Editor:
You ask in your May 21, 2009 editorial whether the New Mexico Department of Transportation is protecting the taxpayers’ interest by acquiring land from Luis Atencio in Arroyo Seco by taking about half the land it was going to take in the first place. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that half the land means half the price.
The Department should not only be commended for saving the taxpayers money, but just as important, for being rational when Mr. Atencio asked the Department not to take his water well. Having the state take your property is not easy. A cooperative attitude from the Department is refreshing.
My questions to you are, what makes Mr. Atencio’s efforts to save his property so sinister? Are you saying that he has done something illegal? Have you chosen to use Mr. Atencio to sell your newspaper because he is Hispanic? You should report how many tax dollars Mr. Atencio’s family has collected for the city and county over the years.
Lorenzo Atencio
Española
(Lorenzo Atencio is the son of Luis Atencio)