Las Cruces city council shoots down Pat Garrett Blvd. name change, 'history written by Anglos'

The Las Cruces City voted 4-3 not to change the name of Motel Boulevard to Pat Garrett Boulevard. Voting against the proposed name change were Councilors Kasandra Gandara, Gabe Vasquez and Yvonne Flores and Mayor Pro-Tem Gill Sorg. Voting in favor of the name change were Mayor Ken Miyagishima and Councilors Greg Smith and Jack Eakman. The name change was requested by the Doña Ana County Historical Society (DACHS) about a year ago and had previously been approved by the city Planning and Zoning Commission and the Doña Ana County Commission. DACHS Pat Garrett Committee Chair Bob Gamboa said the name change would promote and preserve Mesilla Valley history and attract visitors to Las Cruces. Several councilors expressed concern about the potential cost and Vasquez, with agreement from Flores, said he opposed the change because it elevated Western folklore above other local and indigenous cultures according to history written by Anglos...MORE