I am writing in response to Brigit McGaughey’s letter to the editor (Rio Grande SUN, “Time for State to Fix Authority,” Jan. 10, 2019, page A6).
What is needed is for the citizens of Rio Arriba County to petition for a grand jury investigation into the North Central Solid Waste Authority. The constitution of the state of New Mexico provides that citizens require only 200 signatures to empanel a grand jury.
Article II, Section 14 of the New Mexico Constitution states, “A grand jury shall be ordered to convene upon the filing of a petition therefore signed by not less than the lesser of 200 registered voters or 5 percent of the registered voters of the county.”
At this point, because neither North Central Solid Waste Authority nor Rio Arriba County are responsive to the concerns of its citizens, it is time for the citizens to take action. When voters lead, politicians follow.
My reason for writing this letter is to let citizens of Rio Arriba County know that I and several others are planning to launch such a petition and to invite more people to participate.
If you are interested, please contact me at 505-583-2514 or P.O. Box 695, La Madera, NM 87539.
We plan to announce a meeting to coordinate and initiate this very needed action.
Antonio DeVargas
La Madera