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Living In Las Cruces- Spring/Summer 2008
FEATURE
By Jenna Frosch
Mayor Miyagishima
District 1
District 2
District 4
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“A Common Sense Approach” is what Miguel Silva campaigned for in District 1 and now, elected for the first time to the Las Cruces City Council, he hopes to develop this plan during his term. Silva has served as an adjunct professor at the Doña Ana Branch Community College and was the city’s initial recycling program coordinator. He was also responsible for the Town of Mesilla curbside recycling program.
LLC: As a newly elected City Council member, what are your top priorities?
Silva: My top priority is to see that the needs of District 1 residents receive their fair share of city resources. A second priority is to continue and build upon the foundation and efforts of revitalizing downtown development. With a new multi-story City Hall and a Federal Building being constructed, downtown will be reshaped in a very dynamic manner that has the potential to invite new business and residences to the area. As a final priority and one that concerns the entire city, expediting Vision 2040* has to rank at the top. The importance of Vision 2040* is that it will be the comprehensive Master Plan to guide the development of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County for the next 20 years.
LLC: During the election, you ran on a platform of smart growth in land issues, along with transparency in government and more public involvement. How do you feel you will be able to contribute or continue to support these specific issues on the City Council?
Silva: As a councilor contributing to smart growth, at the top of the list is consensus in building. We must define smart growth as it pertains to Las Cruces and involve all sectors of the community including city residents because smart growth has many meanings to each sector. Smart growth should include elements of affordable housing, walk-able neighborhoods, good transportation, living and working conditions, location of schools and shopping centers and access to recreation and open spaces. In my mind, transparency and public involvement go hand-in-hand. As we make sure the processes of government are open, we need to be sure the public feels welcome and participates in the process through an increased opportunity to participate in all aspects of our city government.
LLC: How do you think the new faces on City Council affect the decisions being made?
Silva: There has been a tendency to view the November 2007 election as having created a three-member group of persons who will think alike and act together. In fact, while we share some common values, all of the present council members, including the mayor, are individuals with different constituencies and have different needs for their respective districts. I feel one of the most important roles of a councilor is consensus building both on the council and within the community. What I appreciate most about the “new faces” is the open-mindedness. This is a very positive sign for city residents in that the mind-set of incorporating new ideas to become a progressive city moves to the front burner and city residents become a part of the process.
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