As presidents of Clovis Community College and Eastern New Mexico University, we want to share why the passage of General Obligation Bonds C and D in the Nov. 4 General Election should make sense to the citizens of Curry and Roosevelt counties.

If Bond C passes, CCC will receive $4 million to expand its Allied Health Building and Roosevelt County will receive an estimated $1.5 million for its New Mexico Department of Health facility.

Bond D will provide $12 million for Eastern New Mexico University, including $9 million for a renovated Technology Building, $2 million for infrastructure and $1 million to complete work on a renovated Music Building.

The Allied Health Building at CCC houses nursing, radiologic technology and EMS programs that enhance health care for area citizens. It allows CCC to train and provide more health care professionals to the area, ensuring that citizens have more of the health care they need without having to travel out of the area. Enhanced health care attracts more people to the area.

Bond D would provide ENMU with an expanded and renovated Technology Building with enhanced classrooms and laboratories for ENMU’s agriculture, electrical engineering technology, art and family and consumer sciences programs. In addition to infrastructure, Bond D will allow ENMU to complete the renovated Music Building, providing advanced training for students and a state-of-the-art facility for area residents to enjoy indoor and outdoor musical events — most of them free.

According to 2006 Census estimates at www.census.gov, the population of New Mexico is estimated at 1,954,599, with 45,513 in Curry County and 18,291 in Roosevelt County. While  the two counties combined have 3.2 percent of the state’s population, they would receive 8.8 percent of Bonds C and D funds.

Bond projects have a positive impact on local economies as the money spent recycles several times, and the construction projects create jobs. Campus improvements and expansions also help keep CCC and ENMU competitive with other New Mexico and Texas schools. This contributes to enrollment growth in both institutions and better educational opportunities for the people of our region.

Keeping higher education institutions in Curry and Roosevelt counties competitive encourages more graduating high school seniors from the area to stay in eastern New Mexico to attend college — also often staying to pursue careers and further contribute to the vitality of the area. With a larger tax base, tax rates can be kept lower while such community assets as streets and public schools can be improved.

The cost of Bonds C and D is very reasonable. The estimated cost for a $100,000 assessed home is $4 per year for Bond C, and $9.77 per year for Bond D — this is only $1.15 per month for both bonds. The net cost to property owners could be lower as older education bonds mature and are retired.

Whether you have a direct stake in higher education and health care in Curry and Roosevelt counties, these bonds will benefit you. All citizens can share in enhanced health care, agricultural practices, family and consumer sciences and music facilities, and the shot in the arm to local economies.

Please send a message to New Mexico that Curry and Roosevelt counties take a back seat to no one when it comes to supporting health care and education.

Bonds C and D are a win-win proposition for Clovis Community College, Eastern New Mexico University and citizens of Curry and Roosevelt counties.

John Neibling is president of Clovis Community College. Contact him at:
john.neibling@clovis.edu

Steven Gamble is president of Eastern New Mexico University. Contact him at:
steven.gamble@enmu.edu