Next Meeting
Next CCIA Meeting: 23 May 2024, 6PM
Primary Election Candidates:
Dave Tofsted for NM Senate District 36,
Larry Sedillo for NM House District 34
@ Kitchen Kraft (980 N Telshor Blvd)
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Latest News
CCIAMay 17, 2024Events / Knowledge Box / Meetings Read more...
Rob WoodMay 16, 2024Sound-OffHi All,  I sent the following to our Mayor, a couple of councilors and one of the LCPS Board members:Good Morning ……, I was speaking with Dolores Lucero of the Spaceport Authority yesterday about the upcoming Spaceport America Cup and the need for the City to visibly roll out the welcoming mat to all the entrants in this international event. She feels the Spaceport Authority should do it which is fine but I feel Las Cruces should majorly be involved in light of this opportunity to create local enthusiasm not only around town but it must be in the schools also. Education is about motivation which can be external and internal. I hope you have attended the previous events open house of all the participants and their projects. Just walking into the room envelopes one with profound sense of enthusiasm that one immediately wishes they could can and release in every school and home. It always astounds me as to the level of boredom in these exciting times. We ask our children what they did in school each day and the common reply is “Nothing”. Well what if those parents saw banners across our main thoroughfares and on light poles welcoming these thousands of students and their desire to compete in this rapidly advancing technology? If that adult exposure is brought home and is also promoted in schools when the adult mentions it the child will of course respond that they learned about it in school and maybe, just maybe, the child and parent might attend the open house and meet the contestants who are more than excited to tell everything about their project to anyone who will listen. A banner on the runway side of our airport terminal is essential because space people fly in. A few years back the Egyptian team flew in, in a C-130. Please do not miss this opportunity to better Las Cruces so that this much needed enthusiasm to the betterment of all is felt and retained. Rob WoodFormer Airport Advisory Board Chair575-635-0803 https://spaceportamericacup.com/ [...] Read more...
LC Sun-News - Jason GrovesMay 13, 2024Knowledge BoxEarly voting is underway in New Mexico, and what is perhaps the most important and competitive race in Doña Ana County promises to be for the Third Judicial District Attorney. Shaharazad Booth is one of four Democrat candidates vying to replace incumbent Gerald Byers during the Primary Election June 4. Democrats Ramona Martinezand Fernando Macias make up the rest of the Democrat challengers. The winner will face Republican Michael Cain in November.  “It was never on my things to do list,” said Booth, who is seeking an elected position for the first time. “I have a 7-year-old, my family is here. My extended family is here now. I love the community and I’m watching its patience run dry.” More:District Attorney candidates face off in forum ahead of competitive race In an interview with the Sun-News, Booth talked about a host of issues discussed in multiple candidate forums in the lead up to the primary. Those include case dismissals, over charging or undercharging crimes and a lack of funding to run the second largest judicial jurisdiction in the state. But Booth indicated that most issues stem from an office that has been understaffed. Byers said during a recent forum that the DA’s office currently has 19 attorneys on staff.  “Year 1 we have to build the budget,” Booth said. “We can’t do a thing until the money is there to fill positions and all we can do until then is triage.” After graduating from law school at the University of Arkansas in 2011, Booth worked in the Third Judicial District office before leaving to work in the Sixth Judicial District. She returned to Las Cruces to open a private practice as a defense attorney in 2019. There were 27 attorneys in the DAs office when Booth went to Deming, she said. Booth said she multiple local attorneys who commuting elsewhere for work would be willing to join her at the District Attorney’s Office if she’s elected. “They know what they are doing and know how to get things done and will come in with a reputation of credibility,” Booth said. Booth said she would seek funding from the state to fill out the office. From a structural standpoint, Booth said she would appoint two chief deputy district attorneys to alleviate the bottleneck of cases that are prosecuted. One would oversee drug crimes and the other would evaluate white collar and victim based crimes. Under them would be deputy district attorneys with one responsible for the juvenile system, and one to supervise misdemeanor crimes. “They (the current DA office) have decided to prioritize victim based crimes, but I believe a lot of our community says property crime is going up and they are seeing nothing of it,” Booth said. “The bottom line is I don’t think they are getting prosecuted.” Booth said deputy DAs would have authority to make and approve plea agreements and adjustments to agreements. “You have to have a clear policy on what plea agreements will look like out of your office you can deviate because every person deserves an individual look at your case, but you need to establish in this office, this is how we handle these cases,” Booth said. She gives the example of a client who has been in jail for two years because they would not accept the charge, opting for a trial even though pleading to a lesser charge was a realistic option. “Why those cases aren’t being evaluated for those kinds of plea offers, I think, is either a lack of experience or a lack of time,” she said. While she was a deputy district attorney in Deming, Booth said she learned the value of relationships with law enforcement. Officers often prosecute their own cases, particularly misdemeanor cases. Booth stressed communication with officers regarding how to interpret the law while in the field, updating them of changes and keeping them informed. “Officers want to know why their cases aren’t going to trial or is being dismissed without plea,” Booth said. “If you have to dismiss their case because they did something wrong in the field, it was your job to let them know. Officers are burdened with the job of everything.” In a recent candidate forum, Booth claimed she would prioritize every case if she was elected, claiming property crime against a business owner should be approached with the same urgency as the victim based crimes currently prioritized in the DAs office. “In my heart and because I am in the system, I know the problem is the DA’s office,” she said when asked why she entered the race. “I keep waiting for the right person to run, but sometimes you turn around and say it’s your turn.” Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or [email protected]. Follow him on X @jpgroves. [...] Read more...
Juan GarciaMay 11, 2024Action Alert0 [...] Read more...
BethMay 2, 2024Sound-OffMayor Enriquez,I want to implore you to NOT allow the Las Cruces City Council to issue a Gazan ceasefire proclamation to Israel.  There are thousands of us who support Israel and the war that was inflicted on them since October 7th is a tragedy.   To place the totality of responsibility on Israel to ceasefire is misguided.  There is presently a proposal BY Israel for a ceasefire.  It is and always has been on Hamas to stop the bombings, return the people who they keep as hostages(whether alive or dead) and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza to help the Palestinian people. Do not believe the death and injury counts provided by UNRWA, Hamas or Al Jezeera.  The IDF has gone to great lengths to minimize civilian casualties – better than any other military conflict in history. To state otherwise is another lie and propaganda by Hamas to garner Western countries sympathy. Most casualties are terrorists and fighters. Hamas knew there would be civilian deaths.  War is horrible. Any death is tragic but please keep in mind that Hamas has had 18 years to prepare for this war that was started intentionally and with full knowledge of the destruction and death it was going to bring to the Palestinian people when Israel retaliated. We all pray it will end soon but Israel cannot stop until Hamas is destroyed or removed from power in Gaza. As a man of faith I know you understand the sacred importance the Jews have in history. The God of us all will not allow Israel to be destroyed or the Jewish people eliminated. The ancient hatred that has existed between Arabs and Jews is far more complicated than any of us can negotiate through.  We can pray for the peace of Israel and for Gods direction in the hearts of men. Please do not participate in any proclamation that subverts Israels right to exist or defend itself. Thank you for your leadership. Many of us are praying as you face the Goliaths of this city. It takes determination, vision and fortitude and we support you. Beth Bousquet 5th District – Las Cruces [...] Read more...
Juan GarciaApril 30, 2024Knowledge Box Read more...
sarahApril 26, 2024Action AlertSarah Smith, Julia Ruiz, and Juan Garcia Dear Las Crucens, We need your help! Two new ordinances are being proposed to help with the crime situation in Las Cruces. Will you please email, call, and/or attend the Monday April 29 work session to make a public comment? See below for more information and potential talking points. THE SITUATION TWO PROPOSED ORDINANCES The Las Cruces police department has worked on two new ordinances to help with the crime situation. Snapshots of the ordinances are at the bottom of this email, or you can download and read the proposed ordinances in full here: https://lascruces.civicweb.net/document/198072/SOLICITATION%20AND%20SHOPPING%20CART%20ORDINANCES..pdf?handle=160DBA1DF7914506AC88FF6ABF5245F0 Shopping cart containment and retrieval ordinance: Requires businesses to be proactive in trying to prevent theft of their shopping cartsMakes it unlawful to take shopping carts, possess shopping carts, and abandon shopping cartsImposes penalties such as petty misdemeanor charges and fines Solicitation ordinance: Makes it illegal to aggressively panhandleMakes it illegal to solicit money on roadways (but does not prevent standing on the medians, as those types of prohibitions have not been upheld in legal challenges) WORK SESSION TO DISCUSS ORDINANCES These two ordinances will be discussed at the work session on Monday April 29. The ordinances are the ONLY items on the agenda for this meeting. The Mayor typically allows the public to ask questions or make comments during work sessions. Comments and emails will be most effective if they relate to personal experiences with issues related to shopping carts or soliciting (panhandling) specifically. NOTE: The City Council will NOT be voting on the Ordinances at the work session. They are only allowed to vote on Ordinances at City Council meetings (not at work sessions). TWO WAYS TO TAKE ACTION Potential talking points are provided below. Make sure to send individual emails instead of one group email if you want a response. Please be respectful in your communications for the maximum positive impact. PLEASE EMAIL/CALL CITY COUNCIL Mayor – Eric Enriquez – [email protected] – 575-541-2067District 1 – Cassie McClure – [email protected] – 575-541-2073District 2 – Bill Mattiace – [email protected] – 575-541-2068District 3 – Becki Graham – [email protected] – 575-541-2070District 4 – Johana Bencomo – [email protected] – 575-541-2071District 5 – Becky Corran – [email protected] – 575-541-2072District 6 – Yvonne Flores – [email protected] – 575-541-2069City Clerk – Christine Rivera – [email protected] – 575 541-2115 All email addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] PLEASE ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION There will be a special City Council work session on Monday April 29 at 1pm. We need as many people as possible to attend. Even if you are not going to speak, please attend to show support for these ordinances.   WHAT: City Council Meeting   WHEN: Monday April 29 at 1pm   WHERE: City Hall, 700 N Main St, Las Cruces 88001 POTENTIAL TALKING POINTS Here are some potential talking points about this issue. Please do NOT copy-paste these verbatim. Your communications will be most effective if you add in your own words as well. Please be respectful to make the most positive impact. Please support the shopping cart ordinance and solicitation ordinance.Shopping carts are being stolen and there need to be consequences.Please make it easier for businesses and families to be safe by approving the solicitation ordinance. 3 [...] Read more...
CCIAApril 21, 2024Education / Knowledge BoxDear Las Cruces area parents, Many parents are unaware of some important issues and policies affecting students in Las Cruces schools including: New state laws that allow children of any age to access abortion and transgender healthcare without parental consent or notification (Reference: HB7 Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care) o  These laws also impose fines of $5,000 on school nurses or teachers who do not facilitate access to this healthcare Transgender affirmation in Las Cruces schools (Reference: LCPS Regulation JBD – Gender Inclusive Schools) o  Biologically-male transgender students are allowed to use girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms o  Transgender students are allowed to participate in sports in their chosen gender identity, thereby potentially displacing girls by requiring them to compete with biological boys who are naturally stronger and faster o  “Comfort closets” at several schools are being used by students to change their gender appearance at school Age-inappropriate sexually explicit books in school libraries o  Adult “erotic romance” books are listed in LCPS middle and high school library catalogs o  Such books contain graphic descriptions of sex acts, anal sex, and bondage, including illegal sex acts between adults and minors o  Three examples are Jack of Hearts and Other Parts book in Mayfield High School library. Push book at Organ Mountain High School, and Court of Silver Flames book listed in Sierra Middle School and 3 high school libraries We have a working group of concerned citizens and parents who are working to increase parent awareness of these issues and push for improvements in LCPS policies.  Three questions for you: 1.  Would you be interested in attending a parents’ forum where you can learn more about these issues in LCPS? If so, which of the following are best for availability?  Weekday evening or Saturday afternoonCurrent semester, summer, or next semester 2.  Do you want to receive updates about these issues? 3.  Are you potentially interested in getting involved in these efforts?  Thanks for your time. Feel free to share this with other parents who may be interested. Please let me know if you want to be removed from this email list.  Sincerely,Sarah Smith Las Cruces, NM [...] Read more...
Tina Griego(an article submitted by Dan ParrottApril 14, 2024Knowledge BoxWhat if 20 million Illegal Aliens Vacated America? I, Tina Griego, journalist for the Denver Rocky Mountain News has written a column titled, “Mexican Visitors’ Lament.” I interviewed Mexican journalist Evangelina Hernandez while visiting Denver last week. Hernandez said, “Illegal aliens pay rent, buy groceries, buy clothes. What happens to your country’s economy if 20 million people go away?” Hmmm, I thought, what would happen? So, I did my due diligence, buried my nose as a reporter into the FACTS I found below. It’s a good question…it deserves an honest answer. Over 80% of Americans demand secured borders. What would happen if all 20 million or more vacated America? This may surprise you! In California, if 3.5 million illegal aliens moved back to Mexico, it would leave an extra $10.2 billion to spend on overloaded school systems, bankrupt hospitals and overrun prisons. It would leave highways cleaner, safer and less congested. Everyone could understand one another as English became the dominant language again. It means 12,000 gang members would vanish out of Denver alone. Colorado would save more than $20 million in prison costs, and the terror that those 7,300 alien criminals set upon local citizens. Denver Officer Don Young and hundreds of Colorado victims would not have suffered death, accidents, rapes and other crimes by illegals. Denver Public Schools would not suffer a 67% dropout/flunk rate because of thousands of illegal alien students speaking 41 different languages. Denver’s 4% unemployment rate would vanish as our working poor would gain jobs at a living wage. In Chicago, Illinois, 2.1 million illegals would free up hospitals, schools, prisons and highways for a safer, cleaner and more crime-free experience. If 20 million illegal aliens returned ‘home,’ the U.S. economy would return to the Rule of Law. Employers would hire legal American citizens at a living wage. Everyone would pay their fair share of taxes because they wouldn’t be working off the books. That would result in an additional $401 billion in IRS income taxes collected annually, and an equal amount for local, state and city coffers. No more confusion in American schools that now must contend with over 100 languages that degrade the educational system for American kids. Our overcrowded schools would lose more than two million illegal alien kids at a cost of billions in ESL and free breakfasts and lunches. We would lose 500,000 illegal criminal alien inmates at a cost of more than $1.6 billion annually. That includes 15,000 MS-13 gang members who distribute $130 billion in drugs annually and would vacate our country. In cities like L.A., 20,000 members of the ’18th Street Gang’ would vanish from our nation. No more Mexican forgery gangs for ID theft from Americans! No more foreign rapists and child molesters! America’s economy is drained. Taxpayers are harmed. Employers get rich. Over $80 billion annually wouldn’t return to the aliens’ home countries by cash transfers. Illegal migrants earned half that money untaxed, which further drains America’s economy which currently suffers a $30 trillion debt. More than $30 TRILLION !! At least 400,000 anchor babies would not be born in our country, costing us $109 billion per year per cycle. At least 86 hospitals in California, Georgia and Florida would still be operating instead of being bankrupt out of existence because illegals pay nothing via the EMTOLA Act. Americans wouldn’t suffer thousands of TB and hepatitis cases rampant in our country – brought in by illegals unscreened at our borders. Our cities would see 20 million fewer people driving, polluting and grid locking our cities’ greenhouse gasses. Over one million of Mexico’s poorest citizens now live inside and along our border from Brownsville, Texas, to San Diego, California, in what the New York Times called, ‘colonias’ or new neighborhoods. Trouble is, those living areas resemble Bombay and Calcutta where grinding poverty, filth, diseases, drugs, crimes, no sanitation and worse run rampant. They live without sewage, clean water, streets, roads, electricity, or any kind of sanitation. The New York Times reported them to be America’s new ‘Third World’ inside our own country. Within 20 years, at their current growth rate, they expect 20 million residents of those colonias. (I’ve seen them personally in Texas and Arizona; it’s sickening beyond anything you can imagine.) We already invite a million people into our country legally/annually, more than all other countries combined – with growing anarchy at our borders. It’s time to stand up for our country, our culture, our civilization and our way of life. Interesting statistics below. Here are 12 reasons illegal aliens should vacate America, and I hope they are forwarded over and over again until they are read so many times that the reader gets sick of reading them: 1. $14 billion to $22 billion dollars are spent each year on welfare to illegal aliens (that’s Billion with a ‘B’). 2. $7.5 billion dollars are spent each year on Medicaid for illegal aliens. 3. $12 billion dollars are spent each year on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they still cannot speak a word of English. $27 billion dollars are spent each year for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies. 4. $3 Million Dollars ‘PER DAY’ is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. That’s $1.2 Billion a year. 5. 28% percent of all federal prison inmates are illegal aliens. 6. $190 billion dollars are spent each year on illegal aliens for welfare & social services by the American taxpayers. 7. $200 billion dollars per year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. 8. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that’s two and a half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US. 9. During the year 2005, there were 8 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our southern border with as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from other terrorist countries. Over 10,000 of those were middle-eastern terrorists. Millions of pounds of drugs, fentanyl, cocaine, meth, heroin, crack, guns, and marijuana crossed into the U.S. from the southern border. 10. The National Policy Institute, estimates that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion, or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period. 11. In 2006, illegal aliens sent home $65 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin, to their families and friends. 12. The dark side of illegal immigration: Nearly one million sex crimes are committed by illegal immigrants in the United States! Total cost – a whopping $538.3 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR ! And we don’t need a wall? 1 [...] Read more...
sarahApril 9, 2024Sound-OffDear Mayor Enriquez, City Councilors, and Chief StoryAs a follow-up to my comment today, here is a list of some crime Bills that you may want to consider advocating for in advance of the next legislative session.  SJR11 – Requirements for Denial of Bail, CASB16 – Criminal Competency DeterminationHB44 – Pretrial Detention PresumptionHB69 – Crime of Organized Residential TheftHB46 – Felon in Possession of a FirearmHB47 – Unlawful Firearms While TraffickingHB 155 – Three Strikes LawHB 60 – Enhanced Sentencing for Fentanyl (2023)HB 57 – Tort Immunity for Shoplifter Apprehension (2023)HB 155 – Aggravated Battery on a Peace Officer Penalty (2023)HB 58 – Additional Violent Felonies (2023) I understand that there is a lobbyist for City Council, but am hopeful that perhaps more can be done to advocate for Bills earlier in the Interim Committee meetings to build up more momentum in advance of the 2025 session.  Hopefully Chief Story can weigh in on these and determine which ones look the most promising in order to increase the effectiveness of LCPD’s efforts. Once you identify Bills for the next session that you think will help our crime/mental health/substance abuse issues, please let me know. I’m a co-leader for a non-partisan statewide grassroots coalition of thousands of people (NM Freedoms Alliance) through which we can mount large public support for favorable Bills through emails/calls/committee hearing testimony.  I look forward to watching the April 22 work session to learn more about what you are planning for Municipal Court. I hope this is helpful. Sincerely,Sarah— [...] Read more...

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