2020 Foresight
September 8, 2010

Let’s take a few minutes to talk about the future of Doña Ana County.

I grew up here. This part of southern New Mexico has always been special to me because of its people and natural beauty. Nearly 200,000 people now live in our part of the Rio Grande valley—along the river, on desert mesas, and in mountain foothills. We live in communities of many sizes, celebrate a multi-cultural heritage, and work in a highly diversified economy.

Historical development of the area began in 1843 with establishment of the village of Doña Ana. For many years, agriculture was the primary way of life. Over time we evolved into a regional center for commerce, education, business, medical services, government, and tourism. In 1945, the county was selected for development of a new missile test facility and took its first steps toward an important role in national defense and space exploration.

Over the past decade, the population of Doña Ana County grew by more than 18%. This growth rate and our diversified economy helped protect us from the worst of the current recession and contributed to frequent rankings in top 10 listings of “Best Places to Live. “

Doña Ana County has become a vibrant, diverse place that is well positioned to face whatever challenges come our way.

That is not to say that all is well. The current recession has hurt many businesses and increased unemployment. New storm patterns and antiquated dams pose serious threats of flooding and damage. High levels of poverty, sub-standard living conditions, and unacceptably high levels of illness and disease still exist.

Several recent developments suggest that we are willing to take on these challenges. For example: passage of state legislation (SB 279) ensures dedicated funding for infrastructure development in the county’s poorest communities; passage of the Health Reform Act will expand and improve health care; development of the Spaceport and the emergence of green industries offer promising new avenues for economic growth. And there are many others.

Leadership, hard work and a bit of luck have brought us to this point. We will need more of the same to maintain our wellbeing and to take on these new and long-standing concerns.

The great American statesman, William Jennings Bryan, once said, “Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, its is a thing to be achieved.”

Every day decisions are made that shape the destiny of Doña Ana County. Unfortunately, many of these decisions are at cross-purposes with one another, favor one group over another, and lack clear measures of success.

As a county commissioner, I would work with other elected officials, business owners, and community leaders to clearly define the kind of future we want to see happen…the kind of future we want to pass on to our children and our children’s children.

Here are six goals I am offering as a point of departure:

  All people living in Doña Ana County have access to affordable
    health care and medical services that focus on emergencies,
    preventive strategies, and eliminating conditions that lead to
    abnormally high death rates.

  Economic development supports all areas of the county and all
    segments of the population so that communities throughout the
    county are viable, future challenges can be met, and every
    resident can find work that supports a good standard of living.

  Doña Ana County is known as a safe place for residents, workers
    and visitors based on the effective reduction of serious crimes,
    risk of fire, and harm from environmental hazards—both
    natural and man-made.

  Throughout Doña Ana County—from the smallest colonia to the
    City of Las Cruces—development is proactively managed so
    that land use, transportation, utilities, affordable housing, and
    public facilities are fully integrated, mutually supportive and
    respectful of the unique qualities of each community.

  Roads, utilities, flood control structures and other infrastructure
    systems are planned, built, and maintained to address high risk
    threats, minimize damage, and maximize economic viability for
    government entities, taxpayers and businesses.

  Life in Doña Ana County is enhanced by broad-based support for
    community-oriented values such as: the arts and life-long learning,
    a wide range of recreational opportunities, humane treatment of
    animals, compassionate care for those in need, conservation of the
    area’s natural environment, respect for diversity and protection of
    human rights, and celebration of our multi-cultural heritage.

  Taken together these statements describe future conditions that
    are better than they are today. They describe a future that is fully
    inclusive and can be accomplished in a responsible manner--a
    future that builds on our traditions and accomplishments.

These goals, or ones like them, should be discussed over coffee, around the dinner table and in public meetings. They should be analyzed, added to, and revised until we are satisfied with them and we can claim them as our own.

And then we must get on with the hard work of creating this destiny.

Some of this work will be inherently governmental. Some is the responsibility of the private sector. A significant portion will fall to educational and faith-based institutions, non-profit organizations, and volunteers.

This work will not be easy. The 21st century is already more complex and turbulent than the last--for the world and Doña Ana County. Technological advancements are accelerating, as are changes in climate, international relations, and the rules of finance. The list goes on, and on. Even we are changing.

Change creates opportunities for progress, but change is also disruptive and unsettling. We will all be better off if we take on the challenges of our time in a spirit of community and mutual respect— working hard and making good decisions. All the while hoping for a bit of good luck, and never losing sight of that future we’re helping to create.