Expected meeting over Sunland Park mayor doesn't take place
Confusion was caused once again by the people who are supposed to be running Sunland Park.
City Councilor Sergio Carrillo told the Associated on Friday that a meeting would take place at 6 p.m. Friday.
But, he told KFOX 14 just a couple hours before the 9 p.m. newscast that he had no idea it was canceled until right before the supposedly scheduled meeting.
There was special meeting Monday in which Sunland Park's city council said it would once again postpone the appointment of a mayor until Friday night.
But, as far as KFOX 14 knows, that meeting was never officially posted.
At about 6 p.m. Friday, KFOX 14 was in the parking lot of Sunland Park's City Hall, checking out how many people would show up.
KFOX 14 saw about a dozen people.
One of those people, Vicenta Coronado, said she lives in Sunland Park, said she cut her trip short to Juarez to visit a family member in order to attend the meeting.
"It's very embarrassing for this town. We need new people. We don't want them anymore. One day, they say they're going to have a meeting, and then they suspend it," Coronado said.
Carrillo also told KFOX 14 he is frustrated with all this confusion, just like the residents.
Carrillo said he expects the council will appoint a new mayor during its regular meeting on June 8.
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Borderland residents in favor of park on ASARCO
El Paso residents could see a memorial at the ASARCO smokestacks, that's if a local architect is able to reach a deal with the board of trustees.
Up until a few months the ASARCO smokestacks were to be demolished until a local group called "Save the Stacks" kept that from happening.
Since then local architect Geoffrey Wright has gotten involved with "Save the Stacks" to preserve the smokestacks.
"The stacks are in impressive iconic part of El history." said Wright. "Since it's an incredible structure, we think it's better to save them because once they're gone, they're gone."
Wright has a team of analysts studying the smokestacks, which he says shouldn't cost too much.
"Building cuts keep evolving and the latest codes would want it to be a little bit stiffer than when it was originally built," Said Wright
The smokestacks were built in 1966.
According to Wright, both smokestacks are taller than the Washington Monument, which Wright says are a big part of El Paso history.
Many El Paso residents said they're in favor of having the ASARCO sight cleaned up.
"I think they should be preserved as a landmark and possibly other uses that can be made of them," said Judy Kile.
One option is to make it into an observation deck or a restaurant.
"We would probably like to put a glass elevator on the other side of the stack so people would get a thrill ride up to the top," said Wright, but the smokestacks could still disappear if a deal isn't reached.
"I don't see any costs in keeping them up, but we don't have a final inspection and the final technical results so we need to reserve judgment," said Wright.
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Fort Bliss unveils massive solar project
Fort Bliss is working to reduce their carbon footprint with a massive solar project.
The project is just the latest step in the Fort Bliss Net Zero strategy.
Soon, officials said there will be thousands of solar panels sprinkled along an adjacent plot of land to headquarters on East Bliss. The panels will provide 1.4 megawatts of power, eventually powering the entire headquarters building.
Hon. Katherine Hammack, the assistant secretary of the Army, said this project could eventually create enough energy to extend into the civilian community.
"The intent of the solar arrays is not only to provide energy to the base but also to put energy back into the community, should grid go down," Hammack said. "Certainly the army wants to be a partner with the community, so if we can provide some resiliency to the power grid then it's a win win for all."
Post officials are also looking to reduce their water usage, minimize waste and recycle more.
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A memorial in works for ASARCO smokestacks
An El Paso architect will join the efforts in saving the ASARCO smoke stacks in west El Paso.
Geoffrey Wright, a local architect and supporter of the group "Save the Stacks," is in favor of preserving the ASARCO site in hopes of turning it into a memorial.
He is planning to talk with the ASARCO board of trustees next month to see what needs to be done in order to preserve the site.
There are no definite plans on what will be built, but says some options are to build an observation site or even a park.
Wright got involved with "save the stacks" after learning of ASARCOS plans to demolish them.
A few months ago these smoke stacks were destined for demolition until a local group kept that from happening.
Wright said, preserving these smokestacks are a important to the history of El Paso, and the jobs they once provided.
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New drainage ditch/skate park opens in central El Paso
A new skatepark / drainage ditch called the Van Buren Dam Basin was dedicated Friday.
It sits at the end of Monroe Ave. just west of North Piedras Street, and skaters gave it a test this morning.
With the help of the city and El Paso Water Utilities, the $1.7 million project is now open after about a year of construction.
One local skate enthusiast says the new park is a great use for public space and dollars, and has already generated some tourism.
"Skaters are eating this place up! We've had pro teams come here already and do photo-shoots. It's kind of a real surreal type setting. It almost looks like the Mayan pyramids," Paul Zimmerman, president of El Paso Skate Park Association, said.
Important to note for folks who wish to use these dual-use facilities: signs say these areas are subject to flooding.
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