Santa Fe Conservation Trust Presentation On Conservation Easements
by John Weckerle
The Santa Fe Conservation Trust will visit Edgewood to discuss new State funding for conservation easements. The meeting will be held at the Wildlife West Nature Park bean barn on Sunday, September 14 from 3 to 4 p.m. Admission to the presentation is free. For more information, see the event flyer.
Conservation easements are voluntary, legally binding agreements between landowners and a government agency or other entity that limit or prohibit certain uses or restrict development on a given property in order to preserve important resources – for example, habitat, agricultural capacity, and archaeological sites. Landowners may donate the easement, potentially making them eligible for State and federal tax incentives, or they may be paid directly by the entity holding the easement. Tax advantages may include reductions in both income tax and estate taxes, making conservation easements a potential tool for helping to keep estates intact upon bequest. Conservation easements are binding upon future owners of the land.
Since its inception in 1993, the Santa Fe Conservation Trust has protected more than 30,000 acres of land in Santa Fe county and surrounding counties. The organization is a federally recognized, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, meaning that donations are tax-deductible.
Mountainair Community Garden Building Up Steam
by John Weckerle
Checking in with our friends at the Mountainair Arts blog, we find that the efforts toward building a community vegetable garden, spearheaded by iCreate, has been moving forward. A planning meeting was held last Thursday, and another will be held this Thursday, August 21, at 6 p.m. at the Community Park. For more information, including links to associated articles and information about the field trip in September, check out the letter from Dennis Fulfer posted August 18 on the Mountainair Arts blog.
Contrary to what you’re hearing, “The Sky is not falling”!
by Kelly Krauth
Disclosure: Kelly is a mortgage broker at Vanguard Mortgage. Your editor is a Vanguard customer.
Every time you hear the news or see a report on the current economic status, you are sure to hear those words, “The Mortgage Crisis”. The national media continues to publicize and advertise to consumers that investing in real estate is a bad idea. What they are trying to do is to make real estate into a national market and look like the Crash of 1929! This is simply not the case!
The majority of the delinquencies and foreclosures that are being publicized are concentrated in the subprime market. Agreeably there is a huge increase in foreclosures but it is mainly because of borrowers who, in most cases, would not have previously qualified for a conforming loan. These borrowers were given a “golden ticket” to buy a home that they obviously did not qualify to own. Lenders began to advertise these great new programs, i.e. adjustable rate mortgages, “no fee” loans and many people signed on in order to obtain the great American dream of home ownership. Things like Stated Income, and Stated Asset loans (SISA) allowed these borrowers to do this easily without much verification; basically negating normal conditions that would traditionally be required to “qualify” for a home loan. Normal requirements such as steady, dependable employment, assets, reserves, and good credit were no longer a necessity. Basically anyone could now buy a home. But at what cost? »» Contrary to what you’re hearing, “The Sky is not falling”!
Grow Your Own – Food Aplenty
by John Weckerle
This week we return to our regular (more or less) garden report. Both beds are doing very well, although the peppers have been largely overwhelmed by the surrounding plants (but are still trying to put out a few peppers for us). We’re not too concerned about that, as we have peppers growing in pots on the deck. Over the past week, the string beans have been the star, having yielded about three pounds of beans or so. Some of these were steamed and then tossed in a wok with olive oil, dill, and lemon juice, and the rest are headed for tonight’s string bean casserole. Last night was pasta primavera, with everything except onions and tomatoes (and, of course, the pasta) coming from the garden. Several eggplants (white and regular) are nearly ready to pick – there will be a lot of them before all this is through – and we picked the first tomato yesterday. The spaghetti squash also looks as if it is nearly ready to collect. »» Grow Your Own – Food Aplenty
Subscribe To New Mexico Central By E-Mail or RSS Feed!
by John Weckerle
There are now two new ways to subscribe to NM-Central.com! Readers can now subscribe via e-mail using the Subscribe to New Mexico Central link located just below the calendar. You can also add the blog to your RSS feeds. In Internet Explorer, click on the “feeds” button, select either RSS 2.0 or Atom 0.3 (either should work for you). Then select Tools -> Subscribe to this Feed, and subscribe! In Firefox, select Bookmarks -> Subscribe to This Page, and select your feed options. Note: The full text of the articles may not appear in the feeds page, but you will at least be able to see part of the article, and a link to the full version will be provided.
Two Agenda Monty
by John Weckerle
The Town of Edgewood has scheduled a special Town Council meeting for Tuesday, August 19, 2008 (see agenda). A regular meeting is scheduled for the following day, August 20 (see agenda). At the special meeting, the Council will proceed immediately into closed session, and then return to discuss a number of items of potentially broad public interest. These include such topics as the location and budget for the municipal library, personnel issues, acquisition of a bridge, and “miscellaneous.”
“Miscellaneous?” Use of such a word on an agenda – which is intended to inform the public of the topics to be discussed – appears inappropriate, especially in the context of the “sunshine laws” that govern public disclosures in New Mexico.
Of special interest are the resolutions listed in the agenda – one for “Restriction of Gross Receipts Tax Derived from New Construction,” and one for “Budget Resolution.” Seeing such items on the agenda for a special meeting rather than the regular meeting raises questions regarding the reasons for such scheduling. One would expect that items of such obvious interest to the community would be discussed during a regular meeting, allowing for full disclosure and discussion before the widest segment of the public possible. Given the potential significance of the decisions to be made, it would seem appropriate to invite public comment before making decisions on these issues.
The proposed text of the resolution is not attached to the agenda, nor is it available on the Town’s web site. Neither are any of the resolutions passed by the Town Council In fact, the word “resolution” is not used on the site at all. Neither is the proposed agenda posted on the Town web site. This seems fundamentally at odds with the open government platform on which candidates ran – successfully – in the March election. What arises is the impression of a shadowy method of policy making: holding special meetings to enact resolutions at off-cycle Council meetings without publishing the proposed – or final – resolutions on which discussions are to be held. Where resolutions are to be discussed and acted upon, we strongly urge the Town to publish the draft in advance, and all final resolutions, on the Town web site.
New Blood On The Ol’ Blog
by John Weckerle
NM-Central welcomes guest contributor Kelly Krauth of Edgewood to our bullpen of correspondents. Kelly, co-owner of Vanguard Mortgage Services, has offered to write articles on the regional implications of the mortgage crisis and the economy. We look forward to seeing Kelly’s first article soon!
Torrance County Senior Olympians Clean Up At State Games
We’ve received word from Vanessa Vaile of Mountainair Arts that Torrance County’s Senior Olympic representatives achieved notable success at the 2008 State games. For more information, check out Vanessa’s article, complete with photos and results.
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-Ã -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. »» Just Maybe — No, Certainly. We Will Have Leaders For The Future
A Convenient Trip Into The Past – Salinas Mission Pueblos National Monument
by John Weckerle
I always find myself amazed when local/regional residents tell me that they have never visited Wildlife West Nature Park; how is it, I wonder, that people who live so close could go without seeing what amounts to a jewel in their midst? The same may be true for Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, which includes three sites located at Abo, Quarai, and Gran Quivira. I’ve visited the missions a number of time, and brought visiting family members there last week for an afternoon of exploring and learning. Each site has its own visitor’s center, gift shop, and small museum in addition to the main visitor’s center located in Mountainair.
Gran Quivira (more photos “behind the cut”) »» A Convenient Trip Into The Past – Salinas Mission Pueblos National Monument
Grow Your Own – Some Return on the Effort
by John Weckerle
We return to our gardening, however briefly, having completed the trip to Florida, played tour guide to visiting family members late last week, and spent time at the Wildlife West music festival over the weekend. This week, we provide a picture of last Thursday’s harvest instead of photos of the beds – primarily because it is both dark and raining at the moment. Suffice it to say that the garden is more jungle-like than ever, but the plants seem to be enjoying themselves immensely.
Our harvest included broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow summer squash, lettuce, and the first of the white eggplants. There was more than enough zucchini to make zucchini parmigiana for all seven of us (four visiting family members included), with a generous serving left over for later consumption – and, of course, there was plenty of salad. The rest of the squash will be cooked up this evening, and the broccoli and cauliflower will not be far behind. »» Grow Your Own – Some Return on the Effort
Smashdown!
by Chuck Ring
Smashdown? Yep, that’s right. Right here in Edgewood Town. We’re talking about the SMASHDOWN of Mayor Stearley’s campaign promise of “open government.” We have suspected other incidents that “smack” of secret opinion gathering polls and what amounts to the crafting of policy by email and telephonic means; now we have at least one Edgewood Town Meeting Agenda that seems to intentionally create an agenda that makes it difficult for most citizens to participate in town government, not to mention those of us who happen to be older, infirm or otherwise put upon by having to remain into the late hours of the night. Remember, governing body members ran and were elected to attend meetings … citizens attend because they are interested in good and “open” government.
Here is a copy of the proposed agenda for Wednesday, August 6, 2008:
Edgewood Council Meeting 08/06/2008
Note that the public comment item is scheduled as item 17. This after it was originally set as item 18 as viewed last Friday, August 1, 2008. The purpose of a public comment item on a public agenda is to allow for ideas, general comments and a little tweaking of past and present ideas and suggestions. It does little to engender open government when those comments and ideas are locked out through the manipulation of an agenda. A justification or argument for such action on the part of the mayor just cannot exist in open government. An argument that public comment utilizes to much time cannot be used; especially since this mayor has seen fit to deviate from existing town policy of a two minute comment period per person. Those in attendance at some prior meetings will remember that some have been granted considerably more than two minutes when their opinion coincided with the wishes of the mayor and some councilors. Opinion on the streets and dirt roads of Edgewood Town is that this type of agenda serves to stifle input. Such action is in conflict with the mayor’s intended or pretended desire to have open government.
For the mayor to try to excuse this action by saying that the agenda is a preliminary agenda demonstrates that he has not given thought to those who see this agenda and do not see the final agenda and make their decision to attend and/or comment based on what they have seen with this agenda. It would be well for the town councilors to override this unilateral agenda and place the item toward the beginning of the agenda … better yet, why not set a time certain for this item on this next agenda and maintain such time as a constant for future meetings. The mayor may not be pleased that you’ve exercised your given authority, but the people will respect you in the morning.
Sign Vigilante Strikes Edgewood
by John Weckerle
Well, at any rate, that is what the Town of Edgewood is telling us.
In a partial response to a New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act request, the Town of Edgewood provided 107 photos of signs taken before the signs were removed by code enforcement officer Wayne Schober. Many of the signs shown in the photographs of signs displayed outside the Community Center (see our July 4 article) are not documented in Mr. Schober’s photographs. Further, while many of the signs in the photographs provided by the Town were clearly in violation of the ordinance, many of the photos did not contain sufficient detail to demonstrate noncompliance, and some photographed signs actually seemed to be in compliance with any reasonable interpretation of the requirements. The Town has not provided a substantial amount of the requested information, including field records and an inventory of confiscated signs.
The big news, however, is that there may be a vigilante among us who is taking the law into his or her own hands. In a July 23 e-mail message, Town Clerk Estefanie Muller states: “In talking to Mr. Schober, while he removed signs, he did not issue violations, picked up the signs and housed them. Also, when he displayed the signs at the Community Center, when he returned to pick them up, he noted additional signs were added unknown to him by whom” – confirming, as outlined in our July 22 article, that the Town has, in fact, violated its own sign ordinance. »» Sign Vigilante Strikes Edgewood
Wildlife West Music Festival
by John Weckerle
This is just a reminder that today is the second (and biggest) day of the Wildlife West Music Festival in Edgewood. Headliners include the Byron Berline Band, April Verch, Boulder Acoustic Society, and Trillium Marimba. There will also be a wide variety of local/regional acts, vendors, music contests, and more – and, of course, admission includes Wildlife West’s excellent enhanced zoo! For more information, check the Park’s music festivals page.
Eh! We Will! No, We Won’t — Well, We Might?
By Chuck Ring
We reported that Santa Fe County had voted to shed themselves of the rest of the North Central Transit District and opt to join with their buddies in Santa Fe City to create their very own transit district. Our report can be accessed at this location
But, it seems the shedding was more like a temporary shearing according to a report from today’s Free New Mexican to be found here:
County Reconsiders Transit District
This potential action does not bode well for the Edgewood Community, just as the other direction contemplated by the two Santa Fes was a boondoggle for us. We will, if past history is any indication, see Santa Fe County place the proposed tax on the ballot for a county wide referendum and we will pay again for a project over which we have no control. Although our commissioner, Mike Anaya, has worked to assist us in the past he is now on the side of the transit tax and in spite of his efforts in the past on other issues, we see little to encourage us for the future as to a transit tax that will benefit Edgewood.
As reported previously, we have contributed over $900,000 through the 1/4 cent gross receipts tax supposedly for county wide water and wastewater projects and we have yet to see a return for that investment. Additionally, we do not have a seat at the table to govern how the money is expended, while Santa Fe City and Santa Fe County has four councilors and four commissioners respectively sitting on the board that governs the expenditure of the 1/4 cent tax. There are of course other county wide gross receipts taxes paid by Edgewood and as Edgewood prospers, its contribution will grow exponentially.
Whatever, the two Santa Fes may do, whether shedding or shearing … Edgewood will surely get a skinning and a shellacking.