Published in the Roswell Daily Record August, 2006
City Council is ‘The Big Bad Wolf’
To the Editor:
When I first came to Roswell and drove up Main Street, I immediately noticed the beautiful old courthouse, and across the street the flags, the memorial to John Chisum in the Pioneer Plaza, AND that charming little white building with the ‘visitor information center’ sign outside. I learned later that the center used to be a Conoco gas station. It is owned by the city, but was leased to the Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
I had no trouble with parking, and got what I needed—a phone book, brochures and a map, right away. I have been back several times to this convenient and highly visible Information center. They also have computers and a wireless Internet connection.
During the 2006 session, Governor Richardson authorized $100,000 in Capital Outlay money to be earmarked for the Hispano Chamber, which had requested funds for several programs, including remodeling needed in the visitor’s center. However, the funds are distributed through the Roswell City government, which has now voted to move the visitor’s center ‘uptown’ and apparently they plan to install it inside the Roswell Convention center.
This is not a good idea. Again, from the standpoint of a visitor, that convention center is not centrally located and is not highly visible. I tried to find the convention center prior to an event that was held there in April. I drove by it about 3 times before I finally realized what it was. It blends in too well!
The real ‘beef,’ or pork, at stake here is the $100,000 that is supposed to go to the Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce. The city council claims that it is not trying to take this money away from them.
That is like the Big Bad Wolf claiming that all his huffing and puffing is not to blow the little pig’s house down, but is only a ‘structural test.’ “Well, the structural test failed,” says the Wolf, at ease in the rubble and chewing on the $100,000 hambone.
If I am elected to serve as the District 59 state representative, I will work to change the Capitol Outlay process so that private organizations like the RHCC cannot be ‘claim-jumped’ by government entities. There must be a righteous distribution of these funds.
Ellen Wedum
Democratic candidate for state representative, NM District 59