Letters to the Editor

Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control ballot issue

Editor:

This may be a little late in the game for a vote of no for the Arroyo Flood Control question.

I wanted to first see how this issue was presented on the ballot. Did it mention a new mill levy if voting yes? No it did not. The subject is presented is a most positive way on the ballot!

Unfortunately it is presented without a single mention that a yes vote will also create a new mill levy that will tax every single property owner in Valencia County. How much will this mill levy be?

The new property tax will be used for creating a new Valencia County Arroyo County Flood Control District that will hire a new staff ... to oversee the projects and monies. There are already multiple government agencies active in Valencia County that should be responsible for the overseeing of these projects and monies without creating a new one that is funded by us.

On Sept. 26, in the News-Bulletin letters to the editor, Ms. Goodman did an excellent job of detailing this better than myself. I do not support a new mill levy when other established agencies should be responsible. I do not think a ballot issue that will create a new mill levy tax without a mention of it be on the ballot.

I think a person should be made aware of what they vote for, especially if it will affect them financially. I consider this as sugar coating while hiding relative information.

Jim Lane

Meadow Lake

Your vote will count

Editor:

Are you tempted not to vote this year, because you think it won’t make any difference? Are you saying:

“One vote doesn’t matter.”

Tell that to Evan Low and Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Evan Low is running for California’s 16th Congressional District. In the primary, where second place gets you on the ballot in November, Low tied for second with Joe Simitian. In a recount, Low won by 5 votes.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks won Iowa’s Second Congressional District in 2020 — by 6 votes.

“But,” you say, “so what if you find a close congressional race every now and then.

“In state politics, one vote doesn’t matter.”

Tell that to David Yancey and Shelly Simonds.

Yancey and Simonds squared off in 2017 for the Virginia House of Delegates’ 94th District. The winner determined control of the Virginia House of Delegates. Yancey won by 10 votes. In a recount, Simonds won by 1 vote. A panel of judges considered an unclear ballot and called the election a tie. Yancey won the seat in a random drawing.

“But,” you say, “that’s another state. One vote doesn’t matter here in New Mexico.”

Tell that to Keith Norwood and Yvette Padilla.

Norwood and Padilla both ran for Belen municipal judge in 2021. In a three-way race, Norwood won — coming ahead of Padilla by just 1 vote. Yes, an election was decided by a single vote right here in Valencia County.

Make time to vote. Your 1 vote may be The 1 vote. One vote matters. Your vote matters.

Jonathan Gardner

Los Lunas