Santa Fe County Commission race: Artist, activist wants transparency

This is wonderful news. You have my support, Paul!

This candidacy intrigues me as Paul has been instrumental in reviewing the Sustainable Land Development Plan and Code of Santa Fe County. He has participated in the formation of United Communities of Santa Fe County, an organization dedicated to giving a unified voice to neighborhood association, water rights and environmental advocacy groups, acequia associations and homeowner associations.

I would like a race which focuses not on how many DUIs a candidate has and why they are a better person for it, or that they are the winingest basketball coach ever, or they have created more developments than any other candidate; but that they understand the challenges of water use, sprawl, infrastucture planning, and how to foster the local economy. Throwing out one word SUSTAINABILITY does not solve our problems without the substance to back it up.

The Water Alliance is a polarizing group - so polarizing and unreasonable that their lawyer quit representing them in an attempt to challenge the Aamodt water lawsuit. I won't get into whether true locals should get greater consideration as candidates to represent northern SF County on the BCC, but White is viewed by many as an easterner who does not understand the issues beyond his militant opposition to Aamodt. United Communities is a great idea, but loses legitimacy with more moderate residents because of the number of Poj. water alliance members on it. I don't think White stands a chance, but like Mr. Mee, I would like to see more substantive platforms from the candidates that address the bigger issues like growth, water, alternative energy, our diverse county and how we will move forward in these tough economic times. The pueblos have too much influence in local and state government, so I would like to see our next commissioner stand up for the rest of us and really SERVE us, our local communities, and not the behemoth that SF County government has become.

concerned valley resident wrote:

The Water Alliance is a polarizing group - so polarizing and unreasonable that their lawyer quit representing them in an attempt to challenge the Aamodt water lawsuit. I won't get into whether true locals should get greater consideration as candidates to represent northern SF County on the BCC, but White is viewed by many as an easterner who does not understand the issues beyond his militant opposition to Aamodt. United Communities is a great idea, but loses legitimacy with more moderate residents because of the number of Poj. water alliance members on it. I don't think White stands a chance, but like Mr. Mee, I would like to see more substantive platforms from the candidates that address the bigger issues like growth, water, alternative energy, our diverse county and how we will move forward in these tough economic times. The pueblos have too much influence in local and state government, so I would like to see our next commissioner stand up for the rest of us and really SERVE us, our local communities, and not the behemoth that SF County government has become.

What has Mr. White done that is militant? Where are you getting your facts? Apparently the recent poll of Aamodt in the New Mexican indicated that most landowners did not approve Aamodt. And of those informed about Aamodt a very large proportion did not approve Aamodt. It sounds like Mr. White from your comments indeed does represent the majority. And perhaps it is a little too early to start slinging the racist stuff, I would think. How long do you have to live in NM before you are considered a part of the community? "We don't do things that way around here" attitude based on where someone comes from is really just a way of saying you are closed minded.