Special Program for July 23-24, 2004


This is a conference that New Mexicans do not want to miss. It brings together many experts from various perspectives with creative solutions to the economic issues facing New Mexico.
- Carol Miller, Founder/Director, Frontier Education Center and Health Advisor to Clinton and Reagan Administrations

This is your invitation to join us for this important conference:


Health, Wealth and Land:
Reclaiming Our Common Heritage


July 23-24, 2004

At the Sheraton Uptown, 2600 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
Sponsored by the Council of Georgist Organizations

Does it not sound right to call these things Our Common Heritage? But does that really amount to anything more than a vaguely comforting phrase? Albuquerque -- like many cities in the Southwest -- has been forced to deal with the consequences of rapid growth. How can the city keep increasing its economic vitality without injuring the unique cultural and environmental amenities that make it such a desirable place? As real estate values increase, so does traffic congestion, water shortages and the numbers of people cast aside in the thrust of progress.

This conference brings together an eclectic collection of leaders of community development programs and progressive social organizations for panels about balanced growth, housing and poverty, the health and wealth gap and militarization in New Mexico. They will be joined by economists and scholars who are steeped in the economic causes of urban blight and sprawl. Together they will explore the design and implementation of fiscal instruments that can help to make smart growth a reality for all the citizens of the region.


Friday, July 23

10:15 am ** Registration

10:45-12:00 ** Economic Democracy/Global Green Agenda
A conversation with J.W. Smith, author of Economic Democracy: The Political Struggle of the 21st Century and Anne Goeke, Co-Director, Earth Rights Institute

12:00-1:30 ** Lunch Program:

A New Economic Development Model for Albuquerque

  • The East Downtown Charrette & Master Plan

    •      Rob Dickson, Director, Paradigm & Company  

  • Tax Incentives for New Urbanism

    •      Josh Vincent, Center for the Study of Economics

    Afternoon Sessions:     Balanced Growth for Albuquerque

    1:30-2:45 ** Session I: Financing Infrastructure

    Lee Reynis,  Bureau of Business and Economic Research, UNM
    Judith Espinosa,  The Alliance for Transportation Research
    Bill Batt, Central Research Group

    3:15-4:45 pm ** Session II: Addressing Housing Needs
    Louis Kolker, Albuquerque Housing Partnership
    Christopher Leinberger, Urban Land Strategist & Urban Developer
    Ed Dodson, Housing & Community Development Finance Specialist

    7:00-9:00 pm ** Public Forum ( Free )

    Militarization and New Mexico


    If New Mexico were to secede from the US, it would be the third largest nuclear power in the world. What does militarization bring to New Mexico and what does it cost? How much land has the military taken? How much is polluted? What are the costs / benefits? What are poverty rates in counties with and without military bases?

    Featured Speaker Carol Miller, Founder/Director, Frontier Education Center and Health Advisor to Clinton and Reagan Administrations will bring a wealth of information and insight to these important questions followed by input from selected respondents and open dialog.

    9:00 ** Open Mike

    Saturday, July 24

    8:00 - 9:00 am  Registration

    8:30 ** Open Mike

    9:00-10:15 **     Hunger, Homelessness and the Land Problem

    J. Barry Bitzer, Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Mayor Martin Chavez
    Josh Allison, Homeless Advocacy Coalition
    Walt Rybeck, Center for Public Dialogue

    10:45 ** 12:00     The Health and Wealth Gap in New Mexico

    Ruth Hoffman, New Mexico Human Needs Coordinating Council
    Carol Miller, Founder/Director, Frontier Education Center

    Noon-1:30 ** Lunch and Remarks by John Hooker, Architect/Contractor; former Mayor of Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

    1:45-2:45 **     Tax Shift for New Mexico: Strategy Session


    REGISTRATION FORM

    Please indicate your choices:

    Both Friday & Saturday w/ lunches: $60
    Friday or Saturday  (one day only) with lunch: $35  Session only: $15

    Name ______________________________________________________
    Address ____________________________________________________
    City _______________________ State ________  Zip  _______________
    Home phone _______________ Work phone ____________ Email:  _______

    Method of Payment - Sending check? yes or no
    Please make  checks payable to Council of Georgist Organizations.
    Credit Card: Mastercard  or  Visa Card # ________-________-________-________
    Expiration date ________        Total $____________

    Mail, phone, email, or fax  your registration fee by check or credit card to:
    CGO, P.O. Box 57, Evanston, IL 60204

    Also to register and for questions:  
    Phone toll-free: 888-262-9015  Fax:  775-248-8630. Email: sns@swwalton.com
    You may also register online at the CGO website: www.progress.org/cgo

    Mail Deadline for Registration: July 14
    Otherwise, please register by fax, phone, or online.



    Directions: The Sheraton Uptown is at 2600 Louisiana Blvd NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 at the northeast corner of Louisiana Blvd. and Menaul Blvd. From the North: Take I- 25 South to the Montgomery Exit. Take Montgomery east to Louisiana Boulevard. Turn right and proceed 1 mile to the hotel. From the South: I-25 North to Interstate 40 East. Proceed east on I-40 to the San Mateo North exit. Take San Mateo to Menaul Blvd. and turn right. From the East: I-40 West to Wyoming Blvd. Take the Wyoming Blvd. exit and head north. Turn left onto Menaul Blvd. From the West: I-40 East to the San Mateo North exit. Take San Mateo North to Menaul Blvd. and turn right. Hotel Phone: (505) 881-0000. Parking is free for conference registrants.


    Additional Information     Post-Conference Earth Rights Trek!