City Government Operations - I

The City recently mailed to, apparently, all addresses with a Las Cruces address, the quarterly bi-lingual 8-page newspaper. The number of pages reminds me of the little 8-page risque comic books we hid from our parents. The name of this newspaper is the Las Cruces Community Connection. Any literate 7th grade student would readily see that the title should be the Las Cruces Community Disconnection. "Why?", you may ask. It's simple. The City of Las Cruces is prejudiced, pure and simple, toward religious minorities and those of no religion. From its TV channel to all its publications and public appearances of the City Councilmen and Councilwomen, it's all there.

It is sad for a city government to be so obsessed with its fictitious stories that portray the Apache as the villains, while promoting the 'miracles' about the naming of the city that some believe.

When the new mayor, Kenneth Miyagishima, a local businessman, was elected there were some in the city relieved that he was elected. There was some belief that we would see some improvement in the 'outreach' from City Hall to the religious minorities that help make this a city. Alas, he is presenting himself as no better than the last mayor, William Mattiace, who excelled in his social ignorance and prejudice toward minorities. Mr. Mattiace has been elevated to a high position in the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce as his reward for protecting the status quo while in office.

The current mayor wears a lapel pin that exudes a sectarian exclusivity that many in Las Cruces are proud to promote, especially using public funds and public property. In the above referenced Connection a state employee received the 'first' Mayor's Distinguished Service Award for the NM Farm and Ranch Museum for "opening its doors [Not explained.] to the firefighters who battled the recent blaze in the Organ Mountains." The plaque has a larger edition of the pin the mayor wears on his lapel. That being a blue and white edition of the ubiquitous three stacked Latin crosses surrounded by a sunburst with 15 points that represents the Gospel of John 15.

Reception to Las Cruces

How was your reception to Las Cruces? Were you well treated at the different public offices as you went about your business to set up a residence? Did you wonder why there were crosses on everything? Or did you just fall for any of the stories you may have read about why the crosses are on everything? Or did you just go by what you heard? Did you think there was something pecular about the crosses situation, they being on all public property?

Have you lived here long enough to notice the country-wide Welcome Wagon has been replaced in Las Cruces with a for-profit company using three crosses for its logo as a warning to the dreaded newcomers (If they stay.) that if you are not a Christian you will only be tolerated. Have you noticed the prevelent inate fear of non-Christians and newcomers?

New Mexico promotes the question of "red or green" for tourists when they order their mealtime chile. In Las Cruces the question is "How long have you lived/been here?" and then "Where did you come from?" Believe it or not, your position in this world depends on how you answer these queststions?

There are some really good people in Las Cruces, but their goodness is overshadowed by those residents with hate in their hearts.

There is a contingent of people who make it their business to identify and know where everyone who is not like them is located. In the excellent book for the not so causal reader, Constantine's Sword, the former priest author describes this particular circumstance.

The property where I personally built my house needed power run to it. The El Paso Electric Company is the sole provider of electricity to Las Cruces. (That's another story.) There is a branch office here with work crews. I remember three office types came out and decided what it would take to get the power to my house. I was too busy constructing the house to pay much attention to what they were doing. They kept changing their stories about putting in the poles and lines.

When it was all over I was making payments to the bank where my construction loan was for the power installation. Every day I looked at the extra pole and the support wires; something didn't match up with the neighborhood nor did the total cost. In the meanwhile the El Paso Electric Company sent someone around and changed my meter four times. Of course, this messed up the accounting and the company gave me the runaround about the billing.

I went to a couple of different banks and asked about the procedure I had gone through along with my installation contract. Both banks denied ever hearing about anything like I described. Free poles were mentioned. Something really smelled. If you have ever been on the receiving end of religious prejudice or any kind of prejudice you can smell it. You can see it in the faces.
You can usually see the temperment of a dog by the look on its face.

I wrote the President of El Paso Electric in El Paso, Texas, a couple of letters. One of the Vice-Presidents called and set up a meeting with me and the lead promoter of the problem. The VP seemed like an honest person and saw right away what the problem was. I got a check for $1,600. I didn't get a chance to slap the promoter of the problem as that is what trash deserves.