BY TONY BALLARD
Los Alamos

Having public input into community decisions is an important element of democracy to address all stakeholders concerns.  Not allowing the typical review process for downtown development will only hinder further sustainability and question the intent.  I support Neal Martin’s commentary https://losalamosreporter.com/2022/03/16/preserve-the-publics-role-in-los-alamos-downtown-development. to keep the review process.  This issue is much bigger than just eliminating a review or circumventing a process.  Additionally, we are dealing with taxpayer’s money, standards/expections do exist.  

A couple of common elements have been present the last 8+ years, one councilor that seems to make a majority of all decisions and one company that provides a majority of all community development/planning subcontracted services.  Perhaps we need some changes.