Normally, I don’t respond to letters, which lack coherence and merit, but I felt compelled to address Joe Salazar’s ludicrous and whimsical assertions.
He tries to create the illusion that the current mayor should be able to snap his fingers and all crime and homelessness would disappear. Anyone with a modicum of common sense knows this is a complex problem and cannot be resolved overnight. Mayor Javier Sanchez is working diligently with state and federal partnerships to resolve them.
It is true, federal funds are allocated, but Mr. Salazar misses the key point that leadership is required to allocate capital. Again, the mayor has proven his ability in this area.
Mr. Salazar then begins to spew untruths when he says the mayor brags about his business generating $1.5 million in revenue. Not so! He speaks about money paid in payroll to employees. His business has contributed greatly to Española’s economy.
Mr. Salazar alludes to the transfer of the National Guard Armory to the city and attempts to make it appear like nothing else was required. It is much more than that. Mayor Sanchez displayed leadership in quickly renovating it and having Amazon sign a rental agreement.
The citizens of Española need to ask John Ramon Vigil about his relationship with the former sheriff, who is in state prison and Phillip Chacon, who is federal prison.
Michael Vigil
Albuquerque