Archive for February, 2010
Public Service Announcement: EBWPC Monthly Meeting Date Changed
from the Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee
The Regularly monthly meeting for Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee for February has been changed to Wednesday February 24, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the East Torrance Soil & Water Conservation Educational Complex located 700 South and 10th Street, Estancia, NM.
March meeting will be held on its regular scheduled date 03/18/2010 at its regular time the 3rd Thursday of each month at 9:00 A.M. in Moriarty at the Magnum Steel Building Conference Room located 2515, Hwy 333, Moriarty, NM -(Old Route 66 Hwy) As always the public is welcome.
For further assistance or questions please call 505-384-2272 ext. 103
Stepping Into The Past, In Miniature
by John Weckerle
It’s not often that we extend our focus out into the “just nifty” realm, but given the local enthusiasm for antique cars, and in light of the fact that we have a good bit of Old Route 66 running through the New Mexico Central area, we figured we’d share a link to photos of the Models of Michael Paul Smith, as well as an interview with the photographer/model maker.
Here We Go Again…
by John Weckerle
Senior Sculpture Correspondent Wilson with his latest work, "Pack Leader With Arms Folded."
By all accounts, tonight and tomorrow (perhaps into Monday) will bring us yet another storm. We still have plenty left over from the last one, and at least during the day, it’s Mud Season here at New Mexico Central headquarters.
It is not clear how much snow we’ll get out of this next system, but given the intensity of this past week’s event, we’re advising people to get their provisions today and plan on either a warm, toasty day indoors or a day of outdoor fun close to home. We’re also going to let the NMDOT, county governments, and municipalities (as well as anybody with a parking lot; hint, hint post offices and grocery stores) in on a little secret. Starting the plowing relatively early in the storm may mean doing it twice, but it will cut down on things like packed snow and ice and ultimately get the roads clear and dry more quickly.
Let The Candidates Speak!
by John Weckerle
In a letter to the Mountain View Telegraph this week, Edgewood Mayor Bob Stearley endorses incumbent Town Council member Glenn Felton and essentially pans both incumbent Rita Loy Simmons and former Council member Chuck Ring. Mr. Stearley’s endorsement and criticisms – which likely do not surprise those familiar with the political climate of Edgewood – gave us pause for thought. In an area where newspapers are published only weekly, the point-counterpoint nature of electoral politics can be difficult on candidates. So, for all intents and purposes, we’re throwing New Mexico Central open to the candidates.
From now until elections are held, any candidate in a local or county election within our coverage area (Sandias, Manzanos, and the Estancia Valley), may publish anything he or she wishes until elections are held. Let us make this clear: for candidates ONLY, editorial policies will be waived with the caveat that libel is a serious charge and it will be they, and not we, who pay the price of false statements of fact. Any photos should be optimized for web use. Candidates are encouraged to send us an e-mail at editor@nm-central.com, and we will provide a user name, password, and other information to get you started. Candidates may submit their first article via e-mail; however, we ask that formatting be held to a minimum in e-mail submissions and cannot guarantee that formatting will be perfectly preserved.
We will be e-mailing a copy of this article to all the candidates for whom we have e-mail addresses; however, we don’t have all of them, and ask our readers to alert their favorite candidates to this opportunity.
Storm Slams Mountains, Valley
by John Weckerle
Another Update: According to NM-Roads, at 12:55 p.m.: I-40 is closed from mile marker 165 to Moriarty.
Update: Moriarty-Edgewood Schools will close at 1 p.m.
Highway Camera at Sedillo Hill, 11 a.m. Today
Your editor just took a drive to Edgewood, and the situation is not good. Roads are snow-packed and icy and, perhaps predictably, there was no evidence of any plowing, sanding or other response from either the Town of Edgewood or the New Mexico DOT. Visibility was less than a quarter mile coming north on 344.
As this photo from the Sedillo Hill highway camera shows, I-40 is in bad shape and, based on what we’re seeing here at New Mexico Central headquarters, it’s probably getting worse rather than better. According to KOB.com, Mountainair Municipal schools will have early dismissal at 11:45 a.m., and Estancia Schools will have dismissal at 1:00 p.m. If you’re home and can stay there, we suggest you do so. If you’re not home, you may want to consider heading there now rather than later.