Editorial: Historical petroglyghs should remain car-free

Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2003

The Albuquerque City Council has been arguing over whether Paseo del Norte should be extended to alleviate traffic congestion on the West Side. And on Oct. 28 voters will have the final say on the matter.

While such an expansion sounds fine and dandy in theory, the $12 million project proposes Paseo del Norte pass through the Petroglyph National Monument. Many city incumbents have argued that such a move is needed to pacify concerns that roads in the West Side are unsatisfactory and overcrowded. These City Council members are arguing that West Side residents deserve the same road conditions as residents in other parts of the city.

However, such a move as building a city road on land previously dedicated to a historically significant and unique landmark is risqué and insensitive. When casting their votes, Albuquerque residents should take heed; for many American Indians the petroglyphs are considered to have religious significance, and to run a public road onto or near a sacred sight is an insult that Albuquerqueans must vehemently speak out against.

Would residents of Wyoming allow a public landing strip to be built in Yellowstone simply because it would be convenient? Absolutely not. Or a billboard blocking the view of Mount Rushmore? No way. City Councilors in opposition to the project are claiming that Paseo del Norte expansion is racially motivated and in bad taste.

All National Parks and Monuments should be treated with equal respect regardless of their appeal to Anglos, Hispanics, blacks or any other ethnic group. Leniency and flexibility in such matters equates to cultural ignorance.

The Petroglyphs and other national monuments should take precedence over city expansion. Does this mean that some Albuquerque residents will be late to work because of Paseo del Norte congestion? Yes. But it also means that Albuquerque has shown integrity in respecting, embracing and preserving minority culture.

Albuquerque residents need to realize that city growth cannot be allowed to impinge upon or desecrate national monuments or parks under any circumstances.

In any controversial situation there is rarely only one possible course of action. City Councilors will have to think of another way to lessen traffic burdens if voters fully understand the insidiousness of the proposal and shoot it down later this month.