Dear HCN,
This letter is in
response to Greg Hanscom’s article, “Road Block” (HCN,
12/4/00: Road Block). Back in December 1999, during a
Christmas visit to my hometown of Albuquerque, I took a drive to
the east side of the city and found yet another subdivision in the
once empty Elena Gallegos Land Grant. I found out later that the
land, which was owned by the Albuquerque Academy (a private high
school) was sold to developers. I had to express my frustration
with the continued lack of sensitivity and sensibility regarding
urban sprawl and the general lack of respect for any open space
that truly makes New Mexico what its motto says it is: The Land of
Enchantment.
I applaud the citizens of Tome and
pray their tactics will give hope for future defeats of
sprawl-initiating endeavors, such as that bridge. One thing is for
sure: People like Bob Davey and political entities such as the New
Mexico State Highway Department must take responsibility for their
actions. They are responsible for leaving a negative legacy by
seeing the beautiful and unique land in and around Albuquerque as
nothing more than future homesites.
If these
people would look around and see how truly beautiful the Manzanos
are, or how lovely Ladrone peak is, or take in the true grandeur of
the mighty Sandia Mountains, then maybe they would see what a
disservice it is to fill the majestic spaces between these sacred
“sky islands” with suburbs and so-called development. It isn’t
development at all; it’s just plain selfishness and
greed.
Paul
Sacco
Los Angeles, California
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Tome story hits home.
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