By LISA BRENNERLos Alamos
Dear County Councilors,
With the upcoming discussion tonight of the continued want for recreational projects in Los Alamos I have three suggestions:
1) Any LANL contract could incorporate an item from the bidder toward community development. LANL is just as interested in attracting the best and the brightest and, if it’s true that adding recreational facilities will accomplish this, then it’s appropriate for them to have some skin in the game. It is not a “punishment” as I’ve heard a Councilor say, but an honor and smart business.
2) Some thought should be made toward combining the Splash Pad fees/memberships with the private pools in White Rock. A solution in this area would encourage the continued use of the private pools which will otherwise not be able to compete with a government funded facility.
3) Maintenance and upgrades to the existing golf course and softball fields should be a priority. Let’s maintain what we have and upgrade appropriately.
My two concerns are these:
1) If it is true that the LANL contract will only allow for-profit bidders, I have to wonder if we are truly getting bidders from the very best that is out there. Our national security is dependent on excellence at our lab. Yet Los Alamos has been spoiled by the increased GRT revenue from a for-profit contractor and the weaning would be painful–especially since we have not saved an emergency fund. The most qualified bidder should be the highest priority.
2) It has become evident that the approximately $14 million in the CIP funds was really $10 million. The missing $4 million were “projected” revenue. I think it’s unfair (or worse) to have campaigned for the Rec Bond on the full $14 million as already in-the-pot. Voters would very much appreciate being given accurate information so that our votes can be made with full knowledge.
In order to preempt the impulsive desires of two of the Councilors to unethically expose and target citizens, I am copying the two local papers myself.
