Archive for Torrance County
With Mud Season Just Over, Fire Season Approaches
by John Weckerle
We’ve all seen the stories in the newspapers recently reminding us that fire season is upon us. With high winds and relatively little recent moisture, conditions favorable to wildfire are already upon many of us. We wish to add our voice to the chorus, as it were, and urge all our readers to take adequate precautions, and learn what they can to protect themselves against loss of life and property. Your editor’s firm, WeckTech, provides web services to a number of local/regional organizations that provide information and, in some cases, financial support to efforts such as thinning and defensible space projects that may mean the difference between disaster and avoidance thereof:
- The East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association
- Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District
- East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District
- Edgwood Soil and Water Conservation District
- Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District
We encourage you to contact these organizations and learn about the help and information they can provide.
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.
Public Service Announcement: Family and Home Safety Fair
by John Weckerle
We’ve received word from Ellen Burgess at the Torrance County Project Office that a Family and Home Safety Fair will be held in McIntosh on Saturday, January 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fair, which will address such issues as child safety, disaster preparedness, quality of life, and associated subjects will also include free food and door prizes. Presenters will include the NM Attorney General’s office, the Central New Mexico Electrical Cooperative, Torrance County Sheriff’s Department, Moriarty Police Department, the Cariño Toy and Resource Library, and many others. For more information, see the event flier.
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: KXNM-88.7 FM seeks donations
from the KNSM-88.7 Community Foundation:
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
The KXNM FM 88.7 Community Foundation has recently received a match donation of up to $50,000.00 from a generous Torrance County Family that realizes the value and potential that a community-based educational not for profit radio station has to offer to area residents, businesses, schools, civic and non-profit organizations, municipal and county governments.
If as a community we rise to the challenge and raise $50,000, we will have enough money to build the transmission tower. It is the crucial and pivotal piece of infrastructure. No gift is too large or too small; this is truly a grass roots effort.
If you are an individual, organization or business that is able to give $2,500 or more you are eligible for the advantages of our Radio Pioneer underwriting program. »» Public Service Announcement: KXNM-88.7 FM seeks donations
Who Will Win The Battle?
Editor’s note: Thanks to Mountainair Announcements for the heads-up on this event.
by John Weckerle
That depends on who plays best – in this Saturday’s Battle of the Bands at Estancia’s first annual Teen Fest. Teen Fest, to be held beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 at Estancia Park in…well, Estancia, of course… includes the Battle of the Bands, a teen art and music festival, and a Guitar Hero competition. For more information, call 384-1092 or stop by the Estancia Town Office.
Teen Fest comes to us via the Teen Outreach Program (TOP), available thanks to the efforts of the good folks at the Torrance County Projects Office (TCPO). According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the TOP is “a school and community-based program designed to prevent teen pregnancy and academic failure, and to promote positive youth development.” There are opportunities for community service, classroom discussions, activities, and developing life experience. For more info, see the TOP flier or contact TOP at 384-1092 or 832-0332.
Memorial Weekend Fire Safety Reminder
by Arlene Perea, Mountainair District Ranger Station
Mountainair, NM, May 19, 2009 – Cibola National Forest officials remind everyone of the importance of responsible recreating in anticipation of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. The Mountainair Ranger District as well as the Kiowa & Rita Blanca Grasslands are the only districts currently under stage 1 fire restrictions. Although Black Kettle, Mount Taylor, Magdalena and Sandia are not under any fire restrictions, we would like to remind all forest visitors to use extreme caution to prevent any wildfires within the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands. In anticipation of the upcoming holiday, district fire and recreation personnel will continue to patrol the roads, trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreational facilities during the holiday weekend.
The following Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Ranger Districts remain affected by high fire danger:
MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICT, KIOWA & RITA BLANCA GRASSLANDS:
STAGE 1:
Open Campfire Restrictions:
- Campfires, charcoal grills and stove fires are prohibited on national forest lands, except in Forest Service developed camp and picnic grounds where grills are provided.
- Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed.
Smoking Restrictions:
- Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building; a developed recreation site; or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter and free of all flammable material.
Fireworks:
- As always, fireworks are prohibited on all national forest lands.
Forest Officials would also like to remind the public to please “Be Bear Aware”. Some areas of the forest have been experiencing a high occurrence of black bear sightings. Although beautiful to look at, black bears are wild creatures that can be very dangerous if provoked. Camp and picnic grounds are heavily used over the holiday. Please remember to keep your Forests free of litter.
For further information, please contact the Cibola National Forest at 505-346-3900 or visit us on the web at www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola. You may also call the districts at:
Sandia – 505-281-3304
Mountainair – 505-847-2990
Magdalena – 575-854-2381
Mount Taylor – 505-287-8833
Kiowa & Rita Blanca – 575-374-9652
Black Kettle – 580-497-2143
Criticism of Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District Inaccurate – Some Press Coverage Unbalanced
by John Weckerle
Disclosure: Your editor provides web services to four Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Edgewood, East Torrance, Claunch-Pinto, and Ciudad. However, this article has not been prepared at the behest of the Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District and represents the opinions of the author alone.
In relatively recent editions of The Independent and the Mountain View Telegraph, local resident Craig Springer has aimed some very harsh criticism at the Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District. Having had a substantial amount of interaction with the District over the years, we have been surprised at what we have read – so we decided to do a little checking into the situation. According to documentation provided by the District, Mr. Springer’s cost-share project began with a 2004 Cost-Share application. At that time, it was required that ESWCD Cost-Share projects be completed by August 31 of the year following the submittal of the application (that date has since changed to June 30), so Mr. Springer’s application would have expired on August 31, 2005. Because of staff turnover, the District actually continued to reimburse Mr. Springer until June 14, 2006, at which time he was informed that he would have to re-apply. Apparently, Mr. Springer feels that he should be able to continue collecting on the expired application. Mr. Springer was provided an application, the minutes of the Board meeting at which his situation was discussed, and a letter advising him that he needed to submit a current cost-share application in order to receive reimbursement for future efforts on March 9, 2009, weeks before his complaints ran in the local papers.
I have so far conducted two cost-share projects on my property – one for tree thinning and one for a rain harvesting system – and am preparing an application for a third (drip irrigation). I have also purchased a number of trees and shrubs through District Spring and Fall plant sales. I have been absolutely, 100% satisfied with the program and the support provided by District personnel. As far as I am concerned, Mr. Springer’s complaints are completely off-base, and he should fill out another cost-share application just like everyone else. (NOTE: Cost share applications must be submitted by tomorrow, April 30, 2009).
With regard to the press coverage: The Independent was fair and considerate in allowing the District to respond to Mr. Springer’s letter. The Mountain View Telegraph, however, took another approach. »» Criticism of Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District Inaccurate – Some Press Coverage Unbalanced
Partnership For A Healthy Torrance County
by John Weckerle
Our friend Vanessa Crary Vaile from Mountainair Arts informs us that the Partnership for a Healthy Torrance County (PHTC) will meet this Wednesday, April 1, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. For more information about the PHTC meeting, see the meeting agenda.
PHTC, a cooperative effort among various state, county, municipal, and private health organizations, is another of the array of interesting programs offered by the Torrance County Project Office. Other community programs include the founding of KXNM FM, currently in progress; child car seat distribution; domestic violence and child abuse prevention programs; youth services; a bus system providing local service as well as service into Albuquerque (with stops throughout Torrance County and Edgewood; see the schedule); and more. For more information, see the TCPO web site or contact them at (505) 832-0332.
Gimme Shelter – Part 1
by John Weckerle
(Editor’s Note: Chuck Ring contributed substantially to this article)
In a January 22 article on outlining financial problems faced by the Moriarty-Edgewood School District, Mountain View Telegraph writer Lee Ross reports on apparent consternation among the local school board members regarding the new Estancia Valley Regional Animal Shelter proposed to be located in Edgewood’s Section 16, south of Edgewood Middle School. According to the article, Moriarty-Edgewood School Superintendent stated: “I honestly did not have any idea that this was going into place.”
Excuse me?
As pointed out by former Town Council member and animal friend Chuck Ring, the regional animal shelter has been the subject of at least 13 articles in the Telegraph alone, all but one of which mentions Section 16 as the location for the facility. One would expect that elected officials would keep abreast of issues affecting the interests of the District, and that District personnel would be scanning the news for such issues and reporting back to the school board. Further, a naming contest was held in coordination with the school district, and Ms. Couch reportedly participated directly in that effort. »» Gimme Shelter – Part 1
Goodwill Industries Looking To Hire Seniors
by John Weckerle
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico has announced their Senior Employment Community Services Program, in which low-income residents of Torrance County who are 55 and older can earn $7.50 per hour working 20 hours per week. For more information, contact the Workforce Connection office in Moriarty at 832-6774 or stop by their office. The Workforce Connection is located at 777 Old Highway 66 in Moriarty (Chamber of Commerce building).
Moriarty-Edgewood School District 2 Mill Levy Election To Be Held
by John Weckerle
On February 3, The Moriarty-Edgewood School District (MESD) 2 Mill Levy Election will be held to determine whether the current levy will be extended through 2014. Funds from the levy would, according to the MESD brochure, be ” used for the maintenance of buildings, acquisition of equipment, and other capital improvement purposes.” The money cannot be used for operational expenses such as salaries and other personnel costs. Anticipated funding from the continuation of the levy is anticipated to be approximately $930,000 per year, which would be matched with about $35,000 per year from the state Public School Capital Improvement Fund.
It should be noted that “A vote for the captial improvements tax levy will not result in a tax increase.” This is money that is sorely needed for the upkeep of our school facilities, and we urge local residents to support the mill levy. For more detailed information and a list of polling places, please see the MESD brochure.
The Bees’ Knees, And It’s Time For Trees
by John Weckerle
Long ago, in a county far, far away…
…Your editor took first place in the county science fair for his project on bees. I had live bees, posters, and materials, and learned a few things about our great friends and partners of the order Hymenoptera, and wanted at that time to be a beekeeper (but failed to inspire the parents to the same degree) - so you can imagine the little jump of enthusiasm I experienced when I read the latest East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District newsletter and found that the District is hosting a workshop on raising bees at the Torrance County Fairgrounds on January 30, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Now, more than ever, we need to understand how bees make life as we know it possible (no kidding, there) and learn how those of us with a little room and a little time can help keep these incredible creatures working for themselves, the ecosystem, agriculture, and all of us – and maybe get a little honey, to boot. For more information, and to reserve a seat or three, contact Cheri or Kitty at (505) 384-2272, extension 3.
The District’s Spring plant sale has also started, and we recommend getting your order in as soon as possible. For more information and to download an order form, visit the District’s plant sale page.
Solar-Power Incentives — Bah, Humbug!
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Of course, I’m not against incentives for solar or wind power. Let me explain. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) has just approved regulations that requires Public Service Company of New Mexico (PSC) to pay commercial customers 15 cents for ever solar-generated kilowatt used by its commercial customers. This is in addition to a 13 cent scheme for residential customers. The PRC stopped short or refused to require PSC to pay for any excess power generated by the company’s customers. Whether this refusal is good for the customer and PSC is anyone’s guess, but one reason given by the PRC is that the PRC didn’t want the customers to become mini-utilities or words to that effect. On balance all the forgoing seems great for PSC’s customers and it allows PSC to comply with regulations that require it to be more green.Â
Holiday Raffle To Support Community Radio
by John Weckerle
A raffle to benefit the establishment of a new community radio station is under way! Prizes include:
- 1st – $500
- 2nd – $250
- 3rd – $100
Tickets are $1.00 or $5.00 for six tickets. The drawing will be held at the Torrance County Project Office holiday open house on December 18, 2008. For more information and to buy tickets contact Ellen Burgess, Programs Manager, at (505) 832-0332 or by e-mail at eburgess@lobo.net.
We here at NM-Central wholeheartedly and enthusiastically support this outstanding project and urge you all to do so as well, so please call Ellen and find out how to get your tickets today!