Neighbors for Green Space

"Defenders of Green Space"

Ceremony honoring "Defenders of the North Golf Course Green Space"

Neighbors for Green Space
Ice Cream Social ~ April 13^th 2008
an event to
Celebrate the Progress
to Save the North Golf Course
and to
Honor Our Very Special
"Defenders of Green Space"

Introduction
by Sara Koplik
President, North Campus Neighborhood Association

Hello and welcome. Thank you for attending our ice cream social. We hope you’re enjoying your choice of chocolate or vanilla cups or cones, and thank you for your patience in waiting in line.

We’re delighted to see so many of you out here today. Your presence is so important. It shows that you are dedicated to preserving this special green place nestled in the heart of our city. That you really care about the way this city preserves its identity in the midst of overwhelming growth. And, that you are resoundingly aware of how open space benefits all of us.

These past 16 months or so, has been quite a journey for our community. In this time, we’re had some big and countless small meetings, a few fiery rallies, a march, and now an ice cream social. We mobilized hundreds upon hundreds of people to show their support, concern and affection for the golf course. Yet, despite thousands of volunteer hours from a small army of dedicated individuals, it’s still not over. While UNM scrapped its plan for a retirement community, and won’t gut the course for the time being, the bulldozers haven’t been fully quiet. Both the Ronald McDonald House and now, apparently, the Mind Institute is expanding. The pressures for building on this land continue to be strong. In the past two decades, we’ve been able to turn back one massive project, but not the slow, steady march of buildings heading north on Yale. While this is frustrating, let it not dissuade us. We must continue to call for development on parking lots, and the preservation of this cherished green space!

This year, we have made progress, and built an extraordinary web of alliances which cut across the usual barriers which we place between those of different political allegiance, class, ethnicity, and community. While some say that this is just the concern of a solitary neighborhood, I must tell you that our most active helpers come from the southeast heights, the east mountains, and the south valley. This is an issue for our entire city, and as Isaac Benton stated so eloquently, this golf course is one of our city’s “lungs,” it helps all of us breathe better, particularly as we are so close to the highest concentration of traffic in the state – the Big I.

As we haven’t had a large get together since November 4th’s meeting with President Schmidly, let me give you a brief update. At that meeting, Pres. Schmidly said that he wanted to form a community advisory board, and within a few weeks, we appointed 10 members, I chose half, and he chose half.

Would the members of the board please stand?

A wide range of perspectives are represented on this board, including that of a golfer, a student, a developer, an environmentalist, an architect, two neighborhood presidents, and a former college president. Our task was not easy: determine a way forward, for university development and open space preservation to occur concurrently. For several months, we argued about every little thing. But, in the end, we unanimously reached consensus. We recommend that the university enter into a binding agreement with the three surrounding neighborhoods where it pledges to keep the nine holes of golf in its current configuration, in return for development along the back service road, and the creation of an open classroom or similar environmentally friendly academic purpose on the barren fairways. The agreement also encourages the use of further water efficiencies, and a far greater use of native species. We feel that this blueprint offers a way forward for all sides to prosper together. It allows the university room to earn revenue while furthering its academic mission. Furthermore, the proposal recommends taking advantage of the groundswell of good will that could come from such a compromise. It advises that a foundation be set up for the north golf course, so that individuals may also financially support preservation and the University of New Mexico concurrently.

Now, we’re planning on presenting this proposal to the Board of Regents on Wednesday, April 30th at 9 am in the SUB ballroom. If you can make it, please come and show your support of our efforts. It is important to let the regents know that you are in favor of a permanent, green resolution to this conflict which has plagued the relationship between UNM and the surrounding community for two decades. If you can’t attend the meeting, please take a few minutes to write or call members of the Board of Regents. It is important to be polite and respectful, but let them know how much you cherish this place, and how you want it to be preserved for generations to come.

Thank you.

Now, let me turn to the heart of our event today. We are here today to recognize some very special guests and true friends of our cause. A whole host of elected officials, neighborhood leaders and friends have provided the underpinnings to our movement. We would have already failed without their steadfast support, and willingness to stand with us during difficult days. For this, we would like to present each of them with a medal which says:

Defender of the
North Golf Course Green Space

and a certificate of appreciation which reads ...

North Golf Course Green Space Defender
This is to certify that [honoree]
is a
Defender of Green Space
Given with deep appreciation on behalf
of Neighbors for Green Space

[Following are our honorees this afternoon: ]

Lt Gov Diane Denish
We are so deeply fortunate to have the Lt Gov standing with us shoulder to shoulder. Her advice and support has been invaluable.

Mayor Martin Chavez [represented by Jay Lee Evans, Parks Dept.]
We are just delighted to have the mayor care so much about this issue.

Senator Cisco McSorley
Sen. McSorley sponsored a capital outlay request which would have provided $200,000 to do a sustainability study for the golf course as a part of the advisory board’s proposal. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed it. Nonetheless, we so appreciate everything that Cisco does to help us year after year.

Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino is on vacation, but he’s been a great source of help.

Representative Gail Chasey
Rep. Chasey is a dear friend, who helps us time after time. We are particularly excited about the thought of her introducing legislation to require universities to submit environmental impact statements before construction commences!

Representative Danice Picraux
Rep. Picraux has stood by our side for two decades. She has consistently worked with our community to protect this cherished space. Her friendship and commitment have been vital to our efforts.

Representative Al Park
Even though Rep Park’s district is not so close to the golf course, he understands the larger significance of this issue, and stands with us now, and during the legislative sessions.

County Commissioner Deanna Archuleta [not in attendance]
Along with Rep. Picraux, Commissioner Archuleta provided us with early, crucial advice. This allowed us to turn a few pissed-off folks into a veritable social movement. She is a true friend of our cause, and a former neighborhood president herself!

City Councilor Isaac Benton
Just this week, we met with Councilor Benton at City Hall to discuss our goals and ways to protect the golf course in perpetuity. He has been a wonderful fountain of knowledge and support throughout this journey.

City Councilor Rey Garduno
Although Councilor Garduno is new to City Hall, he is not new to community organizing. His insight into how to mobilize a community has been profoundly helpful, and we’re delighted that he’s here today.

AMAFCA Board Chair Danny Hernandez
As a neighborhood president, student, former reporter, and elected official, Danny’s support has been truly invaluable because he is able to view one issue from so many perspectives.

Karen Montoya, County Assessor – [not in attendance]

Now, we would also like to recognize neighborhood leaders who have stood by our side through the years.

Mardon Gardella, President Federation of University Neighborhoods

Chuck Maguire, President Netherwood Park Neighborhood Association

Keith Rasmussen, President Summit Park Neighborhood Association

And, lastly, we would like to thank several local commercial developers who value this green space just as much as our strongest environmentalists. Indeed, their support explains the depth and the breadth of our movement. All of us value this golf course, for it enriches all of our days.

Representative of the Peterson Family

Bob Feinberg of Grubb and Ellis

Ice Cream Social