January 26, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
The County’s proposed LUDC (Land Use Development Code) has raised hackles in the Arroyo Seco, El Salto, Desmontes, Valdez, and Arroyo Hondo area due to a number of objections.
The language of planning is complicated and more outreach and interpretation needs doing. While translating complicated language into Spanish may be impractical, surely the County can send out interpreters to explain the LUDC and answer questions from Spanish speakers or lay people, who do not understand the effects of the code. If the neighborhoods don’t buy into the consensus, as a practical matter the LUDC will not work. Those who are exposed to the code for the first time, tend to take literally restrictions that might not apply to areas that are grandfathered in.
Generally speaking, subdivision regulations, LUDC guides, and even the Taos Regional Water plan are aimed at the pressure of ...
January 24, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
(Nation) Four fugitives from the GOP “Survivor” primaries showed up for the first debate of the next show in Florida. As candidates vie for votes, they actually discuss the issues with some heat. Ron Paul has come out against foreign wars, empire building, and is all for letting bankers fall flat on their faces (No more bailouts, eh Wall Street?) Mitt Romney called “predatory” by competitors made a ton of money in the financial markets but says free markets need to be “regulated.” (Sounds un-American!) Newt Gingrich hired out as a historian (not a lobbyist) to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae for $1.6 million and won in South Carolina by playing the race card and attacking the media (Retro Man). Rick Santorum is all for throwing down on Iran if they get sticky about the Gulf of Hormuz—He’s Mr. Pro-War/Pro-life. ...
January 22, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
From what this observer can determine, only two of the several elections in the environs of Taos County have generated any heat this year: The Town of Taos Council election and the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative election of trustees. Both entities are top-down hierarchies wherein the executive teams impose their will on citizens or members, regardless of financial responsibility or regulations.
Oddly enough, the two controversial elections are connected.
The town’s Mayor, in a desperate attempt to please his cronies at the Coop and give them cover for excessive financial adventurism, has signed on to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars at the Command Center, pleading public safety. The Coop, in a desperate maneuver to maintain the status quo of the trustees, who were subject to a recall by members, allegedly ordered an employee to notarize the presence of an absent executive, ...
January 17, 2012
By: Contributor
From Catherine Kenward
If you’re interested in getting an astrology or tarot reading send me an email or call 575.758.4850 to make an appointment. You can read this week’s (or a previous week’s) forecast online at www.astrologess.com
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Monday 01/16 – It’s another slow Monday as the Moon conjuncts Saturn (8:00 AM) first thing. Take it slow until a Moon/Jupiter opposition (11:34 AM) begins to perk things up. The Moon enters Scorpio at 9:33 AM. It turns into a very pleasant afternoon when the Moon trines Venus in tenderhearted Pisces (3:05 PM). This is a great time to get together with a close friend or loved one.
Tuesday 01/17 – This is a mentally active day that’s good for any kind of communication or meeting, especially this morning when the Moon sextiles Mercury (9:24 AM). There’s a burst of energy tonight around midnight (Moon sextile Mars at 12:24 ...
January 12, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
The more it changes, the more it stays the same!
Masochism among friends...
The current debate among Republican candidates for President is impressive. The GOP seems to be at odds with itself: Proper free market capitalism (Perry and Gingrich) v. its predatory practitioners (Romney). Ron Paul, the libertarian is anti-war, anti-empire, anti-federal reserve bailouts for bankers, and pro-personal liberty per the U.S. Constitution—although he seems dubious about equality for minorities or women—if the issue is not specifically mentioned in the original U.S. Constitution.
Rick Santorum’s righteous indignation about family values is confusing. Why does a party dedicated to the free market and limited government want to regulate activities in the bedroom or get between a woman and her physician or advocate for family values but discourage same sex couples from forming whatever union they deem holy or civil? The social conservative standard of ...
January 11, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
(Editor's Note. Below Taos Friction posts an announcement from the Town of Taos. Apparently, Councilman Gene Sanchez is not a candidate for re-election. "I have accomplished what I set out to do," chuckled Mr. Sanchez. "I'm leaving the town in the capable hands of my colleagues. The Town has never been more open, transparent, or honest." Mr. Sanchez is retiring to his gardening chores. Town critic and sign man, Jeff Northrup disagrees with the Sanchez assessment but he has been defanged by regulators, according to correspondence received from the gadfly himself.)
Town of Taos Announces Candidates for Council
(Updated Town of Taos Council Candidate roster from Renee Lucero, Clerk, including emails)
Council member (Entered in order of appearance)
Candidate
Residency
Mailing Address
Email Address
Linda N. Knief
416 Liebert St. #10
lindaknief@taosnet.com
Andrew T. Gonzales
227 Ranchitos Rd.
P.O. Box 145, Taos
windowdepottaos@yahoo.com
Amy J. Quintana
402 Vigil St.
P.O. Box 2718, Taos
amyquintana@msn.com
Judith Y. Cantu
531 Dolan St.
5360 ...
January 7, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
(Breaking News) Grades for Taos Schools Announced.
The Department of Education has issued letter grades for New Mexico Schools, according to this morning’s Albuquerque Journal on Jan. 10, 2011. Congratulations go to Anansi, Taos Charter, and Taos High School, which all received "A" grades. Arroyos Del Norte, Vista Grande High School, and Ranchos Elementary received "B"s. Enos Garcia got a" C." The Chrysalis Alternative School and Taos Middle School received the letter “D.”
We’re not sure what the criteria for grading the schools is but read your local newspaper to find out and for other comparisons, say to Questa or Penasco. Hey, it’s a start and provides a guide for parents—despite all the rumors to the contrary.
County
At the Tuesday, Jan. 3 County Commission meeting, County Appraiser Darlene Vigil and her Chief Appraiser reported that an increase or “net new value” of $62 ...
January 4, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
“Gov. Martinez, Tear Down this Wall!” –Dawn Kohorst, Vendor.
Commissioner Nick Jaramillo grilled New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Region 5 Engineer, Mr. Galbadon, who appeared at the Jan. 3 commission meeting in response to a request for an explanation of the controversial (attempted) removal of Vendors from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. While Mr. Galbadon, initially, claimed “safety” was the reason for the installation of barriers, the expulsion of vendors and closure of parking lots on the east side of the bridge, he finally admitted that Taos Pueblo and their surrogate, the Bureau of Indian Affairs had threatened NMDOT with “losing our easement.”
The original 1963 “grant” of “right a way,” included conditions allowing construction of the roadway for transportation, not vending, according to the engineer. The agreement is silent on parking, vending, and the usual conditions affecting state and federal highways. Commissioner ...
December 31, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Get Rid of the Vendors or We’ll Close the Bridge!
On Dec. 30, four or five independent vendors welcomed visitors to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge at the northwest approach to the famed Taos attraction on the “other” side of the Rio Grande. Despite temporary signs erected by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) that forbid vending, the occupiers have taken charge of a tiny corner, protected by orange plastic construction columns. Vendors smiled at tourists and sold items from makeshift booths--jewelry, beverages, and curios.
Recently, NMDOT erected cement barricades on the east side of the bridge, on both sides of the highway, eliminating parking, picnicking, and vending—a practice allowed by custom since the opening of the bridge back in the mid 60s. The larger east side access area includes an area designated for parking and picnicking according to the survey ...
October 25, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
The regular monthly meeting of the Kit Carson Cooperative Board of Trustees takes place Tuesday, Oct. 25. Keep your hand on your wallet. As many of you readers know, KCEC received an order from the Public Regulation Commission to spin off the Broadband-Internet into a separate division within nine months.
Now, KCEC seeks “clarification” of that order due to its $60 million in loans and grants from the feds American Recovery and Reinvestment act. Basically, the Coop has, once again, used KCEC electric-side assets as collateral for the $20 million loan from Rural Utility Services (RUS) as part of the Obama energy package aimed at generating jobs and economic development in rural areas. KCEC has variously estimated the number of potential Broadband users at about 5,000. (In their recent filings, they said they had about 1600 Internet users.) Spend $60 million ...
October 26, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
The current craze, known as Occupy Wall Street, focuses on income inequality as the major source of complaints launched against Corporate America, which has apparently merged with the U.S. Government in what is known as an “Oligarchy” (rule by the few). Hence the enforcers work for the plutocracy (rule by the rich). According to secret memos, leaked by the CIA, organized class warfare by the top 1 % against the bottom 99% is having a destabilizing effect on civil society.
To wit: “Continued unrest, organized by educated but unemployed college students, will become a permanent part of urban, suburban, and small town landscape in America under the current system” (Memo No. 999, entitled: OWS Protests).
More: “Young people and their sympathizers are in contact with their Tunisian, Egyptian, and Libyan counterparts. Decentralized leadership is a threat to top-down hierarchies in both the ...
October 27, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
"It’s time to take the crony out of capitalism, right here at home."--(NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF, October 26, 2011, NYT)
In Taos, the KCEC Trustees (Self-dealing travel), County Commissioners (Contract for Gravel Gerty), Crab Hall Administrators (Higher Pay), Mayor and majority of Town Council (Coop Contracts) also work their ends for the "Contracts for Cronies" program as organizing principle--like Wall St. and Washington D.C.
Hey, a little corruption makes the wheels turn--we're not naive. But too much corruption creates inequality and destabilizes society. For instance, this morning we hear that KCEC has employed and/or otherwise leased land for Broadband from relatives of the Trustees. T'was always thus.
At the Tuesday Town Council meeting,Oct. 25, no essential business was transacted--because no quorum--because a councilman crony was working his contract for the KCEC, according to reports. Thus the Coop calls the shots at the Town.
Read about ...
October 28, 2011
By: Chaucer Henderson
(Political Satire) In what could be a boon and boom for southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, the Department of Interior has announced plans for the El Chiflo Water and Power project. A bi-state tri-county partnership has been created to build a hydroelectric dam to conserve water, create energy sources and economic development in Costilla, Conejos, and Taos Counties. The facility will be built near Cerro, New Mexico in the Wild River area of the Rio Grande. The project has been a lifelong dream of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar of Manassa, Colorado, and Virgil Martinez, former Taos County commissioner, current KCEC trustee, and Cerro resident.
According to a prepared statement, Salazar was quoted as saying “We’re going to make the fields bloom in Colorado and New Mexico.”
“Economies of scale are the key to agriculture, electricity, and the economy,” said Martinez.
The project ...
October 31, 2011
By: Contributor
TAOS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011
9:00 A.M.
TAOS COUNTY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Notice is hereby given that the governing body of Taos County, the Board of County Commissioners, will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will take place at the Administrative Judicial Complex, Taos County Administration, Commission Chambers, First Floor Room 106 located at 105 Albright Street, Taos, New Mexico.
AGENDA
Call to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Agenda
Amendments
Withdrawn Items
Citizens Concerns- Discussion and consideration regarding the following:
Citizens wishing to speak shall limit their comments to 5 minutes. No action may be taken.
Minutes - Discussion, consideration, and decisions regarding the following:
October 4, 2011 - Regular Meeting
October 18, 2011 - Regular Meeting
Presentations - Discussion, consideration, and decisions regarding the following:
A Presentation regarding Building Automation and Life Safety Systems ...
November 2, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
(News Advisory) For a prescient look at financial trends and corporate behavior, watch Michael Moore’s films, Sicko (2007) and Capitalism: A Love Story (2009). The films anticipate the complaints expressed by Occupy Wall Street (OWS). Contrary to Corporate and Congressional propaganda, the American way of life is falling further and further behind contemporary industrial countries—due to greedy rich people. The inequity of wealth and income, wherein the few prosper at the expense of the many, has become a sick sign of the American debacle. Now we are seeing the social reaction in terms of social unrest.
Here in Taos, predatory trustees and management at KCEC are still borrowing money against member equity and spending dollars on extravagant expenses and grandiose visions. The KCEC leadership has ignored El Norte’s tradition of frugality. Electric rate increases, recently approved by the PRC, will continue ...
November 4, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
County Update
Recently, a band of concerned citizens has voiced worries about the location of a Family Dollar Store in the pristine El Prado area. We might take a lesson from the destructive dirt pile and storage unit complex, now for sale, that sits on the west side of the north entrance to Taos between the Blinking Light and the El Prado Post Office. We don’t see the economic sense of locating an 8000 sq. ft. commercial entity in front of Overland Sheepskin. Of course, the County Commission will be growing more desperate for gross receipts taxes so they will, no doubt, give the project due consideration. A new and expanded gas and liquor facility will be built in El Prado just outside the 300-foot perimeter of the Methodist Church per the Chevron station.
A Family Dollar Store located in the Blinking ...
November 6, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Little Boxes and Big Boxes
The executive committee for "Taosenos Against Walmart Super Store” (TAWSS) met on Saturday to discuss re-igniting the activist group that succeeded in stopping the SuperWalmart in February of 2003. “We need a candidate for town council who supports the current LUDC,” said organizer Fritz Hahn. Hahn was one of the primary organizers behind TAWSS, which turned into a community-wide effort that ultimately limited Big Box stores to 80,000 square feet. Former Mayor Bobby Duran cast the crucial tiebreaker against the Big Box. Big Box advocate, Rudy “Walmart” Abeyta is leading the nightmare charge to support Corporate America at the Town Council.
Duran himself told this reporter that he hasn’t ruled out a run for city council but says, “I’m very happy in retirement.” Hahn says he might run for office unless TAWSS can find a better candidate. “We’ll ...
November 10, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Roundhouse callers say Big Gun Sen. Carlos Cisneros may be looking at a double-barreled blast during the upcoming election in 2012. TMS Board Prez Chuby Tafoya and Mayor Darren Cordova of Taos have sent up leaky trial balloons. Cisneros, Mr. Seniority of Questa, is a challengeable but formidable opponent. It takes two to tango and three to turn a dance into a chorus line. We can’t wait.
And who will Little Ramon Martinez support? Oh my, favors owed, everywhere! Better call my sister and ask her what to do. But which one?
Friction foresees an opponent for Rep. Bobby Gonzales but who has the courage? Everybody needs work. And the public dole has the deepest pockets. Cisneros and Gonzales are well cast and deserve support. You can’t buy seniority. But envidia comes naturally and Taosenos love to shoot themselves in the foot ...
November 13, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Demagogue--one who manipulates public emotions to gain power or popularity.
Recently, The Taos News reported that Councilor Rudy Abeyta said Taos needs a blend of local stores and “corporate America.” Abeyta characterized those who opposed big-box developments as “trust-fund babies” (my bold) who aren’t worried about poor people in the community. “They were given what they’ve got,” he said. “For the poor people it’s hard.” (The Taos News, Nov. 10)
The same Councilor, aka Rudy Walmart, lives in what resident Harold Timber refers to as the “Beverly Hills of Taos,” i.e. the Weimer Foothills. Though concerned about the “poor people,” Rudy voted to bail out Kit Carson Electric Coop’s Command Center to the tune of $50 grand a year and an estimated half million dollars in moving costs for the E911 Center. Opponents consider the KCEC bail-out an unnecessary budget buster and have ...
November 14, 2011
By: Contributor
Astrologess Weekly Update Nov 14 - 20, 2011
By Catherine Kenward
If you’re interested in getting an astrology or tarot reading send me an email or call 575.758.4850 to make an appointment. You can read this week’s (or a previous week’s) forecast online at www.astrologess.com
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Monday 11/14 – It may be a restless night for many since there’s a lot of astrological activity in the wee hours of the morning but people wake up in a good mood, none the less, due to a cheerful sextile between the Moon in Cancer and Jupiter in Taurus (6:22 AM). Linger at home for a cozy, extra couple of hours.
Later on there’s some conflict between the desire to stay home and the need to get out and take care of business (Moon opposition Pluto at 11:26 AM).
Tuesday 11/15 – It’s a quiet day.
The evening is flavored ...
November 16, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Blue Nights
By Joan Didion
(New York: Knopf, 2011)
“I wanted the yellow roses right there, where Vanessa had left them, with John and Quintana on the stage of the Booth, lying there on the stage all night, lit only by the ghost light, still there on the stage right down to the inevitable instant of the morning’s eight-a.m. load-out.” --Joan Didion
In Joan Didion’s new book, Blue Nights, she writes a second elegy, this time on the death of her daughter, Quintana Roo. Blue Nights is an unplanned sequel to The Year of Magical Thinking, a lament on the death of her husband, writer John Gregory Dunne. The latter was transformed into a one-person play, The Year of Magical Thinking: The Play with Vanessa Redgrave.
For me, reading Didion is like running into an old friend, due as much to geography as having ...
November 18, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Here in Taos, the private sector is secondary to the influence of government. The town, county, and schools, buttressed by state and federal transfer payments, along with major quasi-public private entities like the Kit Carson Coop and the health care sector, especially Holy Cross Hospital, are the major players and employers. In effect the political class rules over the economy. That fact may frighten some but at least we know who the politicians are and where they live.
Given the prejudices and unchanging nature of the County, the increasing failure of the TMS to address the issues, and the Coop’s continuing support of pirate capitalism, we citizens are left with Town government as our only hope. The Town offers a possibility, at least of conversation about the issues.
The current Town administration has done two very good things: Pumped more money into ...
November 24, 2011
By: Contributor
By Catherine Kenward
Monday 11/21 – It’s a quiet day. The only major lunar aspect happens before dawn when the Moon squares Pluto (4:04 AM). Early morning dreams may reflect feelings of grief or betrayal.
Tuesday 11/22 – Venus sextile Saturn (1:19 AM) is serious minded with a strong sense of responsibility and duty, especially toward family and old friends.
Sun enters Sagittarius (9:08 AM). The morning hours are difficult. Energy levels are low and people tend to feel depressed and overwhelmed as the Moon conjuncts Saturn (10:43 AM). Later this afternoon, a Moon/Neptune trine (4:04 PM) lifts our hearts and soothes our spirits. This is a good time to rest or take a nap if you can.
The Moon enters Scorpio at 6:58 PM. People get a second wind this evening when the Moon opposes Jupiter (10:25 PM), creating a more optimistic and sociable mood. After ...
November 22, 2011
By: Contributor
As the incremental costs of food, energy, shelter, water, oxygen, and health care increase, the “privatization of freedom” gains momentum. Though he said it in another context, soon, we shall be in the position of Patrick Henry, who warned his listeners to "Give me liberty, or give me death!"
As the Arab Spring has turned into the American Fall, we can see the seeds of revolution growing in the states. There are remarkable parallels between the East and West: Social networking as organizing tool, educated but unemployed and indebted young people, the increasing gap between the rich and poor, marking an exponential increase in the unfairness of American Capitalism. And the jackboots have filled their hands with batons and pepper spray.
The Corporate Oligarchy has fully exercised a financial coup d’etat and hijacked Congress and Presidency. Not only is Congress on the ...
November 28, 2011
By: Contributor
By Catherine Kenward
If you’re interested in getting an astrology or tarot reading send me an email or call 575.758.4850 to make an appointment. You can read this week’s (or a previous week’s) forecast online at www.astrologess.com
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Monday 11/28 – People are having a hard time getting back in gear after the holiday. That tired feeling seems to grow as the day wears on and we head toward a Moon/Saturn square (4:01 PM). Plan for a quiet evening.
Tuesday 11/29 – The Moon enters Aquarius at 12:02 AM.
It’s a low key but pleasant day. There’s an atmosphere of harmony as the Sun and Moon sextile (1:09 PM). Lunch with a friend cheers up the day.
Wednesday 11/30 – It’s a busy morning. The phone starts ringing early as a Moon/Mercury sextile (6:36 AM) has people eager to communicate. Heads are buzzing with plans and ...
November 29, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
An activist writes: "The town picked up 12 of my signs and gave me a ticket on Wed afternoon, just as their four day holiday was beginning. I'm going into 8th district court to get a TRO-- we'll see. The charges they brought are a joke, meaningless. Hope you're well." Jeff
(Taos Friction is currently unable to follow local issues in depth. Below, however, Friction posts excerpts from email and news of local interest. The Family Dollar Store factions for and against are discussing a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6. A tentative outline of the application process is referred to in the emails. Editor’s Note: The controversy concerns the location of the proposed store in a Wetlands—View shed area near El Prado. Opponents would like to see it relocated in the downtown El Prado business district or moved north to ...
December 2, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
During this the twelfth month of the year, the celebration of the Christmas season is officially underway. In view of the temper of the times, I resisted buying a new 80--inch TV screen on Black Friday. Hence I watch my resurgent 49ers (9-2), named for the famous seekers who sallied forth to California, long ago, in search of the gold in them thar hills, on a 32—inch electronic flat screen, owned by my friend Whitey.
Alas, unlike the distant past, we drink non-alcoholic beverages, while we cheer for the home teams.
Except for one or two of my friends, who live in the stratosphere above with the 1%, we Taosenos are members, generally, of the 99%, grubbing around in the dirt and pickins left over from the fat years. Faith, like folly and hope, springs eternal so let us join the optimists ...
December 4, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Yesterday, Sunday, a single vendor defiantly set up shop on the south side of U.S. Highway 64 and brandished a "Sale" sign.
In recent months, Scrooge, not Santa, has been visiting Taos. First, the curmudgeon shut down the “Free Box” in Taos. Now this Scrooge, in the person of the Taos Pueblo WarChief, Edwin Concha, has shut down the vendors at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Sure, he got the DOT to do the dirty work—erect concrete barriers just in time to tamp down the Christmas Spirit for both vendors and tourists, who like to shop with freelancers at the bridge.
Fire Edwin: free the vendors
(Editor's Note: Edwin Concha, former U.S. post office employee at the Albertson's p.o. is the announced War Chief, responsible for everything "outside" the village. He's considered mean spirited and hardly representative. Currently, the vendors are organizing to ...
December 6, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
http://taosgorgebridge.com/
(Breaking News, Gorge Bridge) According to documents shown to this reporter, a resolution was passed by the Taos Tribal Council, selling 35 acres to the New Mexico State Highway Department in 1963. A survey, letter from the federal government to the state government, and other documents confirm the purchase of the right-away from the tribe in that year. As well, Taos Friction skimmed over the District Court decision in the vendors' favor--allowing them to remain in the rest areas on the east side of the approach to the bridge. The documents raise serious questions about violations of civil rights under the color of the law by the Department of Transportation, Taos Pueblo, and Taos County Sheriff's Office. We expect the vendors' attorney to make some hay out of this one in district court and perhaps federal court. According to the ...
December 9, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Lawlessness and Law Enforcement: The Jackboots Comet
(Rio Grande Gorge Bridge) According to documents shown to this reporter, a resolution was passed by the Taos Tribal Council in 1963, selling 35 acres to the New Mexico State Highway Department for the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and approaches. Further, a survey, letter from the federal government to the state government, and other documents confirm the purchase of the rightaway from the Taos tribe that year. Judge John Paternoster, in a recent District Court decision, confirmed the vendors' rights to remain at parking and rest areas on the east side approach to the bridge.
To enforce the existing law, Vendors say a local attorney will seek a court-ordered restraining order or permanent injunction ordering the removal of the concrete barriers and restoration of the parking lot for vendors and tourists.
The actions taken by Taos Pueblo, ...
By: Bill Whaley
Rumor Mill
Black SUVS with opaque windows pulled up to the County Complex a couple of days ago. According to the rumor mill, a longtime employee at the Taos County Housing Authority has been busted for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars, whether arrested, fired, or put on administrative leave, nobody is saying for sure. Family members of said employee and employees at the county are being questioned. Three arrests have been made, according to friends of family members. Everybody’s mum but the shadow knows because relatives talk.
(We hear the auditor called in the feds. And the feds may “clawback” the money. The Feds might investigate the town, schools, Coop, and Pueblo for financial malfeasance while they are in town--"clawback" some of the public money spent at the Casino, where all good embezzlers go to spend their ill-gotten gains. )
Over at ...
December 10, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
Justice delayed is justice denied.
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other."' John Adams
Below, Taos Friction refers to stories that have been in the headlines with the exception of the current and unreported scandal at the County Complex, regarding "rumors" of embezzlement at Taos County Housing Authority. (See prior post re: Rumors). Notice how, according to "rumor," the Feds have come in to enforce the law, regarding fiscal impropriety at the county. While the County Commission makes decisions that many disagree with, they do so within the purview of the laws and ...
December 11, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
A Christmas Story
No, it ain’t over until Gov. Martinez sings, Gov. Cordova vacates the Taos Pueblo throne, and a district court or federal judge rules. But yesterday, Dec. 10, a man among men in this godforsaken lawless community stood up to the official lawbreakers and alleged regulators and said:
“Leave them alone. They have a right to be there.”
Of course I am talking about the vendors and the Taos County Sheriff’s Office misplaced attempt to dislocate the remaining rag-taggers from their tiny bit of ground, east and south of Taos Pueblo’s “Wall of Shame,” aka NMDOT barriers. Yes, there they were, a few vehicles, a couple of portable tables, a few items for sale under a sunny sky on a cold Dec. day, the vendors stuck on the muddy shoulder of U.S. Highway 64 near the famed bridge.
The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, ...
December 14, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
(Rio Grande Gorge Bridge) On Dec. 13, 2011, this reporter witnessed tractors and rollers tamping down the plowed up parking lot on the northeast approach to the bridge. Why? Has NMDOT decided not to plant native vegetation, the excuse portrayed in a state press release as the reason for shutting down the bridge to visitors and vendors? “Quien sabe,” amigos? Has St. Nick spoken with NMDOT?
(Taos Pueblo) Everybody at the village is talking about the brave WarChief and referring to Edwin Concha as “The Man who killed the Cow.” The story begins last summer when The Taos News reporter, J.R. Logan, posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 12:00 am the following story.
“Taos Pueblo war chief kills errant cow,” it says, “ Some ranchers are crying foul in the mountains east of Taos after the Taos Pueblo War Chief shot a cow that ...
December 20, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
In a shocking display of recognition by the voice of Corporate America, Time Magazine has acknowledged that 2011 should be remembered as the “Year of the Protester.” The Tunisian, Mohamed Bouazizi, a vendor, immolated himself and ignited the Arab Spring across the Mid East. In the American sphere Bradley Manning leaked tales of military and diplomatic horror to Julian Assange of Worldwide WikiLeaks. During the Autumn, Occupy Wall Street Protesters focused attention of the American 1% who control the U.S. Government and most of the American income and wealth.
Here in Taos County, thanks to protesters, the Dollar Store Developers are rethinking the plan to despoil five acres in front of Overland Sheepskin and have withdrawn their application. Protesters say the Dollar Store will seek a more appropriate location, possibly in already developed commercial areas. See: www.taosfriendsunited.com.
At the Rio Grande Gorge ...
December 30, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
The Sky Above
On Thursday, Dec. 29, my two gnarly dogs and I enjoyed a sunny and warm walk on the West Rim Trail of the Rio Grande Gorge, courtesy of the BLM’s efforts to preserve a bit of the wild for the enjoyment of us citizens from New Mexico and the surrounding states. We were accompanied on the trail also by a variety of non-English speakers from Asia and Europe. Japanese, French, and Spanglish were being spoken as well as English.
The sky above was mostly clear and blue, typically New Mexico. On the ground, the temperature had risen and the snow and ice were melting. I hopped from dry ground to rock and patches of still frozen snow in an effort to avoid your typical New Mexico mud.
The joys of the trail include the views of the Sangre de Cristos ...
January 19, 2012
By: Contributor
Below Taos Friction posts two letters, one to Gov. Susana Martinez and a second to the Secretary of State’s Business Division, responsible for supervising notaries statewide. Letter writer Linda Bence alleges and the record apparently confirms that the hierarchy at Kit Carson instructed a secretary to notarize the signature of an absent CEO for the sake of filing court documents, which record of decision stopped members from recalling nine members of the Board of Trustees. While the infraction of the rules seems petty, the offense is symbolic of the way the Coop does business and allegedly coerces employees in a process of alleged wrong-doing.
Friction has posted the following from the The Secretary of State’s web site.
New Mexico Notary Public
Effective July 1, 2003, a new notary public law went into effect. In addition to an increase in the application fee and the ...
January 15, 2012
By: Contributor
Mr. Mayor:
The town is currently holding two sets of my signs, plus several stuffed dogs. The signs and dogs seized on Dec. 8 continue to be held; though the town had the ticket from that date withdrawn, and charges dropped, from the town municipal court on December 29, without a hearing or trial.
The other set of signs were taken from me on Jan. 1, and no ticket was issued, nor any receipts given. I've asked town code enforcement official William Morris to return all this property, but he refuses, saying that he can't make a move until he talks to an attorney, apparently town-hired Las Vegas barrister Dave Romero.
At the opposite end we have Smith's gas which brings positive economic consequences to Taos citizens, unlike the huge waste by town government of taxpayer dollars. For the last several days there ...
January 12, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
As more information becomes available, Taos Friction will let readers know more. Apparently, Holy Cross Hospital is starting negotiations with nurses et al. Here's a flyer making the rounds of the local web. J.Forman suggests some reading for union activists from John Steinbeck below.
WE STAND UNITED!
NO TAKE BACKS!
WHAT THE HOSPITAL WANTS TO TAKE BACK:
CAP PROGRAM
EVENING/NIGHT SHIFT DIFFERENTIALS WEEKEND DIFFERENTIALS
TIME AND A HALF (IF YOU ARE 0/C AND CALLED IN TO WORK IT WILL BE FOR STRAIGHT PAY)
MAJOR MEDICAL BENEFITS
CALLING IN SICK (GO FROM 7 ALLOWED PER YEAR TO ONLY 3)
A LONGER CONTRACT (THEY WANT TO GIVE US ONE YEAR AND THEN WE START OVER AGAIN)
NEGOTIATIONS: JANUARY 16, 17, 19, 20
0830-1630 SAGEBRUSH INN
BACKLIST
By Joanne Forman
IN DUBIOUS BATTLE by John Steinbeck
Those who read probably know John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” certainly a Great American Novel, and the novel of the Great ...
By: Contributor
Report from a Former Taosena
By Joanne Forman
Many Taosenos will remember Kathy Albrecht, who was a staff member of the Taos Public Library, and who now lives near Socorro. A few months ago she joined a delegation to Honduras, in Central America, and wrote this report, which is excerpted here.
Americans may have scarcely noticed a coup in Honduras, which ousted President Zelaya, “who was rousted from sleep, flown in his PJS to an American airbase, and finally deposited on a distant tarmac two countries away…seems that Zelaya and the Honduran Congress had been about to complete a major land redistribution…approximately 200 campesinos, journalists, teachers (whose pensions mysteriously disappeared and other reformists have been killed…these murders are frequently performed with U.S. arms and tear-gas canisters lavished by us upon the Honduran military and police.
Albrecht goes on to relate, “Our delegation was visiting ...
January 2, 2012
By: Bill Whaley
Editor’s Note: Below Taos Friction posts excerpts from a letter by Jeff Northrup to “Town Leaders." Once again, town employees and cops, under orders, apparently from Mayor Darren Cordova, have “mugged” the picketer, taken his signs despite lacking proper authority, according to the town’s own municipal judge. In fact, the town employees approached the sign man without the tools of their trade and were unable to issue a citation but, apparently, grabbed his signs. The cops stood by and allowed this “mugging” to take place.
Jeff’s case is similar to the notorious situation of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, wherein Taos Pueblo has targeted street vendors. In that case, see top story, Rio Grande Bridge Vendors: Endangered Species, Taos Pueblo convinced the BIA to write a letter threatening Gov. Martinez with legal action that could result in the closure of Highway ...
December 30, 2011
By: Bill Whaley
For release on December 30, 2011
Contacts:
Governor Nelson J. Cordova
Mayor Darren Cordova
Taos Pueblo
Town of Taos
(575) 758-9593 (575) 751-2002
War Chief Edwin Concha
Gil Suazo,
Taos Pueblo Tribal Councilman Councilmember
(575-758-8626) (575) 779-0511
Abigail Adame
Interim Town Manager (575) 770-6454
Taos Pueblo and Town of Taos sign Memorandum of Agreement Regarding the Taos Regional Airport
December 29, 2011
A historic Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Governor Nelson J. Cordova and War Chief Edwin Concha on December 28, 2011 on behalf of Taos Pueblo, and on December 29 by Mayor Darren Cordova on behalf of the Town of Taos. The Memorandum of Agreement memorializes the agreement reached to address the adverse effects on Taos Pueblo traditional cultural properties and historic properties of the FAA’s approval and funding of the new crosswind runway at the Taos Regional Airport and associated airport infrastructure modifications (the Undertaking) under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation ...
