Updated post: in an earlier post we referred to the new Las Cruces Public Schools elementary school incorrectly. It is Monte Vista Elementary.
The Las Cruces Sun News contained some serious inaccuracies in an article it published yesterday on the Las Cruces City Council's evaluation of road issues associated with the new golf course. In the Wednesday edition of the Sun News on page 6A (paragraph 4) the article said: "Much of the new golf course has been ready for some time now. But without a paved road to it, the semi-private course has been closed to the public. The lack of a paved road created a double whammy of sorts: without a road, a construction permit to build the clubhouse could not be obtained."
Clearly the second sentence is untrue. The picture (above right) depicts the paved road (Sierra de Luna) that leads to the golf course. So that local citizens can understand the issues, it is critical to include a critical fact in this story. THIS PAVED ROAD TO THE GOLF COURSE HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR MANY MONTHS.
It is particularly noteworthy that Councilor Nathan Small (photo left) presented a false premise in voicing his objections to allowing the private road to be used for its intended purpose when he said, "We, as a council, have continuously required developers to follow city design standards as we've outlined them. I'm uncomfortable going against those requirements under any circumstances." The false premise lies in the fact that the area around the golf course has not gone through any sort of formal development process. And there is no doubt that when plans for the land around the golf course are formally submitted for "development," the city design standards Councilor Small speaks of will have to be followed. It would seem that both councilors Small and Olga Pedroza (above right photo), who both voted to continue to render the paved road and golf course useless, are somehow curiously determined to head off job-creating projects like this one at every turn. Why, after millions of dollars have been invested in the golf course and before the actual development process even begins would these two councilors attempt to keep throwing up barriers? These are thought processes that will require much further explanation by both councilors. We extend an open invitation to both to appear on News New Mexico.
In the meantime, the distinctions between local elected officials wanting to encourage job creation in this area and those who are ambivalent to the plight of the unemployed became clearer Tuesday afternoon. City Councilor Nathan Small's objections defined his priorities. Councilor Olga Pedroza also defined her priorities.
In the end, as is the case with most city council meetings, for most in attendance Tuesday the experience was like a trip to the dentist.. Eventually the other four City Council members led on this issue by Mayor Ken Miyagishima, ignored the objections of Small and Pedroza and voted to put a stop to the stranding of this road so it can finally be used for its intended purpose.
This vote Tuesday by city council merely clears one of the hurdles in the way of getting the course open. Hopefully for job seekers it will prompt the owners of the golf course to create employment opportunities as they provide the resources needed to get the new course ready for play.
The course (pictured in photo right) is located northwest of the new elementary school built by LCPS. Monte Vista Elementary is slated to open next month when the 2010 - 2011 school year begins.
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