The best thing that could happen for the residents of Aztec is if the city of Farmington would annex all of Aztec. This would be a win-win for both the residents of Aztec and Farmington.

On Dec. 21, Aztec approved a new electrical contract during a little known special session. The real winners of this new contract are Guzman Energy and the power elite at Aztec City Hall. Members of the latter group proved again that they could do anything they wished, despite the urgings of its citizens.

The citizens of Aztec lose with this new electrical contract. Every residence, business and government facility will continue to pay higher rates than our Farmington neighbors. San Juan County buildings and all of Aztec schools will pay virtually as much as they have previously for the next seven years. Aztec schools estimated that $250,000 was wasted annually because of the expiring contract. These lost funds could have been directly used in the classrooms.

The proposed site for the solar panel farm is just a few feet higher than the Animas River. Let’s hope that the Animas does not flood like it did in 1911, because this $2 million infrastructure investment will take a river trip through Farmington headed for Lake Powell.

The city of Aztec also approved diverting $35,000 from the Electrical Department to maintain the old Hidden Valley Golf Course. Instead of having an extra worker trim trees out of the power lines, this employee will trim greens for our local hookers.

Now, if Farmington annexed Aztec, everyone except those at Aztec City Hall wins. Citizens would not only have lower utility bills, but because other government entities would also have lower electric bills, the taxpayers will again save. Farmington Electric Utility employees have a reputation as professional, safety-conscious public servants. I personally would welcome Farmington as liberators, just like when the people of Europe greeted our troops when the Nazis were retreating.

Joe Hubbard

Aztec