One of the most unique features of the Taos community is a revitalization of democratic process currently being driven by the development of Neighborhood Associations. In 1994 thirty-five neighborhoods in Taos County formed associations in response to the county Planning Department's intention to institute zoning regulations throughout the county. These associations have joined forces with other local groups in their neiughborhoods like the acequia assocations, domestic water associations, community center committees to take a more active role in communicating the concerns and intentions of citizens at the neighborhood level to the elected and appointed officials in the town, county, state and federal governments.
Through this project the San Cristobal Ranch Foundation envisions a much expanded system which will facilitate communication links even with citizens who currently have neither computers nor computer literacy. By integrating an Internet communication system with the activities of the various neighborhood asociations, Taos could become a model of democratic revitalization for communities throughout America.
Taos County covers 2204 square miles in rural Northern New Mexico with a population of close to 30,000. Made up of rural historic Hispanic villages and 2 American Indian pueblos, the population consists of 65% Hispanic, 7% American Indian and 27% Anglo. Taos County suffers not only from economic depression that is second to none in America, but is also lacking in telecommunications infrastructure and even, in some areas, access to electricity. Taos is a wide-spread rural community with some neighborhoods and villages more than 40 miles from the Town of Taos, the economic and communications hub of the region. Many of the neighborhoods and villages do not have libraries, community centers or other sites for public-access computers and Internet access.
As local government develops their online access and Web Sites, this project will ensure that Taos County neighborhoods are provided with access and training to computers and the Internet in order to link the neighborhoods with Town and County Administrations as well as with state and federal officials. The Ranchc Foundation will provide technical assistance and training to key people in each neighborhood with the intention that these people will involve and train their friends and neighbors in how to access information and how to use their local terminal to participate in the political and economic life of the community.
The Electronic Neighborhood Associations Project is an ongoing attempt to build upon and strengthen the role of the neighborhood associations who have been instrumental in ensuring citizen participation in land use planning, economic development and environmental concerns throughout Taos County.