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.
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.
There Will Always Be Those…
by John Weckerle
…Who can’t have their picture taken without making a goofy face.
PBLBTBPTH!
Let’s All Take A Break For A Well-Deserved Howl
by John Weckerle
Fell voices drifting through the night? Maybe so, and maybe not – but regardless, tonight is the Wolf Moon. This month’s “full” moon is closer to the Earth than it will be at any time in 2010.
Enjoy it while you can, folks, because this precious resource is on its way. The Moon is moving away at 1.6 inches every year. For those who didn’t get a chance to see it, we took the New Mexico Central camera outside and took a shot.
2010 Wolf Moon Over The Estancia Valley