 |
||
|
|
'ONE STATION, MANY VOICES!
PASEO DEL NORTE 4 CONDITIONS:
Governor Richardson’s office has placed four conditions on the proposed extension of Paseo del Norte Boulevard. He requires all responsible parties to investigate multimodal transportation alternatives, current Albuquerque City Council approval, studies of possible alternate routes and minimization of potential legal impediments. Before construction can begin, Governor Richardson wants to make sure an extension through Petroglyph National Monument is the best option available.
Opponents of the extension wish the Governor well, and say they understand that he’s in a difficult position. SAGE Council representative, Benishi Albert, hopes for a resolution that brings the community together.
[albert]
A major concern opponents have to the Paseo del Norte extension is the potential worsening of an already-congested situation. Dara Saville of the Albuquerque Archaeological Association predicts a worsening scenario, if the extension is approved.
[saville]
State Senator Joe Carraro has campaigned for relief from traffic congestion for his constituents for many years. The debate has been contentious and frustrating at times.
[carraro]
Pahl Shipley, the Governor’s spokesperson, says the Governor’s four conditions for approval will decide the outcome.
[Shipley]
The Albuquerque City Council meets again on May third. Reporting for KUNM, this is Rogi Riverstone
CITY COUNCIL VOTE TONIGHT
The Albuquerque City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on whether to approve the Paseo del Norte road extension.
Council approval is one of four conditions placed on the road project by Governor Bill Richardson.
Pahl Shiply, spokesperson for the governor’s office, expressed confidence in the council’s ultimate decision.
[shiply]
State Senator Joe Carraro’s constituency includes west side commuters, seeking relief from traffic congestion. He sees the governor’s conditions as delaying tactics, designed to impede construction, and has little faith in the city’s commitment.
[carraro]
Several community groups still oppose the road.
Beneshi Albert is Campaign Organizer for S.A.G.E. Council, a citizens’ action group, dedicated to preserving ancient petroglyphs, through which the road extension would be built. She is concerned about the council’s vote and its impact on what her organization sees as sacred ground.
[albert]
The Albuquerque City Council may vote tonight on whether or not to approve the controversial extension.
Reporting for KUNM, this is Rogi Riverstone.
Governor Richardson states four conditions which must be met before he’ll authorize extension of Paseo del Norte Boulevard. The second of his conditions is something his office calls, “multimodal transportation alternatives.” Pahl Shiply, spokesperson for the governor, explains.
[shiply]
The Governor’s office expects a completed report on multimodal transportation alternatives later this month.
[shiply]
Critics of the extension argue that city and state officials have offered no tangible support for transportation alternatives. Dara Saville, Vice President of the Albuquerque Archaeological Association, elaborates.
[saville]
Bineshi Albert, Campaign Organizer for S.A.G.E Council, a citizens’ action group opposed to construction, questions the city’s commitment to providing transportation alternatives.
[albert]
Joe Carrero represents citizens in West Side communities. His advocacy of the Paseo del Norte road extension dates back to the mid nineteen eighties. He questions the Governor’s conditions for approval. He has been examining alternative transportation for west side commuters throughout the nearly-twenty-year discussions.
[carrero]
Until and unless the Governor receives current and complete reports regarding the viability of alternative modes of transportation for West Side commuters, he will not authorize funding for the Paseo del Norte road extension.
For KUNM, this is Rogi Riverstone
PASEO DEL NORTE ROAD EXTENSION: ALTERNATIVE ROUTES
042104
LEAD IN:
THE PROPOSED ROAD EXTENSION AT PASEO DEL NORTE BOULEVARD WOULD PASS THROUGH PETROGLYPHS NATIONAL MONUMENT. GOVERNOR RICHARDSON’S FOUR CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF THE EXTENSION INCLUDE ONE WHICH REQUIRES EXAMINING ALTERNATIVE ROUTES. BOTH THOSE FAVORING THE EXTENSION AND OPPOSED TO IT HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON THE WEST SIDE FOR MANY YEARS. ROGI RIVERSTONE REPORTS
The fourth of Governor Richardson’s conditions for approval of the Paseo del Norte road extension requires minimizing possible legal impediments. As Pahl Shipley, the Governor’s spokesperson explains, Richardson’s first concern is reducing the State’s possible exposure to legal actions.
[shipley]
Opponents of the road extension point to outdated reports, such as an Environmental Impact Survey, which they say no longer representative of the area. Dara Saville, Vice President of the Albuquerque Archaeology Association, elaborates.
[seville]
The Albuquerque City Attorney’s Office has informed the Governor’s office that it sees no legal impediments to building an extension to Paseo del Norte Boulevard. But community activist and SAGE Council Campaign Organizer, Bineshi Albert, sees several obligations which the City hasn’t met.
[albert]
Some West Side residents feel completely frustrated by the City of Albuquerque’s apparent lack of action over the past, two decades. Congested traffic and the resulting, limited development in the area have pushed some West Side residents to consider leaving the city, all together, to form their own municipality. State Senator Joe Carraro, who represents residents and business owners on the West Side, explains why secession might be necessary.
[carraro]
The Governor’s office says it understands that the Paseo del Norte extension is a contentious issue, with strong feelings on all sides.
[shipley]
Reporting for KUNM, this is Rogi Riverstone
042304-PASEO SUMMATION LEAD IN:GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON HAS ISSUED FOUR CONDITIONS WHICH MUST BE MET BEFORE HE’LL AUTHORIZE EXTENSION OF PASEO DEL NORTE BOULEVARD THROUGH PETROGLYPHS NATIONAL MONUMENT. IN THE LAST OF HER FIVE PART SERIES, ROGI RIVERSTONE EXAMINES THE COMMUNITY’S PREDICTIONS FOR POSSIBLE RESOLUTION OF THIS CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.
rriverstone.com
Site Map
Rogi's Gallery
Arts & Crafts
Email Rogi Riverstone
\
http://zboxhosting.com/