New Mexico Central

Just Maybe — No, Certainly. We Will Have Leaders For The Future

By Chuck Ring

Adults are wont to criticize our modern juveniles. We do so often, rather than recognize the great attributes of most present day youth. While the foregoing is meant to be a general recognition of a grown-up pastime; it is not meant to be an all encompassing description of our elderly habits vis-à-vis our youth. Nor, is this piece meant to be a dissertation of modern day American mores. It is simply a prelude to the recognition of two young Edgewood girls and the story of how they have taken an Edgewood community cause as their own.

To understand the story of our young ladies we have to start before today. Those who have maintained pace with the hectic life of the Edgewood community may fully comprehend what has transpired in months past. For those who have not paid attention; it will be necessary to begin by clicking the links below in sequence:

A Lawyer’s Time And Advice Is What

A Better Deal Elsewhere For Wildlife West

Edgewood Town Attorney To Report On Anti-Donation Clause

Flea Market To Benefit Wildlife West

Edgewood Attorney: Town Can Fund Events, Festival Without Violating Anti-Donation Clause

Even though the last link clearly explains that the Town of Edgewood can legally fund events, the music festival failed to receive the $20,000 previously approved under a prior administration that should have been honored by the present town government. To this writer’s knowledge, the original appropriation and contract were never formally rescinded by the Edgewood governing body. But, that is another fine kettle of fish and one which is likely to spoil again and make a return stinky visit to our mayor and council.

In order to do justice to the real reason for this article we must introduce you to our young activist heroines. Aleacia Linsley, age 13 and Felisha Armstrong, age 15 were in attendance at the music festival barn dance at Wildlife West Nature Park (WWNP) during the evening of August 1, 2008. It was during this time that they heard of the financial stress inflicted on WWNP and the annual music festival through the town’s actions or lack of action. Both young ladies had became serious fans of the animals and other attractions found at the park and had derived great joy from the animals found there. With understanding beyond their young ages they were able to discern that an important part of their individual lifes and the community’s psyche was in jeopardy if the music festival was to fail for the year.

Both girls had already committed to assist Aleacia’s mother and Felisha’s foster-mother, Kelly J.Krauth-Linsley at Kelly’s Vanguard Mortgage Booth the next day during the music festival. Those acquainted with Aleacia and Felisha know that they are talented face and body painters, an attribute that comes to them naturally. The girls’ intention was to provide free face and body painting to Kelly’s booth visitors, but when they learned of the problems with the funding for the festival, they asked Kelly if they could raise funds for the music festival. Kelly, in essence, told the girls to follow their heart and the rest is almost history.

Aleacia and Felisha spent most of their time during the following day and a half painting young and old folks. They didn’t ask for a set fee, but they told everyone that inquired regarding the proceeds that they would contribute the total raised by them to WWNP and the music festival.

True to their word, on Wednesday, August 6, 2008, the girls, accompanied by Kelly attended the Edgewood Town Council Meeting. Because the slot on the agenda set aside for public comments was number 18 on the agenda, they were required to wait while the governing body ran through almost all the items on the agenda. Both young ladies were visibly eager, but nonetheless respectful and patient while they waited for their opportunity to speak to the adults arrayed before them. Finally, between 9:00 and 9:30 PM, the mayor notified the girls that it was time for them to speak. Both girls rose and directed their eyes and attention to first the mayor and then the remainder of the council. Then Aleacia, while Felisha stood in straight and strong support of her partner, explained that she and Felisha had pledged to work to raise money for the music festival and they had kept their promise raising $20 in the process. They were now prepared to finalize their promise, and would, with the check that Aleacia held in one of her hands. That was more or less the end of her statement, but firmly meant and attached to her overall message was her/their sorrow that the adults before them sitting in the “seats of town government,” had failed to meet the expectation of the young girls in front of them.

When we speak of “more bang for the buck, we must be speaking of this kind of bang. When the girls later rose to leave with Kelly, a gentleman behind them handed them a twenty dollar bill. They intend to include this $20 when they present their contribution to WWNP and Roger Alink.

So, what can we adults and future adults take from this story about two committed and honorable children. From the mouth of babes? No that’s far to trite. How about … in the late night hours of August 6, 2008, Aleacia Linsley and Felisha Armstrong trumped a town and most of its governing body. Who knows what may be in store for Aleacia and Felisha? I’d like to think that they are to be great and honest citizens and perhaps politicians with integrity. They already have a head start on many of us.

You’ll see Aleacia and Felisha at Run, Rally and Rock later this month. They’ll be doing their usual. Setting an example for the governing body and the rest of Edgewood’s citizens.

If you have need for two professional grade face and body painters for your birthday party or other festive event, you can contact Aleacia and Felisha through Kelly at 505-286-1611 or at:

Kelly’s Email

Aleacia and Felisha Paint Noah

Photo by: Kelly J. Krauth-Linsley

Footnote: I first saw Aleacia and Felisha the evening of the mentioned council meeting. I subsequently gained permission from Kelly to interview the girls and publish this piece and the photograph.

Friday, August 8th, 2008, by admin and is filed under "Edgewood ". You can leave a response here, or send a Trackback from your own site.