Robert Ferguson Guest Column: “15 Reasons Why I love Living In Albuquerque And In New Mexico”

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During stressful politcal times such as these, it’s always good to pause and to remember the positives that this city and state have to offer. In that spirit the following guest opinion column was submitted by Robert Ferguson to be re-published on www.PeteDinelli.com for readers consideration.  The column was first published  by the Albuquerque Journal but it has been slightly edited with updates. Mr. Ferguson has given permission to republish the column, and he has not been compensated.  The link to the original article is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/15-reasons-why-i-love-living-in-albuquerque-and-nm/article_dd492473-5df0-5c54-bf1a-4bec4ef6f381.html

Robert Ferguson retired in 2004 after 27 years of public service with the NM Department of Health. At the time of his retirement from the state, he was the Supervisor for the  Tuberculosis/Mycology section of the Scientific Laboratory Division of the NM Department of Health. Mr. Ferguson has an undergraduate degree in biology from Olivet College and a Master of Science degree from the University of Montana (1978). From 1968-1973, he served in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, of which 6 months served in Viet Nam on hospital ship USS Sanctuary.  He served in US Naval Reserve from 1979-2002.

Mr. Ferguson has performed International Consultation with various governmental and non-governmental organizations, helping upgrade tuberculosis laboratories. From 2004-2014 he worked in the countries of Haiti, Zambia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe. His volunteer work includes serving on the  board of directors for the YMCA of Central NM and as volunteer with City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department cleaning city parks.

Below is the guest opinion submitted by Robert Ferguson.

HEADLINE: 15 Reasons Why I love living in Albuquerque and in New Mexico

As a 74-year-old New Mexico retiree, I have lived in Albuquerque since 1976.  I’m not trying to find a job and I have no school-age children, so I don’t have the pressures a younger family would face.  I love it here but am fully aware of the challenges facing us.

We find ourselves leading the nation in crime statistics, and [the state was] a national leader in COVID infections.  … It is extremely easy to ignore the positives that this city and state have to offer.

Let us put aside the negatives for a moment and focus on what makes this such a wonderful place to reside.

  1. Fresh air and blue skies.  When I walk out of my house in the morning to get my paper, I am met with a waft of wonderfully fresh air and azure blue skies.  I stop myself for a few moments to take it all in.  How great is this!
  2. Beautiful vistas and sheer natural beauty.  The red rocks of Gallup, stunning multicolored cliffs of the Jemez Mountains, beautiful open spaces of the Valles Caldera.  This is truly “The Land of Enchantment”
  3. World Class Airport.  Living in Nob Hill, I am 15 minutes from the beautiful Albuquerque Sunport, perhaps the prettiest and most unique airport in the entire country.  Such a different experience from LAX or JFK airport.
  4. Great Bio-Park.  For those of you who have lived in Albuquerque awhile, compare what our zoo was 30 years ago to the beautiful facility it is now.
  5. College Athletics, Cultural Events, and Adult Education Opportunities. As a Lobo sports fan, the entertainment value of watching D1 sports competition is second to none.  Also, there is an extensive offering of cultural events and adult education opportunities at UNM and other institutions, all benefits of living in a major university town.
  6. Wonderful Local Restaurants.  The restaurants offer a large variety of cuisines, fitting every budget
  7. Hot Air Balloon Festival.  While I am not a big fan of getting up at 3am, and not really into hot air balloons, whenever we bring out of town guests to this event, I am mesmerized each and every time.  A truly stunning international display of colors showcasing our city.
  8. Volunteer Opportunities.  The city of Albuquerque offers many volunteer opportunities to give of your time.  For me, it’s cleaning Roosevelt Park, my all time favorite city park.
  9. The Railrunner.  OK I’m sure I’ll get some pushback with this one, however I find this train ride between Albuquerque and Santa Fe an absolute delight.  The vistas along the way are stunning, especially if you are not in a hurry, can kick back and enjoy the ride.  A perfect way to get away for the day, enjoy a dinner in Santa Fe, and return without the hassle of having to drive 60 miles to get home.
  10. Great Affordable Golf Courses.  Within a 75 mile radius, 20 wonderful golf courses that won’t strain your wallet.  One of the best public golf courses in the region is Pinon Hills in Farmington.
  11. Four Distinct Seasons.  Variety is the spice of life…not boring
  12. Great Hiking and Biking Trails.  The bosque bike and hiking trails along the Rio Grande are stunning, as are the hiking trails in the Sandias
  13. Can Golf and Ski in the Same Day
  14. Low Humidity and 300+ Days of Sunshine.  Having spent my formative years on the east coast, I thoroughly appreciate the lack of humidity in New Mexico
  15. Reasonable Cost of Living.
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About

Pete Dinelli was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is of Italian and Hispanic descent. He is a 1970 graduate of Del Norte High School, a 1974 graduate of Eastern New Mexico University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a 1977 graduate of St. Mary's School of Law, San Antonio, Texas. Pete has a 40 year history of community involvement and service as an elected and appointed official and as a practicing attorney in Albuquerque. Pete and his wife Betty Case Dinelli have been married since 1984 and they have two adult sons, Mark, who is an attorney and George, who is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Pete has been a licensed New Mexico attorney since 1978. Pete has over 27 years of municipal and state government service. Pete’s service to Albuquerque has been extensive. He has been an elected Albuquerque City Councilor, serving as Vice President. He has served as a Worker’s Compensation Judge with Statewide jurisdiction. Pete has been a prosecutor for 15 years and has served as a Bernalillo County Chief Deputy District Attorney, as an Assistant Attorney General and Assistant District Attorney and as a Deputy City Attorney. For eight years, Pete was employed with the City of Albuquerque both as a Deputy City Attorney and Chief Public Safety Officer overseeing the city departments of police, fire, 911 emergency call center and the emergency operations center. While with the City of Albuquerque Legal Department, Pete served as Director of the Safe City Strike Force and Interim Director of the 911 Emergency Operations Center. Pete’s community involvement includes being a past President of the Albuquerque Kiwanis Club, past President of the Our Lady of Fatima School Board, and Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Museum Foundation.