Dennis Fulfer – Introduction
Age: 38
Education:
Bachelors in Business Administration – Marketing
Masters in Public Administration – nearing completion
Masters in Community and Regional Planning – nearing completion
Work:
Self-employed. I own a real estate brokerage and a marketing/webdesign business
Related Experience/Community Involvement:
Mountainair Planning and Zoning Commission – Vice-Chair – 4 years
Mountainair Chamber of Commerce – Treasurer – 3 years
iCreate, Inc. (a community based non-profit) – President – 1 year
Family:
I’ve been married to Kristy Fulfer for almost 8 years. We have a 6 year old son, Charles Nath Fulfer, III.
Why should the people of Mountainair elect you to the office of mayor?
My experiential and educational background has best prepared me for addressing the issues I will face as mayor. Through the Chamber of Commerce, the Planning Commission and a community based non-profit, iCreate Inc., I have already been working on community and economic development in Mountainair. I believe that with my facilitater training we can improve the quality of life for all residents.
What experience/traits do you bring to the table that would benefit the town?
First, I approach the issues holistically. The mayor needs to look at all the various factors that lead to a problem.
Secondly, I have training as a facilitator. This is important when there are so many divergent public opinions that need to be addressed. Also, this is important because I firmly believe that the community needs to be included in solutions to our problems. Their input doesn’t end on election day.
Finally, I tend to think “outside the box” when seeking solutions to problems. I consider problem solving my art.
What are the most important issues in the town you believe need to be addressed/changed/etc. and how will you go about addressing them?
From my conversations I’ve had with the citizens, hands down, the number one issue that needs to be addressed is the level of professionalism in providing our public services. We need to raise the bar so we can provide the highest level of service to our customer. To address this issue, I will develop performance standards that will be fair, consistent and apply to all employees and volunteers.
A second issue youth development. The one stakeholder that tends to be minimized is the youth. I plan on addressing this by forming a Youth Advisory Group, that will be made up of the youths, by the youths. This group will inform the Town Council of their needs as well as manage youth related projects and programs. In essence, I will empower the youths to be an active, influential voice in our community.
A third issue is the state of our infrastructure. We need to replace our gas, water and sewer lines before we pave our streets and create sidewalks. I will create a sector plan that will phase in these improvements in a logical manner.
I’ve identified many other issues, and my positions on them are available on my website: www.DennisFulfer.com
Public Service Announcement: Regional Small Business Forum
The City of Moriarty, in cooperation with its chamber of commerce and the towns of Edgewood and Estancia, will hold a regional small business forum on Tuesday, January 25 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Moriarty Civic Center. For more information, see the City of Moriarty announcement.
Public Service Announcement: EBWPC Monthly Meeting Date Changed
from the Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee
The Regularly monthly meeting for Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee for February has been changed to Wednesday February 24, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the East Torrance Soil & Water Conservation Educational Complex located 700 South and 10th Street, Estancia, NM.
March meeting will be held on its regular scheduled date 03/18/2010 at its regular time the 3rd Thursday of each month at 9:00 A.M. in Moriarty at the Magnum Steel Building Conference Room located 2515, Hwy 333, Moriarty, NM -(Old Route 66 Hwy) As always the public is welcome.
For further assistance or questions please call 505-384-2272 ext. 103
Stepping Into The Past, In Miniature
by John Weckerle
It’s not often that we extend our focus out into the “just nifty” realm, but given the local enthusiasm for antique cars, and in light of the fact that we have a good bit of Old Route 66 running through the New Mexico Central area, we figured we’d share a link to photos of the Models of Michael Paul Smith, as well as an interview with the photographer/model maker.
Here We Go Again…
by John Weckerle
Senior Sculpture Correspondent Wilson with his latest work, "Pack Leader With Arms Folded."
By all accounts, tonight and tomorrow (perhaps into Monday) will bring us yet another storm. We still have plenty left over from the last one, and at least during the day, it’s Mud Season here at New Mexico Central headquarters.
It is not clear how much snow we’ll get out of this next system, but given the intensity of this past week’s event, we’re advising people to get their provisions today and plan on either a warm, toasty day indoors or a day of outdoor fun close to home. We’re also going to let the NMDOT, county governments, and municipalities (as well as anybody with a parking lot; hint, hint post offices and grocery stores) in on a little secret. Starting the plowing relatively early in the storm may mean doing it twice, but it will cut down on things like packed snow and ice and ultimately get the roads clear and dry more quickly.
Let The Candidates Speak!
by John Weckerle
In a letter to the Mountain View Telegraph this week, Edgewood Mayor Bob Stearley endorses incumbent Town Council member Glenn Felton and essentially pans both incumbent Rita Loy Simmons and former Council member Chuck Ring. Mr. Stearley’s endorsement and criticisms – which likely do not surprise those familiar with the political climate of Edgewood – gave us pause for thought. In an area where newspapers are published only weekly, the point-counterpoint nature of electoral politics can be difficult on candidates. So, for all intents and purposes, we’re throwing New Mexico Central open to the candidates.
From now until elections are held, any candidate in a local or county election within our coverage area (Sandias, Manzanos, and the Estancia Valley), may publish anything he or she wishes until elections are held. Let us make this clear: for candidates ONLY, editorial policies will be waived with the caveat that libel is a serious charge and it will be they, and not we, who pay the price of false statements of fact. Any photos should be optimized for web use. Candidates are encouraged to send us an e-mail at editor@nm-central.com, and we will provide a user name, password, and other information to get you started. Candidates may submit their first article via e-mail; however, we ask that formatting be held to a minimum in e-mail submissions and cannot guarantee that formatting will be perfectly preserved.
We will be e-mailing a copy of this article to all the candidates for whom we have e-mail addresses; however, we don’t have all of them, and ask our readers to alert their favorite candidates to this opportunity.
Storm Slams Mountains, Valley
by John Weckerle
Another Update: According to NM-Roads, at 12:55 p.m.: I-40 is closed from mile marker 165 to Moriarty.
Update: Moriarty-Edgewood Schools will close at 1 p.m.
Highway Camera at Sedillo Hill, 11 a.m. Today
Your editor just took a drive to Edgewood, and the situation is not good. Roads are snow-packed and icy and, perhaps predictably, there was no evidence of any plowing, sanding or other response from either the Town of Edgewood or the New Mexico DOT. Visibility was less than a quarter mile coming north on 344.
As this photo from the Sedillo Hill highway camera shows, I-40 is in bad shape and, based on what we’re seeing here at New Mexico Central headquarters, it’s probably getting worse rather than better. According to KOB.com, Mountainair Municipal schools will have early dismissal at 11:45 a.m., and Estancia Schools will have dismissal at 1:00 p.m. If you’re home and can stay there, we suggest you do so. If you’re not home, you may want to consider heading there now rather than later.
There Will Always Be Those…
by John Weckerle
…Who can’t have their picture taken without making a goofy face.
PBLBTBPTH!
Let’s All Take A Break For A Well-Deserved Howl
by John Weckerle
Fell voices drifting through the night? Maybe so, and maybe not – but regardless, tonight is the Wolf Moon. This month’s “full” moon is closer to the Earth than it will be at any time in 2010.
Enjoy it while you can, folks, because this precious resource is on its way. The Moon is moving away at 1.6 inches every year. For those who didn’t get a chance to see it, we took the New Mexico Central camera outside and took a shot.
2010 Wolf Moon Over The Estancia Valley
PSA: Edgewood Food Pantry/Clothing Distribution Canceled For Today (01/28/10) UPDATE
from Chuck Ring at Gadabout-Blogalot.com
THIS EVENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED ASAP. IT PROBABLY WILL NOT BE SCHEDULED UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT WEEK, HOWEVER ROBIN PRUDENCIO WILL LEAVE A MESSAGE ON HER NUMBER WHEN IT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED. ROBIN’S NUMBER IS 505-281-5364. ALSO, THE NEW SCHEDULE WILL BE POSTED HERE.
The Roadrunner Food Distribution and the Civitan Club clothing distribution in Edgewood has been canceled for today in Edgewood due to to weather and road conditions.
The organizers for both events will reschedule as soon as possible, hopefully within two or three days.
Please check back here for additional information.
Even In This Weather
by John Weckerle
Life goes on for our feathered friends. This little guy paid a visit to New Mexico Central headquarters just a while ago.
Robin In Juniper With Snow
And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor…
by John Weckerle
…Who, in this case, also happens to be your editor. I have recently added over a dozen new designs to the Adult Apparel and Kids & Juniors Apparel subsections of the Uncle John’s Critter Club section of Uncle John’s Place, and invite you to have a look. There are also some new mugs in the “Uncle John’s Other Stuff” section.
Winter Storm Dumps Major Snow Load (So Far)
Sedillo Hill camera at 8:33 a.m.
by John Weckerle
Snow is falling heavily here at New Mexico Central headquarters, and has been since sometime during the night. Depending on where we dig, we can see anything from eight inches to a foot. Areas shoveled less than half an hour ago are under two to three inches of snow already. Road reports are not encouraging, and neither are the roadside camera shots from NMRoads.com. Cameras at I-40 & NM 14, and at Carnuel, are iced over, with no image available except for the ice on the camera. The I-40 & Zamora Rd. Camera shows some snow in both lanes, and having looked at two consecutive images, we think it may be getting worse there. The Sedillo Hill camera shows at least some snow in all lanes – and both cameras show snow still falling. According to KOB.com, the following schools in our area are closed:
- East Mountain High School
Senior Meteorological Correspondent Wilson Taking Scientific Snow Depth Measurements
- Edgewood Christian School
- Mountainair Junior High
- Albuquerque Public Schools East Mountain Schools
- Estancia Municipal Schools
- Moriarty-Edgewood Schools
- Mountainair Public Schools
TCPO To Go Transportation and the Estancia and Moriarty Magistrate Courts are also closed. If we’ve missed any schools, we’d appreciate it if our readers would let us know.
Lest the local climate change “skeptics” get too excited, let’s remember that winter storms of this nature (and the frequency with which they’ve been occurring) are typical of El Nino conditions – a warming of surface waters in the Pacific Ocean.
DA Opinion – David King Cleared In Ethics Review
by John Weckerle
This morning’s Albuquerque Journal reports that, according to a review by the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office, PRC member David King’s “actions are within statutory requirements” with respect to his former minority ownership interest in Estancia Basin Water. The issue was reviewed by the DA’s office because of Mr. King’s family and business relationships with Attorney General Gary King. For more information, see the Journal article.
Huge Solar Plant Comes To Santa Rosa Area
by John Weckerle
Santa Rosa is usually a little east of our coverage area, but this news is big enough for New Mexico Central. As reported in the Albuquerque Journal, GA-Solar, a subsidiary of Corporación Gestamp, will invest $1 billion in a 2,500 acre photovoltaic array with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts (MW). According to the Journal article, the project will temporarily employ 300 workers during construction, with 75 permanent jobs being created for the plant’s operations.
For more information, see the Journal article. Congratulations, Santa Rosa and Guadalupe County!