Archive for Edgewood
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.
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.
Dancing In Carbon Shoes
by John Weckerle
As most of our readers know, New Mexico Central has not typically focused extensively on national/global issues. Global climate change has been the subject of a single article thus far. However, given some of what we’ve been reading, we think perhaps it is time for article number two.
We have watched with some interest the exchanges in the letters-to-the-editor at the Mountain View Telegraph between Scott Brooks, Ken Johnson, and Bob Clancy, a debate into which your editor even waded once. Mr. Brooks and Mr. Johnson believe that evidence and analysis supporting the concept of anthropogenic climate change are the bogus result of some sort of vast conspiracy among the grand majority of climate and environmental scientists. Mr. Clancy disagrees, as does your editor. Mr. Clancy, to a lesser extent, myself, and others have at times looked into the issues raised by the climate conspiracy theorists and tried to correct the misconceptions presented. For the most part, the reaction seems to have been a combination of dodge, hustle, regrouping, and diversion. A tactic? Perhaps. A strategy? Well…
The issue has begun spilling over into the local blogs, with Gadabout-Blogalot.com blogger Chuck Ring weighing in on the subject, referring to “man’s so-called climate change” and stating “Carbon footprints are of little interest to me at this time because it seems that the whole “global warming/climate change” effort has tumbled rear-end over teakettle … at least for now and maybe far into the future. Something about scads of emails and weather cold enough to freeze the horns off of a brass billy goat.” Mr. Ring has made a number of other comments suggesting that he is embracing a certain skepticism on the subject of anthropogenic climate change, apparently on the basis of the notorious “Climategate” e-mails. If Mr. Brooks and Mr. Johnson’s constant barrage of letters to the Telegraph didn’t make this a local issue, Mr. Ring’s entry into the discourse certainly does, as he is running for local office. With all that in mind, we’d like to address a few of the relevant claims recently made. »» Dancing In Carbon Shoes
And The Contestants Are…(You Read It Here First)
by John Weckerle
Yes, we were there – and only us. As the deadline passed for the candidates to register for the Town of Edgewood’s upcoming election, New Mexico Central – and ONLY New Mexico Central – was on hand to witness the last chance for the willing to become the possible. It was, perhaps predictably, a moment that will stand out among some, but not many. Amidst the cheers and well wishing*, we were fortunate enough to get the names of the candidates for the upcoming electoral event. »» And The Contestants Are…(You Read It Here First)
Wolves Wend Way to Wildlife West
by John Weckerle
Yesterday saw the arrival of three very important personages at Albuquerque’s Double Eagle Airport aboard an aircraft provided by Lighthawk, a conservation organization of volunteer pilots providing support to environmental and ecological efforts. Three Mexican grey wolves arrived from the National Zoo to begin the last leg of the trip to their new home – Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood, New Mexico. The plane was scheduled to return east with a retired female wolf from the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility, bound for New York.
The arrival of the male and two females represents a substantial increase in Wildlife West’s participation in the wolf recovery effort, more than doubling the Park’s population of lobos. The new arrivals will take up residence in new habitat space adjacent to the existing wolf enclosure.
The Park’s Christmas present comes with a price, however; food, veterinary care, and other expenses will require financial resources that are already strained. Those wishing to help the Park and its participation in the wolf recovery program would do well to visit the Park’s web site and consider making a donation; any support would certainly be appreciated.
Edgewood Library Conspiracy Exposed – Permit Required, Fines Levied
by John Weckerle
Our readers may recall that we researched issues raised by Chuck Ring in articles at Gadabout-Blogalot.com (here, here, and here; and our article is here) regarding renovation at the Edgewood Library and the possibility that work was done without permits. At issue, at least initially, was the fact that the building was “red-tagged” by a Construction Industries Division (CID) electrical inspector. The situation remained unresolved at the time of our last examination, and the last of the Gadabout-Blogalot.com articles seemed to suggest, in a sidelong manner, that NM-Central.com was somehow remiss in its assessment of the situation. With a month an a half now having passed, we decided to check on the status of the “controversy” to see what, if any, fallout had occurred.
First on our list of calls was Edgewood Town Administrator Karen Mahalick. Ms. Mahalick stated that the Town had not paid any fines or permit fees; rather, she indicated, the general contractor for the project, Doyce Wilhite of Quality Home Construction, dealt directly with the CID on the matter. Your editor then contacted Mr. Wilhite and discussed the situation at length. Mr. Wilhite indicated that the CID had instructed him to file a copy of the electrical plan for the remodel, signed by an engineer. Upon receipt of the plan, the CID determined that a Tenant Improvement Permit was, in fact, needed, primarily as a result of the addition of two outlets to the facility. The CID also determined that the work was done in compliance with the applicable codes, and no rework or changes were required. The CID did request (but did not require) that a panel box be moved. The panel box was not part of the remodel and was in compliance with applicable codes at the time of installation, but codes have since changed. Mr. Wilhite indicated that the building owner agreed to the request. By agreement with the CID, the building owner will bring other sections of the building up to current code as remodeling is done for future tenants. The CID did not require permits for, or take issue with, any other aspect of the renovation, including the replacement of the wall with posts referenced in Gadabout-Blogalot.com’s third article on the issue.
With respect to that part of the remodeling, Mr. Wilhite indicated that the ceiling structure in question supports some lighting as well as two air transfer units, weighing a total of about 500 pounds. He indicated that the posts and beams were designed essentially to the specifications for a load-bearing wall. Mr. Wilhite noted that he uses the same software used by the CID to estimate the lumber needed for such a span, and that the CID did not take issue with or require a permit for that aspect of the renovation.
Mr. Wilhite indicated that a permit fee and associated penalty have been paid to the CID. This included paying the permit fee and a penalty equal to that fee. The total remitted to the CID was $36. We are glad that the Town was not required to pay the fee and the fine, and hope that this will be a final resolution to “Electro-Librarygate.”
Oh, The Weather Outside…
by John Weckerle
Last night brought us some fairly intense weather here at NM-Central headquarters, with times of snow, freezing rain, thunder and lightning, and high winds. This morning seems dominated by the wind, although weather authorities warn of more potential precipitation before the system has passed. Local TV stations indicate that the Estancia Valley, including Estancia itself, will likely bear the brunt of the storm in our area. The northern part of the state has received substantial snowfall. Here at NM-Central, we’ve received a few inches or so.
NMRoads.com reports that road conditions in the area are (at best) snow-packed and icy. According to KOB.com, Moriarty-Edgewood schools and Estancia schools are closed, and East Mountain High School and APS schools are on a two-hour delay. We have not been able to find any information on Mountainair’s schools. We recommend that our readers stay home if they can, and to those who can’t, please be extra cautious.
Public Service Announcement
by Carol Clegg
Mountain Valley Church will be presenting ” Imagine Christmas” a musical stage production at the church, located on the corner of Mountain Valley and Dinkle Road, Edgewood.
Invite family and friends to a free evening of entertainment
Saturday Dec 12th and Sunday Dec 13th @ 6:00 p.m.
Edgewood’s Recipe for Songbird Soup
by John Weckerle
As reported here, in the Mountain View Telegraph, at Gadabout-Blogalot.com, and other local sources, the Town of Edgewood recently received a stimulus package grant for two 50 kilowatt wind turbines. As mentioned in all sources, the Town intends to place these turbines at the site of the wastewater treatment plant, which will also be the site of a new, roughly 3.5 acre pond, intended for recreational uses including fishing. At first, this may seem a great fit; however, as with so many issues, there is more to the situation than meets the eye.
What is perhaps not entirely obvious – and quite clearly not obvious at all to the Town’s energy committee, Planning and Zoning Commission, Council, and staff, despite having been made aware of the issue – is the connection between bodies of water, insects, bats and birds in this part of the world. Anyone who has even a small outdoor fountain in this area knows that not only do local birds of all types visit water sources on a daily basis, but migratory birds crowd in during migration seasons in Spring and Fall. On any given morning at this time of year, it is far from unusual for us to see 20 or more robins at at time, joined by northern flickers, woodpeckers, and other visitors lined up around and on top of the fountain, drinking and bathing. On any given day, we have hundreds of visitors during migration season – and the fountain’s wet area is probably about 18 inches across. The bubbler out front sees similar action at times. »» Edgewood’s Recipe for Songbird Soup
Edgewood Library “Red Tagged”
by John Weckerle
In a two-part (so far) series titled “Red Tags In The Sunset In Edgewood, New Mexico,” (Part One and Part Two) about a “red tag” posted by NM Construction Industries Division (CID) electrical inspector Jason Davis at the Edgewood Library, Gadabout-Blogalot.com editor Chuck Ring raises issues regarding potential permitting issues at the Edgewood Library. Among the issues raised by Mr. Ring in his first article are that permits may have been required and were not obtained; that unlicensed contractors may have performed the work; that work may not have been performed to standards; and that the library might be open in violation of the red tags. In his second article, Mr. Ring indicates that anonymous individuals allegedly advised the Town that permits were required and poses the question “If the advise (sic) was ignored, one has to wonder why. Did the Town of Edgewood, acting through it staff or elected Mayor decide that permitting the work was not required or did the Town just forget about the permits?” »» Edgewood Library “Red Tagged”
Edgewood Recycling Sub-Committee
by John Weckerle
It’s short notice, but the e-mail just came in yesterday notifying us of Edgewood’s Parks and Recreation Subcommittee meeting tonight (Tuesday, October 20, at 6:30) at the Edgewood Community Center. The agenda includes “distribution of recyclable materials – still a quandary!” and other associated issues. We’re excited to see Edgewood considering a recycling program, and we wish the Town success in implementing it. For more information, contact the Town at 286-4518.
Some Real Hot Air…
Editor’s Note: We continue here a discussion of the revisions to the Town of Edgewood’s zoning ordinance to allow for the construction of wind turbines in the Town of Edgewood. The current conversation began in response to this article by Bob Steiner on Town energy committee member Chuck Ring’s blog. Mr. Ring made his case, and instructed us that he would rather not have the discussion continue on his blog. We have chosen to continue the dialogue here. We wish to note that the reference to Mr. Steiner’s article of September 23 was in error; it was Mr. Steiner’s response to Mr. Ring’s September 21 article which we found inappropriate.
We find it disappointing that Mr. Ring has chosen to put his position forth and ask that the debate cease. We’ll honor his request not to continue the discourse on his blog, but will continue it here. We will discuss the final revisions in another article.
by John Weckerle
On October 7, 2009, the Town of Edgewood passed revisions to its zoning ordinance classifying small wind energy systems as a conditional use. This has been a topic of discussion here and in other places for some time, and there has certainly been some heated discussion and hyperbole, perhaps even here at New Mexico Central. Today, we’ll examine a bit of hyperbole. First, though, we want to do a little housecleaning, and make it clear that NM-Central has consistently expressed support for properly-sited wind energy projects. However, we strongly assert (along with authorities such as the National Academy of Sciences; scroll down to “Table of Contents” to read the report for free) that such projects should be sited to minimize potential damage to wildlife and mitigate other potential negative effects.
Having been rather busy over the last couple of weeks, we did not have time to be reading Mr. Ring’s blog on a regular basis until taking the time this past Thursday evening. Today, we will examine some of the claims and statements made there, and perhaps clear up a few misperceptions that may have arisen. »» Some Real Hot Air…
A Little More Hot Air
by John Weckerle
Your editor has submitted written comments to the Mayor and Town Council of Edgewood on the proposed revisions to the zoning ordinance to allow development of wind energy systems. Rather than continue whipping this horse any further, at least for now, we will simply defer to the comments and hope that the Town Council will have the wisdom to carefully examine the issues at hand.
A Windstorm’s A Brewin’
by John Weckerle
We here at New Mexico Central continue to be concerned about the process by which the Town of Edgewood is examining its stance with respect to wind energy. The Town’s various committees, subcommittees, and appointed officials who have dealt with this issue to date (this does not, in this case apparently include the Mayor) appear unconcerned with concerns raised by NM-Central.com and others regarding environmental and other effects associated with various wind-related energy strategies. Having reviewed the proposed changes to the zoning ordinance, we sadly find the Town’s approach to be unenlightened, inadequately inquisitive, and environmentally irresponsible – not to mention unresponsive to public concerns that have been expressed to date. The proposed legislation reads as if it were written by wind energy interests, and we begin to wonder what relationships some of the energy committee members may have with the wind power industry or whether there are other potential conflicts of interest involved. While we applaud the Town’s interest in renewable energy and support responsibly sited wind projects, we do not endorse the Town’s approach and have submitted a New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act request for all documents associated with this legislation in the hope of ascertaining just how this regrettable situation has come to pass. A public hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, October 7, and we hope that those who are concerned about wildlife impacts, effects on property values, and other potential problems that may result from this ordinance revision will attend and let their voices be heard. We also hope that the Town Council, when formally presented with this ordinance, will take the time to truly consider all the relevant factors – something that the committees involved have not done, in our opinion. In the meantime, we leave our readers with this article on building-integrated wind turbines, which contains some fascinating information on small wind turbine performance in general. Caveat emptor, Edgewood!
Permaculture Gathering In Edgewood
by John Weckerle
On October 3, 2009, beginning at noon, Dr. Christian Meuli will host the free annual permaculture gathering in Edgewood. Permaculture, the art and science of creating human environments based on an understanding of ecological relationships, uses a systems approach to create environmentally sustainable settings that provide a positive experience for those who live in them – human and otherwise. The effective use of resources – for example, soil, water, sunlight, and organic matter – are key elements of permaculture, as is the effective incorporation of topography. Dr. Meuli, known locally as the chairman of Edgewood’s Parks and Recreation Committee, is one of the area’s foremost experts on and advocates for permaculture, and has used permaculture principles to create a sustainable and rewarding environment at his home.
The program will include a site tour, potluck, and presentations. Tom Smylie, a raptor expert who has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Peregrine Fund and also conducts free-flight falcon shows and raptor courses at Wildlife West Nature Park, will discuss Birds In Our Lives. Water artist and Keepers of the Waters Director Betsy Damon will give a presentation on “Living Water.” For more information, see the event flier or contact Dr. Meuli at (505) 281-4871.