Archive for February, 2010
Waging Wiki Wars Against Wildlife West?
by John Weckerle
It was just this past week that your editor decided to take a look at the Edgewood Wikipedia entry, having not done so in a very long time. I was appalled to find that much of the community-related information had been removed – as had the external link to Wildlife West Nature Park. We went through the edit history of the Edgewood article, and found some very interesting patterns. One especially fascinating set of changes was wrought by a user named EdgewoodNMTown, who made a series of changes in late May 2009, “updating” the page by adding citations for the Town’s web site, updating the Chamber of Commerce web address, removing referenced and relevant information on the Town history, correcting sponsorship and date information on Run Rally and Rock, and adding information from the town of Edgewood meeting minutes. When correcting the sponsorship information, EdgewoodNMTown provided an explanation: “corrected the sponsorship information. If you have a question contact EdgewoodNMTown on wikipedia or the Edgewood chamber of commerce at www.edgewoodnmchamber.com.” This involved removing the external link to the Mountain View Telegraph article “Game of Chance Decides Mayoral Contest.” Perhaps most significantly, EdgewoodNMTown also removed the external link to the Wildlife West Nature Park site just a few minutes later, explaining: “removed link to a private business, removed link to irrelevent (sic) reference (no bearing on content on page).”
Let’s take a look at what we see here, but first, there is an inaccuracy in the entries that should be addressed. EdgewoodNMTown cites www.edgewoodnmchamber.com as the Chamber address. It is not, and has not been for quite some time. It is the address for Edgewood, New Mexico and the Surrounding Area. That is an informational site about Edgewood, not connected with the Chamber, run by your editor. EdgewoodNMTown had to have known this, as it was in fact this person who had updated the Chamber’s address on Wikipedia the previous day. It is unclear whether this is a typographical error or some sort of a primitive attempt to pit uninvolved parties against each other. »» Waging Wiki Wars Against Wildlife West?
Elections Ho!
by John Weckerle
With various local elections in the region just a few days away, and the last of the newspapers to be published before the voting now on the racks, we remind candidates that they are welcome to have their last say here.
The Edgewood race seems to have dominated the letters to the local newspapers. With that in mind, and without specifically endorsing any candidate in any election, we have a thing or two to say about some of what we’ve seen in the papers thus far.
In a February 25 letter to the editor of the Mountain View Telegraph, local resident Sue West takes issue with Edgewood Mayor Bob Stearley’s endorsement of incumbent candidate Glenn Felton. We wholly agree with Ms. West’s criticism: Leaving the content of Mr. Stearley’s letter for others to debate, Mr. Stearley should not have used his title to endorse any candidate in this or any other election. The title is essentially for official use only, and using it to endorse a candidate means that Mr. Stearley is doing so in an official capacity, as a representative of the Town of Edgewood. This is improper, and we suggest that Mr. Stearley refrain from such actions in the future. We also believe that the Edgewood Code of Conduct should be expanded to prohibit such transgressions. »» Elections Ho!
Young Eagles Event in Moriarty This Saturday
by John Weckerle
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Annoucements, we find that the Moriarty Chapter of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association, an international aviation association founded in 1953) Chapter will be sponsoring a Young Eagles Event and providing free airplane rides at the Moriarty Airport this Saturday, February 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. In the case of bad weather, the event will take place on Sunday, February 28. For more information on the event, see the City of Moriarty Municipal Airport Page.
Formerly chaired by actor Harrison Ford, and now co-chaired by Sully Sullenbirger and Jeffrey Skyles, the Young Eagles Program was founded in 1992 to give young people ages 8 to 17 the opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane. The flights are provided by volunteer pilots throughout the world. For more information, check out the Young Eagles Program’s web site and the EAA Young Eagles web page. While you’re at it, have a look at the other programs, including but not limited to the Young Eagles Air Academy and scholarship/internship programs. These seem like great programs for young people interested in aviation, and we wish the Moriarty Chapter good flying this weekend.
Public Service Announcement: Moriarty FFA Alumni’s Annual Pie Auction
by John Weckerle
The Moriarty FFA (Future Farmers of America for newcomers) Alumni will hold their Annual Pie Auction this Friday, February 26, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Moriarty Lions Club. The evening will include door prizes, a silent auction, light refreshment and drinks, and an auction of delicious homemade pies, all in support for FFA and agriculture education.
The Moriarty FFA is in need of silent auction items. Businesses and individuals willing to donate goods or services, gift certificates, or store merchandise are asked to drop their donations off at Broome’s Feed in Moriarty or call the pie auction coordinators (Yolanda VanDyne, 220-1286; Pam Ball, 286-4656) to coordinate pickup. They need all donations by Friday morning, the day of the auction.
Winter, Not So Winter, Winter, Not So Winter – Mud.
by John Weckerle
Okay, let's see if anybody can guess how this ice formed.
It’s been an interesting few weeks here at New Mexico Central headquarters. We have probably had just about every kind of weather one can think of – a little rain, sleet, snow (including at least twice when there were no clouds within miles), sunshine, and even thunder. We had sunshine today, are predicted to have clouds tomorrow, and who knows what thereafter. There is one thing of which we have plenty, and that is mud. Good ‘ol, sticky mud that dries on hard and gets in everywhere. We are hearing more and more people lamenting the muddy roads, mud on the shoes, mud on the dog, the rugs, the floors, the cars… Lest we forget: the long and short of it is that the ground has not been dry here since December. As much as we may be tired of the mess, this is good news for the pinons and our nectarine tree (assuming we don’t get a frost during flowering, which happens more often than not). It’s good news for wildflowers, too. So dust off those cameras and start warming up, people; Spring’s just around the corner.
Public Service Announcement – Roadrunner Food Bank
by John Weckerle
The Roadrunner Food Bank will be making distributions on February 25 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Valley View Christian Church in Edgewood. For more information, see the Gadabout-Blogalot.com article.
Edgewood Councilor Glenn Felton’s Campaign Web Site
by John Weckerle
Edgewood Councilor Glenn Felton has declined to provide direct comment to New Mexico Central, but has asked that we post a link to his campaign web site, www.glenn4edgewood.com. As a reminder, we have offered to post any articles, information, web links, etc. for any of the candidates in any local or county election. If any of our readers should know a candidate in any race who might benefit from this offer, we ask again that our readers let them know.
New Mexico Central Moves To The Dark Side
by John Weckerle
There is nothing like the smell of a 5/8 inch masonry bit being driven – at slow rotation and slow advancement – through bone using a large drill press in an unheated garage just after lunch. »» New Mexico Central Moves To The Dark Side
Global Warming And Nuclear Contamination Cause Icicle Mutations In Santa Fe County
by John Weckerle
Okay, maybe not, but this is one funky looking icicle. If any of our readers has a weird icicle picture to share, send it along and we’ll be glad to post it!
Headliners Line Up For Wildlife West Music Festival
by John Weckerle
Pat Donohue
Headline acts for this year’s Wildlife West Music Festival have been signed. Returning this year will be Claire Lynch, who starred in the 2007 Music Festival. Other headline acts include Spring Creek, Pat Donohue, and Small Potatoes. For information on the event and these four groups, visit the Wildlife West Music Festivals page, and watch for more announcements both there and here.
Public Service Announcement: 4th Annual Authors For Literacy Event
by John Weckerle
The Moriarty Library and the Read “Write” Adult Literacy Program in Moriarty will host the 4th Annual Authors for Literacy event on Saturday, February 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Moriarty Civic Center. Nearly 30 authors will be on hand, each with a table with books for sale/signing and literature on any classes or workshops they present. For more information and a list of participating authors, see the event flier.
Margarita Hibbs, Estancia Mayoral Candidate
(Editor’s note: The following information was submitted via e-mail by Margarita Hibbs, candidate for Mayor of Estancia. Ms. Hibbs also submitted this resume.)
Age: 47
Education: High School Graduate, 2 years college education toward Bachelors in Business Administration
Work: Small Business Owner of Fine Arts Gallery and Flower Shop
Related Experience/Community Involvement: Resume Attached
Family: Married to Martin Hibbs for 26 years with 4 children, ages 23, 22, 19 and 17
Why should the people of Estancia elect you to the office of mayor?
Hopefully people will recognize that I have a record of community service with a broad and diverse understanding of our small community, its assets and its challenges. My work for and with children are evidenced by the Estancia Youth Development Group Basketball program of which I helped organize, my history as a foster parent and advocacy to “at risk” children through my work with the Rio Grande Valley CASA board, as well as my support of youth organizations such as Teens-Need-Teens Activities Program and the Rotary Club Scholarship fund here in Estancia. Over the years, I have been recognized as a Rural Community Advocate within New Mexico and with Senate and Congressional Leadership in Washington, D.C. and will gladly use those contacts to further promote the success and prosperity of Estancia. As a former board member of the Salt Missions Trail Mainstreet Board, and a small business owner, I understand the importance of small business creation and community heritage preservation programs. These programs have the ability to marry cultural and aesthetic business goals of a community and help promote healthy and controlled growth. »» Margarita Hibbs, Estancia Mayoral Candidate
Malware Alert
by John Weckerle
Yesterday, your editor spent a couple of hours removing a particularly nasty piece of malware from somebody else’s computer. The program, Security Tool, represents itself as a malware checker, but is in fact a vicious attack that attempts to coerce the user into purchasing the program using a credit card. Once installed, it essentially seizes control of the computer, stopping the use of any program other than itself on the basis of programs being “infected” with malware, and won’t turn the computer loose until you log on and pay for the program. Obviously, DO NOT input your credit card information.
Here’s how I cleaned the machine: »» Malware Alert
Dennis Fulfer – Introduction
Basics
I’m 38 years old and have been married for 7 years to Kristy Fulfer. We have a wonderful 6 year old son, Charles Nath Fulfer, III, who is named after my dad and granddad.
I was born in Yokosuka, Japan, grew up in Imperial Beach, CA, and moved to my ancestral home, Mountainair in 1994. My family has been in this area since 1906.
I hold a Bachelors in Business Administration in Marketing. I’m currently enrolled in a dual degree program, the Masters in Community Regional Planning and the Masters in Public Administration. I’ve completed all the coursework for the MCRP, and have three classes left for the MPA.
I’m self-employed, owner of a real estate brokerage, Discovery Property Company, and a marketing/web design firm, DKF Diversified. I’ve been the vice-chair of the Mountainair Planning and Zoning Commission for 4 years. I’ve been the Treasurer of the Mountainair Chamber of Commerce for 3 years. And I recently resigned as President of iCreate, Inc., a community based non-profit.
Why I’m Running for Mayor
I’ve always been intrigued by the social dynamics of the community development of Mountainair. Subsequently, my academic career was guided by this intrigue, particularly in economic development. The coursework in the MCRP program really broadened my view of the social interactions between all the various constituents of Mountainair. To say the least, the mayor’s office must juggle the needs of the natives, newcomers, Anglos, Hispanics, the Seniors, and the Youth, just to name a few. I positively believe that I am the best candidate to address all the needs of all the various constituents.
In my academic career, as well as my practice as a real estate broker, I’ve been trained as a facilitator. I feel I have what it takes to bring all the constituents to the table, build a trust among them, and assist them in coming to a mutual agreement. Additionally, I’m trained in the various ins and outs of town management. Also, I’m an artists of sorts. I excel at finding “outside the box” solutions to any problems and obstacles that the town faces. Finally, I’m a team player. I believe in finding solutions as a collective, and sharing the credit.
Issues
There are many issues that Mountainair is facing as a community. One issue that will need to be addressed immediately is the level of professionalism in providing our public services. The citizens are in fact customers of these services and it is important that the town understands this key concept and acts accordingly.
Youth Development is an important issue as well. So often the youth is not considered in decision making, which leads them to be discouraged in being a participant in the development of our town. I aim to change this by creating a Youth Advisory Group that is made up of youth, by the youth. This will empower them to be part of the decision making process and hopefully inspire them to be more active in local development as adults.
Infrastructure is a major issue. Because state money is tight and we have such a small tax base, funding these projects will need to be creative. But before we begin to fund these projects, we need to create an Infrastructure Improvement Sector Plan. This plan will identify which areas need to be addressed immediately and what can wait for a later phase. The public will have full participation in creating this sector plan, and if elected, I will begin this process this summer.
I’ve identified many other issues, and my positions on them are available on my website: www.DennisFulfer.com
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.