For the second time in six months, the Edgewood Commission’s plans for a special election regarding the anti-abortion referendum was denied.
Disappointment was in the air at the Feb. 13 regular meeting, when commissioners said they learned of the denial by the Santa Fe County Clerk earlier this week.
During the town’s last meeting on Jan. 30, the town clerk, Rachel Martinez, said the Santa Fe County Clerk approved the commission’s special election and set the date for March 21. Commissioner Sterling Donner informed the public that the referendum was once again rejected.
The all mail-in ballot special election would have allowed voters to determine the outcome of the town’s anti-abortion ordinance, which prohibits distribution of abortion medication or equipment through mail.
According to the Santa Fe County Clerk Katherine Clark, the county gave further review of the proclamation and determined the form of the ballot question was improper. The question had no legal effect since it was posed in the form of an initiative ballot question, rather than a referendum ballot question, therefore rejecting the special election.
“This basically strips the rights of everyone in the town to make their own decision on that ordinance,” Commissioner Donner said. “It is very disheartening that they won’t allow our people to make the decisions that are right for our community. This is the third time they have shot back the referendum. We will try to find some resolution for this, but we want you all to know we are doing our due diligence to try to have that special election happen and let you all have a voice, because it is being taken away at this point.”
Use of property at 5 Martin Rd
The commission proceeded to discuss a memorandum of understanding between the Town of Edgewood and Santa Fe County regarding the use of county land and buildings located at 5 Martin Rd. in Edgewood.
The property at the location is a 20-acre fenced lot with two vacant buildings. The memorandum’s purpose was to provide the efficient use of the facilities to the greatest benefit to the public which may include a site for the town’s public works, training and education, as well as continued compatible uses by the county. Commissioner Jerry Powers said the town could benefit from the use of the property buildings to store the town’s Road Department equipment.
“We have all this road equipment and we don’t have room to store these necessary materials,” Powers said. “It would allow Edgewood the right to use the buildings and Santa Fe County could use the vacant property within the fenced 20 acres. This is the first draft. I would like to direct the town manager and myself to continue to negotiate a memorandum of understanding that’s acceptable and a win-win for both the county and the town.”