Route 66 advocate Johnny Meier reports to us that the Albuquerque City Council on Monday rejected 5-4 an appeal by Richard Gonzales to reconsider the city landmark status that’s protecting El Vado Motel from redevelopment.

I’m a bit shocked the vote was that close, but as they say in the NFL, a win’s a win. I think a few of the councilors were swayed by property-rights arguments, especially since the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial eminent-domain ruling earlier this year. But I think Gonzales’ numerous lies or contradictions ultimately doomed him.

However, the developer can set into motion a resolution to remove the protective city landmark designation. So we Route 66ers may have to ready the armaments again in the future.

As for the ongoing fight to save Horn Oil Co., that didn’t go as well. The council unanimously rejected an appeal to stop the redevelopment of the historic property. Meier said the pro-preservationist crowd, led mostly by the Downtown Neighborhoods Association, was clearly outgunned by the developers’ attorneys.

Although the Duke City has its share of ardent preservationists, it’s clear their influence and organization aren’t as strong as it could be. What’s disappointing is that I didn’t get a single e-mail or phone call from the Downtown Neighborhoods Association since our initial contact at the Albuquerque Route 66 festival in June.

Folks, if you have a preservationist cause, it helps if you spread the word and rally the grassroots. The site is getting 35,000 views a month; using it to disseminate the information is bound to have impact.

And truth be told, I was more ambivalent about the Horn. I’m sad that part of the motel will be demolished. But the developer will retain part of the distinctive architecture, and the property will serve a multiuse function. That’s a heck of a lot better than razing the whole thing for a Walgreens.

The Route 66 Days festival in Strafford, Mo., is seeking arts-and-crafts and other vendors during the event on Sept. 9, according to the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader. The rates for tables are pretty reasonable, too.

Two couples driving in restored Ford Model A trucks are in Canada right now. But they plan on driving Route 66 in addition to other road trips. The Aurora newspaper in Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada, has the story.

Robby Love, aka the Roller Rapper, recently finished his Route 66 tour, despite near-exhaustion, logistical screw-ups and a broken-down RV. Love filed his last tour diary entry on Monday after reaching the shores of Santa Monica.

As far as the next roller tour goes, I think i would definately (sic) do it again. I had lots of fun, met alot of great people and feel blessed that I was given the opportunity to make so many children smile.

Oh yea, and my legs are in killer shape.

Now we have to edit 42 hours of some really great film thanks to the wonderful film crew.

Thanks for taking this journey with me and thank you to all who helped make this dream tour a reality.

If you want to read the rest of his diary, go here.