Archive for October, 2009
Byrd Unfairly Maligned, Pork Report Dissected
by John Weckerle
In an October 9 article, Gadabout-Blogalot.com editor Chuck Ring unfairly criticizes U.S. Senator Robert Byrd for supposedly obtaining a budget “earmark” for a company that does not exist. The accusation is demonstrably false. How do we know that? Because we followed the link to the referenced biggovernment.com “Pork Report“, looked the company (Information Manufacturing Corporation (IMC) of Rocket City, WV) up online, and dialed a phone number listed on one of the search results. Perhaps predictably, somebody answered the phone. We spoke with Dave Porter of National Interest Security Corporation (NISC). He advised us that NISC had purchased IMC about two years ago, and that the IMC organization was now operating under the NISC banner. According to RollCall.com, the funding is intended to be used to digitize files for the Naval Criminal Investigation Service. Lauren Holly and Mark Harmon must be thrilled, but we see little cause for outrage; digitization of paper copies is a common practice and can be very useful in reducing the massive quantity of paper stored by Federal agencies. »» Byrd Unfairly Maligned, Pork Report Dissected
Public Service Announcement: Hazard Tree Removal Continues
We have received the following press release from Karen Takai at the Sandia Ranger District:
Hazard Trees Continue To Be Removed in the Sandia Ranger District Recreation Sites
TIJERAS, NM – October 8, 2009: Starting October14th , 7am to 5pm, contractors will be cutting down large dead standing hazard trees in developed recreation sites off of the Crest Highway. The project will start from the higher elevation sites and move down the mountain into other sites where hazard trees have been identified. We expect the project to take two months weather permitting (Monday through Friday) .
For the safety of our visitors to the mountains during this time we recommend that you call one day before to find out what areas will be temporarily closed while work is being done.
The initial work is concentrated in picnic areas and trailheads. We are asking our visitors to be extremely careful when in the forest. Be aware of dead standing trees (snags) around you at all times. Exit heavily forested areas that have dead standing trees especially during high winds.
For more information contact Sandia District Ranger at 281-3304
I-40-III: The Search For Completion
by John Weckerle
According to an October 1 article in the Mountain View Telegraph, New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) public information officer Phil Gallegos announced that lane and ramp closures associated with the Tijeras to Zuzax road work would be a thing of the past by October 10. Perhaps predictably, during a round-trip to Albuquerque yesterday (October 11), we were fortunate to be able to exit at Zuzax and avoid the traffic that was backed up to that exit, apparently due to continued lane closures in the westbound direction. The return trip revealed that the eastbound lanes are open, although there is obviously line painting to be done on the bridges.
A slightly confusing announcement from NMDOT Friday stated the following:
Monday 10/12 from 8am to 4pm weekdays – I40 westbound from Zuzax to Tijeras will be reduced to one lane. Monday 10/12 from 9am to 5pm weekdays ? The I40 westbound Zuzax onramp will be CLOSED!! Tuesday 10/13 through Friday 10/16 from 7am to 3pm Tuesday and from 9am to 2pm Wednesday through Friday – I40 eastbound from Tijeras to Zuzax will be reduced to one lane. Expect delays! Ongoing and until further notice ? The Zuzax (exit 178) onramp to I40 westbound will be closed. Use NM14 or Carnuel onramp.
Rosy earlier predictions from NMDOT notwithstanding, we will all have to hold our sighs of relief just a little longer; to steal a phrase, it ain’t over ’till it’s over. We recommend that, in future, the NMDOT adopt the project planning methodology of Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott of the Starship Enterprise: multiply your estimates by four, and look like a miracle worker at the end – instead of looking otherwise.
Sadie’s Rides Again
by John Weckerle
As we were driving north on Eubank Blvd. in Albuquerque last Friday, my wife happened to glance at a building behind the Owl Cafe just north of I-40, and note that there was a sign we hadn’t seen before. The sign identified the establishment contained therein as “Sadies.”
We completed the errand we were running, returned and – sure enough – it was a new branch of THE Sadie’s – the New Mexican restaurant that once called a bowling alley home in the North Valley (the main location moved out of the bowling alley into its own stand-alone structure years ago). Our server informed us that the new location opened up about five weeks ago. We recommend that they get a bigger sign or one closer to the road, although business certainly seems to be going very well – there was a good line waiting for tables when we left.
Sure enough, it’s the same Sadie’s salsa, margaritas, and vegetarian green chile (they also offer green and red chile prepared with meat). We both had bean burritos a la carte, which came with sopapillas, and they were just as we remembered them from the main locations. Most of us need to go to Albuquerque from time to time, and it’s nice to see that there’s another New Mexican food alternative near the highway.
From Norway to Afghanistan, And Hopefully Home Again
by John Weckerle
In a recent column at Gadabout-Blogalot.com, blog associate Bob Steiner takes apparent issue with President Barak Obama’s receipt of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Peace, and provides some suggestions with respect to how we should seek success in Afghanistan. Today we examine a few of the issues raised in Mr. Steiner’s article.
To start, we’d like to note that we were as surprised as anybody to see Mr. Obama receive the award. However, we consider the subject of whether he deserves the award rather moot, since the committee that decides who deserves the award decided that Mr. Obama deserved it. Mr. Obama himself stated that he did not feel he deserved it. Mr. Steiner states that Mr. Obama has achieved little in the peace arena, but “he has expended a lot of effort (and jet fuel in Air Force One) trying to lessen international tension and trying to bring hostile parties together.” This is pretty much the effort that the committee cited in its announcement, and they must have felt fairly strongly about it; the committee has only given the award to two sitting American presidents – Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Regardless, we congratulate the winner and hope he lives up to the “call to action” that it represents in his case. It will probably be a tough act to follow. »» From Norway to Afghanistan, And Hopefully Home Again
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…
Santa Fe County Presents Water Plan Update, City Watershed Thinned
by John Weckerle
On September 29, 2009, Karen Torres of Santa Fe County presented the latest information on the plan for a backup for the Buckman water diversion to serve County residents in the Santa Fe vicinity. Ms. Torres outlined the County’s strategy for identifying potential locations for backup wells, including soil/rock type (primarily interested in the Tesuque Formation as well as Precambrian granite and Permian limestone), groundwater chemistry, distance to existing water lines, pressure zones, proximity to springs, distance to aquifer decline areas, slope, and proximity to springs/sumps, among others. Ms. Torres indicated that the County was looking for sources near Santa Fe and was not considering sources in the Estancia Basin, indicating that the County is “not doing to badly on supply in our own area.” Only two local residents attended the Edgewood meeting.
In related news: Many of us saw smoke rising to the more-or-less north recently. This was the result of an open-burn project aimed at thinning the Santa Fe Watershed, which provides about 40% of the city’s water supply. The burn was completed successfully, and we hope that Santa Fe benefits from the project.
Open Burning Allowed Again In Unincorporated Bernalillo County – Burn Info Number Changes
by John Weckerle
The Bernalillo County Fire Deparment’s Fire Prevention Bureau has announced that open burning is now allowed again in the unincorporated areas of the county. Burning is permitted (weather permitting) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The burn information number has been changed to 468-7200 (the old number, 768-4200 can also be used until April 2010). For more information, including burning rules, see the Bernalillo County Announcement.
Look, It’s A Bird! No, It’s A Nebula!
by John Weckerle
The crisp, clear skies of October (when they’re crisp and clear, at least) give us a wonderful opportunity to take a look at our celestial neighborhood. Here to help us out will be the Lake County Astronomical Society of Illinois and the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, who will be co-hosting a Star Party at Gran Quivira. The event theme is “Native American Skies,” and on the menu will be views of celestial features through powerful telescopes and “Native American stories about the night skies. ” Stories and Native American Flute music will be provided by Ernie Dogwolf Lovato. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 16, with an alternate date in case of uncooperative weather. For more information, see the event flyer.
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!