Like A Good Neighbor … Time To Belly Up
 by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
On October 7th of this year I posted the following article
Since that time area churches, other non-profits and area businesses have contributed money and other items to assist those losing their jobs through the difficult transition in times that were perilous even before the closing of the call center. Temporary assistance is always welcome by those in need, but more is needed in order to secure another employer or employers to employ those who want to work.
The rumor on the street is that Moriarty has asked for the help of Edgewood to refurbish parts of the building or grounds where a new tenant might locate. I believe this is a fitting proposal for several reasons:
- those who have or will lose their jobs want to work and they need to work
- some employees who lost their jobs live in Edgewood and other points outside of Moriarty
- as a former employee of the connection, I can attest to the fact that a majority of the employees spent a portion of each paycheck at Edgewood businesses
- Edgewood is not in the charity business, but this potential assistance is not charity. It is taking care of our own; no matter the location of their residence
- this assistance would demonstrate Edgewood’s willingness to recognize the assistance given to citizens of this valley and reward that assistance in a meaningful way
- it would be one more illustration of a regional approach to economic development
- it would demonstrate to the legislature and Santa Fe County that our dollars need to stay here to help our own, before sliding to Santa Fe City and Santa Fe County
Torrance County P & Z To Vote On Animal Control Ordinance Today
by John Weckerle
We have received word from Vanessa Vaile and Pauline Dube that the Torrance County Planning and Zoning Committee will meet today (Tuesday, December 2) at 9:30 a.m. to vote on the proposed new animal control ordinance. We have not had the opportunity to review the ordinance, and with only a few hours before the meeting we have no time for research. However Ms. Dube has expressed numerous concerns regarding the ordinance, which she says places unreasonable restrictions on legitimate animal ownership, and she has provided a link to a web site for the East Mountain Animal Interest Alliance that discusses the ordinance and concerns related to animal ownership.
While we have not had sufficient time to educate ourselves on this specific topic, we are inclined to express an opinion on a related issue – that of the scheduling of Torrance County’s P & Z and County Commission meetings. The practice of holding meetings during the day has the effect of seriously limiting the ability of working people to participate in government, whether it be as observers, elected officials, or citizens seeking to offer comment on the decisions being made by their elected officials. Most of the other governing bodies manage to meet in the evening, and there is no reason that the Torrance County Commission cannot do the same – unless, of course, the actual intent of meeting during the day is to limit public involvement and/or public scrutiny.
Former County Commissioner Leroy Candelaria proposed moving the meeting times to the evening several years ago and was voted down. We’d be interested in hearing the other Commissioners’ reasons for opposing this obvious step toward open government in Torrance County. This was not a major issue in the recent election, but perhaps it should be in the next.
Support Your Local Vendors First
by John Weckerle
In the November 19 issue of The Independent, editor Wally Gordon showed support for an Edgewood Chamber of Commerce proposal that the Town of Edgewood “formalize an arrangement for giving a 5 percent preference to town businesses” – a proposal that we also support. Mr. Gordon also urged the Chamber to follow its own advice and support local business, citing publication of a recent magazine that was contracted to a Colorado business, Sixtus. In a subsequent exchange in the November 26 edition, Myra Oden, executive director of the Edgewood Chamber, stated that this was a tri-chamber publication, and that two local publishing companies – not including The Independent – were contacted and asked if they were interested in bidding on the project, but neither was interested. Ms. Oden went on to explain how she came to be familiar with the firm selected to do the work, and suggests that The Independent market the Chambers of Commerce throughout the entire state in order to business with the Edgewood Chamber and other area Chambers. »» Support Your Local Vendors First
The Lion’s Friend Sleeps Tonight
by John Weckerle
The memorial service for Bill Brown took place at the Wildlife West Nature Park Bean Barn. Friends, acquaintances, fellow volunteers, and others joined Bill’s family to celebrate the life of Edgewood’s mountain lion man (seen here with his friend in this photo provided by Judy Hudgins). In attendance were a broad spectrum of area residents: former Edgewood Town Council members Chuck Ring and Frank Lasky; former Edgewood mayor Howard Calkins; and current Edgewood Town Council member Rita Loy Simmons, just to name a few. The service was officiated by Roger Alink, founder and director of the park and long-time friend of Bill’s. On hand were many of Bill’s friends and those who held him dear, several of whom shared anecdotes about their experiences with Bill during his years as a volunteer and president of the Park’s Board of Directors. »» The Lion’s Friend Sleeps Tonight
Scam Some Ham, Or My Attempt To Double-Up On Thanksgiving
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
After having a great meal with my friend Jim Smith at Katrinah’s East Mountain Grill (KEMG) on this date, Jim and I were privileged to have Katrinah’s grandmom (Kathy Shuit,co-owner of KEMG) grace our table. Jim’s satiated eyes were glazed over due to the effects of the giant chicken-fried steak he had just experienced; but I of the grand abdomen, had given my stomach a reprieve having recently experienced fusion of L-4/L-5 and needing less strain on the back, I had taken the ignoble, but sensible path to satisfaction … I quit eating.
But, I did not quit listening. I heard that Kathy would close the grill on November 25 (tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day) and that she would be open for approximately sixty family members and friends. Knowing that my lovely Carol would not open the Ring Kitchen until Thursday at around 3:00 PM, I was quite sure that I was friend enough to throw myself on Kathy’s mercy. »» Scam Some Ham, Or My Attempt To Double-Up On Thanksgiving
Thankful Before Thanksgiving
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Not me. I’m thankful most all the time. You become so automatically when you reach a certain stage in life, years or experience. The subject of the title is, or at least should be, a twenty-one year old, Roy Aguilar arrested by the New Mexico State Police after a series of stupid tricks performed by Mr. Aguilar. You can click on this link to read about the events reported in the Santa Fe New Mexican
Mr. Aguilar managed to use his weapon of choice, to self-inflict an injury for which he should be most thankful, while making himself the cannon fodder of various critics and commentators. As if, this mixed bag of metaphors was not poetic justice enough, Mr. Aguilar managed to hoist himself by his own petar (petard)
This turkey was saved to serve (or swerve) another day. Thanks to the New Mexico State Police for their service and to the media for reporting.
Bill Brown, Dedicated Community Servant, Passes at 68
by John Weckerle
We have just received word that Bill Brown, president of the New Mexico Wildlife Association (the organization that manages Wildlife West Nature Park) , died Friday night at his home. He was 68 years of age.
Bill, known to many as the “Cat Guy” because of his daily work inside the mountain lion enclosure at Wildlife West, was a retired firefighter from Houston, Texas. We will be featuring an article on Bill later this week, once we have obtained more information about his life before Wildlife West.  A memorial service will be held in the Bean Barn at Wildlife West at 3:00 p.m. this Wednesday, November 26, 2008. The barn is heated and very large; however, we recommend bringing appropriate outer wear in case of a large turnout, and also because there is a bit of a walk from the Park entrance to the barn. Bill’s son, David Brown, has requested that donations be made to Wildlife West Nature Park in lieu of flowers.
Times Of The Signs
by John Weckerle
Or, more accurately, places of the signs – ours. On Saturday, November 15, Chuck Ring, Bob Steiner and I were at the Wildlife West Community Appreciation Day, complete with fliers for the blog. Bob relayed some information last week: a local business has posted one of our fliers in their window! After a little thought, it seems reasonable that we should at least give some mention to those who are helping get the word out – so each week, on Monday, we will be listing the places where our flier has been seen (and publicly visible) during the previous week.
This week, the nod goes to:
- Local resident Sue West, who has posted a notice about the blog on the notice board at the entrance of her subdivision since long before we made the fliers
- Katrina’s East Mountain Grill, located at the corner of Dinkle Road and SR 344
- D.J.’s Dog House, an eatery in Edgewood (southeast corner of Dinkle and SR 344 in the old John Brooks shopping center at the old TechSmiths location)
If you’re posting signs or see them somewhere, please drop us a line at editor@nm-central.com and include the name, address or physical location, and where in the business (etc.) that the flier is posted. Thanks for your support!
Signs Of The Times?
By Bob Steiner
The town of Edgewood, like all towns, has a lot of signs. There are traffic signs mandated by state and federal authorities which provide essential information to those traveling through our fair valley. Information signs alert us to the location of historical sites and other points of interest to visitors (please note here, for future reference, “visitors” - can also be defined as “tourists, who spend money!”). Large and small retailers have signs. Realtors have signs. There are even signs identifying various streets and roads in the town though, please don’t expect to find any on the South side of State Road #333, just West of the town’s administrative offices. Although the most recent election  is over and the votes have been tabulated, there still seems to be an abundance of the “stick in the ground” political cardboard signs around. There are even a few of these  “adorning” some of the more prominent barbed wire fences hereabout.  What seems pariticularly hard to understand is that some merchants have had to resort to “stick” cardboard signs to identify their locations. While milk carton signs announcing week end garage sales are posted,  they, at least, do seem to be removed in a timely manner. »» Signs Of The Times?
Wildlife West Announces 2009 Music Festival Headliners And Event Schedule
by John Weckerle
Last year’s Wildlife West Music Festival may have been a tough act to follow, but this year’s lineup looks like another crowning achievement. Internationally known folk musician John McCutcheon will return to delight the audience with his incredible and varied repertoire. With over 30 albums to his credit and the ability to play about a dozen instruments, John McCutcheon’s performances are an uncommon treat among musical experiences. His songs tell stories of American life with a rare insight, and his instrumentals are often unparalleled in both skill and the enjoyment they bring to the listener. The Badly Bent – an award winning bluegrass band from Durango, Colorado – will be welcomed by those who return to Wildlife West year after year for bluegrass that, as phrased on the band’s web site, “never strays far from the roots established by the fathers of the genre.” Dave Firestine and Round The House – another award-winning band, but this time from Tucson, Arizona – will regale us with “authentic Irish music, with a twist of Tucson.” Syd Masters & The Swing Riders, the headliner for Wildlife West’s regular Chuckwagon Suppers, will entertain us with their unique blend of traditional and original cowboy music and humor. Also returning will be The Squash Blossom Boys, a local band that should be remembered by last year’s attendees. More bands will be announced soon!
Online ticket sales will commence soon on the park’s web site, as will a new series of sponsorships directed specifically toward those who would like to show their support for the festival.
Wildlife West has also released its event schedule for 2009, with events listed as follows:
- Wind Festival May 2, 3
- Chuckwagon Dinner Shows Saturday nights – June 20 through Sept. 15.
- Bear Fair July 11
- 7th Annual Music Festival August 7 – 9
- Harvest Festival August 28, 30
- Melodrama TBA
‘Tis The Season…
by John Weckerle
As the end of the year approaches, we find ourselves contacted more often than usual by charities and other nonprofits asking for financial support either for holiday-oriented initiatives or for their operations for the coming year. In a time of economic downturn, these organizations feel the pinch just as we do; if people have less, they have less to give. I’m not going to identify the nonprofits I plan to support next year in this article (although regular readers can probably guess at least one), or the ones I don’t (and many of you can probably guess a couple of those), but as I give pause to think about where the support for the coming year will be going, I find myself asking questions and formulating responses that I thought I might share.
- What are our priorities in giving? Are we focused on charitable giving, business organizations, clubs, or others? Are there specific missions – education, conservation, job creation, and assisting the poor, to name just a few examples – that rise to the fore when we think about what we want to accomplish? Knowing our own personal “mission” can be a deciding factor in figuring out where to send our support. »» ‘Tis The Season…
Their Loss Means We Keep Losing
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Poor Santa Fe County and Santa Fe City. According to recent reports in the Santa Fe New Mexican, both will have to initiate cost-cutting measures due to their lack of economic bounty in these down times.
They propose to cut items in their existing budget to make up the loss. It really struck me as odd that they intend to take a 10% bite out of their travel category. The odd part was the 10% amounts to some $240,000. We can do the math and find that their travel budget is over $2,400,000. One wonders if they plan to travel to outer space. In this day and time, what could possibly justify a travel budget of over two million dollars for an entity the size of Santa Fe County?
Oh well, little Edgewood will continue sending their hard earned money to both Santa Fes. Maybe we can keep them out of the hole they keep digging for themselves.
Click here for the County’s storyÂ
An After-Christmas Wish List?
By Bob Steiner
Now that the presidential election is over, it’s hard to realize but the January New Mexico Legislative Session is but a little more than a month away. This is where your elected representatives get together in Santa Fe and decide how many (if any) of the tax dollars you’ve paid in will be returned to your area to finance roads, buildings and other capital projects. No matter where you live in the Estancia Valley, it is important that your town council come up with a “wish list” (Capital Outlay Request) of projects that voters would like to see undertaken in your area. In the event that your local governing body has not yet put together a list, or if you, as an individual,  have any ideas on how to best spend the money  (some of it, anyway) that you send to Santa Fe, now is the time to makes your wishes known!
Our regular readers know that we previously reported that the town of Edgewood hosted a meeting with their legislators last week for the purpose of briefing them on that community’s “wish list”. In view of projected lower tax revenue due to current economic conditions, as well as the fact that the Governor has directed budget cutbacks in all state agencies, The representatives cautioned the town to expedite any projects which are currently being worked on. They believe  that any activity where some  funds have already been expended and  is already in progress, would be less likely to be curtailed. This assumption makes sense,  so if you have visions of any of your tax money being returned to your community, you may want to put a bug in the ear of your local council members to insure they are cognizant of what is going on.
In any event, while you may not be getting much of your tax money  allocated back to your town this year, “Some” is better than None”.
To Spin In the Wind … Or Not
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Fresh off of $4.00 a gallon gas, some folks in New Mexico still question the wisdom of wind generated power. The questioning comes from many points of observation, but the three main objections seem to be:
- the giant turbines will spoil my or our view
- the low-level noise will disturb or harm those (human and animal) in close proximity
- the energy produced will be utilized outside the State of New Mexico
The newest proposed wind farm in the state is being considered for San Miguel County. If final approval is given, the wind farm will be located on 7063 acres of state land on the surface of a prominent mesa.
Hopefully, as New Mexico continues to sort itself out as one of the largest wind energy states (in overall wind energy produced) the ordinary citizens and energy producers can come to common ground that will satisfy all concerned and serve to move our nation toward energy independence (EI). Or, will EI just continue to be something we talk about, but never really move to accomplish.
Click on this colored text Spin The Turbine to read an article from The Santa Fe New Mexican, along with the mixed pro and con comments regarding this wind farm and wind driven energy in general.
Same Ol’ Song – Just Whizzin’ Along
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Santa Fe City (City) seems to be feeling the wind in its face as an effluent (not affluent) customer just whizzes on by, while refusing to pay the city for 150,000,000 plus gallons of effluent water from their waste water system.
Seems the customer, who along with three others, owns a horse park of some eighty acres located in Santa Fe, is more or less mired in potential litigation after the City filed a lien against the property for non-payment for the effluent water. According to City officials the amount owed is $189,481. One of the owners disputes this figure and says that the City owes the park, i.e., the owners, $60,000. An article in the Santa Fe New Mexican provides more detail regarding this contest.