Originally the Magdalena Mountain Mail, the newspaper was founded in 1888, and serves Magdalena,
and Socorro and Catron counties.
Sunday night and Monday snowfall in the western part of Socorro County kept many Magdalena commuters stuck at home and snow removal crews busy. Unofficial measurements of snow depth ranged from 8-10 inches in Magdalena, to over two feet on South Baldy Mountain. MRO Maintenance Technician Ed Iker told the Mountain Mail that drifts along the access road to the telescope ranged from four feet, to almost 16 feet. Pictured: Steve Grayson clears snow from the Magdalena Clinic. Photo by Glenn Bigelow.
SOCORRO – The recent winter weather, although troubling for some, has been a moisture bonus for river valley farmers.
According to the New Mexico Natural resources Conservation Service, the spring runoff will be well over twice the normal amount in the Gila and, at the very least, close to average in the Rio Grande basin.
Hydrologic Technician Wayne Sleep told the Mountain Mail that “basically we’re looking pretty decent this year.
“Approximately 60 percent of our New Mexico water supply comes from snowmelt,” Sleep said. “Because of this, local communities, reservoir managers, irrigators, and many others pay close attention to our winter snowpack.”
In addition to measuring snow depth and measuring weather and climate at more than 50 remote, high-elevation sites in New Mexico, NRCS measures the water content in the snowpack.
Sleep said the moisture reading at the snow measuring station at McKnight Cabin, located on the highest peak in the Black Range in Gila National Forest “was the highest on March first than since the site started operation in 1969.
“Moisture levels in Catron County and the Gila region are at 180 to 200 percent of average. The winter weather certainly favored southern New Mexico,” he said.
“The Rio Grande basin is hovering right around 100 percent. San Marcial is right at the average forecast for this time of this year,” Sleep said. “The reservoirs upstream are in pretty good shape, even though snowfall in northern New Mexico has been a little higher than average, as well as a drier season in southern Colorado.”
In southwestern New Mexico “we’re looking at highest levels on record,” he said.
The San Francisco River is expected to be “over 200 percent of average runoff for the March to May period.”
Snowpack in the Mimbres River Basin contained 246 percent of the average water content for this time of year. In contrast, the Mimbres measured at 51 percent of average water content this time last year.
“The ongoing snowfall and weather in March will be important factors affecting water supplies for the remainder of the year,” Sleep said.
Socorro County Extension Agent Tom Dean said water for irrigation will be plentiful this year.
“This has been definitely one of our wetter winters,” Dean said. “With the information from the NRCS - the measurements being as high as they are - it will be a good irrigation season for the farmers.”
Dean said although the winter moisture is up, the next concern is the possibility of continued high moisture through the summer, which could hurt the chile growing season.
“Also keep in mind that ranchers rely heavily on summer rainfall. It’s a catch-22 situation,” he said.
Jacky Barrington, 82, founder and longtime publisher of the Magdalena Mountain Mail newspaper passed away Tuesday, March 9, following a brief illness in Centennial, Colo., where she was comforted by her family.
Born Jacqueline Louise Seddon in Wichita, Kansas, to William Podmore Seddon and Mabel Ione (Cheatum) Seddon July 13, 1927, she was an influential member of the Magdalena community for many years.
Jacky graduated as a member of the National Honor Society from Wichita High School North, class of 1945.
She married Delmar Wayne Barrington August 3, 1947, and is survived by four children, Kathryn Spuhler of Castle Rock, Colo., Victoria Lindsey of Centennial, Colo., Terrence Kent Barrington of Naperville, Ill., and Thomas Brian Barrington of Magdalena; and one sister, Barbara J. Slover of Cheney, Kan. She was the loving grandmother to nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Jacky received her BA degree from Marquette University in 1966 and a MS in Sociology from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee two years later. She came to the Magdalena area in 1975 to work at the old BIA dorms as a counselor.
On November 1, 1980, Jacky published the first monthly edition of the Magdalena Mountain Mail, which focused on the politics, ranching, and mining of the area past and present, along with other historical facts about people, places, and events. The paper evolved over the years as Jacky continued to publish it even though nine months out of the year she was overseas either in Iceland or Okinawa, Japan from 1988 to 1993 while working for the Department of Defense - again as a counselor to school age children.
After retiring from the defense department, Jacky began publishing the Magdalena Mountain Mail weekly in the fall of 1994, and the focus of the paper shifted slightly to cover current community events such as meetings of the local school board, village board, Old Timers’ Association, and so on.
The paper also expanded its coverage to include western Socorro and Catron counties, with reporters in Alamo, Reserve, Datil, Quemado, Glenwood, and Luna. The last issue of the Magdalena Mountain Mail appeared on newsstands March 18, 2002.
The newspaper continued being published by new ownership as the Mountain Mail, and has strived to continue in the community spirit she established in 1980.
Jacky Barrington loved the communities and the people who lived in the high country of western New Mexico, which she demonstrated by her 22 year commitment to bring positive, informative news to all who enjoyed reading the MMM. She is missed by many.
Next week’s Mountain Mail will feature the legacy of Jacky Barrington and her contributions to Magdalena.
March 16 was filing day for candidates who will run for two County Commission spots, County Assessor, County Sheriff, Magistrate Judge and Probate Judge positions.
M. Michael Olguin (D) and Pauline Jaramillo (R) will run for the County Commission District I seat. In the District 3 race, Philip Anaya (D) will try to retain his seat and his Democractic challenger in the primary will be Anthony E. Baca. Running on the Republican side will by Amanda Gallegos.
Valentin Anaya will attempt to be reelected as county assessor and his democratic challenger will be Henry A. Jojola. The Republican candidate will be Gayl Dorr.
Philip Montoya will run again as sheriff and his Republican challenger will be Joseph R. Lopez. The Democratic challenger will be Kenny Gonzales.
Jim Naranjo Jr. will run unopposed as the magistrate judge.
The most crowded election will be for probate judge. Five Democrats will run in the primary. They are Cindy Rivera, Toby Jaramillo, Carlos Carrillo, Bill Bottorf and Richard James Sanchez. The Republican candidates are Ray Spurgin and Emma M. King. Primaries will be held June 1 and the general election will be held Nov. 2.
SOCORRO -- The annual meeting on April 17 at Finley Gym of the members of the Socorro Electric Cooperative could change the face the co-op as we know it at least for this year. On March 27, the co-op will hold an informational meeting for its members to discuss the upcoming resolutions that will be voted on.
The annual meeting will be held at the Finley Gym and that is the day members get to vote on resolutions presented by themselves and the board. But in order for a vote to happen, there needs to be a quorum of members. That means 300 or more members have to attend and vote on the resolutions.
Here is what members will be voting on after the Socorro Electric Cooperative released a report by its bylaw committee, which is chaired by trustee Leroy Anaya. Other members of the committee include Jack Bruton, Manny Marquez, Donald Wolberg and Leo Cordova.
Members will get to vote on such major issues as how many trustees will sit on the co-op board. tenure of office, compensation, redistricting, number of meetings per month and the format of meetings.
“If members want to take part and make a difference, they have to show up at the annual meeting and vote,” said trustee Donald Wolberg, the chairman of the informational meeting committee and a member of the bylaw committee. “If they show up, their voice can be heard. If they don’t show up, that sends a message as well.”
In the committee meetings, Wolberg said trustees talked about every single one of the resolutions and a lot of thought was put into the wording of each of the proposed resolutions.
“The process has been pure and the vast majority of the board has been very cooperative,” Wolberg said. “There have been no complaints and no ulterior game plan. It is up to the membership. The co-op is looking forward and not back.”
Whatever changes the members do vote to make, Wolberg said a professional group will have to be hired to implement the changes. For example if members vote to have five trustees run the co-op, the professional group will have to be hired to redistrict the co-op coverage area.
“It will be done by a professional group in a professional way,” Wolberg said.
SOCORRO - Dudley W. Palmer, 75, of Hamilton, Ohio was arrested Thursday Mar. 4, on one charge of possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, and trafficking marijuana.
The arrest followed a traffic stop by New Mexico State Police officer Greg Valentino on Interstate 25, nineteen miles north of Socorro.
According to the criminal complaint, Palmer, driving a blue Chevy van with Ohio plates was pulled over by Valentino for going 90 miles an hour heading north.
Engaging Palmer in conversation, Valentino became suspicious of Palmer’s behavior and asked for – and received - written consent to search the van.
Inside the van, hidden in several makeshift compartments, were several parcels consistent with narcotics packing.
“The 41 bundles ranged in weight from two pounds, up to 23.6 pounds. The total weight of the 41 bundles was 271.2 pounds,” the complaint stated.
Depending on market variations, the marijuana is estimated to have a street value of between $250,000 to $300,000.
A cash surety bond was set at $26,500. Palmer bonded out the next day.
According to the criminal complaint, Palmer was carrying close to $4,000 at the time of his arrest.
He is scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Jim Naranjo Monday, Mar. 22 at 1 p.m.
Feb. 7
A woman from Santa Fe was driving north on Interstate 25 at 9:15 p.m. when a large dog ran out into the roadway at mile marker 138 and was struck by the car. The vehicle sustained heavy damage to the right front and entire front end.
Feb. 14
An officer was informed at 10 a.m. of an abandoned U-Haul truck at Sixth and Vigil in Socorro. A check on the license plate showed all was fine with the vehicle. A call was then made to the U-Haul number on the truck, and it was learned that the truck was going to be classified as stolen later that day. U-Haul took possession of the truck.
A man on Kelly Canyon Road reported at 10:30 a.m. that solar panels and solar tracker had been stolen from his property. The solar panels and tracker were on an eight foot pole and had been removed.
A Veguita man reported at 4:30 p.m. that unknown suspects had caused damage to his doorway. He stated that he heard gun shots coming from a neighbor’s home and heard the rounds strike his trees and his doorway. The officer made contact with the suspect, who stated that a friend of his had used his weapon and fired off the rounds. The man stated that his friend’s name was “Froggy” and could not provide any further information.
Feb. 15
A driver was pulled over at 8 p.m. on Fisher Street for not using a seatbelt. While making contact with the driver the officer noticed a black bag with a weapon sticking out of it. It was learned that the gun had been stolen in the Socorro area. The suspect stated that he bought the weapon. He was arrested and charged with possessing stolen property, negligent use of a firearm, and not wearing a seatbelt.
Feb. 19
A woman in San Acacia reported at 10 a.m. that she received calls form a subject who informed her that she had won a sweepstakes and that money was available to her. She stated that she was asked to wire money to a Western Union office in New Jersey, which she did. It was picked up, and she was then requested to send more money, which she did not. The officer obtained phone numbers used by the caller, but those numbers were disconnected or out of service.
Two vehicles were traveling north at mile marker 183 on Interstate 25 at 1:36 p.m., when vehicle 1 struck vehicle 2 from behind. Vehicle 2 swerved, but the Albuquerque driver was able to maintain control, but vehicle 1 began a side to side roll and rolled over vehicle 2, which left the pavement, striking a fence. Vehicle 1 continued to roll and came to a rest facing southeast off the roadway. The driver and occupant of vehicle 1 were injured and transported by ambulance and lifeguard to hospitals. The driver and passenger of vehicle 2 were uninjured.
Feb. 21
A Magdalena man reported at 2 a.m. that another man battered him. It was learned that the suspect’s daughter was with the victim in Paterson Canyon when the suspect battered him. He did not want to file charges at the time of the incident, but now wanted to pursue charges. He stated that when the suspect made contact with him he tried to explain what had transpired, but the suspect grabbed him and battered him.
Feb. 22
A man on Highway 1 reported at 10 a.m. that he had received a harassing phone call from another man in Veguita. He stated that the suspect was complaining on some road work done near his property and said that the job was done poorly due to someone not liking him in the county. The suspect called again the next day and accused him of a racial slur. The victim had witnesses in the room both times the Veguita man called, and they stated that he never made any racial comments. The victim just wanted the incident documented.
A Mountainair man was eastbound on Highway 60 at 2 p.m., and was making a left turn onto Highway 47, when another vehicle was approaching from the opposite direction. Road conditions were wet and slick due to rain and snow, and the other driver skidded when he braked. His vehicle struck the turning vehicle, damaging its rear. The Mountainair driver stated he did not see the oncoming vehicle due to a heavy downpour.
Feb. 23
A Bosque man reported at 5 p.m. that a suspicious vehicle was seen in the area and that an attempt was made to steal copper wiring from a breaker box at his property. He had taken down the license number, and a check showed it was registered to a man in Belen. No contact with suspect at time of report.
Feb. 25
A Veguita woman reported at 10:30 a.m. that someone had entered her residence and stole her jewelry. She produced a list of jewelry taken. No forced entry was evident, and there were no suspects at the time of the report.
An officer on patrol at 11:18 a.m. noticed that a vehicle parked at the Walking Sands Rest Area had its trunk lock missing. A check showed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of the Albuquerque area. It was towed and the rightful owner was advised of its recovery.
A woman in Polvadera reported at noon that someone had taken the street sign “Glamours Lane” from atop the stop sign at the intersection of Glamours Lane and Polvadera Heights Road. The officer went to the area and found the street sign on the ground nearby. It was put back atop the street sign.
SOCORRO – It was a little more harmonious but some things don’t change.
The regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 10, became contentious when Socorro Electric Cooperative Trustee Charlie Wagner challenged motions concerning SEC’s delegate to the Tri-State convention.
The disagreements surfaced when General Manager Polo Pineda told the board they had to choose a delegate for the convention, set for early April in Denver. And immediately, trustee Manny Marquez nominated Leroy Anaya, who also happens to the co-op’s representative to be the Tri-State board. Prescilla Mauldin then made the motion for a vote to nominate Anaya and Donald Wolberg seconded.
When it came to discussion of the matter, Wagner objected, saying there was a conflict of interest because he already is the co-op representative but he also has allegiances to Tri-State and he might not have the best interests of the co-op in mind.
“Mr. Anaya knows what is going on and another person might not,” Trustee president Paul Bustamante said.
Wagner said Bustamante was missing the point.
Attorney Dennis Francish chimed in and said, “Leroy Anaya is a delegate to Tri State. He would have to wear two hats so to speak and it’s a balancing act. Mr. Wagner is not far off in what he saying. Charlie is correct to a certain degree.”
Anaya said there were 44 co-operatives in Tri-State and almost everyone has the same person as representative and delegate. Last year, though, Juan Gonzales acted as the Tri-State representative and Harold Baca served as the delegate.
After the discussion, the trustees voted 9-1 in favor of Anaya being the Tri-State delegate at the convention.
Later, Anaya brought up the fact that he thought the SEC had passed a resolution that it was against the New Energy petition. And that he had heard that Wagner spoke at the EIB meeting March 1 at the same time that most proponents of the petition were talking.
“I objected to our stand and I didn’t vote with the board on that,” Wagner said. “My view is on both sides of the issue. I am for clean air and affordable rates.”
Bustamante said, “There is nothing wrong with that.”
But trustee Donald Wolberg said, “Everybody is entitled to their opinion but you have to be careful if you are speaking for the board when you are out in public. Whether we agree or disagree, we have to be careful how we are viewed.”
Wagner said he was speaking for himself and he questioned who was speaking on behalf of the co-op.
He answered his own question when he said nobody, despite the fact Pineda and trustees Milton Ulibarri and Leo Cordova were in attendance at the EIB meeting in Santa Fe.
The board eventually called for executive session and when it resumed regular session board members were discussing a rough draft for a the change of bylaws. The board released the final draft to the public on its web site socorroelectric.com on Monday.
This year’s Summer Reading Program at the Magdalena Public Library will include not only the usual activities for kids but an adult program as well. The topic for both programs this year is “Water.”
I just finished the selection recommended by the New Mexico State Library: The Secret Knowledge of Water by Craig Childs. It’s cram-filled with information about the water that is found (or not found) here in the Southwest. It’s also quite an adventure story as Craig hunts down hidden pockets of life saving water in the desert, finds streams and life forms that appear and disappear and finally, runs ahead of a thundering flash flood just to see how the water will behave.
Childs is certainly in touch with the spiritual qualities of water found in the desert. Not only does it sustain all of the life forms found here, but it has a memory, a purpose and a plan as it carves out our landscape and waits and moves below the surface. I would certainly recommend this book to all participants of the State Engineer’s Office up coming hearing regarding the application by the San Augustin Ranch LLC to drain the aquifer west of us.
The purpose and intention of this tens of thousands of years old Ice Age water is not only to slowly seep into the Alamosa Creek and eventually feed the Rio Grande but also to support the water table of rain and snow-melt recharge, keeping it available for the use of us humans and other life forms. Without it, this area will shrivel to a dust bowl.
Multiple copies of this book will be available for reading and for discussion groups. I’ll pull together a list of other books on our water resources. Let me know what other programs or resources you would like or that might be available. Sign up for the adult program here at my e-mail address or at the Magdalena Public Library.
I just ran across an interesting chart of geologic time scale at Wikipidia, as supplied by the International Commission on Stratigraphy. It’s not only a handy reference for “what-the-heck-happened-when” and shows just how recently we have arrived here on this earth but also tracks the concentration of CO2 through the ages.
The earth’s climate has always been one of extremes, mirrored by the amount of CO2 available to trap our sun’s heat. Hot and steamy was just fine for the dinosaurs (with CO2 at 1200 - 1500 ppmv). The Mastodons were very happy with the Ice Age conditions after extensive forests had absorbed and fixed massive amounts of CO2, driving the concentration down to 100 ppmv. We humans, having burned all the oil and coal that we can get our hands on and cut down all of the forests that we want, have pushed the CO2 concentrations back up to 385 ppmv.
Humanity has a very narrow range of comfort zones and most scientists agree that if we continue to add CO2 to the atmosphere, dinosaur friendly, hot and sticky will become the climate du jour. Take a look at the receding glaciers and disappearing ice caps and decide for yourself. This is why I’m following with great interest the lawsuit that the Electric Cooperative and others have filed against the Environmental Improvement Board. The Big Question at the moment is whether the Board has the jurisdiction to regulate CO2 emissions or not. If not, who does?
Here again, the defenders of the earth and of the environment are at odds with the interests of business and profit. It’s going to be a painful choice. Don’t rely on all of those glossy special interest ads for the information that you need to make a responsible choice. It’s your future and your children’s future that we’re talking about here.
Eggsibition
On a lighter and more creative note, you only have until March 28 to finish decorating your eggs for Magdalena’s Eggsibition. The show of completed eggs will be held at the Bear Mountain Gallery & Coffee House throughout the month of April. The Café will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, please call Yvonne Magener at (575) 854-2151 or visit http://theeggplace.com/Info.html.
If you have any Comments? Problems? Solutions? Up coming Events? Unhatched Dinosaur Eggs for Decoration? Contact me at
A lot of credit should be given to the Magdalena girls basketball team, which finished its season with a 28-1 record.
I am sure the Lady Steers would have liked nothing better than to win a state championship. And they were close. Really close.
Magdalena lost 48-46 to Floyd Thursday night in the Class A state semifinals at the Santa Ana Center and it had its opportunities.
But that’s basketball and sometimes a little luck is involved in trying to win a championship.
The Lady Steers and their coaches should not hang their heads. They should be proud of what they have accomplished.
March Madness
Even more college basketball fans in the state of New Mexico will be afflicted with the disease called March Madness.
New Mexico already knew it was going to the Big Dance even before the Mountain West Tournament. And despite losing to San Diego State in the conference tournament semifinals, the Lobos still earned a third seed and a date against Montana on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Lobos aren’t the only New Mexico school dancing.
The New Mexico State Aggies rolled through its conference tournament and earned an automatic bid and they will face Michigan State Friday night.
Both games can be seen on KRQE Channel 13.
Ride The Express
Hopefully, you have looked at your last two installments of the Mountain Mail Express. Each month, we will publish the Express with all new original content. It’s a great chance for our advertisers to be seen in every household in Socorro and Catron County. Why is that? We mail it to every single post office box and residence in the two counties. Nobody can beat that kind of coverage. Call the Mountain Mail at 575 838-5555 if you are interested in advertising. You won’t be disappointed.
Proper Credit
The Mountain Mail failed to give proper credit for the photo of the Magdalena girls basketball game against Grady last week. The credit for the photo should go to www.kimjewsports.com.
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