We all have witnessed it. We see it everyday, whether we are driving to work, the grocery store, or elsewhere. The increase in homelessness and crime is too common in Española as well as in the entire country.
Stores have resorted to locking up many of their products, only to have you, the consumer, request it from a clerk in order to purchase it. Española residents are hit hard by this new reality. Like you, I am fed up.
When it comes to crime and homelessness, our elected officials must seek out as many resources as possible to combat these problems. We must hold our elected officials accountable. We all want the City to hire more certified police officers and deal with homelessness and the drug epidemic. We all have asked, “What will this take?” We know that a lot of the City’s financial woes is due to lack of funding. That needs to change.
The backbone to any city coffers is what is received through gross receipts tax (GRT) and property taxes. Cities depend on these very basic funding sources to operate. However, with federal and state grants more readily available, the City can’t afford any missed opportunities and aggressively seek out these funds. This is one solution.
Another solution is to attract new businesses to Española as well as housing developments. More business means more GRT. Building mixed income housing options within the city will bring in additional property taxes to help to pay competitive salaries for our police officers, firefighters and first responders.
Many of you know that I am a retired accountant with over 25 years of work experience in finance, budgets, and the audit process. I want my knowledge and experience to benefit the City. I recognize that it is only by working together that we can move Española forward. Elected officials must remember that if they are not part of the solution, they are part of the problem.
Joseph “Joe” Salazar is a candidate for Espanola City Council, District 4.