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Village Official
Is Unresponsive
MY NEIGHBORS AND I PETITIONED TO BE ANNEXED into the village of Los Ranchos in 1988 because we thought the village would be more responsive and provide better services to us than if we remained in unincorporated Bernalillo County. The village has lived up to our expectations for the most part, until Juan Vigil was appointed administrator. What follows are some examples of his behavior that I find disconcerting:
Last April I wrote a letter to him regarding the American Cancer Society's Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. I do not object to the goals of the walk, but ... part of the walk is on Rio Grande Boulevard within northern boundaries of the village. It is not only an inconvenience, but disruptive and intrusive for 9,000 people to be walking in our neighborhood on a two-lane road on a peaceful Sunday. Response: None.
A few months ago, the village contracted for some road work to be done, some of which was to "calm" traffic. One part of the project was to restripe and put reflectors on Rio Grande Boulevard. The contractors stopped a considerable distance short of the northern village limits. I informed Vigil of the mistake shortly after the work was done. Response: The work is already done and paid for; maybe next time.
I learned this winter that the animal control officer would no longer be allowed to pick up raccoons, skunks, snakes, etc., even if trapped. (In Albuquerque,) the city will pick up such animals if they are trapped or if dangerous. Response: Take care of it yourself or pay a pest control company to do it; Albuquerque has a lot more money and personnel.
On a related issue, it is misleading and disingenuous for village leaders to say they have reduced the parks and maintenance staff from four grounds workers to two, as if they are cutting fat. They are actually cutting services.
In truth, they fired two grounds employees— one full-time and one part-time— and now the animal control officer and the road maintenance employee ... will have to do all the groundskeeping work in addition to their own jobs. This means the village has a part-time animal control officer and a part-time road maintenance employee. This will be a problem particularly in the summer months when the workload in all three areas increases dramatically.
These are relatively minor issues, but what concerns me most (is the) arrogant attitude of "this is the way we are doing things; take it or leave it."
My understanding of our representative form of government is that we, the people, elect trustees to legislate and make policy decisions reflecting the will of the people. We also elect a mayor who serves as an executive. The administrator is a hired staff person who, with the help of other village staff, carries out and administers the above. I believe Vigil has too much power, does not clearly understand his role and is disrespectful toward village residents.
We all need to hope our elected officials see it this way also.
Janet Stebleton
Los Ranchos
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