By DAVID HAMPTON
Los Alamos
Can you imagine not having UNM-LA? I can’t, and strongly encourage a YES vote on the UNM-LA General Obligation Bond.
These funds will be used for projects including roof leak repairs, bringing UNM-LA up to ADA standards, modernizing IT, and modernizing energy efficiency of the buildings. Remember, many of UNM-LA’s buildings were constructed in the 1940s. Heck, they’re even older than me!
It is essential that our science based town have an institution of higher learning, and we cannot continue to successfully offer programs, such as our 4 year Mechanical Engineering Degree, Welding Certifications, Machining Certifications, Radiological Control Technician Certifications, and many others, without modernizing our buildings.
And let’s not forget our dual credit programs with LAHS. This program allows our high school age children to complete the first 2 years of college for free, while remaining in town. Have you looked at what 2 years of college goes for these days? I remember, and shudder.
Most capital improvements at UNM-LA are paid for by the State of New Mexico, but State Law requires the local community to pay 25%. In this case, we need $12M, so we are required to raise $3M locally to get the $9M State of New Mexico matching.
As with anything worthwhile, it costs money. And while I generally will not support anything that increases the cost of housing in Los Alamos, or the other costs to live here, the good news is that this bond will cost very little. The homeowner(s) of a house valued at $400,000 will only experience an increase of $5.56 per month in property taxes. A $600,000 valuation will see an $8.33 increase.
For more information, please see the FAQ at https://losalamos.unm.edu/about/go-bond/unmlabond-faq.html or check your League of Women Voters (LWV) Voter Guide, which was delivered to you on Thursday Oct. 3 as an insert to the Los Alamos Daily Post print addition.
Early voting starts this Tuesday Oct. 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building.
Thank you!