunk of marble on the handball court that looks like it came off of the Reichstag. And then there is the very interesting diversion of public funds via LR-requested capital outlay funds that went to fund the private Unser Racing museum---which interestingly began just after the Unsers dropped their threat to sue the village over the RGB setbacks. Quid pro quo? There's no proof, but it looks mighty suspicious.
Now we villagers have agreed to give these shady characters more of our money for "open space'. The particular property that these funds will purchase was decided on in advance by the administration with exactly zero public input and before the fact. It happens to belong to the Andersons, who also had a suit against the village over the setback that was quietly settled. And don't get EL Picador started on the huge overpayment the village made on the Blanchard property! That one really reeks.
Just like downtown at the courthouse, there are a lot of dodgy things going on here. No public input on big-ticket purchases, no-bid contracts, crazy appraisals and money going to people who "have" something on the village. Couple all of this with the fact that you have Juan Vigil at the helm, with many years in county government under his belt and knowing where all of the bodies are buried, and you've got all of the ingredients for a good old fashioned pillaging.
And now there is this steam-roller proposal for Fourth and Osuna. The potential for kickbacks and cozy deals there needs little imagination to conjure.
Is Larry a crook? El Picador has no proof. Maybe he is just a tool of others, or maybe El Picador is just too cynical, and hizzoner is really a dedicated public servant. (Like he made all of that money in business by being above board?)
But no matter what, we cannot depend on that gang of worthless sycophants we call the trustees to watch out for us. We need to stand up and hold these people accountable for the way they squander--and maybe even steal--our money. We must demand reasoned public debate, full disclosure of property assessments and rigid adherence to the open meetings act and the procurement codes.
Or, you can just stay at home and open your wallet.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Squeezing the WalMart Balloon
Larry has probably already figured out how to fit the WalMart into the SE corner of 4th and Osuna. It would be more like him to make coffee and sharpen pencils for developers than to listen to citizen groups like Mayor Marty has done. We are the VLR: Very Larry Ridden; Voicing Little Resistance; Village of Listless Representation.
When we’re done admiring and saluting our surrounding neighbors outside the village who have apparently managed to shut out Wally World we ought to give some thought to what might happen to us. Our village has settled into a state of fatigue that may prove fatal if we don’t wake up and start to participate, ask questions and take action. Look at the turn lanes on Osuna: where do they go? Look at the traffic lights on the SE corner of the intersection: why are they pointed at a building and not a street? Who pays for nonsense like that? You do. Why?
What would you like to see happen in our Village Center? If you participated years ago in helping to create the Master Plan for the village or ordinances that would restrict crass development in the commercial areas along 4th Street and think your work is done, it’s time to rub the sleep out of your eyes. Villagers are now being told that we “owe” developers like Sir Northdale de Plaza Los Ranchos something. We’re being told that a reworking of the rules is in order for the sake of our morals, our health, and our safety. Over and over, people in opposition to the Larry movement have been told they should be ashamed of themselves for having a point of view and daring to participate in a public process.
So, maybe it’s look in the mirror time. Are you ashamed to have a vision of your own? Are you simply happy to have Larry figure it out for you? Do you feel indebted to the guy with all the vacant retail shops at Northdale? Should we take up a collection for him since we can’t shop at his empty stores? Should we send Larry a thank you bouquet for doing all the thinking for us? If we keep on looking the other way we’re going to end up running out of ways to look.
When we’re done admiring and saluting our surrounding neighbors outside the village who have apparently managed to shut out Wally World we ought to give some thought to what might happen to us. Our village has settled into a state of fatigue that may prove fatal if we don’t wake up and start to participate, ask questions and take action. Look at the turn lanes on Osuna: where do they go? Look at the traffic lights on the SE corner of the intersection: why are they pointed at a building and not a street? Who pays for nonsense like that? You do. Why?
What would you like to see happen in our Village Center? If you participated years ago in helping to create the Master Plan for the village or ordinances that would restrict crass development in the commercial areas along 4th Street and think your work is done, it’s time to rub the sleep out of your eyes. Villagers are now being told that we “owe” developers like Sir Northdale de Plaza Los Ranchos something. We’re being told that a reworking of the rules is in order for the sake of our morals, our health, and our safety. Over and over, people in opposition to the Larry movement have been told they should be ashamed of themselves for having a point of view and daring to participate in a public process.
So, maybe it’s look in the mirror time. Are you ashamed to have a vision of your own? Are you simply happy to have Larry figure it out for you? Do you feel indebted to the guy with all the vacant retail shops at Northdale? Should we take up a collection for him since we can’t shop at his empty stores? Should we send Larry a thank you bouquet for doing all the thinking for us? If we keep on looking the other way we’re going to end up running out of ways to look.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Really Thin Green Line
El Picador notes a story in today's' Journal describing how some neighborhoods in Albuquerque pay for extra police protection. Apparently, you can hire cops on overtime to bust speeders and enforce the laws that they are too busy to take care of during normal business hours. Wow, I always thought we pay taxes for that sort of thing---but no. If you want "deluxe" you have got to pay extra.
But this is nothing new to the citizens of Los Ranchos. Here, we pay the county tax, but in order to get protection by the county PD (AKA BCSO) we've got to pay extra for three officers, their cars, a Sargent, and all of their benefits. And then these officers are used for duties outside of the village, being sent as far away as the east mountains. So not only are we paying more, but we are actually getting less while subsidizing police protection in the rest of the county! And what rationale does BCSO offer for this? Their response is that LR has a low crime rate, and they send the officers where they are needed. But if you ask them for data about crime, you get a bunch of excuses about computer glitches and the like. Because the whole thing is a big scam
Outrageous, but alas no one except El Picador seems to care about this stuff. Everyone here was so worked up over a losy mill for open space. The county is taking us for a whole lot more than that.
But this is nothing new to the citizens of Los Ranchos. Here, we pay the county tax, but in order to get protection by the county PD (AKA BCSO) we've got to pay extra for three officers, their cars, a Sargent, and all of their benefits. And then these officers are used for duties outside of the village, being sent as far away as the east mountains. So not only are we paying more, but we are actually getting less while subsidizing police protection in the rest of the county! And what rationale does BCSO offer for this? Their response is that LR has a low crime rate, and they send the officers where they are needed. But if you ask them for data about crime, you get a bunch of excuses about computer glitches and the like. Because the whole thing is a big scam
Outrageous, but alas no one except El Picador seems to care about this stuff. Everyone here was so worked up over a losy mill for open space. The county is taking us for a whole lot more than that.
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