Harbison End the Rhetoric (continued)

Furthermore, they have devoted financial resources to creating multi-modal paths and bike lanes that will circle the city and social programs to address the wants of specific special interest groups. These programs were not based on any rational cost-benefit analysis to determine the greatest community benefit but rather on what “felt good”.
This is the nature of our political process. We were reminded that “elections have consequences” following the 2010 elections. Like the history of warfare which is generally rewritten by the victors, the losing side’s political issues and principles are seldom considered. Similarly, the Council gets to “rewrite” the priorities, which routinely have placed WANTS ahead of the City’s NEEDS.
Moreover, the Council has historically expected Federal or State grants to finance their projects, without regard for need. I would ask why they haven’t done a better job in prioritizing the approximately $80 million annual City budget to locally fund these critical infrastructure projects? I question the Council decisions to spend more than $1 million tax dollars creating a trail from the Triviz Bike Path to the Rio Grande River. Couldn’t this money be better spent on those projects that are the real reason for government which is to protect the citizens?

The new Council must focus on the critical public safety “needs” of the community before it addresses their large list of quality of life “wants”. That means confronting the economic reality the rest of us face daily: what are the essential things I MUST have before I can have those luxury things I would LIKE to have.

Now is the time to stop the political public safety rhetoric and address the critical needs of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County. It is time for the Council to make decisions based on the NEEDS of the City and to demonstrate leadership by working with the County Commissioners to not only address these public safety issues but to develop comprehensive and effective solutions.