The DeBacas own land…so what?
Monday, December 14, 2009, 6:07pm
Sue Moran of Tierra Grande writes in with a legitimate question:
I did not know that the DeBacas owned land near the area. However, I understand they have owned it for many, many years. Regardless of all that, does it not stand that any place the hospital is located – people who own the surrounding land will stand to benefit from the hospital. So. . . . . . what is the point?
This is merely an issue of conflict of interest.
There are plenty of people who own land near the proposed hospital site, and no doubt there would be others who own land near other sites. All nearby landowners would benefit.
The question is about how actively involved any landowner is in shaping our government’s decisions about the hospital. It’s the landowner’s right to be involved, but it’s also the right of the public to know about it.
All government decisions deserve to be scrutinized in terms of potential conflicts of interest. That’s why Valencia! has written about many conflicts of interest:
Commissioner Ron Gentry owns land adjacent to the site of the proposed metal recycling plant in Rio Communities.
Commissioner Pedro Rael’s former law partner is the attorney for the plaintiffs in the hospital lawsuit.
Commissioner Georgia Otero-Kirkham is Rep. Elias Barela’s first cousin.
Commissioner Don Holliday’s business builds fences for the county.
Commissioner David Medina thus far remains unscathed by conflict of interest concerns.
The point is we’ll continue to openly address conflicts of interest in all issues, as long as the person or entity involved is actively working to shape the decisions.
