|
|
|
|
Living In Las Cruces- Spring/Summer 2008
FEATURE
By Jenna Frosch
Mayor Miyagishima
District 1
District 2
District 4
|
|
Re-elected for a second term in November, Dolores Connor has served Las Cruces on the Water Committee, the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and the Convention and Visitors Bureau during her tenure on the City Council. Connor is a champion for water conservation in the area, along with the efficiency of city utilities and developing our public transportation system.
LLC: As a re-elected City Council member, what are your top priorities for this term?
Connor: My priorities are centered in economic development and public safety. Citizens should feel safe in their homes and at their workplace. It is through continued training, and competitive salaries and benefits that allow the department to keep and seek the best of officers, including those who do not work the streets, but are the administration to the department. Economic development has many facets within the system not only for the city, but for the region. Including the expertise of Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and a city employee that are focused on the introduction of new employers, expansion of existing employers and the benefits they offer. Ultimately, during these four years, it is my goal to complete the large projects that began during my past four years regarding an Aquatic Center, City Hall, Convention Center and the new pool and community center in the East Mesa.
LLC: How do you think the City Council can affect change in how environmentally friendly the City of Las Cruces is? What sort of programs or ordinances are being planned to do this?
Connor: Las Cruces continues to accept change and progress in respecting our environment. Prior business leaders and councils ensured that we have clean industry within the city limits without polluting the air. We continue to seek business that is not going to jeopardize our blue skies. Already in place are many ordinances that protect our environment such as light pollution restrictions, reduction of septic tanks and xeriscaping. As our city changes, we will continue to review options that will protect our environment, including my biggest focus: to protect the foothills of the Organ Mountains.
LLC: During the election, you faced criticism that you were overly quick to approve new zoning in Las Cruces neighborhoods, in addition to being more “development-driven.” How do you respond to these criticisms and how will you overcome criticism in the future?
Connor: It depends on whom you are talking to and who had the bigger voice. Citizens I grew up with in Las Cruces over the past 50 years are looking for change. They want to have more options in shopping, doctors, office services and quality of life as we are aging. If you are a native to Las Cruces, you would understand. Changes to zoning are not completed quickly if you allow the process and understand that it is much more than what happens on television during our meetings. There are processes that take place sometimes up to a year in advance of the change being presented to Council. There are application, reviews of plats, development review committee meetings and the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to a final review by the Council.
|
|
