The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs recently decided to eliminate the positions for the managers of the state's six historic sites thus reducing their services to tourists. Historic Los Luceros, across the Rio Grande from Mesa Prieta in Alcalde, came under the cost cutting ax as well. Its manager position will be eliminated and the site closed entirely. These measures will save only a tiny fraction of the state's budget. All this seems short-sighted in a state whose number one industry is tourism.
 
The Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project will be seriously affected by the closing of Historic Los Luceros. We use the facility for our monthly Pláticas lecture series that benefits the entire community, for board meetings, educational training programs, and other events. Finding another adequate site in the area for these activities will be difficult.
 
Consider calling or writing an email to Senators Tom Udall, Martin Heinrich or Representative Ben Ray Luján, asking that they contact Department of Cultural Affairs Secretary Verónica Gonzáles suggesting that it is false economy to cut tourist services at a time when state oil and gas income is down. Instead, tourism should be bolstered to help make up for lost income in other areas. THE DEADLINE IS JULY 20th.

Here is their contact info:
 
Senator Tom Udall:                  202 244-6621           tomudall.senate.gov
Senator Martin Heinrich:          202 244-5521            heinrich.senate.gov
Congressman Ben Ray Luján:  202 225-6190            lujan.house.gov