http://nmindependent.disqus.com/enWed, 30 Jul 2008 18:47:12 -0000http://newmexicoindependent.com/575/double-ditch-mrgcd-ditches-ditch-trail-program#comment-2502184<p>Unfortunately one very vocal and manipulative person on the North Rio Grande Neighborhood Association led a personal crusade against this wonderful project. The voting members of the Conservancy District obviously made up their minds weeks ago. The member who claimed to have over 300 emails against the plan - produce them or acknowledge your misrepresentation. When an elected officail goes out of the way to procure monies for a project that has large appeal and is then back stabbed by a weak, easily manipulated board it is only going to make it harder for the legislature to send future money "down the pike". This should not be the last we hear of this terrific project. Let's get it back on the table. As far as the individual who lied when he said he represented the Neighborhood Association, shame on you.</p>jbartonpWed, 30 Jul 2008 18:47:12 -0000http://newmexicoindependent.com/575/double-ditch-mrgcd-ditches-ditch-trail-program#comment-2502185<p>Thanks for the great article!</p><p>I was shocked that a the vitriol generated by a small (albeit well-organized) neighborhood association could scuttle a project that so clearly stands to benefit so many people in Albuquerque. We live in a time when we are frantically searching for alternatives to gas-powered transportation, more opportunities for physical recreation, and locally-produced foods. The Conservancy District could have used the acequia system, at the nexus of all these issues, to move Bernalillo County forward. They chose to do the opposite, to block all the neighborhood associations (and the MRCOG), who included the ditches in their plans for bike and pedestrian trails, the educators and land stewards who wish to organize stewardship programs, and the parents and teachers who are looking for safer ways for their kids to walk or bike to school.</p><p>The Board clearly had their minds made up before they came to the meeting, and made no effort to control the heckling crowd, who actually boo'ed the woman from Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation, while she was explaining the overrun costs of the bridge. I wonder how many Conservancy District ratepayers who are not irrigators feel about being told that their only benefit from their tax dollars, recreational use of the ditch trails, is STILL not legal, and that as irrigation ceases, ditches will close, and FU if you don't like it. To me, the Conservancy District is radically shortsighted not to realize that without recreation as a secondary purpose, its own usefulness as an agency is short-lived. As one of those non-irrigating taxpayers, I know I don't want to support such a backward agency.</p>boogiemamaTue, 29 Jul 2008 17:36:53 -0000