The Santa Fe Community College Higher Education Center is an idea whose time has come. Those in our city and state who simply cannot afford the unreasonable cost of tuition at the pair of four-year colleges that exist in Santa Fe, and are unable to commute or travel to other colleges around the state, deserve the opportunity to attain a higher education.

In the U.S., New Mexico continues to rate at the bottom of the list when it comes to the number of people with bachelor's (or higher) degrees. It is also true that according to a 2007 study by the U.S. Census Bureau, New Mexico ranks 43rd in income per capita and among the highest in the country in terms of persons living below the poverty level.

These statistics correlate directly with the high levels of crime, domestic violence, alcoholism and drug abuse, and other factors that have continually plagued our beautiful state for decades.

It is all well and good for some people to want to hold the population back by keeping them from getting the education they deserve. By raising the awareness of the population through education, it gives people power. The power to think clearly; the power to ask questions of our appointed leaders; the power to choose correctly the direction our state and our country as a whole will follow. It gives the power of learned decision-making to people who some would rather keep wandering around in the darkness of ignorance so that they may be controlled. It gives us the power to change those things in our society that have clearly not been working for those in need.

I believe that as the capital city of the state of New Mexico, we should do everything we can to support the passage of the Higher Education Center bond. It would be an embarrassment if we do not. The plan for building and funding the SFCC Higher Education Center is solid; the only thing that stands in our way is the fear that some people continue to insist on instilling upon the voting public, and the short-sightedness of those who would raise that fear.

I am a life-long resident of Santa Fe with a family history that flows through the rich centuries-old history of our State. I believe there is an overwhelming (real) need to offer the opportunity for higher education to our children, as well as our working adults. I am the first in my family to achieve a college degree, and have had to overcome immense difficulties to do so. I am a graduate and current returning student at the Santa Fe Community College, and I see clearly the need to offer the opportunity for higher education to as many people as possible, especially to those who would otherwise not be able to attain it.

On Aug. 3, we will have a real chance to show we truly care about our city, our state, our children, and our future by voting "yes" on the proposed Higher Education Center Bond issue. Please visit the website: www.votesfcc.com for information about the reality of the process rather than let yourself be misinformed by those who would prevent the shining of the light of education upon the population of our great state. It is, without a doubt, the right thing to do.

Johnny Martínez lives in Santa Fe, thanks in large part to the educational opportunities afforded by Santa Fe Community College.