[NENA] FW: storm drainage and 1/4 cent tax

[Paul Grunwald]

Ms. Cunnar,  

 

For the third time,  the board mailing list is for the internal use of the
NENA board members only.  You are allowed to send to the members list
(members at noreste.org) only. Board-owner at noreste.org  comes to me only.  You
mail to board at noreste.org will be rejected because you are not a subscriber
and you are not a subscriber because you are not a member of the board.  All
board members are subscribed to the general list as well.  

 

Again, we are a public organization and take positions based on consensus.
If you are asking the board to take action (and I can't tell from your
message below that you are actually asking for anything), you need to do it
publically so it can be discussed.    With regards to some of your issues
listed below,  NENA cannot and will not do anything about your ant hills or
potholes.  As you were repeatedly told during Tuesday night's meeting, the
proper way solve that problem is to call 311.  

 

If you cannot abide by these rules of conduct,  we will remove you from the
lists and refund your neighborhood association dues and you will be free to
find another forum to air your views and concerns.

 

 

Regards,

Paul Grunwald

Treasurer, VP Manor, and Past President

 

From: mailman-bounces at server7.namecheaphosting.com
[mailto:mailman-bounces at server7.namecheaphosting.com] On Behalf Of K Cunnar
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:25 PM
To: board-owner at noreste.org
Subject: re: storm drainage and 1/4 cent tax

 

Dear Board of NENA,

 

During the winter months, the rain's run off sometimes gets to be quite high
along Oakland. If there is inadequate storm drainage systems, then the water
pools and evaporates.  This is bad for several reasons.  First, if the water
evaporates, then that is less water going into the storm drainage and rain
water is a major source of water for New Mexico. Water evaporation is a
problem in water conservation.  Second, if  the pools of water do not
evaporate or go down a storm drainage and if the weather is cold and
freezes, then  there are small cracks where water seeps into the sublevel of
asphalt. Once the water seeps into the sublevel of asphalt and the water
freezes, then potholes and cracks in the asphalt form.  If the pothole, is
not covered up, then that allows water to seep in and create a larger
pothole.   The snow

during the winter can melt and the water seeps into the asphalt sublevel
where already existing cracks and potholes are creating more potholes and
more cracks. Which is why it is imperative to seal and cover each new
pothole and crack during every cycle.  If the potholes are not covered, then
there is a chance the water can seep into the concrete and crack the
concrete.  If this happens, then once the concrete is cracked no matter how
many times that the street gets repaved, then the repaved street will only
last 3 to 5 years.  A non- cracked concrete foundation will help protect the
pavement to last up to 20 years.  I have noticed several cracks in the
asphalt in the Cul de Sac.  There is a small ant hole formed in one crack in
the asphalt in front of my house.  

 

The storm drainage system is not adequate in the area.  It would make more
sense to add 4% to the 1/4 tax

toward maintaining, rebuilding, redoing storm drainages in all Districts.
Storm drainages working adequately will help reduce the chance of flooding,
will help keep water from evaporating (which will help conserve water).
With an adequate storm drainage

system, then there is reduced chance of potholes as there would be less
flooding. Less flooding means less chance of water seeping into pavement and
during times of weather freezing, then less potholes and cracks forming-
with adequate storm drainage systems.  With adequate storm

drainage systems there is less need to repair potholes and cracks.  I hope
there the money is put back

for road deficiencies and money is given from 1/4 tax to storm drainage
systems throughout Albuquerque.

I also hope bike lanes receive additional funding as the Federal guidelines
(if passed) will require any new

streets or modified streets (redevelopment) to install bike lanes.  There is
located on Eubank between

Paseo Del Norte and Academy a road that constantly gets flooded.  This is
happening not just in the NE heights, but also all over Albuquerque!!

 

I listened to the City Council Meeting on the government video.  It seems
ridiculous to hear comments

about storm drainage systems costing millions of dollars, yet no big deal to
fund bus shelters at 1.8 million.

For 1.8 million, there could be rebuilt and new storm drainage systems in
several districts.  Why isn't the Head of the Storm Drainage department
speaking up about the problems in Albuquerque?  Are the Department

heads fearful of loosing their jobs, if going against the Mayor and the
Mayor's desire to get the not necessary

street car.  Certainly, there are needs in Albuquerque (lack of healthcare,
lack of patient services for people living with cancer, lack of funding for
research on medicine etc..)  but when the nightly news reports on flooding,
flooding in the streets (can cause disease) , sink holes, potholes or on how
businesses loose revenue every time the City has neglected to maintain
regular maintenance on city streets to the point of now the entire street
needs to be repaved, is ridiculous on how much Transit is getting to fund
people on

how to ride the bus.  

 

I believe that the City Council needs to invite Roland from the Storm
Drainage to speak and John from 

City Municipal.  Also, Bike ABQ. Before any more discussion on 1/4 cent tax.
Storm drainage and 1/4 cent

tax go hand in hand.  The golden opportunity to cover basic essentials such
as, adequate storm drainage

systems is there in the upcoming 1/4 cent tax.  If you drive your car in
flooded streets, then your car can

stall out.  If the weather outside freezes, then the water in the streets
that has seeped into the sublevel

of asphalt can create potholes and cracks in pavement.  Petroleum is the raw
material used to make

asphalt.  It is very expensive to repave city streets.  Simply, ignoring the
needs of the city streets to accommodate a politician that has been in
office for over 20 years achieve a Marty Chavez Street car

is ridiculous and inexcusable.  

 

With the pictures taken on Eubank of the car accident where several
accidents have been as evidence

of the streets median, well why not spend the money to expand the tight
corridor and help keep insurance

rates down for people?  It would seem that by expanding the entrance to the
business that the City

would reduce the amount of car accidents in that area.  Why isn't the police
reports with obvious structural

and road deficiencies being forwarded by APD to Municipal for repair?  It
would seem that would 

be admitting that the City is liable for lack of concern over street funding
for road deficiencies.  

 

The 1/4 cent tax is a golden opportunity to fund the projects that cost
millions of dollars such as, the storm

drainage system.  

 

In the future, the Federal legislation might require (if passed) all cities
to install bike lanes in city streets.

If concrete was laid where existing bike lanes go, (to separate the bike
from car lane), then the storm

drainage systems would need to be moved, too.  

 

The 1/4 cent tax is planning of Albuquerque future, so storm drainage and
pothole and crack maintenance and bike lanes are a big part of the future
need for funding.  It is ridiculous that Transit and Leland have

been the only groups allowed to present.  

 

The City Council needs to recognize the obvious oppression of Mayor Chavez
on his own flock- in getting

the road numbers lowered in not presenting the correct funding needs for
road repairs etc...  I believe

that the City Council needs to invite Storm Drainage Department head to City
Council meeting for a full

report.  Please don't buy into the argument even if from the Head of Storm
Drainage that there is adequate

funding for storm drainage.  All you need to do is turn on the nightly news
(after rain storms, etc.) to know

that is not true!!!

 

 

KC

 

 

 

 

 

 

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