Residents want power poles moved from historic neighborhood

cuts directly through the manhattan heights historic district. el paso electric admits it started installing new poles without approval of the neighborhood association or historic landmark commission. and now angry residents in the area want it halted and redirected away from their homes. abc-7’s darren hunt has the story: “there is a process that need to be followed.” saul arriola lives in the manhattan heights historic district. and he’s upset el paso electric has installed this massive pole in front of his home, without first seeking approval from the historic landmark commission. “they need to behave as goo citizens just like any of us do.” “arriola said el paso electri didn’t file an application with the historic landmark commission until last wednesday … however work on this project, digging seven of these holes along elm street and installing three of these 45-foot high poles, began back on july 20th.” “what i and the neighborhoo association wants done is for these poles to be taken out! … repair any damage that you’ve caused and set them somewhere else … if that costs el paso electric money, so be it … you didn’t follow the process!” “all of the new infrastructur is on right of way easements that are granted in the franchise agreement.” eddie gutierrez spokesman for el paso electric, said since company owns the easements along elm street, it doesn’t have to ask the historic landmark commission for approval to install the seven poles. “the process is a courtesy as much as to keep informed both to our residents and our community … but currently in our right away easement and franchise agreement, we do have access to them.” gutierrez apologized for construction getting ahead of e- p-e communicating details of the project to the commission. but arriola thinks el paso electric should have to get approval, just like everyone else in the neighborhood. “we as residents abide by these rules, even if its performing a paint job or something on the house because its within the historic district.” darren hunt, abc-7. arriola suggested el paso electric use alabama or piedras for the project instead of elm street. e-p-e representatives told the historic landmark commission that would be cost prohibitive. the commission tabled the item today to allow e-p-e to meet with residents. it’s expected to be brought up again at the commission’s next meeting on august 17th. we hear so much about the push to bring high paying jobs to el paso. but