Senator Beffort Provides Legislative Update
by John Weckerle
At the Estancia Basin Resource Association (EBRA) annual meeting Saturday, Senator Sue Wilson Beffort provided an update on developments occurring during this legislative session.
Ms. Beffort, who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, indicated that, as currently predicted, expenditures would outweigh tax revenues by $454 million over the next fiscal year, and that number could swell to over $1 billion by next fiscal year. Because the state cannot indulge in deficite spending, Ms. Beffort indicated that some programs may see reductions in funding. According to the Senator, some water programs – which have seen substantial spending in recent years – may be reduced this year. Ms. Beffort indicated that funding in some programs had gone to technologies that “didn’t work,” and that the Finance Committee would be examining that issue this session. Ms. Beffort also indicated that the Senate Finance Committee was proceeding carefully to ensure that key priorities, such as education, forest management, and people relying on public assistance would not be severely impacted. Ms. Beffort also referenced 416 appointed positions recently created by the Richardson administration, suggesting that expenditures needed to support those positions would be a topic of discussion. »» Senator Beffort Provides Legislative Update
Chuck Ring Honored – Again!
By Bob Steiner
Chuck Ring seems to be one of the more active “retired” citizens in Edgewood,. There is hardly a civic organization that he is not active in. He has been repeatedly recognized for his many contributions to the town and Santa Fe county.
Last Wednesday night (Januray 21st), at a meeting of the Edgewood town council, he was presented with a plaque from the New Mexico Municipal League. This organization, which assists communities in developing plans and administrative procedures, recognized Chuck for dedicated service to the League as Director of its board of directors for the peiod 2005 to 2008. As Mayor Stearly was not at the council meeting, Councilor Rita-Loy Simmons did the actual presentation. Congratulations Chuck!
Been Through The Desert On A Bobcat With No A New Name
by John Weckerle
Wildlife West Nature Park has a new resident, and the new resident has a problem – she needs a name.
The Park recently acquired a 7 month-old female bobcat, formerly an illegal pet from the Alamagordo area. Having been raised in a household environment, she is very friendly (my wife and I spent some time in the cage with her, and she was very interested in attention). She’s also curious, very active, and has a relatively short attention span. Wildlife West recently held a contest to find a name for the newest occupant, and she is now named “Spark,” a name given by a local fourth grade student.
EBRA Annual Meeting Scheduled
by John Weckerle
The Estancia Basin Resource Association (EBRA) will hold its annual membership meeting on Saturday, January 24 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Moriarty Civic Center. Speakers will include:
- Ryan Schwebach, Chairman, Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee – Estancia Basin Regional Water Plan Update
- Chuck DuMars, EBRA attorney – Current issues in New Mexico water law
- Donzil Worthington, Wilson and Company – Status report on the proposed EMW regional water supply project.
Other events include the annual election for open Board of Directors seats, reports on issues and activities from the previous year, and door prizes. For additional information, contact Art Swenka, EBRA President, at 384-0176.
Edgewood Considering Windmills Without Requiring Permits
 by John Weckerle
Tonight, with very little fanfare before the fact, the Town of Edgewood will hold public hearings on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow windmills as a permitted use in all residential areas. Towers may be up to 80 feet tall on small lots (1/2 to 1 acre) and with no limit on height on larger lots. The ordinance can be found here.
The proposed revision appears overly simplistic and indicates that inadequate consideration was given to the complex issues associated with wind turbine use in residential settings. For example, the noise requirement states that a level of 60 decibels may not be exceeded at the “closest neighboring inhabited dwelling.” In some situations, there may be many undeveloped lots between the windmill and the next inhabited dwelling, potentially rendering those lots uninhabitable and depriving the owners of the ability to build homes on them. Taken in that context, some may suspect that the windmill ordinance has a certain “anti-development” goal. Allowing wind turbines – and their associated towers, to be permitted rather than conditional uses seems to ignore the complex and varied residential configurations found within Edgewood’s rather extensive land area. »» Edgewood Considering Windmills Without Requiring Permits
Edgewood To Acquire Town House Land?
By Bob Steiner
As previously reported on our blog (please see “Town House Community Not Approved”, Dec 23rd, post 336),  the Edgewood planning and zoning commission turned down a request by local developer, Tim Oden, to re-zone the Northwest Corner of the intersection at State Road 344 and Venus to allow the construction of a town house community. This request was turned down due to the extensive opposition of many residents residing in close proximity to that location. After the measure was voted down, town staff (Ms. Mahalick) assured the residents present that the town was not aware of any “other” plans for that location.
I recently was passed some pertinent information regarding the town house “ site” from an “anonymous” source. Normally I would give no credence to such input and simply regard it as a rumor, but this source has proven to be accurate on other occasions. so I decided to try and corroborate the information. In so doing, I was surprised to find out that while what I had heard was “speculative”, it could well be accurate.  If true, the people near the site need to be aware of what is happening.
Goodwill Industries Looking To Hire Seniors
by John Weckerle
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico has announced their Senior Employment Community Services Program, in which low-income residents of Torrance County who are 55 and older can earn $7.50 per hour working 20 hours per week. For more information, contact the Workforce Connection office in Moriarty at 832-6774 or stop by their office. The Workforce Connection is located at 777 Old Highway 66 in Moriarty (Chamber of Commerce building).
Moriarty-Edgewood School District 2 Mill Levy Election To Be Held
by John Weckerle
On February 3, The Moriarty-Edgewood School District (MESD) 2 Mill Levy Election will be held to determine whether the current levy will be extended through 2014. Funds from the levy would, according to the MESD brochure, be ” used for the maintenance of buildings, acquisition of equipment, and other capital improvement purposes.” The money cannot be used for operational expenses such as salaries and other personnel costs. Anticipated funding from the continuation of the levy is anticipated to be approximately $930,000 per year, which would be matched with about $35,000 per year from the state Public School Capital Improvement Fund.
It should be noted that “A vote for the captial improvements tax levy will not result in a tax increase.” This is money that is sorely needed for the upkeep of our school facilities, and we urge local residents to support the mill levy. For more detailed information and a list of polling places, please see the MESD brochure.
Moriarty Gets Coffeehouse, Bookseller
by John Weckerle
There’s a new coffeehouse in town, going by the name of Mustang Mudd’s. The cafe, with a bar for bellying up and seating for about 25 customers, is located in the rear portion of the building that now houses Le Barn Wild West Chic, Maggie’s Gifts, and the new bookseller.
Edgewood Seeks Parks And Recreation Committee Applicants
by John Weckerle
The Town of Edgewood is seeking applicants for one member and two alternate vacancies on its Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC), which is involved with parks, trails, athletics, open space, events, education, conservation, and more. The PRAC meets monthly, as may subcommittees.  Those interested in supporting Edgewood’s excellent PRAC should leave a resume, to include experience and areas of interest, at the Town office c/o Roger Holden by January 20, 2009.
Public Service Announcement: Mountainair School Board Elections
by John Weckerle
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that the Mountainair School Board election will be held on February 3, 2009. For more information, see the full article at Mountainair Announcements.
January At Bethel Community Storehouse
By Bob Steiner
Regular readers of the blog know that we have previously reported on the great work being done at the Bethel Community Storehouse in Moriarty. This outstanding donor-based charitable organization has been serving the needs of less fortunate citizens in the valley for more than twenty two years. Supported mainly by donations from area churches, civic organizations, and private citizens, the storehouse on a given “average” month last year provided services to more than 750 families (1750 people). This number surged to 1100 families (3000 residents) during the recent Christmas season.  It appears that this increase in clients will continue during the coming months. With limited donations coming in, a great burden has been placed on the storehouse staff to see that the people are being served. »» January At Bethel Community Storehouse
Tijeras To Hold Public Meeting on Zoning Ordinance
The Village of Tijeras will hold a public hearing to allow public comment on its Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The hearing will be part of the Village’s regular meeting scheduled for January 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Village Hall. For more information, contact Daniel Abram at 281-1220 or dabram@villageoftijeras.com.
Youth Job Opportunities At Wildlife West
by John Weckerle
Each summer, Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood provides employment to young people age 14 to 25 in cooperation with the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program. These jobs not only give participants the chance to earn money, but provide an opportunity to acquire a wide variety of skills and learn about the park’s animals and the ecological aspects of wildlife. The work is broad in scope: the participants may find themselves maintaining trails, guiding tours, assisting zookeepers, building habitats (in fact, the zoo has essentially been built by young people), and much more.
Recruiting for this summer’s program has begun. Applicants must send a resume and two references to the Park by March 15, 2009 to apply for employment this summer. For more information, contact the Park at (505) 281-7655.
The Bees’ Knees, And It’s Time For Trees
by John Weckerle
Long ago, in a county far, far away…
…Your editor took first place in the county science fair for his project on bees. I had live bees, posters, and materials, and learned a few things about our great friends and partners of the order Hymenoptera, and wanted at that time to be a beekeeper (but failed to inspire the parents to the same degree) – so you can imagine the little jump of enthusiasm I experienced when I read the latest East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District newsletter and found that the District is hosting a workshop on raising bees at the Torrance County Fairgrounds on January 30, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Now, more than ever, we need to understand how bees make life as we know it possible (no kidding, there) and learn how those of us with a little room and a little time can help keep these incredible creatures working for themselves, the ecosystem, agriculture, and all of us – and maybe get a little honey, to boot. For more information, and to reserve a seat or three, contact Cheri or Kitty at (505) 384-2272, extension 3.
The District’s Spring plant sale has also started, and we recommend getting your order in as soon as possible. For more information and to download an order form, visit the District’s plant sale page.