Questions for Candidates - North Valley Edition

Good questions submitted for a candidate forum in the valley held recently.  Edited for length.  Thanks John!

When will NMDOT widen Alameda to 3 lanes each way across the Rio Grande to reduce delays and congestion for commuters?  

Ack, ack, ack! 'Scuse me.  Clearing my throat. 

What can the State do to encourage towns and counties to better and effectively enforce traffic and speeding laws? Speeding is an ongoing problem in this area, especially on north 4th and 2nd streets, Alameda Blvd, Montano Rd and Paseo del Norte. 

Jail time for Daskalos! 

Can we get a train stop at Osuna to better serve the Los Ranchos Village Center, Vista del Norte and Sandia Prep?   

No.  Because then everyone will want one and it'll take four hours to get to Santa Fe. 

Will you (the State) help fund regional transit across the Albuquerque area? There is a need for expanded bus service between Downtown Albuquerque, the Cottonwood area, the North Valley and southern Rio Rancho. We also need bus shelters and benches, too. 

Here's an umbrella.  Take a seat on the curb of that new third lane.

What are you doing to reduce our dependence on oil?

Adding lanes to Alameda, apparently.  

Will the State continue to support alternative energy projects, like residential solar water heaters and photovoltaic systems? Can we do more?  

Here's a shovel.  Dig a deep hole you can use to moderate home temperatures and store food.  Digging keeps you warm.   Deep holes are handy in dark times.  I read "The Road."

Name 3 things you are doing to help drivers cope with the rising cost of gasoline. Natural gas? What will NM look like when gasoline is $5/gallon and wages are the same as 10 years ago? 

Three things?  Trick question.   Three Alameda lanes!  

Is the State doing any contingency planning for climate change over the next 20 ~ 30 years?   

There's that "Planning" word. 

What are you doing to reduce the emissions of Greenhouse gases?

I'm getting sleepy.

 
Will the legislature impose stricter limits on residential water wells? Why or why not?

And thirsty.

 
Do you support the "Trails on Ditches" initiative?

Sounds dangerous.  I'd support trails right beside the ditches but not on or in them. 

As Albuquerque and the Northeast Heights build out to the Sandia Pueblo line, there is a growing threat of storm water flooding in the far North Valley and Alameda. Can the State help protect us here in Alameda? Can regulations do more to capture rainwater on site, instead of draining it downhill onto us?

The State could help protect you, but you'd be better off with detention ponds.