And Now For Something Completely Different
by John Weckerle
We join you today from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, deep in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hannah. In this case, the “aftermath” is sunshine with occasional clouds, a light breeze, and a glass of chardonnay. Â
Having spent much of last week wondering whether our only “real” vacation of the year was going to be battered to pieces by tropical weather, we arrived yesterday more or less without incident (a minor delay affected the final leg of our travel, and there was some of the bumpiest weather I’ve ever encountered between Atlanta and Florence, SC). We landed in Florence – a little 3-gate airport – and drove to Myrtle Beach, checked in (we’re at a time-share right on the beach), sat around for a bit, visited the Tiki Bar by the pool, and then went to the Giant Crab seafood buffet. The food was good, but I felt that it was a bit overpriced given the selection and the fact that it was, in fact, a buffet. »» And Now For Something Completely Different
At The Risk Of ………
by Chuck Ring
Sounding redundant, at least I’m not recumbent, as Edgewood Town Government seems to be. It has now been a total of fifteen days and one article since I first spoke with the Mayor about the weeds along New Mexico State Road 344. At this juncture, I don’t really care whose job it is to clean the mess up and I’m sure most citizens do not care who takes them away. I believe the collective “we” would just love to wake up from our revelry in a well-“managed” town to discover them gone. It is simply silly and illogical for the Town of Edgewood and the New Mexico Department of Transportation not to figure out the small stuff in order to accomplish the big stuff.
Mayor, since I last spoke with you about this infestation the weeds have grown from ugly to double-ugly. Turn loose of some of that money in the moth-ridden town wallet and work with DOT to make our town beautiful. In case you missed my last article regarding this issue; here’s a repeat:
Thanks and I’ll be in the area all day.
Addendum: As I ventured out today (September 8, 2008) I discovered that the incarceration orange folks have paid another visit to our landscaped areas on SR 344. It appears they have made considerable progress on the west side of the highway with plenty of distance left to go before it is completed. Whoever is responsible will, I am sure, have the graditude of the community. Now let us hope that they take care of the weeds outside the boundaries of the landscaped areas.
Taxation & Water, Taxation & Public Safety And Taxation & Transportation
Look for more to be written regarding the above in light of the North Central Regional Transit District’s “input” meeting:
Stay alert!
Independent Fails To Support Views On Events
by John Weckerle
In the August 27 issue of The Independent, editor Wally Gordon offers opinions on how Edgewood should conduct its festivals, including suggestions on improving the parade held during the Run, Rally & Rock celebration. I was unfortunately unable to attend the parade, so I cannot argue effectively with Mr. Gordon’s viewpoints. I did attend both this year’s music festival and the Run, Rally & Rock event held at Wildlife West Nature Park.
Mr. Gordon’s editorial contains some statements that should be addressed. Mr. Gordon states that “in a town with no motels, only three small sit-down restaurants and no real art galleries or arts and crafts shops, the financial impact of tourism is limited…” Edgewood has at least eight eateries: Katrina’s East Mountain Grill, Chili Hills, China Chef, Pizza Barn, Subway, two McDonalds, and a Dairy Queen (I’m not sure I’d call Starbucks a “restaurant,” but they are here, also).  There are three gas stations that probably see an uptick in their sales, and it’s anybody’s guess as to how much increase other businesses see. »» Independent Fails To Support Views On Events
Public Service Announcement: Edgewood – Eldorado – Santa Fe Bus Service Meeting
The North Central Regional Transit District will hold a public input meeting concerning the GEE-Line (Greater Eldorado Express) bus service at the Edgewood Community Center on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 p.m. at the Edgewood Community Center. For contact information and the facility address, see the announcement.
While The Rain’s Away…
by John Weckerle
What with the rain over the last couple of days and preparing for a “grand opening” Saturday, there’s been precious little time to test out the new lens that arrived Friday. Precious little, but not none – here are a few shots from around the house.
Grow Your Own – Vegzilla
by John Weckerle
Despite the unusually cool (mostly) weather we’ve been having, our two little beds are still producing plenty of food. The pictures below include Saturday’s haul and a last look at the beds before removal of the cauliflower plants – they have run their course and were unlikely to produce anything more this year.  They were just taking up space and using up water that is better directed to the adjacent tomatoes. It is not clear whether some green onions or salad greens might do well there; it is a little over-shadowed by the tomatoes and squash.
Public Service Announcement – New Torrance County Office Hours
by John Weckerle
The Estancia Valley Economic Development Association has informed us that the new hours for the Administrative Office of Torrance county will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, beginning Monday, September 29. The offices will be closed Friday. The Sheriff’s Department will remain open 5 days a week; for hours of operation, call (505) 246-4773.
It’s Not My Job! Well, It’s Not My Job! — Whose @#$%^%$ Job Is It?
by Chuck Ring
My wife, our dogs and I love to walk on the new town trails and appreciate the money and effort spent on them. We also appreciate the potential beauty of the added plants and other features found along the trails. That is, all the features with the exception of the weeds which are now going to seed. We did not just wake up this morning, never having said anything in the past, and decide to ratchet up the noise about the pollen wafting from their beautiful (not) little blooms. No, we both made our concerns known before the council on at least two occasions. We figured that if we tag-teamed our governing body more attention might be paid since we had one of each; that is, one female and one male. Wrong.
It seems that there is some controversy concerning just who is responsible for pulling or wrestling weeds from the right-of-way and the landscaped areas. It was the town’s contention, that the landscape contractor was responsible for maintenance (including weed abatement) of the right-of-way and landscape plantings. It was, according to a spokesperson, the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s (DOT) contention that the contractor was responsible for watering the plants and no more and the town was or is responsible for weed abatement. »» It’s Not My Job! Well, It’s Not My Job! — Whose @#$%^%$ Job Is It?
A Penny Wise And A Million Plus Foolish?
by Chuck Ring
Soon after the current town administration took office, after some of the blood and gore from dismissals was cleared away, another step was taken that made little sense at the time and even less with clear reflection. I refer to the movement of the town road equipment from a leased location to our wastewater treatment plant (WTP).
Ostensibly (at least, according to our mayor and our then town administrator) the purpose for the move was to save money paid for the use of the property leased from former Mayor Howard Calkins. Some have speculated that the action was just one more step toward undoing many things the previous administration had accomplished, with one of the dismissals being the first step in the “undoing” process. Whatever the real reason, it now becomes crystal clear that the move was a dangerous move that could end up costing the town all that it has worked for with the wastewater treatment plant.
The road department stores flammable liquids in the form of vehicle fuel storage tank or tanks, cleaning solvents and other volatile products. Such storage of flammable products at a road department yard is not unusual, however the WTP is not a road department yard and it does not contain a fire abatement mechanism adequate to quench a large fire. There is not a sufficient water storage tank nor water line from a source sufficent for combatting a fire should one self-ignite or be set by some person or persons who might gain entry to the WTP. In short, it does not appear that the town’s own facility, or in this case facilities, meet fireflow requirements that the town might place on privately owned buildings or construction yards. »» A Penny Wise And A Million Plus Foolish?
Au Revoir, Mr. Mayor
by John Weckerle
It was several years ago that I first met Estancia Mayor Marty Hibbs at an Estancia Valley Economic Development Association annual meeting. At that time, Mr. Hibbs shared some thoughts on rural economic development that were unusually resonant with the thoughts of economic development guru Ernesto Sirolli. Since that time, I have had the privilege of serving with Marty on the EBRA Board of Directors and speaking with him on a number of occasions on topics ranging from economic development to water resources to renewable energy and more. I can honestly say that I can’t recall a conversation with Estancia’s Mayor that I didn’t enjoy, and I feel that I have learned much by working and speaking with him.
Marty’s leadership and dedication to his community, to the Estancia Valley, and to the State of New Mexico are well known, well respected, and widely recognized – and the kudos coming in from all directions confirms that. To that I would add simply this: For some, service to the community is a fundamental aspect of one’s nature, and I suspect that we will at some time see Marty Hibbs in a new role, giving himself to the community in a new way. For my part, I think that “au revoir,” and not “adieu,” is the thought I would like to express – along with my gratitude for the service that Marty has given.
A Tale of Two Mayors
Opinion by Walter R. Kruger
Editor’s Note: Walter R. Kruger is the “nom de plume” of an Edgewood area resident who is also a retired armchair economist.
After reading Mayor Robert Stearley’s letter to the editor in the Independent on July 30, 2008, I’m convinced that Edgewood still suffers from the conflicting leadership of two mayors.
The first, Mayor Robert Stearley, has stated on occasions too numerous to count that there are precious few funds to go around for everything our town wants and needs in the way of “quality of life” improvements and amenities. He has reminded us that sewer, police and roads top the priority list, and has stated that expenses for projects like parks, recreation and entertainment may have to wait for better times.
However, the second mayor, also named Mayor Robert Stearley, has stated that the town doesn’t need to look for additional funding sources, like the imposition of Impact Fees on developers, saying, “I believe that our new residents are already paying their fair share of our costs with the Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) they are paying on their construction.” »» A Tale of Two Mayors
Moriarty Chamber Tax Exempt Status Remains Unclear
by John Weckerle
In an August 13 letter to the editor of The Independent, Moriarty Chamber of Commerce president Lee Anne Tapia defends the role of Lee Obarr in Chamber activities. We will leave the subject of Mr. Obarr for another time. Ms. Tapia relates that the Moriarty Chamber had been operating “illegally” – reputedly, in violation of state and federal tax laws – for years, and that Mr. Obarr was instrumental in the “discovery” of the situation.
We find ourselves curious about this statement. Two very credible sources have suggested that the situation was brought to the attention of the IRS by a third party, and that the Moriarty Chamber may be facing the possibility of having to pay substantial fines and back taxes. Unfortunately, we cannot confirm or refute this directly. In a July 22 letter, IRS Exempt Organizations Specialist Joseph Belpulsi states “The Internal Revenue Code includes taxpayer privacy provisions…Accordingly, we cannot disclose what action, if any, the IRS has taken or may take…” with regard to examination of the status of any given organization. The State of New Mexico has similar provisions. That means that the only information we are likely to receive about the IRS problems is what the Chamber releases.
Ms. Tapia also states: “…and now your Moriarty Chamber of Commerce is operating as it should with a valid tax ID number, and as a valid 501-C6 non profit organization.” In an August 26, 2008 telephone conversation, an IRS representative named Ms. Mitchell informed us that the IRS had no record of approval of an application for tax-exempt status for the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce or for a reputed – but as yet unconfirmed – alias, the Greater Moriarty Economic Development Association.
The legal status of the Moriarty Chamber as an organization in New Mexico is similarly unclear. A search of the New Mexico NMPRC corporations database provides no results for the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce, suggesting that the organization may never have been incorporated under that name. Unconfirmed rumors have circulated in recent months that the organization might be operating under another name, the Greater Moriarty Economic Development Organization. The database does contain an entry for the Greater Moriarty Economic Development Association, whose makeup appears to be similar, if not identical, to the organization calling itself the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce. It is unclear whether these are the same organization and, if so, how the organization could operate legally under one name and be registered under another – or, for that matter, why it should choose to do so.
It would certainly be in the Chamber’s best interest to openly and honestly disclose its status and discuss the issues it is facing; as noted above, the whirlpool of rumor and innuendo is substantial, and can only serve to damage the Chamber’s reputation. We invite the Moriarty Chamber to clarify its status by providing us with a copy of its letter from the IRS approving their status as a 501(c)(6) organization (which we will be glad to post here upon request), and to explain the other apparent inconsistencies and points of confusion regarding its status both as a tax-exempt organization and a corporation in the State of New Mexico.
Anyone can verify the tax exempt status of an organization by calling the IRS at 1-877-829-5500.
Harvest Festival, Run Rally & Rock A Success
by John Weckerle
Wildlife West Nature Park’s Harvest Festival and Edgewood’s annual Run, Rally & Rock event, organized by the local Chamber of Commerce, were held this weekend. Both events were hosted by Wildlife West.
Festivities began with a sock hop Friday night, and continued with Wildlife West’s 
annual 5K Pronghorn Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast the next morning. Edgewood’s first parade, organized largely by Chamber volunteers Judy Hudgins and Pauline Freeman, was also held Saturday morning. With 110 entries, the parade was reportedly both well organized and well attended, and a great time was had by all. Former mayor Howard Calkins participated, riding one of his well-known antique tractors. 
Town Councilors Rita Loy Simmons, Brad Hill, John Abrams, and Glenn Felton served as judges for the parade. Conspicuously absent from the festivities was current mayor Bob Stearley, who earlier this year spearheaded a successful effort to eliminate most of the Town’s funding for the events. »» Harvest Festival, Run Rally & Rock A Success
I Saved The Energy. The Bulb Is Dead. So Is The Computer. Now What?
by John Weckerle
Well, with respect to the compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) bulbs you’ve been told not to toss in the trash, there’s a handy option. On June 24, The Home Depot announced that it would accept expired CFLs at all their stores. Just take them to the returns desk, and the representative there will take them. As most of us know, the nearest store to New Mexico’s REAL Central Valley and the East West Mountains is the one on Eubank Blvd SE and Central Avenue, just north of Costco.
This is short notice, but New Mexico Business Weekly reports that the City of Albuquerque, Intel, KOAT TV, and Natural Evolution have teamed up to hold their annual electronics recycling drive. Unfortunately, we were late in discovering this information, and the time for small businesses to drop off their old equipment was today. Residents may drop their items off tomorrow. For times and locations, see the New Mexico Business Weekly article.