Community College is on a campaign to secure a cool $35 million in bond funding. In a state beleaguered by budget problems. In a recession.
“We’re getting a lot of positive response,” SFCC President Sheila Ortego tells SFR. “It’s a scary time for people, but I think they realize education is one of the most important investments you can make.”
Ortego will hit up KSFR, the Rotary Club and Girls Inc. of Santa Fe this week to make her pitch in the run-up to the Aug. 3 vote (votesfcc.com). The biggest chunk of bond money ($12 million) is slated for building a new higher education center—most likely on land adjacent to the College of Santa Fe—with the rest going to green programs, infrastructure, technology and parking upgrades.
“We’re getting a lot of positive response,” SFCC President Sheila Ortego tells SFR. “It’s a scary time for people, but I think they realize education is one of the most important investments you can make.”
Ortego will hit up KSFR, the Rotary Club and Girls Inc. of Santa Fe this week to make her pitch in the run-up to the Aug. 3 vote (votesfcc.com). The biggest chunk of bond money ($12 million) is slated for building a new higher education center—most likely on land adjacent to the College of Santa Fe—with the rest going to green programs, infrastructure, technology and parking upgrades.
Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) is asking voters to approve a $35 million bond issue to build a new Higher Learning Center at the College of Santa Fe campus on St. Michael’s Drive. It would also provide funds to build new roads and parking lots at the existing SFCC campus on Richards Ave. Less than 10% of the bond funds would be used to renovate existing buildings.
Construction of the Higher Learning Center would require the removal and relocation of hundreds of prairie dogs, destroy acres of habitat, and reduce Santa Fe’s natural heritage. The site is also habitat for lizards, burrowing owls, and other birds and vertebrates of the prairie ecosystem.
The County of Santa Fe has become notorious for misusing taxpayer funds to pave private roads. The City of Santa Fe has been removing prairie dogs from city parks and drafting an ordinance to ban wildlife feeding, while planning to expand and redevelop St. Michael’s Drive. The State continues to spend off-budget “capital outlay” funds on new roads and buildings, while cutting back on basic education and state services. Voters have not had a say in city, county or state paving projects, but we have an opportunity to vote against Community College paving projects.
Instead of allowing the county to lower property taxes as existing loans are paid off, SFCC expects voters to take on new debt, which would keep property tax bills at or near their current level. They are soliciting tax-deductible contributions to GROW Santa Fe Community College Foundation to campaign for the new bond issue.
Taxpayers for the Environment for Animals oppose wasting taxpayer money for environmental destruction. The animals deserve a TEA party. Vote NO on the bond issue August 3.
TEA Party for Animals
teaparty.foranimals.org