SOCORRO – Luis Aguilar, Prescilla Mauldin and Donald Wolberg all have something in common.
They all want to make a difference.
The three will get their chance beginning Jan. 12 when the three are sworn in as the newest board members of the Socorro Electric Cooperative.
In the Oct. 3 District III elections, the three unseated incumbents. Aguilar defeated Herman Romero, Mauldin beat Juan Gonzales and Wolberg defeated Harold Baca.
When the trustees meet on Jan. 12, they also will make history.
Mauldin will become the first woman to ever serve on the Socorro co-op board.
“I just want to make a difference, that is really the main reason why I ran,” Mauldin said. “My platform was that I wanted to have one meeting a month. I wanted to have a public forum.”
The public forum was the driving force behind Mauldin’s campaign.
“The city and the county have public forums and I used to work for the Socorro school districts and the board has a public forum as well,” Mauldin said.
“I think the Socorro Electric co-op should adopt a similar policy. Members should be allowed to speak if they have a question and not have to make an appointment for the following month.”
Mauldin realizes that she probably be on the short end of most votes.
“I likely will not be part of the majority but at least we will have a voice and we can go on the record,” she said.
Mauldin, a gift shop manager at the VLA, also vowed she would not take any excess money that was not earmarked for her expenditures.
“I have my own money,” she said. “That is their (members’) money.”
Wolberg, an adjunct professor at New Mexico Tech, echoed those sentiments.
“I am not going to take any money for attending any of those meetings,” Wolberg said.
“I made a pledge that I would not accept anything from anybody unless the people approved it. I have turned down the medical insurance, the dental insurance and the eye insurance.”
Mauldin said she turned down the insurance as well.
Wolberg, meanwhile, has other priorities.
“I want to introduce the public to the people who are out there risking their lives every day – the maintenance people of the co-op. They should know who the people are who keep their power on 24 hours a day. And we have to introduce the board to the general public. There has been a separation.”
Aguilar also wants to deal with the animosity between the board and its members.
“I kept reading about what was going on at the meetings and it was embedded in my thoughts,” Aguilar said. “Why was there so much animosity or whatever you want to call it at these meetings?
“Anyway, I kept maybe thinking well I have all kinds of time and I am somewhat intelligent and I thought I could contribute to an organization like the coop. So on the filing date, I was drinking my coffee in the morning and I told my wife that I was going to the co-op to file for candidate for trustee.”
And so he did.
“My platform was that I wanted to make things better if I could,” Aguilar said.
After winning the election, Aguilar began attending the meetings on a more regular basis.
And what he did he think of those meetings?
“I was appalled at the conduct at those meetings,” said Aguilar, who was the county manager in 1975. “You know we are all human and we should be able to conduct business in a better manner. I am hoping with the three of us coming in that the meetings will be more amicable.”
Thursday, January 7, 2010
New Trustees Look To Make Difference
Socorro Considers Legislative Lobbyist
SOCORRO – The City Council’s Budget Committee met Wednesday and decided to recommend that a lobbyist not be hired for the upcoming legislative session, but that money be earmarked for the following year.
The issue came up after Councilor Michael Olguin Jr. made that proposal at Monday night’s council meeting. At the council meeting Olguin recommended paying that person $5,000 for the 30-day session.
“It’s basically a lobbyist. The proposed fee of $5,000 would be for the entire legislative session, including committee hearings,” Olguin said. “The city needs this because it’s good to have first-hand knowledge of what’s going on in Santa Fe.
“For example, if it’s necessary for the mayor or any other city official to be there, the [lobbyist] would make sure he is aware of it,” he said. “Names for the position could be submitted to the mayor, who could then contact that person.”
Councilor Gordy Hicks agreed that in light of budget cuts in Santa Fe, a representative may be needed for the session.
“In today’s times with things getting cut at the state level, we need a specialist,” Hicks said. “Where’d you come up with that $5,000 figure? I just want to make sure we’re not putting too much (money) out there, or not enough.”
Mayor Ravi Bhasker also had money concerns.
“This sort of thing is not in our approved budget, plus the council would have to have a list of what we want this person to look at, and not just take a $5,000 check [to be there],” Bhasker said.
“It must be only approved by the council as a whole, since we’re spending the city’s money on this,” Councilor Donald Monette said.
City Clerk Pat Salome said the council needs “to look at who we want to hire, and then what we want them to look at during the legislative session.”
Councilor Mary Ann Chavez-Lopez suggested making inquiries to other municipalities on “how much they were spending on lobbyists.”
The Budget Committee, headed by Monette, recommended that the issue be studied further, and that a designated fee would be part of the annual budget.
The committee will submit its complete report at the next city council meeting, Jan. 19.
The legislative session also starts Jan. 19.
Storage Facility To Be Built At Academy
A ground breaking ceremony was held Tuesday for an evidence processing and storage facility at the New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy.
The 1,600-square foot facility will provide the State Fire Marshal’s Office with a secure location in which evidence needed for arson investigations will be preserved. Environmental controls will ensure that this critical evidence is preserved.
The Fire Marshal’s office is a division of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
State Fire Marshal John Standefer and his staff, along with Commissioners Sandy Jones, Jason Marks, and David King attended the groundbreaking, as well as officials from the city and county. While a quorum of the City Council was present, no official actions or business was conducted.
Jones said the new facility spotlights the importance of collaborative relationships between state and local government.
“Through our agreement with the City of Socorro, we’ve been able to continually enhance the services and infrastructure at the State Firefighters Training Academy – it’s the kind of relationship that not only benefits one local government, but all local governments when it comes to the important work our arson investigators do,” Jones said. “We’re proud of the strong ties we’ve built with New Mexico’s counties and municipalities.”
Brewbaker Construction of Las Cruces is the contractor.
Officials anticipate the $287,762 facility will be up and running by April 2010.
According to a separate PRC press release, Jones is turning over the reins as commission chairman to King. The commission elects a new chairman every year.
Photo: State and local officials took part in the groundbreaking for an evidence storage facility at the New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy Tuesday. Pictured (from left): PRC Commissioner David King, Councilor Peter Romero, Councilor Gordy Hicks, Mayor Ravi Bhasker, PRC Commissioner Jason Marks, County Commission Chairman Rosie Tripp, PRC Commissioner Sandy Jones, State Rep. Don Tripp, Councilor Mary Ann Chavez-Lopez, Architect John Barton, Contractor Art Brewbaker, Deputy Fire Marshal Reyes Romero, Deputy Fire Marshal Randy Arnold, Deputy Fire Marshal John Standerfer.
Magdalena Mayor Wolfe Announces He Will Not Seek A Third Term
The 2009 municipal elections are only two months away, and both municipalities have a full slate of candidates for councilor and mayoral positions.
Tuesday was filing day for all persons seeking political office in all municipal elections statewide.
In Magdalena, two term Mayor Jim Wolfe has announced he will not seek a third term.
His seat is being contested by Barbara Baca, Jack Fairweather, and Sandy Julian.
Two Trustee seats currently being held by Dolly Dawson and Jack Fairweather will be contested. Both Dawson and Fairweather’s terms are ending in March. Dawson is running for re-election, with Diane Allen and Tommy Torres also seeking Trustee positions.
All seats are for four year terms.
Anyone who did not file for candidacy, but would still like to be considered by voters can declare their intention to be a write-in candidate at Village Hall next Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voting will take place at the Magdalena Fire Department from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 2.
Village Clerk Rita Broaddus said she will be sending out absentee ballots January 26.
In-person absentee voting (early voting) begins Wednesday, Feb. 10 and ends Friday, Feb. 26.
Here are the candidates who filed for the Socorro City election in March. Write-in candidates need to file paperwork at City Hall on Jan. 12 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Mayor: Ravi Bhasker, Mark A. Santomenna
Council No. 1: Nick Fleming, Jean Louis Fraissinet, Noah D. Jaramillo, Harold Baca, Samel Pino.
Council No. 2: Donald Monette
Council No. 3: Gordon E. “Gordy Hicks, George Foulenfont
Council No. 4: Ernest Pargas Jr., Joe. L. Torres, David J. Locklar
Socorro County Sheriff's Blotter
Nov. 27
A woman from Albuquerque reported at 5 p.m. that unknown suspects had broken out a window on her vehicle while it was parked in the Veguita area. The window had been broken by rocks, and one was still in the vehicle. There was body damage also caused by rocks. No suspects at time of report.
An officer met with both the suspect and the victim at 7:40 p.m. in Escondida. It was learned that the victim had come to pick up her daughter from the suspect, and take her to live in Truth or Consequences. The suspect did not want to release the daughter, and a physical confrontation ensued. Neither one wanted to press charges but wanted the incident documented.
Nov. 29
An officer was dispatched at 6 p.m. to mile marker 144 on Interstate 25 on the report of a stolen ATV and trailer, being pulled by a blue Blazer, which was northbound from the Truth or Consequences area. The vehicle and trailer was located and pulled over. The driver stated he was transporting the trailer and ATV to Albuquerque for a friend. The actual owner of the ATV was contacted and positively identified the items as his. A criminal complaint was issued and the suspect is to appear in Magistrate Court Dec. 17 on the charge of receiving stolen property.
Nov. 30
An officer responded at 8:15 a.m. to a call from Polvadera, where a man had been found deceased. It was learned that the deceased had numerous medical problems. OMI was called to the scene and the victim was pronounced. An officer investigated an abandoned vehicle at mile marker 163 on Interstate 25 at 9 a.m. The vehicle had extensive damage to the entire front end. A number was found and the owner was called. It was learned that the vehicle had been stolen from the Albuquerque area. The victim came to the location and recovered the vehicle. It is unknown where the vehicle sustained damage.
Dec. 1
A Veguita woman reported at 4 p.m. that she found that jewelry and two saddles had been taken from her residence and storage shed. She gave the name of a possible suspect. The items had been taken sometime over a one month period the suspect was staying at her residence.
Dec. 3
A woman in San Antonio reported at 4 a.m. that the suspect arrived at her house intoxicated. She said he consumed more alcoholic beverages after he got there. She stated that he asked for some paperwork and when she could not produce it he battered her, and then attempted to batter her sister. She had physical evidence of being battered. The suspect was placed under arrest and taken to the detention center.
Dec. 4
A Veguita man reported at 10:27 a.m. that someone had broken the window to his shop. He stated that he heard his dogs barking at midnight, but did not see any suspicious characters in the area. No suspects at time of report.
Dec. 5
A driver was pulled over at 8 p.m. for a traffic violation on Interstate 25 at mile marker 177. An NCIC check showed that the Los Lunas man had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was transported to the detention center.
A man in Veguita reported at noon that someone made entry into his home by breaking a window and opening the front door. Taken from the residence was audio/video equipment. No suspects at time of report.
A driver was pulled over at 11:45 p.m. in the vicinity of Wheeler and Monterey in Veguita and could not produce a driver’s license. An NCIC check showed that his license was suspended/revoked, plus he had a warrant for his arrest. He was taken to the detention center.
Dec. 6
An officer responded at 7:23 a.m. on the report of a deceased person in Lemitar. The person had numerous medical problems. OMI was called to the scene and the victim was pronounced.
Dec. 7
A man in San Antonio reported at 7:20 p.m. that he was westbound on Highway 380 when his left rear window was shattered. He stated that he believed someone fired a small projectile, like a BB or pellet, towards his vehicle and struck the window. He checked the area but could not see anyone. No suspects at time of report.
A woman came to the Sheriff’s Department at 2 p.m. stating that she had a warrant for her arrest and wanted to turn herself in. A check confirmed the warrant.
An officer met with adult probation officers who placed an arrest order on the suspect due to his having a positive “UA.” He was placed under arrest and transported to the Socorro County Detention Center.
Dec. 8
A vehicle driven by a Socorro man was westbound on Highway 380 at 9:30 a.m. when it hit a patch of black ice. The driver lost control of the vehicle which exited the roadway at mile marker 47 and struck a guardrail, causing damage to both the guardrail and the vehicle.
A vehicle driven by a Mesquite, Nevada, woman was traveling westbound on Highway 60 at mile marker 125, when it entered a high wind area, and gusts of wind pushed the vehicle off the roadway, causing the tractor-trailer to overturn. There were no injuries and a tow truck was called to the scene. Due to high winds the semi was moved to a safe area, but the tow had to be postponed until the winds died down.
Dec. 9
A Socorro man reported at 4 p.m. that unknown suspects killed two full grown cows and a calf. It appeared that another animal had been killed and possibly taken by the suspects. Evidence at mile marker 137 on Highway 60 indicated that this other animal had been dragged to a waiting vehicle and taken away. No suspects at time of report.
Dec. 10
A Veguita man reported at 3 p.m. that he found a dead cow on the boundary of his property on Lopez Road. He was concerned with the odor and wanted to remove the cow from his property. It is unknown who owns the cow. The man had the cow removed.
Dec. 13
An officer was dispatched at 11 a.m. to the Fort Craig rest area on Interstate 25 on a report of vandalism. The complainant stated that someone threw a rock through a window, which was double-paned. The rock was located inside the lobby area. Damaged was estimated at $300.
A man in Veguita reported at 3:30 p.m. that a black gooseneck trailer had been taken from property in Belen. The officer met with the victim’s neighbor who stated that he had been called, and said that a box truck was seen taking the trailer from the yard. The unknown suspect rammed the gate when leaving the yard with the trailer. The victim stated that he has had other items taken off the property in the past.
OBITUARY: Ernest Ralph Perry
Ralph Perry
Nov. 6, 1938-Dec. 30, 2009
Ernest Ralph Perry, 71, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 30, surrounded by his loving family, in Albuquerque. Ernie (Ralph, as he was better known) was born to Fred and Marian (Tafoya) Perry on November 6,1938 in Kelly. He is survived by his loving wife, Sara (Blane) Perry of Polvadera; his son, Jamie Perry and daughter-in-law Cindie of Riverside, Calif.; his daughter, Jodi Perry and son-in-law, Bill Weldon of Polvadera; sister-in-law, Dianna Perry of Lemitar; step grandchildren, Danielle Underwood; and Jake Underwood; aunt and uncle, Helen and Joe Padilla; many wonderful cousins; and his beloved dog, Kiwi.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert (Bob) Perry. Ralph left New Mexico at the age of 11, but New Mexico never left his heart. In 1985 his dream came true when he retired from Albertson's Grocers and returned to spend the rest of his life in Polvadera. He loved meeting people, and those fortunate enough to have met him will remember his kindness, happy spirit, and ever-present smile.
A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 11:00 am at the San Lorenzo Catholic Church in Polvadera, with Deacon Mike Ybarra as Celebrant.
Burial took place in the Polvadera Cemetery.Pallbearers were Dale Nunez, Manny Perry, Lonnie Gonzales, Dion Ortiz, Bill Weldon, and Jamie Perry. Honorary Pallbearers were Wayne Goble, Ted Tafoya, Tom Hartl, Steve Hartl, and his dice table buddies at Isleta and Santa Ana.
Arrangements were under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home.
EDITORIAL: Here Is A Wish List For the Upcoming Year
Mountain Mail Editor
I hate making resolutions but here are some wishes for 2010.
* With the new trustees being sworn in on Jan. 12, there will be a positive change in how the co-op conducts its business during all of its meetings.
* Since the legislature has to figure out what to do with a $700 million shortfall in its budget, it will not cut programs that are crucial to the livelihood of the City of Socorro, the county and Catron County.
* All the local high school teams and athletes play to their potential, have fun and win as many games as possible.
* The Mountain Mail continues to be the newspaper that readers in Socorro and Catron County depend on for their local news.
* The unemployment rate goes down and the economy stabilizes.
* Some qualified people in Socorro decide to be write-in candidates for the mayor and council member openings. The day to register is Jan. 12 and the deadline is 5 p.m.
* Everybody has a much better 2010 than 2009.
Recycling update
Back in October, Loretta Chavira, a 9-year-old who lives in La Joya, addressed the County Commission about a recycling project in her community.
It was one of the first stories I wrote as editor of the Mountain Mail and it remains one of my favorites.
I received an email from Loretta’s mom Mary about what has happened since.
And as it turns out, it’s been quite a bit.
Loretta was able to obtain recycle bins from Terry Tadano through the Chamber of Commerce, which she distributed to the residents in La Joya at one of its Community Development Association monthly meetings.
Loretta also was able to obtain $800 through the Keep New Mexico Beautiful grant, with the assistance of Tadano.
The next step for Loretta is that she is going to submit a "wish list" to Delilah Walsh for trash bags, reflective vests, can crushers and a big trash can w/wheels to transport the aluminum cans. Right now, she is just working on recycling aluminum cans.
The community had a Adopt A Highway cleanup on Dec. 19, 2009, where she participated in picking up trash on the highway - that is where she thought of the idea of reflective vests, so no one gets hurt. Her next venture is to call Leesburg Auto and Hick's Paint and Body shop to see if they would pick up any junk cars in the community.
A lot of people could learn from Loretta.
John Severance can be reached at editor@ourmountainmail.com or 575 838-5555.
Wagon To Be Built at Heritage Center
El Camino Real International Heritage Center will be hosting an on-going demonstration on building a carreta, or wagon, by Gary Williams.
Williams will be at the Center, located at 300 East County Road 1598 in San Antonio, demonstrating the building of a carreta Wednesday through Friday with the exception of closed state furlough dates. Williams is set to begin work on Jan. 13.
The carreta was the two-wheel, wooden wagon used in local transport of items in communities along El Camino Real, the 1,500 mile trail that connected Mexico and New Mexico .
Carros or carrotones were the four-wheeled wagons that were used on the long haul journeys of the trail.
Wagons played a very critical role in the transportation of goods and people on El Camino Real for hundreds of years. Transportation on these wagons was a long and treacherous journey that took as long as eight months, one way from Mexico City to Santa Fe.
With the introduction of the railroad into New Mexico during the late 1880s, the use of the carreta on the trail faded away, but still thrived as a form of transportation within the communities along El Camino Real until it was finally replaced by the automobile.
OPINION: A Tale Of Two Villages
by Don and Margaret Wiltshire
The new year ahead often starts with a look back at the year just passed. I like to give the year before an evaluation based on my experiences. Subjectively, I think of all the good I have experienced and the bad.
Even at the end of a difficult year, one can be grateful they survived and are facing new possibilities. As it is said, “a better tomorrow” may be, well, “a day away”. If you think you will be here tomorrow, you are lucky. If you know you are passing, you may also be lucky, depending on your beliefs and experiences.
Anyway, January 1 is the marker we use to define a set of experiences. As good as any.
This January, Don and I have lived in Magdalena a decade and much of a year. I mention this because again this year Magdalena itself played a major part in my yearly “evaluation.” Once again “Magdalena” made my life experience a good one.
Magdalena thank you.
First I thought of all the people who worked so hard, who were so full of heart from before Thanksgiving right through the holidays. The sharing of love, care, food and gifts in families, among friends, and the wonderful organizations we have. From the Town Hall, Fire house, Marshal’s office, the Samaritan Center and churches and others. Such a small village, such a grand heart.
Then I thought of all the good things so many of you did before the holidays. The village that actually works to be there for people. Magdalena may not be unique, or could be, I can’t say. What I do know is how valuable you are. That you are home.
In another village a serious distance from Magdalena, life is different and yet similar. Our youngest daughter and oldest grandchild, Rebecca and Ixchel, have been spending their holidays in a small village in Cuba. Invited by a Cuban friend who now lives and works in Guatemala they are staying with his family.
It’s a small house, about 800 square feet. That’s just about the size of our home and many of the early houses of Magdalena.
For these holidays the house is home to 6 adults and 4 children.
The mother is up at dawn each day and to bed late each evening doing just about everything with few electronic helpers. She has a blender and uses it to make her own mayonnaise and butter. Laundry is done by hand as are all the other daily chores. It is more then a full day’s work.
The Christmas eve dinner was pork, yucca, fried plantains, beans and rice. For dessert, green papaya was cooked in lots of sugar. Generally the Cuban diet revolves around pork.
Since the “revolution” eating beef has been illegal and carries a hefty fine. I assume Cows are being protected for the making of milk, butter and cheese.
With the embargo, not a lot of food is imported.
Since farmers earn the same no matter what they produce, they produce fewer vegetables that are labor intensive. Cabbage, carrots and onions, a little corn and yucca are the main vegetables.
Everything gets used till it totally breaks down and then it is saved to recycle in another way.
“The Embargo” is the catch-all excuse for anything and everything the government doesn’t want to do. Many Cubans wonder how long the government would last without “The Embargo” to cover failures.
One thing they wouldn’t give up is their Health Care program. Twice as good as ours at much less cost. In terms of survival, it is one thing they don’t have to worry about.
I have heard nothing of a Christmas as most Americans know it.
However, in this village in Cuba, like Magdalena, caring for family, friends and one another is primary.
I give THANKS for it all and for the opportunity to share this new year.
OPINION: We Need An Economic Impact Study Right Now
By Doug May
Global warming is not a new issue. In July, 1997 the U.S. Senate reviewed the Kyoto Protocol and voted 95-0 against it (including the vote of Sen. Jeff Bingaman), but the Clinton delegation guided by Vice President Al Gore continued to support it and signed it for the administration in 1998.
In March last year, Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, the first scientist to walk on the moon and former senator spoke to the 2009 International Conference on Climate Change in New York City. This native of Silver City, New Mexico argued that the current warming is part of a natural cycle that began in the 1800s, as Earth began emerging from the “Little Ice Age” – a warming that began long before industrial emissions could have played a role. “It’s a political issue, Schmitt said of global warming fears in a recent interview. “It’s not a scientific issue,” Jack Fleck of the Albuquerque Journal reported.
To place a burden of cap and trade on the people of New Mexico at the same time that the state is trying to deal with a record-breaking decline in revenues seems unthinkable. Senator Steve Fischmann stated in an OP-ED peace in the December 21st Albuquerque Journal, “Projected general fund revenues for fiscal 2010 have declined over 25 percent (from $6.4 billion to $4.7 billion) with no sign of significant revenue growth in sight.” As a result of this situation the governor has created a citizen panel to review potential tax increases. I know of no such panel to address potential budget cuts.
While the governor and the legislature will consider new taxes, Keven Groenewold writing in the January issue of Enchantment states that the state’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) is considering a proposal to cap greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New Mexico. This is like adding extra weight to an exhusted horse that is trying to pull the cart out of the mud.
Groenewold, who is a professional engineer and the Executive Vice President of the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association, further says, “Worst of all, this is a regulation that would exist for New Mexico businesses only. It would not apply in other states. The cost of energy and goods would increase significantly in New Mexico, putting our economy at a competitive disadvantage to states around us. Why would a business locate in New Mexico if it could have lower costs for energy, goods and services in a neighboring state?”
Before any single agency imposes such far-reaching and detrimental regulations the whole issue of global warming should continue to be examined. Is there really global warming? What is causing the variation in global temperatures? How does the ecosystem adjust to an increase in CO2? Many scientists are still seeking good answers, but they are under pressure from the outside.
“Politicians say, ‘We need to reduce the uncertainty,’ and I think that’s contributed to a certain mind-set where (climate scientists) try to reduce the uncertainty” when they talk about their research, said Judith Curry, chair of the school of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech. “I’m a little bit worried about that political pressure,” she said.
We need good scientific data and a comprehensive economic impact study before more regulations are mandated.
Groenewold encourages everyone to write to the New Mexico Environment Department, 1190 St. Francis Dr., N2153, Santa Fe, NM 87502. In the letter be sure to include the Case Number: 8-19. You can also go to www.ourenergy.coop to make your voice heard.
Doug May is a retired Lutheran pastor and his views do not necessarily represent the Mountain Mail.
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