THANK YOU to everyone who has signed, supported, and showed up to tell the Village of Los Lunas Councilors to say NO to NIAGARA. 

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING?

At the June 23rd meeting, over 50 people showed up to protest the Niagara issue, and several people were (eventually) able to give their public comments.

But this was not without some pushback from the Village Councilors. 

1. First, the Mayor informed us that Public Comment could ONLY be made about items NOT on the Agenda (and the Niagara request was #1 on the Agenda).
   
   
2. So, we patiently waited until they got to Item #1 on the Agenda (so we could directly address that item).
   
   
3. And THEN when they got to Item #1, guess what? They TABLED it (took it off the Agenda)! Which technically meant we could not comment on something that was no longer on the Agenda. Just Wow.

Here’s a HUGE THANK YOU to those who stood up to the Village Councilors and demanded that the dozens of community members who showed up be allowed to provide their comments. THIS is what democracy looks like! 

The Mayor relented, and our community members were able to speak up, vigorously opposing Niagara’s moves to take 228 MILLION gallons of water per year from our aquifer.

However, the Councilors still tabled the Niagara request until July 14th, where they will vote again (IF enough Councilors are present to vote – still TBD). 

If the Niagara issue is not decided on July 14th, it will be heard again a couple weeks after that – maybe on July 28th. (We’re not sure of that date – the officials we’ve spoken with have been very vague and non-committal… Go figure!). 

SO, NOW WHAT?

While the Village Councilors decide what they will (or won’t) do, and if they will even listen to the people of Los Lunas, the county, and the surrounding areas, YOU CAN STILL HELP! <3 

Please encourage others to sign this NO to NIAGARA petition – WE ARE NOT DONE YET!

• Like & follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VWWpage).
• Follow us on Instagram: @ValenciaWaterWatchers 
• Visit our VWW website (https://valenciawaterwatchers.com/) to stay up-to-date on the latest activity in our community’s fight against Niagara taking our water.
• Feel free to continue phoning or sending emails to the Village Mayor and Council. They need to know that we still care and we are still here. Their email addresses are in the original petition – or go to our NO to NIAGARA web page (https://valenciawaterwatchers.com/no-to-niagara/) for more information.
• Email us to be added to our contact list for important updates:  Valencia.Water.Watchers@gmail.com 

*** MOST IMPORTANT ***

Please show up to the July 14th Village Council meeting (6pm). 

You may or may not be allowed to speak (shenanigans might happen again!). But, your physical presence will let them know that WE’RE ALL STILL WATCHING THEM.

Meeting About Niagara’s Request (AGAIN!)

• Thursday, July 14th, 6pm 
• at the Village of Los Lunas Admin Building, 
• 660 Main St, Los Lunas

Online Meeting (No public comments allowed)

• On WebEx by phone: Dial in (audio ONLY: 1-415-655-0001 
• In the WebEx app: 
  Access code: 25550734472 
  Password: 6Pt9p5WeJsg 

WHAT ELSE IS VWW FIGHTING FOR?

Remember that date of JULY 14th. It’s very important in what we’re about to tell you next.

Valencia Water Watchers is a scrappy grassroots group that fights for water issues for the people of Valencia County.

Now, the Valencia County Commissioners are on the verge of deciding whether to adopt a county “Natural Resource Overlay Zone” ordinance. 

This proposed ordinance will allow Oil & Gas developers (like ultra-wealthy oil magnate Harvey Yates, Jr.) to invade Valencia County and start drilling for oil and gas with very few safeguards to protect our water, our health, and our community.

On July 14th (the SAME DAY as the meeting where the Village Councilors will consider Niagara’s request to take our water -- What a Coincidence!!!) the County Commission will hold a Public Hearing about the proposed “NROZ” ordinance. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Check out our “We Don’t Need the NROZ” web page for more information:

• https://valenciawaterwatchers.com/nroz-we-have-something-that-works-already/ 

Come to the Public Hearing about the NROZ (Oil & Gas) ordinance

• Thursday, July 14th – Meeting starts at 5pm – Please show up by 4:30pm
• At the Los Lunas Transportation Center (RailRunner station)
  101 Courthouse Rd, Los Lunas << Click for map
• Speak out about the NROZ ordinance.
  Or, just be there with us in solidarity.

Thank you for anything and everything you do, standing up for the water and the people of Valencia County.