D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
August 2009
Pie in the Sky
I'm surprised none of your readers commented on Jeff Berg's "Space Case," in the June Desert Exposure. It was a devastating and funny criticism of the Spaceport. When the Spaceport becomes an international joke, no one will blame Desert Exposure. You've published two great articles questioning this boondoggle from top to bottom.
I would add that the basic reason the Spaceport is destined to fail, regardless of how popular space tourism becomes, is that the underlying assumption in building the Spaceport is wrong. That assumption is that commercial space travel is SITE dependent. It is not. It is dependent on a safe and viable vehicle — "spaceship" to you moonbeamers.
Once such vehicles become viable, there will be dozens of sites around the world competing with the Spaceport, and all of them will be easier to get to and have added attractions — e.g. golf courses, theme parks, etc. — and most will be able to offer orbital flights, the next step in space tourism.
Even the great Burt Rutan, who is developing Virgin Galactic's spaceship, thinks his Mohave Desert site will be better for tourists because it will give passengers a nice view of the ocean. And Richard Branson, of course, who did not get to be a billionaire because he is a charismatic moron, is actively hedging his bets with other sites.
One wonders, if Branson bails out, what does he owe New Mexico?
All is not lost, however. Those worried about the effect on the El Camino Real Trail can rest easy. In fact, the Dunceport will probably become an added attraction, kind of like the ruins of Machu Picchu are to the Inca Trail. Weary hikers can take a break, enjoy a guided tour and be shown "the office that Sir Richard never used" and other expensive artifacts in America's newest ghost town.
As to why people have persisted in supporting this folly, I have some thoughts, but probably better left unsaid.
Peter Burrows
Silver City
Colonias Continued
Your July issue carried an article ("Neighborhood Watchdogs") about the highly commendable efforts made by the Colonias Development Council to improve the lives of families in the primitive conditions typical of those illegal subdivisions. As your feature pointed out, kudos are due to both colonia residents and community volunteers behind such a monumental task. However, the report falls short of the real extent of the challenge. There were — and still are — far more colonias in Dona Ana County than merely the south valley.
One of the best examples is hidden on the doorstep of upscale Mesilla Park hardly a stone's throw from the Las Cruces city line. It's nestled behind posh Carver Road homes and hugs the banks of a large irrigation ditch.
But don't take my word! Check with Senator Mary K. Papen, a resident of Mesilla Park who has been diligent in supporting efforts to improve such conditions. Or check with El Paso Times reporter Diana Washington Valdez, who wrote a lengthy article about the conditions she and a photographer found in that colonia. Or check with Senator Mary Jane Garcia, who toured that colonia with an Associated Press reporter from Chicago.
Nor does the article take into account the proliferation of colonias in the North Valley and the efforts that have been taken to improve those blighted areas as well. But don't take my word! Once again, check with Senator Mary Jane Garcia, or State Representative Andy Nunez.
While your account refers to some steps to regulate colonia-type land speculators, it fails to mention the actual historic steps taken by government officials and state agencies to end the spread of colonias. It was former Attorney General Tom Udall and his staff — with widespread support from legislators and the public — who persisted in getting the necessary state law passed to make such Third World subdivisions illegal.
Nor did it stop there! Udall filed charges against the most heinous of such developers. Their subsequent trials in District Court in Las Cruces lasted a full week, as I witnessed along with the Las Cruces Sun-News reporter. But don't take my word! Check court records and with Senator Udall's Las Cruces local office in the Loretto Center.
On top of that, Udall had been instrumental in getting a major annual meeting of the association of attorney generals to assemble in El Paso. One of its sessions — devoted entirely to legal issues spawned by the colonias crisis — drew a packed audience. But don't take my word! Check with Tierra del Sol Executive Director Rose Garcia, whom I accompanied on that memorable occasion.
Support for the state's efforts to curb rapacious developers came from speakers at that conference, attracting widespread national publicity. Later, at a community meeting in Las Cruces, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez described how soon after that event he'd taken a plane in EI Paso. Once seated, he'd opened a major national news magazine and was utterly amazed to find a full page devoted to New Mexico's colonias catastrophe.
Margaret Markham
Las Cruces
The Bear Facts
At least, David, you don't have BIG BLACK BEARS running through your yard ("When Animals Attack," Continental Divide, July).
Here in Ashland, Ore., we found it a common sight to see their "stuff" and footprints in our backyard! Not too long ago, we were eating dinner and looking out the kitchen window. Lo and behold a very large black bear came galloping through the back yard, put his front paws on the top of our six-foot fence and vaulted over! And we live right across the street from a city park, only about six or eight blocks from downtown!
John Sully
Ashland, Ore.
Proud Daughter
Thanks so much for the wonderful two-page spread about my dad, Melvin Huff ("Pieces of Copper Country," Southwest Storylines, July). Naturally, I'm very proud of him, and so grateful that he is still around to share his knowledge of local history.
I really appreciate the in-depth reporting that is done in the Desert Exposure.
Judy Ward
Silver City
Let us hear from you! Write Desert Exposure Letters, PO Box 191, Silver City, NM 88062, fax 534-4134 or email letters@desertexposure.com Letters are subject to editing for style and length, and must be in response to content that has appeared in our pages. Deadline for the next issue is the 18th of the month.