Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Updated content for clarity: Mayor Ken Miyagishima and City Councilor Dolores Connor are the only elected officials in the area that have agreed to appear on News New Mexico and state their views on the public policy snafu at City Hall known as the "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." Councilor Connor is scheduled for 7:30am Tuesday morning to offer her views.

The mayor has already come out in favor of the 100% privately funded extension of the four lane thoroughfare known as North Sonoma Ranch Boulevard. He did so Wednesday morning July 7th on News New Mexico.

At stake for the community is $10 million in direct economic stimulus. The good news for taxpayers is the source of the road building funding comes entirely from liens on 1100 acres of land held by a single property owner. And the New Mexico Finance Authority has already given the indication of its intention to buy the entire Special Assessment District bond issue. This means with a few more administrative steps the funding can be in place with no financial risk to the city. The bad news is somehow moving this project along has not made it to a vote.

The project will create hundreds of jobs. It will generate almost $700,000 in primary gross receipts of which the Las Cruces City government will get a good percentage and even more generate secondary gross receipts. Further it will provide a high quality road for the transportation of school children to nearby Monte Vista Elementary and Mesa Middle Schools. The road will also improve access to Highway 70 for other area residents. Still, the remaining five members of city council remain silent day after day.

News New Mexico listeners are anxious to learn if Councilor Dolores Connor will serve as the catayst at City Hall that propels this sorely needed project to completion. Pictured throughout this story are the remaining five councilors who have thus far been unwilling to accept an open invitation make their views know on News New Mexico. They are from top to bottom, Gil Sorg (top left), Miguel Silva (top right), Olga Pedroza (center left), Nathan Small (center right) and Sharon Thomas (bottom left).

Through e-mail exchanges with Councilor Thomas NewsNM has discovered that she disagrees with the mayor's position on this project. Contact information for all members of city council and the Las Cruces Public School Board are posted on the Call City Hall page of the News New Mexico website.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams