Bond choices in Santa Fe Municipal Election - March 6

Question 2: $14 million for Trails and Parks.

This bond would allocate money to begin work on a regional park planned for 98 acres on the western end of the Tierra Contenta Subdivision. $4 million of the bond would implement a list of recommendations by the Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee and Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization. That list includes: adding and striping bike lanes, building trail connections and installing "sharrows" on pavement to replace bicycle-awareness signs that have worn out.

Question 3: $3.8 million for sustainable environmental projects.

This bond would provide money for more than 50 arroyo drainage features, including work to address problems caused by erosion and sediment buildup and improvements to watershed health by correcting substandard drainage, allow more water to recharge the aquifer and reduce flood risk, according to The Santa Fe New Mexican.

$1.8 million of this bond would be spent on a solar system for the Genoveva Chavez Community Center -- a carport-style cover for part of the center's parking lot with solar panels that would supply about 30 percent of the electricity needed at the facility and save money on power bills, according to the city.

Combined, these two bonds would add about $43 to the annual property taxes of a $300,000 house. The Northern New Mexico Group studied the impacts of these bonds and believes the value they add to our community is well worth the price.

Please vote "yes" on Questions 2 and 3.