Hello!
One thing about being disabled that I’m sure most people don’t realize is the inherent exclusion that happens when you don’t have reliable transportation, a reliable healthy body, etc. and the only counter to it is your own advocacy.
Today, I don’t have much for you. As I mentioned in my post about the commissioner’s meeting, I think a good thing to do would be to call and email your elected officials about an ongoing meeting with a coalition dedicated to solving the problem, or even outright demanding a government-funded shelter (which has never existed in Alamogordo, according to JoAnn Vullo; the last long-term shelter was maintained by Runner’s Refuge).
I believe the best thing to put out today is the contact information, in one place, of the officials who could help. It’s not fun, I get that, but if we want the government to work for us in any way, we need to be a bit of a nuisance, and keep speaking up for our community. A district map/address search can be found here.
(Reminder: If you happen to desire to put your name in the running or know someone who does, district 1 applications are due February 14th.)
Governor Lujan-Grisham
Email: Click Here
Phone: (505) 476-2200
I can’t find any contact information for her on the governor’s website, and that might be something to seek clarity on, but Lujan-Grisham appointed a director of “homeless” initiatives on January 27th. *
A lot of people are passionate about this issue and making sure the unhoused are treated like valuable human beings, and it’s beautiful to see. Right now, we just have be organized about what we are demanding. A single commissioner’s meeting to workshop an ordinance is not enough. Tackling the problem of unsheltered community members needs to be an ongoing conversation.
Personally, I think getting local leadership to commit to a coalition meeting is a good priority. And, we need to make sure that the presentation by Community of Hope and Las Cruces Neighborhood Revitalization, mentioned by Courtney McCary Squyres, is on the agenda for the February 25th commissioner’s meeting. I will absolutely be in attendance.
Salud, Alamogordo
*Language can be powerful, and I personally highly prefer the term unhoused, because it directs the conversation where it needs to be focused. In theory.
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