March 26, 2020

Letter to the Editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican

The Santa Fe City Council’s first attempt at a “remote” council meeting [March 25] with public input was a failure. The sound was sketchy and public input mostly inaudible to the Council.

Submitting written commentary is less effective. It has the potential to be unread and dismissed. The passage of a bill last night gives the City Manager power to approve projects up to $200,000 with no input, and public comment becomes irrelevant with power to order “closed” meetings.

These socially isolated times demand greater government consideration of public input. Democracy is “by the people for the people”.

Representation of citizens is disappearing rapidly. We cannot depend on government to do the right thing. The current situation is rife with denial, lack of transparency, and untruth. Negating public input negates due process and open meetings law. The Council must include public input and have checks and balances or this becomes an oligarchy.

Lydia Clark

April 3, 2020

Comments on the City of Santa Fe Midtown District Campus Project

In this incredibly dangerous and vulnerable time for our country, state and city, the Santa Fe City Council has chosen to act disrespectfully and with no accountability to the citizens of Santa Fe, choosing to remain secretive about the choice for the master developer in the Santa Fe Midtown Campus District project. This property is crucial to the future of Santa Fe in so many ways. The choice to not publicly announce a developer and exclude any public participation is unforgiveable. Why is this being kept a secret?

We should be using this centrally located property to help the citizens of Santa Fe during the COVID-19 outbreak. The homeless issues, the lack of adequate medical facilities, the need to create a community center which can address multiple issues are absolute priorities. The midtown campus property can accommodate a myriad of these issues at this time. The Santa Fe City Council is choosing to drag their feet and put money ahead of people.

But money for who? Not for the City of Santa Fe and the taxpayers. This sale of a high value property in times of uncertain financial capability is risky and careless. The Council is looking for a fast-buck, and not for the long-term safety, financial benefit, and sustainability of the City.

Are these decisions from the City Council, or only the Mayor and perhaps the City Manager who now has control to “limit public participation” in this matter? The Council has been silent in these matters with only minimal statements from the mayor and Daniel Hernandez, the Campus project manager. Where are the voices of the people?

The Mayor and the City Council are virtually invisible in these dangerous and critical times. We need them to do their jobs and put the safety, health, and welfare at the forefront of every action taken and to be inclusive of the Citizens of Santa Fe. 
These are only some of the potential uses for the SF Midtown Campus:

• Temporary housing/shelter for homeless and anyone who is in need
• Cafeteria – soup kitchen
• Distribution center for masks/gloves
• Tent units for the homeless – there is enough open space to accommodate separation
• Field Hospital
• Community Information Center – on-site and on-line for daily and emergency situations
• Triage for testing – a drive-thru operation

There are many existing structures and dormitories at the SF Midtown Campus (old University of Art & Design) which can be utilized for all of the above.

If LANL is truly working on providing ventilators/masks, this could be a distribution center.

THIS IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND CANNOT GO UNRECOGNIZED OR WITHOUT IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

Lydia Clark