Archive for Santa Fe County
Community Appreciation Event Offered By Wildlife West Nature Park
One might, or certainly should know, that those that are generous are bound to generosity through their hearts and souls. Such is the case, in the opinion of many,with Roger Alink, Founder of Wildlife West, Roger’s wife Terry and the many volunteers and employees who work at and for Wildlife West Nature Park (WWNP).
WWNP has not had an easy time of it during the last 7-8 months, having had promised funding jerked from their coffers by the nimble fingers of fate. That WWNP and the folks who run the park were able to complete their mission for another year is testimony to their ability to overcome the seeming silliness of bureaucracy and still remain sane and decent folks.
So, what does the above have to do with generosity. It has much to do with generosity of spirit, and as mentioned above, the generosity of heart and soul. Generous, committed people do not stop at obstacles that are selfishly erected by their detractors. They surpass them. Either over, under or around; true devotees will always out over ignorance or the faint of heart.
Which brings us to an event sponsored by Roger Alink and his crew in appreciation for individual and community support offered to WWNP this year. See the flyer below which was designed by Mail & Copy Business Center, Inc. Hope to see you there!
Canines In Abundance — Human Companions Drag Behind
by Chuck Ring
Volunteers, Edgewood Town Staff, volunteer canines, along with State Representative Kathy McCoy, Edgewood Mayor Robert Stearley and wife Diane, Edgewood Councilor Rita-Loy Simmons, along with Susan Simons (Susan G. Komen, CNM Executive Director) helped to make the annualÂ
Of course, the event was made even more successful through the participation of the many canines and their human friends who “tagged” along without tags of their own. There was nary a harsh word exchanged among or between the canines and the people persons were equally well-behaved. The crossovers made from one side of Old 66 to the opposite side were made safely thanks to the able efforts of Edgewood Police Department officers who held-up or directed traffic at various spots along the walking course.
In addition to the walk of approximately three miles, a silent auction was held. The fees for the walk along with the silent auction proceeds will go to benefit efforts to find a cure for breast cancer and for animal welfare activities in and around the community. The folks from Edgewood Animal Control offered computer chipping at reduced rates; a bargain my wife sought to obtain, but I let her know that I was not keen on having a chip of my own. Although, it might not be such a bad idea for those mornings when I wake up and can’t seem to find my way to the facilities located just off of the bedroom. Anyway, our Shorty dog received his chip and Pugsley the Puganator received his in the past.
Here’s hoping for a larger turnout for next year’s event. Look to the upcoming issue of the Mountain View Telegraph for more information and photographs of the participants … women, men and beasties.
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 Howl Of Glee And A Meow Of Appreciation
By Chuck Ring
Edgewood Mayor Robert Stearley hosted a meeting on Friday, October 17, 2008 in an attempt to determine if the regional animal shelter idea previously scuttled in March of this year might be worth further study.
New Mexico State Representative Kathy McCoy (R) whose district covers a great deal of Edgewood and who previously saw that $150,000 was appropriated for a feasibility study of the shelter was present to lend her support and suggestions for the project. Representative McCoy pointed out to those present that the New Mexico State coffers are likely to be quite empty if the present economic downturn continues, so it might not be prudent to depend on much help from the State of New Mexico during the upcoming legislative session. Susan Simons, who is largely responsible for the new impetus given to the issue was present and presented information on shelters that might be adaptable to this region should the effort continue. Official representatives and staff from Bernalillo County and staff from Edgewood were present as were representatives from the animal humane sector of the region.
In spite of some negative aspects, i.e., present economic problems, the meeting conducted by Mayor Stearley was upbeat and the mayor promised to carry a request to the Edgewood Council that would seek funds for Ms. Simons and Edgewood Animal Control Supervisor Vickey Murphy to travel to an appropriate location to view previously constructed animal shelters.
A future meeting has been scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2008, 9:30 AM at the Edgewood Community Center. All interested individuals are encouraged to attend to lend their opinions and ideas toward the effort.
Several canines and a couple of felines waiting outside the community center after the meeting were seen to swish or wag their tails in apparent approbation for the mayor’s and other attendees’ actions during the meeting.
If you do support this effort, please let Representative McCoy, Mayor Stearley, the Edgewood Town Council and other potentially interested officials know of your desires.
Extra-Cheap Entertainment For The Excessively Bored Young Person
by Chuck Ring
Yes, gas is cheaper than it was a month ago, but no one can say for how long. Even so, it is still an expensive proposition to drive to Albuquerque for movies or other entertainment. Then, when you get there, you’ll likely bust a twenty dollar bill for admittance and popcorn for two people and you haven’t taken into account the cost for gasoline and the wear and tear on the family buggy. What to do?
Don’t fall back on the couch and watch that big screen that has somehow managed to deliver everything that has become important to you and most of your family. Instead do what your grandparents did before television and computer games inserted themselves into every corner of their lives and brain containers. To further clarify, for those of you lost in space or just spaced-out, I’ve lifted a little content from “Radio Lovers.Com” to better explain where we’re going.
“We offer hundreds of vintage radio shows for you to listen to online in mp3 format, all for free. Before the days of video games, shopping malls, MTV, and the Internet, families used to sit in their living room each night to listen to radio shows such as Superman, Groucho Marx, The Avenger, Gunsmoke, Sherlock Homes, and many others. When TV become popular in the 1950’s, most of these shows went off the air, but they now live on at websites such as this one and on weekly nostalgia radio broadcasts worldwide.”
Find yourself one or more URLs that will direct you to “old time radio shows” which can be downloaded to an IPOD© or an MP3 player for a listening time of your choice. If you wish you can listen from your computer, but knowing that you would want to get outside for fresh air, exercise and Starbucks, I listed the players first.
To help you get started, here’s one of the most extensive and free download sites to be found http://www.radiolovers.com/There are many other sites for this kind of content, both free and fee. Just grab a Google and find them using old time radio show for the search term.
One last hint for the older crowd. This was really subterfuge meant for your eyes. Armed with in-depth information after listening to countless hours of old time radio, you should be able to answer the following question. Who ended his show with, “Good night, Mrs. Calabash … wherever you are.” And, why did he use the phrase? Using the preceding information will allow you to enjoy life a little more and actually force you to be secure in your oldness. Maybe we can look at it as the first step in the “12 Step Program To Growing Old And Almost Liking It.” Nah!
In any event, check it out, young or old. Nostalgia does not have to mean “a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition” as Webster would say.�
We Are Known By Our Deeds – Not By Our Words
by Chuck Ring
One can find allies in the oddest places. Take most any war or human conflict. It seems there is always someone to be found that will agree to ally themselves with another for a price or the sake of a credo. So it is with Santa Fe Commissioner Jack Sullivan and myself – although the Commissioner is likely oblivious to our partnership.
I first met Jack Sullivan just after he started his first term as a Santa Fe County Commissioner. I suppose it was around the beginning of 2000 when he attended our first town event approximately one year after Edgewood’s incorporation. I was a neophyte Edgewood Town Councilor and found Sullivan’s then stated concepts regarding taxation and assistance from the county to Edgewood, to be akin to my own. The ensuing years were to offer less than positive reinforcement to my opinion of Commissioner Sullivan’s actual taxing policies.
Fast forward to 2002 when Santa Fe City and Santa Fe County initiated efforts toward placing a quarter cent gross receipts tax on a referendum for or against the tax which was commonly referred to as a water/wastewater tax. This referendum passed and with what appeared to be a “hands across the waters” attempt, Commissioner Sullivan penned a letter dated February 6, 2003 wherein he enumerated what each of them (county and city) could have if they could but agree one with the other. Click Me To See The Letter The goodies subsequently received and action taken by each entity is a study in provincialism and greed on the part of Santa Fe City and Santa Fe County. An in-depth study of Commissioner Sullivan’s letter will leave no doubt that the process of doling out the money to Santa Fe County and Santa Fe City, along with a few paltry crumbs to to other Northern Santa Fe County entities, was meant to be tight-fisted unless the benefactors were “real” players in the process.
A cursory examination of the minutes and work history of the Santa Fe County/Santa Fe City Regional Planning Authority (RPA) Some Examples Of RPA Work will serve to reinforce what is stated above. Additionally, the governing board of the RPA consists of Santa Fe County Commissioners and Santa Fe City Councilors. What’s the point in all of this nagging?
Here’s the point. In all the years that the “water/wastewater tax” (actually titled “County Capital Outlay Gross Receipts Tax”) has been in place, no monies from the fund created by the tax has accrued to Edgewood or the greater Edgewood Community. Instead, to put a twist on an old observation, the money has flowed uphill. It has flowed uphill to the two Santa Fe entities’ joint projects. Edgewood tax proceeds have unfortunately proceeded post-haste to Santa Fe to the tune of close to a million dollars.
In several letters and observations made by Commissioner Sullivan in recent months, the eighth cent gross receipts transportation tax has been denigrated by Commissioner Sullivan as “taxation without representation.” Commissioner Sullivan cites the one-sided composition of the Regional Transit Authority’s board as proof of under representation from Santa Fe City and County. Of course, I agree that the tax is another case of taxation without representation and I am opposed to the tax for that reason and a few other reasons. But, I have to wonder where Commissioner Sullivan and the rest of the Santa Fe County Commission (excepting Commissioner Mike Anaya who has fought an uphill battle for Edgewood) have been when Edgewood Town Government members and staff have journeyed to Santa Fe to get a thin slice of the pie that we in the Edgewood Community have helped to bake.
I will vote against the eighth cent transportation tax on November 4, 2008 and will work to convince others to oppose the tax, but just as important, I will continue to “rail” against the unfair taxing policies of Santa Fe County and their city partner regarding the water/wastewater tax and other similar taxes where Edgewood gives, but Edgewood does not receive.
Anyone desirous of stopping the unfair treatment of Edgewood in the future might consider penning their own letter or email to their county commissioners, state representatives and senators pointing out the sheer inequities foisted on Edgewood through taxing policy that allows taxing of small communities for the sole benefit of counties and larger communities.
Transportation Tax, Good Or Bad?
by Bob Steiner
Since becoming governor, Bill Richardson has done a lot for this state. The various construction activities he has championed under G.R.I.P. (Governor Richardson’s Improvement Program) are, for the most part, commendable and noteworthy projects. Now as we approach the November 4th election,we are called upon to vote for a tax which provides little or no tangible benefits to citizens of South Santa Fe County. For the reasons listed below, in this particular case, I ask you to vote no on this transportation tax.
At a recent meeting in Edgewood, Mr Guillen from the Regional Transportation District out of Santa Fe, stated that the proposed transportation tax would provide some funding for bus commuters who travel daily from the Edgewood-Moriarty-Stanley area to Santa Fe ( a recent physical count at the bus stops in question revealed there were a total of 13 area residents taking advantage of this service). This limited ridership doesn’t justify the spending of any tax money. According to Mr. Guillen, while other benefits for our area might be forthcoming, half of the funds brought in are destined to go to support the ailing Railrunner, a Richardson G.R.I.P. endeavor. IÂ just seem to find it difficult to understand how I, or any East Mountain resident, living some thirty miles East of the rail line, would receive any benefit from this additional assessment.
Since the tax proposal was first annnounced some weeks ago, I have been discussing the ramifications of this plan with other citizens, who seemed to not really understand or appreciate the impact of such a tax. I had really begun to be disheartened regarding this tax when Santa Fe County Commmisioner Jack Sullivan announced that he was against this matter. Then on Wednesday morning on AM770 at 7:00 A.M.there was an hour-long discussion on this tax, which is also on the ballot in three other counties. All of the call-in participants spoke out in opposition to the plan! This has given me hope and for the reasons stated, as well as the fact that we have no representation within the Transportation District, causes me to appeal to you and all Santa Fe County voters to vote no on this measure. Let’s Slip The GRIP!
And, They Did
by Chuck Ring
Have A Heart … Give A Hand And a great hand and big heart it was. On Saturday, September 20th, 2008, citizens from Edgewood and the rest of the Estancia Valley turned out to raise money for the Tony Jaramillo family (see details in preceding link).
From community leaders such as Edgewood Mayor Bob Stearley with wife Diane and Edgewood Town Counselor Rita-Loy Simmons and hundreds of other area citizens, the generosity and caring nature of those who attended and bid for items in the silent auction or purchased food and baked goods was demonstrative of the general top-notch nature of our citizenry. The fund raiser was successful in all aspects and the proceeds will help the Jaramillo’s to move forward from their tragedy.
The Jaramillo’s have asked that their deep appreciation for all who assisted be passed on. So, everyone, please believe – you are deeply appreciated.
Three Hits and A Dismal Mess Of A Miss
At last Wednesday’s (September 17, 2008) Edgewood Town Council meeting there were at least three hits. There may have been more, but I left before the meeting concluded and the agenda did not foretell the distinct possibility of other great or decent occurrences during the meeting. On to the three hits:
- Councilor Abrams asked for and received a promise from the mayor that the mayor would move post-haste to appoint a renewable energy committee/commission. This promise after some prodding from others. See All Aboard … An Energy Board
- Councilor Hill gained the support of the mayor to investigate and possibly strangle the impact fees the town passes on to Santa Fe County. Both Councilor Hill and Mayor Stearley are to address this issue with Santa Fe County authorities. While at it, they may as well attempt to obtain the 1/4 cent gross receipts tax the county promised to look at forgiving
- Mayor Stearley finally and wisely broached the subject of hiring a consulting firm to help in the establishment of wastewater user fees. The fees must cover operating and maintenance costs plus any principal and interest payments to retire the debt incurred for the treatment plant.
Ah, the mess and the miss? The reader, if attentive and a regular reader, will remember that this article North To Taxland and responses to it, reported on the North Central Regional Transit District’s transportation service. The article provided further links, among other information, regarding details of a referendum to be placed on the ballot during the forthcoming general election in November. The article posed the possibility that the district’s operation in the southern portion of the county can offer little to the bulk of Edgewood area citizens. Additionally, the article pointed out the likelihood that fully one-half of the proposed tax would accrue to the Railrunner system and Edgewood does not have representation on the district board. »» Three Hits and A Dismal Mess Of A Miss
North To Taxland
by Chuck Ring
Readers will recall a short notice posted on the 5th of September with an announcement of a meeting on September 10th. If you don’t recall here is the notice Taxation & Transportation, ETCÂ
The notice provides an attachment which was supposed to give the meeting time (6:30 PM) and the meeting location (the Edgewood Community Center). Myself and three others appeared for the meeting at 6:30 PM, but there was no one present to open the facility. At approximately 6:45 PM, Mr. Ivan Guillen, the Assistant Regional Coordinator for the North Central Regional Transit District (the district), arrived to apologize, stating that the meeting was supposed to have been announced for 7:30 PM rather than 6:30 PM. Mr. Guillen was very gracious and offered to provide information for those of us present so we would not have to wait until 7:30 PM for the new meeting time.
Mr. Guillen took questions from those present regarding the existing system operated by the district from Eldorado south and in response to a question regarding the daily ridership from Edgewood north since January 2008 and through August 2008 stated that the average ridership to and from the communites served was as follows:
- Edgewood – 5
- Moriarty – 3
- Stanley – 3
- Eldorado – 25
I asked Mr. Guillen if the 1/8 cent gross receipts tax (previously the subject of at least one other article by this writer)
The reader of this article and the previous article hyperlinked should recognize several things when considering the impact of the district operations and the Railrunner:
- few folks from Stanley south are/will directly benefit from the district’s operations
- few people, if any, from Stanley south will directly benefit from the Railrunner operation
- Governor Richardson’s GRIP which is the daddy of the Railrunner has been a gaint milking machine that certainly has a “GRIP” on most of New Mexico’s population
- this 1/8 cent tax is yet another example of Santa Fe County’s propensity to tax without any consideration for allowing citizens from this town to serve on the board governing the beneficiary, i.e., the district or to provide any real direct benefit
- the water/wastewater tax and the dispatch/emt tax are two more examples of the above
- without opposition from the citizens of Santa Fe City, this tax will pass because the rest of the county does not have votes enough to defeat the referendum
- “Death and Taxes?” There will be more of each.
Sometimes We Forget
 by Chuck Ring
Sometimes we forget to thank or otherwise recognize the news media when they do something extraordinarily nice. So it goes. Even when they announce events for two or three weeks running. Not only do many of us fail to attend their events, we never get around to expressing our gratitude for their sponsorship of different events that recognize our area volunteers or help our organizations to succeed. »» Sometimes We Forget
Santa Fe Conservation Trust Presentation On Conservation Easements
by John Weckerle
The Santa Fe Conservation Trust will visit Edgewood to discuss new State funding for conservation easements. The meeting will be held at the Wildlife West Nature Park bean barn on Sunday, September 14 from 3 to 4 p.m. Admission to the presentation is free. For more information, see the event flyer.
Conservation easements are voluntary, legally binding agreements between landowners and a government agency or other entity that limit or prohibit certain uses or restrict development on a given property in order to preserve important resources – for example, habitat, agricultural capacity, and archaeological sites. Landowners may donate the easement, potentially making them eligible for State and federal tax incentives, or they may be paid directly by the entity holding the easement. Tax advantages may include reductions in both income tax and estate taxes, making conservation easements a potential tool for helping to keep estates intact upon bequest. Conservation easements are binding upon future owners of the land.
Since its inception in 1993, the Santa Fe Conservation Trust has protected more than 30,000 acres of land in Santa Fe county and surrounding counties. The organization is a federally recognized, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, meaning that donations are tax-deductible.
All Together — Can We say, “Again?”
By Chuck Ring
Santa Fe County will use bond proceeds which are supported by gross receipts taxes assessed county wide to finance yet another northern county project. Sometimes it seems that the county’s unilateral ways cause gross receipts taxes to fall out of the sky, but the truth is they tumble from businesses throughout Santa Fe County.
In some sense, folks in the Edgewood area should have little concern for taxes ripped from the City of Santa Fe (Santa Fe City gets more than its share) or other communities within the county, but we should be concerned for the tumbling taxes which roll from Edgewood to the Santa Fe County lock safes. In four to five years, if not sooner, all combined gross receipts taxes taken by Santa Fe County from Edgewood may amount to at least a million dollars a year. All such taxes taken from Edgewood to date as a cumulative total far surpass a million dollars. Over a million dollars that we as a community have little say about whether, or even when, some of the monies might gravitate downhill and back to Edgewood.
More on the mud pies from here:
A POX ON A TAXING SITUATION … I MEAN TO SAY, “MORE THAN ONE”
by Chuck Ring
As things roll along, or not, in the transportation sector, it has just been announced that Santa Fe County and its partner in taxing (the City of Santa Fe) will pull out or have already pulled out of the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD). So, while the NCRTD has at least one flat tire an official press release from Santa Fe County explains how Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe will jack-up transportation while possibly hijacking Edgewood and the southern part of the county:
“Santa Fe County Withdraws from Transit District
Santa Fe – July 7, 2008 – The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners has voted to withdraw from the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD). “We believe there are better ways to provide for Santa Fe County’s transportation needs” said Commission Chair, Paul Campos. »» A POX ON A TAXING SITUATION … I MEAN TO SAY, “MORE THAN ONE”
Parker’s Farm Greenhouse
by John Weckerle
For years, Spring and Summer would see a portable sign standing at the corner of NM 344 and Church Road in Edgewood and proclaiming that Parker’s Farm greenhouse was open for the season. The sign is gone now, whether as a result of development or prohibitions against off-premise signs contained in Edgewood’s rather lengthy and complex sign ordinance, but Parker’s remains, selling quality plants every Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 5 during the planting season. »» Parker’s Farm Greenhouse