Opinion Page:
Uncontrolled Growth...a Town Killer
artist conception of new city center and sports complex
They say just about everyone has an opinion about something, and in this case, I think my opinion is shared by the majority of citizens. It can be summed up in two words: "uncontrolled growth." The city of Rio Rancho has been growing at a phenomenal rate for over 10 years. The City of Vision has seen a 59.03% positive change in growth for the year 2000 (latest figures available), and there's no end in sight with the growth expanding to this year. There's no doubt about it, we're exploding.
Growth is good right? Well, maybe not. It all depends on what type of growth, and how fast the growth takes place that's the key. Unfortunately, there are those in our city government that don't see it that way. Their idea of success is get as big as you can, as fast as you can - and folks, that just ain't true.
There is a concept known as "unbridled growth." Unbridled growth is growth that knows no restraint. It leads to sprawl, crime, and in many cases, bankruptcy. One publication put it this way:
"In communities across the nation, there is a growing concern that current development patterns-- dominated by what some call "sprawl"--are no longer in the long-term interest of our cities, existing suburbs, small towns, rural communities, or wilderness areas. Though supportive of growth, communities are questioning the economic costs of abandoning infrastructure in the city, only to rebuild it further out. They are questioning the social costs of the mismatch between new employment locations in the suburbs and the available work-force in the city. They are questioning the wisdom of abandoning "brownfields" in older communities, eating up the open space and prime agricultural lands at the suburban fringe, and polluting the air of an entire region by driving farther to get places. Spurring the smart growth movement are demographic shifts, a strong environmental ethic, increased fiscal concerns, and more nuanced views of growth. The result is both a new demand and a new opportunity for smart growth."
In other words, growth can be good and is desirable, but if done mindlessly, it can kill a town that might have, if properly managed, succeeded. Is this what's happening to Rio Rancho? Is our town on the road to burn out? It's quite possible.
Let's look at the facts: Almost everyone knows that our city has been starving for tax revenue for years. What you may not know is that (contrary to popular belief) it receives no gross receipts revenue from Intel. That's right - Intel provides no positive tax revenue to our town. Officials have sounded the bell numerously over the years encouraging citizens to spend their dollars in Rio Rancho, because that money is badly needed. O.K., we get it - gross receipts taxes are good and we need them to survive.
With that said, it's a no-brainer right? Encourage revenue generating growth to feed the city and promote future growth right? Wrong. What, in their infinite wisdom, do our city officials do? They build a city center! That's right, a non-revenue generating city hall in the middle of no where. Unbelievable! Oh, but don't worry, it gets better. They then decide that an event center might be good idea. An investment that will provide some jobs, but for the most part will sit there until some special event comes along to generate income. It will take years to break even - if ever.
The growth we're experiencing is home growth, coupled with, uh, well, nothing else! What we see is people moving here from other areas, say, Albuquerque, or retirees from out of state - all plopping down to contribute to our 59.03% growth statistic. Great. No shopping mall - so we all go to Cottonwood. No real business to balance the multitude of service and restaurants we already have here. No industry to speak of - and no end in sight to the mindless development. We kiss the boots of Pulte, Amrep, and Artistic, giving them more and more land, more and more tax breaks, and more and more control of our city. It's the Palenick method. You can read about it on the web if you do a little digging.
Face it folks, either our city officials can't, or won't do what's right by controlling growth. They salivate at every new deal development that comes along, ignoring other potential income sources like industrial revenue. They won't plan properly, and as a result many citizens go without basic infrastructure or necessary city services. We're on our way to burn out, and it's not that far off. We're seeing the effects now with the recent flooding, the mishandling of infrastructure funds, and the arrogant attitude of city officials.
It's about time we spoke out on this one.