Socorro's Amateur Radio operators will join thousands of others throughout the Western Hemisphere in a giant emergency-communications exercise on Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27. The Socorro Amateur Radio Association (SARA) and the Tech Amateur Radio Association (TARA) will set up and operate emergency radio stations in Socorro and Catron counties.
The public is invited to visit these operations. In Socorro, the "ham" operators will work at the County Annex Building, 198 Neel Avenue, and in Catron County, the station will operate from the Datil Well Campground. The operation runs from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. Once the emergency radio stations are set up, the operators will make as many two-way contacts as possible with other participating stations.
The annual preparedness exercise is called "Field Day," and is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for Amateur Radio.
During Field Day, operators set up in local parks, at shopping malls, or even in their own backyards, and get on the air using generators or battery power. Field Day was designed to test operators' abilities to set up and operate portable stations under emergency conditions such as the loss of electricity and other infrastructure.
Far from fading in the age of cell phones and Internet, Amateur Radio has been growing in the U.S. and 2009 saw more than 30,000 new people became “hams.” The technical skills of hams also improved as almost 50 percent of American Amateur Radio operators now go beyond the entry-level FCC licensing requirements and pass the more difficult testing to earn higher class federal licenses.
In past months, many reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies have been in the news. From Haiti to California, during floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes and other crises, Amateur Radio volunteers provide emergency communications for many rescue and recovery groups. Amateur Radio operators are often the first to report critical information to responders in the first hours of crisis situations. FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Weather Service, and local emergency management offices include Amateur Radio Emergency Service operators in their communications plans.
Field Day is a serious test of skill, but it also is a contest for fun and the largest "on-air" operating event each year. More than 35,000 Amateur Radio operators participated in last year's event.
"We hope that anyone interested in seeing what Amateur Radio is all about will come out to see our Field Day operations," said SARA President James Boswell.
Today there are more than 682,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and more than 2.5 million worldwide. For more information about amateur radio in Socorro County, see: http://www.socorroara.org/.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Socorro HAM Operators To Take Part In ‘Field Day’
Socorro Man Arrested For Trafficking
SOCORRO – A Socorro man arrested Tuesday on four counts of trafficking marijuana and three on possession of drug paraphernalia made his first appearance in Magistrate Court Wednesday and was released after bonding out, paying $35,000 in cash.
Jacob Ray, 27, had turned himself in to police headquarters Tuesday following a raid on his home at 1104 Sean Ave at 7 p.m. Monday.
Socorro Police Detective Richard Lopez said a tip from New Mexico Tech officer William Armijo and information from Bureau of Land Management Ranger Mark Wheeler, led officers to check out the house, which was unoccupied at the time.
“When we got to the residence there was a very strong odor of marijuana emitting from a blower sticking out of a window in the back,” Lopez said. “We secured the property and executed the search warrant.”
According to the criminal complaint, inside officers found a large in-door marijuana growing area, and covering the walls were heat shielding, rotating lighting, timers, and humidifiers.
“Along the walls were boards which had the different names of the plants being grown, and care instructions,” the complaint said.
An offset room contained several marijuana plants in different stages of growth, all of which had lighting and the same covering on the walls.
The criminal complaint said that in other rooms more marijuana was being grown.
Also located were boxes of ground marijuana and several pill bottles “which had appeared to be used to house marijuana for resale.”
Officers also found many records and receipts for marijuana, grow chemicals, and grow instructions. In plain view were several glass bongs, bong stems, marijuana in plastic baggies, marijuana pipes, copies of High Times magazine, and the marijuana Grower’s Bible.
Other items included maps, a GPS device, an AR-15 rifle, and a Ruger 10-22 rifle.
In all, over 100 marijuana plants were seized from the residence.
The date for Ray’s preliminary hearing has not been set.
Co-op Meeting Ends With Police Call
Alvin Hickox walked into the Mountain Mail office Wednesday night and said, “I never envisioned it would be that bad.”
Hickox had just come from the Socorro Electric Cooperative meeting Wednesday night and he was wearing his SEC member-owner and my vote counts T-shirt.
“They started talking about the open meetings act and all hell broke loose and the meeting was over,” he said.
Trustee Charlie Wagner had drafted a letter to Trustee president Paul Bustamante, stating the SEC had been in violation of the open meetings act since April 17 when the members adopted 10 bylaw amendments.
Wednesday was the deadline for the trustees to respond.
And they did not take too kindly to member-owner James Cherry trying to videotape the meeting.
After a lot of yelling and screaming, Wagner said that trustee Milton Ulibarri called the police. The trustees then attempted to go into executive session (another OMA violation) and eventually adjourned the meeting.
Most of the trustees headed to the door, but Wagner said he wanted to conduct a meeting with the members and fellow trustees Prescilla Mauldin and Luis Aguilar stayed.
Wagner said the police eventually did show up and asked the members to leave.
“The members have won,” Wagner said. “And I have the attorney general to back me up.”
Wagner said that attorney Dennis Francish told him that he was heading to district court Thursday to challenge the open meetings act bylaw and two other amendments passed by the members.
Everybody then left and the gate to the parking lot was being locked up at 6:20 p.m., 50 minutes after the start.
Giving advice
Sarah Welsh, the executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG), has some advice for the Socorro Electric Cooperative.
Welsh was in town last month when the Attorney General held a variety of seminars including one on the Open Meetings Act.
Welsh wrote a letter to the trustees, lending some perspective from her office.
“It is not for us to say what the precise wording of the Cooperative’s bylaws should be. However, your Cooperative members have made their wishes clear – they seek a guarantee of free access to information about how their corporation is being managed. The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government supports that effort wholeheartedly. Transparency promotes good governance, in both the public and private sectors.
“Secrecy promotes the concentration of power and control in the hands of a few, in direct contravention of democratic cooperative principles.”
Welsh went to write that each individual member has the right to inspect the books of his rural electric cooperative, which is guaranteed by state law and upheld by the New Mexico Supreme Court in Maureen Schein v. Northern Arriba Electric Cooperative. Schein, a newspaper reporter and member of the defendant cooperative, was successful in obtaining access to legal bills paid by the company.
“We urge the Board of Trustees to work with its member-owners to guarantee and provide access to corporate information,” Welsh said. “This is the practice of private companies the world over, and we submit that is the best way to ensure honest, quality service and value for your shareholders.”
Capital Credits
The Board of Trustees of The Socorro Electric Cooperative, Inc., authorized the retirement of $300,000.00 in capital credits. Member/Owners received or will receive their capital credit checks in the mail. The check represented a share of Socorro Electric Cooperative’s margin for the year 1977 and a percentage of 2004-2008 and the check was based on the amount of electricity that was purchased.
Legion Post 82 Shows How To Dispose Of Flags
By Richard TorresFor The Mountain Mail
“Today’s’ ceremony, The Dignified Disposal of Unserviceable Flags, is an opportunity for the public to view the proper way a Flag is disposed,” American Legion Post 82 Commander Jeff Terrell said last week.
Terrell was standing among Post members assembled at the Catron County Fairgrounds in Reserve for the ceremony June 14.
Approximately 20 citizens gathered for the event. Post members planted two rows of small American flags as an honor guard leading to the pyre. Atop the pyre were 60 flags
”These flags have been collected throughout the county. They are no longer in serviceable condition,” said Post member Joseph Thompson. “This is the first time such an event has been held here, and we are looking forward to this being an annual event.”
After a brief ceremony, the pyre was lit. Flames soon engulfed the nylon material.
“The blue field is cut out of the flag prior, and this decommissions its life as a flag. The blue field is burned along with the stripes. The grommets are buried separately,” Terrell said.
“I am here to support my husband Stephen and members of the American Legion. To witness this ceremony for our Flag is an honor,” Eddilu Brown said.
Post 82, known as Benevida Granee Post 82, is named after a serviceman killed in World War I.
“Our Post has members from all branches, and new members are welcomed,” Terrell said.
For more information on joining, contact Terrell at (575) 533-6140.
High School Students Attend Explosives Camp
Nine high school students are learning the science and engineering of explosives at the second annual Explosives Camp at New Mexico Tech this week.
Teenagers from New Mexico, Wisconsin, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas are spending the week in classrooms, laboratories, and field tests with national experts in the field. Each day’s activities begin with a lecture by a prominent instructor currently working in the explosives field.
“In this day and age, the world needs more scientists who understand the basic science of explosives and the finer points of studying energetic materials,” said Dr. Christa Hockensmith, program director. “We launched this program last year because it’s important to develop future explosives’ experts and because the campers are going to have an experience they’ll never forget.”
The intensive camp includes lessons in the history of explosives, the physics and chemistry of explosives, chemistry, instrumentation, blast effects and industrial applications of explosives. On Thursday, the campers take a daylong field trip to a construction company. Students also get plenty of social activities in the evenings, including movies, bowling, swimming, golf and cook-outs.
“These students are going to have incredible amounts of fun,” Hockensmith said. “They will not only get to see explosions, but also they can set them up, detonate them, learn how to evaluate explosives in our chemistry laboratories and find out how to protect buildings.”
Journey Of Hope
A team of cyclists participating in Journey of Hope, presented by KRG Capital, will arrive in Socorro as a stop on their 4,000-mile cycling event across the country to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities Tuesday, July 6.
The team will be arriving to the Comfort Inn at 2:30 p.m.
Journey of Hope is a program of Push America , the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, which raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. The team will cycle an average of 75 miles per day, a total of 4,000 miles, beginning in Seattle (June 9) and San Francisco (June 13) and ending in Washington, D.C. on August 14.
Wagner: Co-op Has Made Several Open Meetings Act Violations
SOCORRO – According to trustee Charlie Wagner, the actions taken at the last three Socorro Electric Cooperative are null and void.
One of the bylaw amendments passed at the annual meeting by members was the Open Meetings Act.
Wagner addressed a letter to Trustee president Paul Bustamante, dated on June 7 and the trustees have 15 days to respond to the claims. They were expected to respond at Wednesday night’s meeting, which occurred after the Mountain Mail went to press.
Wagner also sent copies of his letter to attorney general Gary King, district attorney Clint Wellborn, New Mexico Foundation for Open Government Executive Director Sarah Welsh and co-op general manager Polo Pineda.
Wagner says the co-op board has made numerous OMA violations at the three meetings since April 17.
• April 23, 2010 Violation Part II, 10-15-1 A. C. F. and G. Failure to make allowances for audio and video recording devices, failure to post proper notice, Failure to provide a timely agenda, failure to record minutes accordingly, failure to deliver timely draft minutes, etc, 10-15-3.
• April 28, 2010 Violation Part II, 10-15-1 A. C. F. G. H. and I. Failure to make allowances for video and audio recording devices, failure to post proper notice, failure to provide a timely agenda, failure to record minutes accordingly, failure to deliver timely draft minutes, Failure to state a proper purpose for closing a meeting, Failure to disclose items discussed and limited to a closed portion of a meeting etc, 10-15-3.
• May 26, 2010 Violation Part II, 10-15-1 A. C. F. G. H. and I. Failure to make allowances for video and audio recording devices, failure to post proper notice, failure to provide a timely agenda, failure to record minutes accordingly, failure to deliver timely draft minutes, Failure to state a proper purpose for closing a meeting, Failure to disclose items discussed and limited to a closed portion of a meeting etc, 10-15-3.
“The SEC Board of Trustees, under the provisions of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act (NMOMA), the membership made clear their intention to enhance the principal of democratic control by members,” Wagner wrote. “Just as taxpayers have a right to know as much as possible about the actions and deliberations of their governmental agencies, the member/owners of SEC whose capital is used to achieve at cost electricity have a right to the truth of all information possible.”
SEC attorney Dennis Francish drafted a letter to Trustee president Paul Bustamante and the other trustees last month that he wanted to test three bylaw amendments in court with one of them being the open meetings act. The trustees passed a resolution allowing Francish to go forward with his court filings.
Sylvia’s Friend Receives Gracious Return Home
By Anne Sullivan
Sylvia was all smiles and wags when I drove up to the house after a month-long trip to Australia and New Guinea. Since it was the season of shedding, the wags were extremely productive and soon my jeans were covered with wisps of brown hair.
“I see you’re back,” Sylvia said. “What did you bring me?”
“Well,” I answered as I struggled into the house with some of my luggage, Sylvia at my heels, “I was going to bring you a handsome leather doggie coat from Australia but they didn’t have it in Extra Large.”
“You mean like your size,” she replied, venom dripping from her mouth. It was as though I’d never left home.
To gain her favor, I opened my suitcase. “Here,” I said after a lengthy search, “I brought you a chocolate bar with a picture of a dingo on it. The picture looks just like you, only younger.” I handed it to her.
“How nice,” she said. “But where’s the chocolate?”
“Oh, I had to eat it. You know chocolate is bad for dogs.”
“I hope it was good.”
“It was.” I salivated at the memory while watching Sylvia chew a hole in the dingo picture.
I took the hint. “I’ll bet you want your dinner.”
“I certainly do. It’s past ten o’clock.”
As I was spooning out the kibble topped with a touch of Pet Pride, I heard Sylvia behind me talking to the wall.
“I’ll bet SHE didn’t spend one single minute thinking about me while SHE was away,” she muttered.
“Who are you betting with? And you don’t have to talk around me. I can hear you. I’ll have you know I thought of you just the other day when I ate in a German restaurant in Sydney. That was the first time in 12 years I didn’t leave with a doggie bag. I had to eat all the steak by myself because I couldn’t bring you half.”
“Why couldn’t you?”
“I couldn’t take it with me on the plane – no refrigeration.”
“I might have known,” she sneered with sadness. “Nothing for Sylvia. Out of sight, out of mind.”
“You’re very Eeyoreish tonight. Excuse me while I get my violin to accompany your plaint.”
She glared at me as she finished gobbling her kibble. I ignored her while I put my Stouffers dinner into the microwave.
Sylvia whined and I figured she wanted out. As I went to the door a woebegone Sylvia was mumbling. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it. I tried to get out but I couldn’t.”
When I neared the door I was able to see what she was sorry for.
On the threshold lay her dinner in a pathetic puddle.
“You threw up!” I exclaimed. “I knew it. You were eating too fast.”
I could scarcely hear her answer, “ I know. I couldn’t help it. I was just so excited that you were home.”
“It’s okay, Sylvia. I’ll clean it up and in a few hours I’ll make you some nice rice. Now I know I’m really home and truly home,” I said before I went to get some paper towels.
NMDOT Reopens Highway 159
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) opened Bursum Road (NM Highway 159) on Friday, June 11, 2010. The NMDOT has completed the majority of its annual spring maintenance.
Motorists can expect roadbed conditions to be corrugated (washboard), rough, and spread with loose, sharp rocks and are urged to exercise extreme caution on the Mogollon-to-Willow Creek portion of NM 159 to avoid tire and vehicle damage.
Bursum Road is a popular access point to the Gila National Forest's backcountry, and trails as well as to Willow Creek and Snow Lake Recreation areas.
The road is paved up to the town of Mogollon and reverts to native material as it climbs into the mountains. Narrow and winding, Bursum Road is characterized as single lane with turnouts.
The recommended vehicle length is 20 feet maximum. An alternative route for motorists having larger vehicles is FR 141 south of Reserve.
For more information, contact the Glenwood Ranger District office at (575) 539-2481 or the forest website: http://fs.usda.gov/gila.
Quemado: Fourth of July Activities
By Debbie Leschner
For the Mountain Mail
The Fourth of July weekend is a busy one in Quemado and activities start on Friday, July 2, with the 5th Annual Independence Day Freedom Shoot.
There is a mandatory safety meeting at 8:30 a.m. for all participants. The shoot starts at 10 a.m. at the Quemado shooting range just north of the Rodeo grounds. There are two age groups; youth (12 to 15) and adult (16 and older) with four classes in rifle and two classes in handgun. Suggested donation is $5 for each gun/stage or $15 for all four. Quemado Gun Shooters club will supply ice tea. For more info call Doug at 773- 5774 or Greg at 602 670- 1481.
A full day is planned for Saturday, July 3, starting at 7:30 a.m. with the America's Family Flea Market at the First Baptist Church. You never know what treasures await. For more information call Margaret and Don Marshall at 773-4133 if you would like to have a space.
The Quemado Senior Center will have a bake sale across the street from the Country Store beginning about 7:30 a.m. Any donations of baked goods can be brought to the center on Friday or to the booth on Saturday morning.
The Quemado Independence Day Parade will go through town at 11 a.m. Parade entries will line up behind the Quemado Firehouse at 10 a.m. There is still time to enter the parade. A $10 entry fee and signed waiver are required to participate. Judging will take place with a $50 prize in each of the four categories: animal, cars/trucks, floats and kids/other. For more information or to sign up go to J and Y Auto or call 575 773-4775.
Lunch is served at a community barbecue which starts noon at the Quemado Firehouse. BBQ brisket, coleslaw and rolls are prepared by the Senior Center. Potato salad, chili beans and cake are prepared by the Quemado Auxiliary, Quemado Lake Fire Department and friends of the Quemado Fire District. Suggested donation is $6 adults and $4 youths.
The afternoon doesn't slowdown. The Rito Quemado, the newest gas station and convince store is holding their Grand Opening on Saturday, July 3. There will be a DJ providing music, with various vendors giving away samples and prizes. One of the prizes is a O'neal MX helmet in black, gray and char truce with the Monster Energy logo. The helmet is on display at the store.
The High Plains Outlaws, Old West Re-enactments will present two western gunfights after the community BBQ. Larry and Missy Iams, Kansas City Kid and associates of Datil will perform reenactments of the shootout at the OK Corral and No Guns in Town.
A gun safety demo will be offered before each show. The Outlaws perform in authentic, period correct costumes from the years 1860 – 1900.
They have a stage setup that includes a saloon and a jail. You can get your photo taken in Tombstone Days western costume or get a warrant and send your friend to jail. You set the bail
To end the day, fireworks will begin about 9:30 p.m. These Independence Day community events are brought about through the hard work of the members and associates of the Quemado Auxiliary (a New Mexico non-profit corporation), the Quemado, Quemado Lake, Pie Town and Red Hill Volunteer Fire Departments, and community-minded volunteers from northern Catron County.
Alamo’s Recognition Day
By Nathalie NanceOn Wednesday, June 23, at Walter’s Park, Alamo celebrated academic achievements with a Community Recognition Day.
The Alamo Navajo School board, Inc. (ANSBI), Division of Community Services was in charge of the ceremony that focused on learning and education.
Manuel Guerro Sr. played the drum and entertained the audience with traditional Navajo songs. He got expert help with the singing from young Tierra Apachito and Louandra Ganadonegro, who were beautifully turned out in traditional dresses.
They also led several dances, in which the audience joined in. Alamo veterans then officially opened the ceremony by the posting of colors.
In her welcome speech, Community Services Director Marlene Herrera thanked her staff and the Alamo community leaders, who all help to make the different educational programs happen. Steve Guerro and Berna Vicente, president and member respectively, of the ANSBI board of trustees also talked about the importance of education.
“Learn, and then you can be out in the world!” Steve Guerro said.
Sherri Bennett, Post Second-ary Counselor, awarded diplomas to Alamo community members who recently completed different academic achievements.
“You are never too old to go back to school” she said.
The following persons received diplomas during the ceremony:
AA Early Childhood Educa-tion through Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute: Cortha Apache, Angie Apachito, Stephanie Crum, Renaynia Guerro, Janet Ladd, Delfina Monte, Desiree Monte, La Tanya Pinto, Sharon Secatero.
AS Business Office Techno-logy: Eloise Tracey-Guerro.
AS Office Businees Administration: Jacob Thomas.
CNA 8 credit hours through UNM Valencia: La Shonda Apache, La Tanya Apache, Shirlina Herrera, Elizabeth Thomas.
BA classes through NMHU: Lisa Baca, Jeanette Garcia, Mary T Guerro, Ella Monte, Virgie Monte, Bernadine Pino, Edith Vicente, Olivia Vicente.
Picture: Louandra Ganadonegro, Tierra Apachito and Manuel Guerro Sr. Photo by Nathalie Nance
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