The Goose and the Gander in Otero County

Many are now finding non-elected regional governments and governing councils enforcing policy and regulations. As these policies are implemented, locally-elected officials are actually losing power and decision-making ability in their own communities. Most decisions are now being made behind the scenes in non-elected "sustainability councils" armed with truckloads of federal regulations, guidelines, and grant money.


In fact, a recent study reported that elected city councils and commissioners have lost approximately 10% of their legislative power during the past 10 years, while, through the consensus process, the power of private groups called Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has increased by as much as 300%. It is a wrenching transformation, indeed.

http://www.americanpolicy.org/prop/main.htm

What has that got to do with you? Here's what: In the Alamogordo Daily News today, February 21, 2008, under the photo titled Spaceport director feted,you will find in the caption..."Otero County Commission Chairman Doug Moore presented Landeene (Spaceport America Executive Director) with a letter of support, stating the county will back a vote on a one-quarter of one percent tax to fund the spaceport if Sierra County voters back a similar tax."

1. Did Chairman Moore, Commissioners McGinn and Nivison ask their constituents their opinions of the spaceport tax?

2. Who signed the letter?

3. Just how does Otero County "back a vote on a new tax"? Is this wiggle room or an assumption of power to represent the will of the voters without their input?

4. The contradiction between Chairman Moore's position in the above quote and his position with the other commissioners in the World Heritage Ordinance, Release of Wolves, Jaguars and Bears Ordinance, Forest Service issues and more is BREATHTAKING.

5. Was Chairman Moore misquoted? That is possible. We invite him to correct the ADN quote or explain further. This invitation is also extended to Clarissa McGinn and Michael Nivision.

6. If the above quote is accurate, how is this any different than Gloria Vaughn and Don Carroll sending letters of support of the U.N.World Heritage Site designation for White Sands National Monument? At least Congressman Stevan Pearce took the time to correct the record on his behalf.

7. After the events of the Republican Convention last Saturday, it should be becoming abundantly clear what is going on in Otero County. If all this is okay with you voters and taxpayers, it will be okay with me, too. Keeping our representative Republic is my agenda. It is the law. If you want a democracy, go change the Constitution and have at it and good luck.