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Local biz owner concerned about Gallup’s future

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Letter to the Editor:

Recently I attended an economic development roundtable in Santa Fe sponsored by the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation (GGEDC). Many of the presenters were some of the experts in our State related to various issues including economic development, education, infrastructure, and health. I had the opportunity to discuss these issues with many people from the Gallup area. The general consensus was concern regarding the direction and future of Gallup. I feel that Gallup has reached a tipping point in where we are going and how are we going to get there.

I have lived and worked in the Gallup area for over 35 years. This community has been very good to me and my family. Unfortunately, it appears to me that this community is going through a slow death. We are fortunate that Interstate 40 runs through our community. This major asset has allowed the hospitality industry to add various hotel properties in the Gallup area.

I had many conversations with fellow Gallupians in Santa Fe related to the condition of our community in particular the infrastructure. There were many comments on the condition of our streets, sidewalks, and water lines.  One of the presenters in the infrastructure session communicated to me that he had worked very closely with Larry Binkley in the Rosebrough Administration. It is my understanding that the City had a very comprehensive capital project schedule that would address the infrastructure problems in Gallup. He told me that these efforts stopped during the Mendoza Administration.

The GGEDC roundtable reinforced a belief which I have long held. I believe that it is crucial that our City leaders have a clear vision for the future of the City and that they effectively communicate that vision to the people of Gallup. From my point of view, the vision does not have to be elaborate, in fact, it may be that aggressively taking care of basic needs such as streets, sidewalks, and weed control is better than a grand unrealistic vision. To prevent a death by slow decline, business people who are looking to invest in Gallup need to believe that our elected officials are not just reacting to events but that they have a vision for Gallup and they are capable of bringing that vision to life.

Thank you to Patty Lundstrom and her staff at GGEDC for sponsoring the economic development roundtable in Santa Fe. I look forward to working with GGEDC and the City to improve the business climate and quality of life in our great community.

Brett Newberry, CFE, CPA

505-722-6633

407 S. Cliff Drive Suite A

Gallup, NM 87301