Council forum highlights Trinity Site project

DARRYL NEWMAN lareporter@lamonitor.com Monitor Staff Writer

As what can easily be described as the largest undertaking by Los Alamos County, the Trinity Site project was the focus of a county council candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters on Thursday night in Fuller Lodge.

Candidates were given an opportunity to introduce themselves and share with the public where they stand on the project, which has been debated in the community.

Robert Wells characterized the general public as the ultimate decision-makers in whether the county should proceed with the project.

"The collective citizens are our best decision-makers," Wells said, calling for a referendum. "I've not been impressed with the county's economic development. The Trinity Site efforts have escalated from $40 million in 2005 to $100 million currently."

Wells continued that not all residents in Los Alamos County may be able to absorb the costs of such a project through gross receipt taxes.

"Some people may not be able to continue to live here," he said.

A former Los Alamos National Laboratory employee, Wells also referred to his experience in county government.

"With my involvement, I feel confident to address the spectrum of problems facing Los Alamos County," he said. "I will give attention to affordable housing, quality of life issues, volunteerism, transportation alternatives, school and county interfaces and county and lab interfaces."

Robert Gibson described the topic of the night as "change."

"Change is inevitable," Gibson said. "I hope there is not a need for a new Municipal Building and that is something that needs to be clearly determined. One thing that is clear is that we need to replace the ancient yards that sit on the Trinity Site and we need new retail ... Developing retail on the Trinity Site appears to be our best bet."

Gibson referred back to the time he served on the council in the late 1990s when replacing county facilities on the Trinity Site was part of a study completed in 1997.

"Yes, change is needed but it needs to be based on priority decisions and needs," he said.

Councilor Jim West referenced the public meetings held that addressed the Trinity Site project.

"We've had 33 public meetings on the Municipal Site and this council has tried hard to keep everyone aware of what is happening," West said. "Keep in mind that the county has not come to decisions with a knee-jerk reaction. The issue of the Trinity project has been wrestled with for four years at least."

West said it will be the decision of the developer of the Trinity Site as to what retail will be brought to Los Alamos.

"A major portion of this project money is going to go to the Airport Basin," he said. "The Municipal Building is not part of the Trinity Site. They are independent and separate projects. Now is the best time to do this project and replace these facilities that were given to us. All seven councilors are in agreement that this is what we need to do."

Councilor Nona Bowman chose to target the safeguards that the council has in place for the $75 million bond that was recently approved.

"We have authorized the county staff to begin the paper work necessary to issue these bonds. Before any decisions are made, they need to come before the council for approval."

Bowman likened the county's $75 million bond situation to borrowing money for a home loan.

"I am a teacher, so remember I like analogies," she said. "This same process will be in place when the county goes to sell its bonds. They might say 'we can offer you this much money' or they can decide otherwise. A lender isn't going to lend us money for projects that he doesn't think we can pay back. At the end, the lender will decide. Ignoring our problems and deciding to do nothing is evidence of decay."

Council Chair Mike Wheeler highlighted goals of more jobs, education and more adequate health care.

"I value community, responsibility and opportunity because these are the values that can help us reach these goals," he said.

Wheeler shared an e-mail that he received from a resident, which expressed concern about the condition of retail in the county.

"She referred to some areas, especially in White Rock, as retail ghettos," he said. "She wanted to see the county clean up dilapidated buildings and make sure that the school district is maximizing its resources. We as a council have done work to ensure this and continue to work together."

Richard Dunn said he looks to a form of more "sustainable governance."

"We've been informed as the public with fear that if we don't go along with the county's plans, 'this is what is going to happen to you.'

Dunn said the charter and comprehensive plan documents that govern the county should be what leads making of decisions in the future.

Marc Clay acknowledged the work that the county has done in terms of the Trinity project.

"This is a win-win for everyone," Clay said. "The county has invested a lot of time and money into this.

"I want to represent the youth in this town and that has been a platform for me," he said. "I am looking for sustainability ... The longer we wait, the more expensive the project is going to get. I don't have an agenda one way or the other. I just want what the public wants."