Patty Lundstrom’s removal is disturbing

I’VE HAD the privilege of working with Patty Lundstrom for over 30 years on a wide range of topics and public projects. At every step of the way, Patty has, in my opinion, always been the most diligent, committed and hardest-working person in New Mexico’s political arena. No one puts in more work, energy, skill and focus to a project or a job than Patty.

What I find most disturbing about Patty’s removal as the chair of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, beyond the disrespectful way her removal came about, is it appears she was punished for being a moderate — a rarity in today’s political environment when many people on both sides of the political spectrum are asking “Will the center hold?” and “Do we still have checks and balances?” In my experience, Patty has always looked at all points of view, avoided fingerpointing and collaborated whenever possible. And, at the end of the day, she is willing to embrace a reasonable compromise. Patty fights the political battle “on the middle of the bridge.” By that I mean that she avoids precipitous actions on either end of the political spectrum that tend to result in more damage, some unintended, than benefit.

There is another aspect of Patty’s removal as chair that is disturbing. Early on, Patty’s legislative district was composed primarily of the city of Gallup. After the 2000 Census, her district was changed. She now represents half of Gallup and a large portion of the Navajo Nation. Patty has put her heart into representing her Navajo constituents. She has effectively secured both general and capital outlay funding for Navajo chapters that desperately need infrastructure. It would be tragic if Patty’s removal as chair of Appropriations ultimately harms some of the most vulnerable citizens in our state.

BOB ROSEBROUGH Former Mayor of Gallup