Dear Friends:   

 

Please mark your calendars for our last Central Committee meeting of the year on December 18th, 6pm at Open Door Bible Church (2101 Trinity).  We will have a brief business meeting to review our 2026 budget, then celebrate Christmas and spread holiday cheer!   

The RPLA has always supported our small business community, and thankfully, we have Councilor David Reagor.  However, as Kevin Holsapple recently wrote, “Many of our local businesses continue to struggle with maintaining pre-pandemic cash flow and revenue margins…difficulty finding workers, increased labor costs, and high operational costs…”   As a result of our County’s lack of support for our local entrepreneurs, we have a high number of empty storefronts and vacancies, “economic dead zones” all over Los Alamos and White Rock. 

 

I do not believe that pumping $80M++ of public resources into "redevelopment" will result in a vibrant downtown.   I question whether taxpayers should subsidize more high density apartments and retail spaces that are too expensive to rent.   I personally believe that Los Alamos needs more live-work spaces that are within reach for citizens to purchase, like The Lofts in Santa Fe or the live-work townhomes in Quemazon. ​

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As shared previously, I was very disappointed about our County’s decision to form a County-led MRA Review Committee instead of a citizen-led MRA Commission.  What this means is that small business owners will not be able to review MRA plans and approve applications for MRA funds.  Instead of direct participation in the process for Mari-mac shopping center redevelopment, citizens will continue to be kept in the dark and 3-5 minute public comments will be largely ignored.  

 

Clovis City established a MRA Steering Committee which included elected officials, city staff, and business owners and residents within the MRA district.  Clovis and other neighboring communities understand the immense value of local participation. Unfortunately, Los Alamos does not.   

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Further, our County may be violating the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, Inspection of Public Records Act, and the New Mexico Statutes governing MRA’s.  

 

After the Council’s vote to increase Gross Receipts Taxes, it became painfully clear that the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce is not a true advocate for small business owners.  While Chambers across New Mexico take strong stands on the issues that matter to their members, our County dictates what the Los Alamos Chamber can and cannot say!   

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Moving forward, this is what we can do:  

1. Shop local!   Encourage residents, organizations, churches, and other groups to use our restaurants and shops for goods & services.  The RPLA can use local catering services over Smith’s and organize more meetings and events at our restaurants.   

2. Future County Councilor candidates must be strong advocates for the small business community.  They must say:  “I have direct access to 50 small business owners who will guide my votes on Council.  If 45 of them oppose this measure, I will vote NO.”  Support for our small businesses cannot be merely a campaign slogan.   RPLA will highlight anti-business votes of our Councilors! 

3. Future County Councilor candidates must promote affordable housing ownership for both residents and businesses.  Property ownership is essential for financial success, stability, and Independence, a big part of the American Dream.  

4. Advocacy for our small businesses by writing public commentary (LTE), holding our Councilors accountable, and keeping the public informed about County actions that harm our local entrepreneurs.    

 

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See you soon,

Lisa Shin, RPLA Chair

Email: chair@losalamosgop.com
Website: www.losalamosgop.com

Phone: 505-310-3254
Facebook: @RepublicanPartyofLosAlamos

Instagram:   @RepublicanPartyofLosAlamos