Archive for Moriarty
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
Bacon Fried Is Pork Applied
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
The Rio Grande Foundation (RGF) has just published their latest piggy booklet
Sneaky Petes With Dirty “Feats!”
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Have any of you noticed how your eyes have become defective. I mean, have you seen that packaging in food stores seem to be the same size, but the contents weigh less than they did perhaps a month or a few days ago? Can we lay this on a sign of the times or pure fraudulent deception? Can we just chalk it up to sophisticated packaging to allow for a more comfortable ride for the various items as they zip to their various destinations? Or, should we accept one or more of the manufacturers lame explanations (revelations) given when they are pinned to the wall?
Revelations are popping-up all over and it makes one wonder, why the deception? Wouldn’t it be proper and honest to just raise the prices? The manufacturers seem to say that the consumer will accept deception before they will accept honest increases in prices. Well, let’s view a television spot which sheds more light on the issue
That’s it, except that if you want to keep up on consumer scams, you might want to subscribe to the newsletter offered here TrappedByAMouseÂ
Alice King Passes at 78
by John Weckerle
It was a sad moment yesterday when we learned that Alice King, wife of former governor Bruce King and long-time advocate for troubled children, passed away yesterday after suffering a massive stroke Thursday.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. King several time at functions here in the area, and she was always friendly and warm in her greetings.  As a first lady, and later as a tireless advocate, she worked and fought to protect and serve New Mexico’s children. Even though she is gone, a part of her will always be there in the lives of those who have been helped by the programs she started and sponsored.
We are asking that anyone who has information on a public memorial service pass the word on to us, so that we can post the details here.
Like A Good Neighbor … Time To Belly Up
 by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
On October 7th of this year I posted the following article
Since that time area churches, other non-profits and area businesses have contributed money and other items to assist those losing their jobs through the difficult transition in times that were perilous even before the closing of the call center. Temporary assistance is always welcome by those in need, but more is needed in order to secure another employer or employers to employ those who want to work.
The rumor on the street is that Moriarty has asked for the help of Edgewood to refurbish parts of the building or grounds where a new tenant might locate. I believe this is a fitting proposal for several reasons:
- those who have or will lose their jobs want to work and they need to work
- some employees who lost their jobs live in Edgewood and other points outside of Moriarty
- as a former employee of the connection, I can attest to the fact that a majority of the employees spent a portion of each paycheck at Edgewood businesses
- Edgewood is not in the charity business, but this potential assistance is not charity. It is taking care of our own; no matter the location of their residence
- this assistance would demonstrate Edgewood’s willingness to recognize the assistance given to citizens of this valley and reward that assistance in a meaningful way
- it would be one more illustration of a regional approach to economic development
- it would demonstrate to the legislature and Santa Fe County that our dollars need to stay here to help our own, before sliding to Santa Fe City and Santa Fe County
Support Your Local Vendors First
by John Weckerle
In the November 19 issue of The Independent, editor Wally Gordon showed support for an Edgewood Chamber of Commerce proposal that the Town of Edgewood “formalize an arrangement for giving a 5 percent preference to town businesses” – a proposal that we also support. Mr. Gordon also urged the Chamber to follow its own advice and support local business, citing publication of a recent magazine that was contracted to a Colorado business, Sixtus. In a subsequent exchange in the November 26 edition, Myra Oden, executive director of the Edgewood Chamber, stated that this was a tri-chamber publication, and that two local publishing companies – not including The Independent – were contacted and asked if they were interested in bidding on the project, but neither was interested. Ms. Oden went on to explain how she came to be familiar with the firm selected to do the work, and suggests that The Independent market the Chambers of Commerce throughout the entire state in order to business with the Edgewood Chamber and other area Chambers. »» Support Your Local Vendors First
Not Quite Over For The Political Junkies
by Chuck Ring
For those who are political junkies or just feel like a junk heap after the election, here’s something you can play with to see trends and results statewide and countywide.
After you arrive at the page you will see that you are on the results page for Santa Fe County. If you wish to dig down to individual precincts you will find a precinct select window next to the county window in the upper left corner of the page. Of course you can also select another county to examine if you want to spend all day and night on the site.
In Santa Fe County precincts 15, 16, 18, 73, 84 and 85 the transit tax was voted down. The total vote was 2755 against to 1515 for, which seems to verify that most folks in those precincts (which is mostly Edgewood do not see a train track or any other real overall transportation benefit to the citizens in our future. But, the bad news is that the rest of the Santa Fe County portion of transit district citizens felt differently and voted for the tax, so that the totals were 34934 for to 28,501 opposed.
So, what will happen as a result of the transit tax passing? On January 1, 2009, you will see the gross receipts tax for the incorporated area of Edgewood (inside Santa Fe County) rise from 7.625 to 7.750. This tax, joins other taxes that have been foisted on us because we cannot overcome the votes from the rest of the county when it comes to tax referendums. One answer to the perpetual problem is the possibility of forming a county out of portions of Santa Fe, Bernalillo and perhaps Torrance counties. This is not the first time that this possibility has been mentioned, but it might be more viable now, because it is difficult to walk much less run, with Santa Fe County’s hand in our back pocket.
It could be worse. Santa Fe City joins Española, and Taos to have gross receipts tax rates above eight cents on the dollar.
What? A 36″ Giant Sucking Sound!
by Chuck Ring
Just when you thought that the City Different, AKA Santa Fe or Disneyland, was through being outrageous, comes the story that they want to add to their water supply. Maybe not bad on the surface, but this deal involves sucking or pushing water through a 36″ pipeline from Ft. Sumner. Such sucking and/or pushing would be over a distance of 145 miles and a lift in elevation from 4049 feet altitude to an elevation of 7320 feet altitude. A lift of 3271 feet through a 36 inch pipeline will require enormous energy, materials and “mucho dinero.” Similar problems did not deter Santa Fe City several years ago when they hatched a similar scheme to import water from the Estancia Basin in Torrance County to Santa Fe. A very vocal Estancia Basin contingency and a well-attended Santa Fe City Council meeting put a dam up to halt that particular project.
I am preparing a series of articles that will shed light on some of the two Santa Fes’ (The Twins) water deals and gimmicks. The articles will be published here and will be utilized elsewhere in an attempt to halt the craziness of The Twins and their like, especially as their actions apply to taxing entities that will not see benefit of such taxation and similar actions. Until I post the first article in the series, you can slake your thirst by accessing and reading an article on the subject which appears in today’s (Sunday, November 2, 2008) Santa Fe New Mexican:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Private-water-pipeline-proposed-for-S-F-
That’s it for now.
GadAbout-BlogAlot
New Mexico Sex Offender Registry Site
by Chuck Ring
I am not by nature an alarmist. But, I also believe forewarned is forearmed. With Halloween and other holidays coming very soon, it might be valuable for parents and others to know more about some of the areas and individuals to avoid during trick or treat and other activities where children and adults are placed together.
The New Mexico Department Of Public Safety (DPS) maintains a website known as the Sex Offender Registry. The site is user friendly and there is no need to provide detailed information in this article. You can get to the site by clicking here
Be sure to read all of the warnings contained on the various pages of the website and recognize that the information provided on the website is provided as a public service and there is a disclaimer for accuracy. In other words, please use the information as it was intended to be used. Do not use it to intimidate, harass, or to take any action outside the bounds of propriety. Nor should individuals or groups do anything that would be a violation of any law regarding any information found on the website.
A Grinch Or A Temporary Glitch
by Chuck Ring
According to an article in today’s (October 7, 2008) Albuquerque Journal and word on the street, “The Connection” call center will “disconnect” operations in Moriarty on December 6, 2008.
As is often the case when operations are shuttered, the action comes at a most inopportune time. The state of the economy and this loss of 150 area jobs serves as a double dose of sadness for our area and our citizens. As a former employee at the facility, I know that some employees at The Connection have been employed there since the facility opened in 2000. The jobs offered a foot in the door of their future life for many young people who were looking for a way station before embarking on an academic career or a higher salaried job. Other employees, such as single mothers, were offered a job that allowed the opportunity to better feed and clothe their children and themselves. Most of the employees have been decent and loyal employees who thought of their fellow employees as family.
I know that Moriarty Mayor Adan
In the meantime, the area service organizations, churches and others able to offer help should jump in with both feet and with all the resources they can spare. Let us do all we are able toward making this coming season as comfortable and joyous as possible given the dire prospects for immediate recovery.
I’m confident that the good folks in this valley will not forget their fellow citizens in their time of need and financial discomfort.
Who will be the first to step forward? This can be a temporary glitch if we work together.
Moriarty Chamber Confesses: No Tax-Exempt Status
by John Weckerle
Word has reached us (through a local resident who attended the September 9 Moriarty City Council meeting) that the Moriarty, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce has admitted that it is does not have IRS recognition as a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt organization. According to that resident, Chamber spokesman Glenn Tillery advised the City Council that the Chamber did not have such status and did not know when it would, and apologized for the “miscommunication.”
Questions regarding the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce’s tax exempt status were raised in our August 26th article, which examined published statements by Moriarty Chamber president Lee Anne Tapia that the chamber was “operating as it should with a valid tax ID number, and as a valid 501-C6 non profit organization.” Our article clearly established that the latter, at least, was not the case – the IRS stated that they had no record of such status. Since then, we have received unconfirmed reports that other Chamber officials were meeting with businesses, one at a time, and similarly stating that the Chamber had obtained 501(c)(6) status. We would appreciate any information that might help to substantiate or refute these reports. »» Moriarty Chamber Confesses: No Tax-Exempt Status
Moriarty Chamber Tax Exempt Status Remains Unclear
by John Weckerle
In an August 13 letter to the editor of The Independent, Moriarty Chamber of Commerce president Lee Anne Tapia defends the role of Lee Obarr in Chamber activities. We will leave the subject of Mr. Obarr for another time. Ms. Tapia relates that the Moriarty Chamber had been operating “illegally” – reputedly, in violation of state and federal tax laws – for years, and that Mr. Obarr was instrumental in the “discovery” of the situation.
We find ourselves curious about this statement. Two very credible sources have suggested that the situation was brought to the attention of the IRS by a third party, and that the Moriarty Chamber may be facing the possibility of having to pay substantial fines and back taxes. Unfortunately, we cannot confirm or refute this directly. In a July 22 letter, IRS Exempt Organizations Specialist Joseph Belpulsi states “The Internal Revenue Code includes taxpayer privacy provisions…Accordingly, we cannot disclose what action, if any, the IRS has taken or may take…” with regard to examination of the status of any given organization. The State of New Mexico has similar provisions. That means that the only information we are likely to receive about the IRS problems is what the Chamber releases.
Ms. Tapia also states: “…and now your Moriarty Chamber of Commerce is operating as it should with a valid tax ID number, and as a valid 501-C6 non profit organization.” In an August 26, 2008 telephone conversation, an IRS representative named Ms. Mitchell informed us that the IRS had no record of approval of an application for tax-exempt status for the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce or for a reputed – but as yet unconfirmed – alias, the Greater Moriarty Economic Development Association.
The legal status of the Moriarty Chamber as an organization in New Mexico is similarly unclear. A search of the New Mexico NMPRC corporations database provides no results for the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce, suggesting that the organization may never have been incorporated under that name. Unconfirmed rumors have circulated in recent months that the organization might be operating under another name, the Greater Moriarty Economic Development Organization. The database does contain an entry for the Greater Moriarty Economic Development Association, whose makeup appears to be similar, if not identical, to the organization calling itself the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce. It is unclear whether these are the same organization and, if so, how the organization could operate legally under one name and be registered under another – or, for that matter, why it should choose to do so.
It would certainly be in the Chamber’s best interest to openly and honestly disclose its status and discuss the issues it is facing; as noted above, the whirlpool of rumor and innuendo is substantial, and can only serve to damage the Chamber’s reputation. We invite the Moriarty Chamber to clarify its status by providing us with a copy of its letter from the IRS approving their status as a 501(c)(6) organization (which we will be glad to post here upon request), and to explain the other apparent inconsistencies and points of confusion regarding its status both as a tax-exempt organization and a corporation in the State of New Mexico.
Anyone can verify the tax exempt status of an organization by calling the IRS at 1-877-829-5500.
Moriarty Man Convicted In Arizona
by John Weckerle
Donald Lee Condra, known locally as Lee Obarr, was convicted yesterday in Kingman, Arizona of eight felony counts of forgery, theft, fraudulent schemes and artifices, and tampering with a computer. Scheduled to be sentenced August 13, Condra/Obarr as been ordered to be held without bond and may face decades in prison. A second case, involving charges of falsifying bank statements, will be tried in September. More information can be found in this Mohave Daily News Article.
A Better Deal Elsewhere For Wildlife West?
by John Weckerle
We have posted several articles here about the treatment that Wildlife West Nature Park has been receiving from the Town of Edgewood. Wildlife West, a community asset providing employment opportunities, educational programs, an enhanced zoo, and great entertainment, has faced what appears to be outright hostility from the Town government since the March election. Despite the fact that the Town’s attorney has stated that there may be way to legally fund the annual Town music festival at the Park, Mayor Bob Stearley has remained adamant that any support for the event represents a violation of the anti-donation clause of the State Constitution. Knowing that tax revenues would increase as a result of new gross receipts for the Town, Mr. Stearley has resolutely insisted that the Town is too strapped for cash to make a contribution to the event, a claim we have repeatedly disputed here – and based on this article in the Mountain View Telegraph, it would appear that we were right in disputing it. Thus far, the Edgewood Town Council has gone along with Mr. Stearley’s positions with little resistance. According to the article, Mr. Stearley committed at the July 18 meeting to asking the Town attorney to look into ways to fund the music festival and, in a request dated June 27, Mr. Stearley instructed the Town attorney to report to the Council at its July 2 meeting.
Certainly, this treatment has been difficult for the folks at Wildlife West, and for those who have selflessly donated money, provided food for the animals and materials for improving the Park, and volunteered to make the Park the outstanding community asset it has become. Now, it would appear, that at least one nearby community recognizes the value of the Park, and might just be willing to give it the treatment it deserves. »» A Better Deal Elsewhere For Wildlife West?
Racing Commission Approves Albuquerque Downs Move To Moriarty
by John Weckerle
NM-Central.com has just received word that the New Mexico Racing Commission has approved the Albuquerque Downs application to relocate from the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque to Moriarty, New Mexico.
Plans for the facility, as presented by the Downs’ representatives at the recent Moriarty public meeting, include the racetrack, Las Vegas-style slot machine casino, food court, upscale steakhouse, advanced veterinary facility, stables, and other features. Congratulations are in order for the Downs, the governments of Moriarty and Torrance County, the Town of Estancia, which supported the project, and the local and regional organizations such as EVEDA who worked hard to demonstrate the community’s support for the project.