Tri-Government News

Historic Meeting

Gwenyfar at Right

September 10, 2008

Tuesday Business

The county commissioners met with the architect for the proposed judicial and administrative complex yesterday morning. Although this reporter was unable to attend, Commissioner Joe Mike Duran said Architect Don Dwore discussed materials being used for finish work and was meeting with court officials to discuss interior plans. Can you see Joe Mike, heavy equipment operator, as interior decorator?

During an afternoon session at the Town Council Chambers, Matthew Spriggs, the new economic development director for the town was introduced. Spriggs worked in a similar capacity at Yuma, Arizona before coming to Taos. He briefly discussed the assets of the community and emphasized that Taos should seek appropriate development: small start-up companies, for instance, with the potential to grow. He discussed “intellectual capital.� Spriggs said he was referring to creative individuals and teams that enjoy living in a place like Taos during the research and development of new ideas that can turn into products for export to the rest of the country. He said the old paradigms of trying to find manufacturing companies or companies that needed 100 workers or more didn’t fit the labor force or the culture.

Later the Town and County met to recycle discussions about recycling and recycled the issue of plastic bags. They decided not to pass a plastic bag ordinance before engaging in more public education and said they wanted to meet with major users—Wal-Mart, grocery stores—and seek support for a change in consumer habits. Both the Town and County supported the “Recycling Committee’s� efforts and suggested the committee contact Waste Management, Taos Regional Landfill Board, Taos Municipals Schools and other stakeholders. According to the committee, recycling saves on land cell costs and lessens dependence on foreign oil.

During what was referred to as an historic joint meeting of the Taos Schools, Town, and County, the extension of the mill levy for the $40 million school bond was endorsed by all three entities. Citizen’s Committee Chair Debbie Friday clarified the issue regarding the bond, saying the tax rate would remain the same and bonds and the money to pay for them would be pro-rated. The current taxes, called the technology tax, are due to expire in 2012. The forty million dollar bond will be used for remodeling, renovating, and providing classrooms and athletic fields. The three entities also endorsed ideas presented by the Taos Sports Authority (TSA), an informal group of citizens, who support building sports facilities but urge local government to avoid duplication. TSA also believes that sports programs lead to economic development and improves the quality of life, especially for children and student athletes. Basically, any number of citizens, like the members of the town's parks and recreation board, have urged officials to adopt these ideas in the past
two decades but the current composition of the school board, town, and county suggests that today's community-minded leaders are more progressive and willing to confront facts and issues confronting the whole community. School-board member Arsenio Cordova said it was time to take down the "barriers." Commissioner Nick Jaramillo urged the TSA to meet with the lodgers to assure fair treatment of tournament attendees. Mayor Pro-tem Darren Cordova called for the meeting about a month ago. It actually happened. It might seem simple and obvious but historic turf wars have kept entities apart and incommunicado.

At last night’s Taos County Planning and Zoning Meeting, the wind farm projects proposed for Highway 64 on the west side of the gorge and Highway 285, north of Tres Piedras, will continue to blow in citizens' ears. According to the loyal opposition’s attorneys, the proponents “slipshod� application was short on facts and long on “trust us� promises. Due to the major development status of the projected $150 million wind turbine field and a lack of information and time to digest it, the P&Zers voted to continue the hearing until Dec. 9. They will seek more information from applicants and opponents. The loyal opposition lives in the neighborhood of the proposed industrial wind operation.

The applicants made it clear they did not want to spend the money prior to approval on the Land Use Development Code requirements for major development, due to the expense of studies. Taken as a whole, the LUDC major development section can be compared to an environmental impact study. At last night’s meeting, it appeared as if the opposition had spent more money on research, attorneys, and experts than the applicants. Since the attorneys for the opposition consistently cited the LUDC and the applicants’ lack of response to its provisions, it seems that they are laying the groundwork for an appeal if the P&Zers approve the project. The applicants are relying for the most part on convincing citizens and the commission that they are taking a giant step toward providing renewable energy as the antidote to wars for oil. Naturally, there are proposed economic benefits in the proposal.

The wind farm battle is a good example of how differently green energy enthusiasts and eco folks view the world. Currently, the opponents live in self-sustaining off-the-grid small-is-beautiful homes. Meanwhile, the proponents have a little of the “save the world� syndrome about them. It’s the eco-freaks v. the ecoists. I’m not sure which enviro is which. Where are the tree huggers when we need them?

Public Service Announcement

On Wednesday, September 10th, at 10:00 a.m., at the Taos Magistrate Court, there will be an arraignment in the August 13th hit & run case involving Jennifer Fowler (pictured above). We are not sure if the suspect will appear. Apparently, the suspect’s attorney will argue that he should be allowed to finish a residential treatment program. We are not sure if the suspect is in the state. As far as we know, he hasn’t been arrested despite a magistrate court warrant requested by the sheriff's office. Jennifer, who is known as Gwenyfar, was hit on her bicycle by a vehicle on August 13th in Taos, NM. The suspect fled the scene of the crime. The Taos County Sheriff’s Office and state police investigated and narrowed the list of suspects to Sergio Lopez, according to reports.


(I am a friend of Jennifer Fowler (Gwenyfar) and she informed me tonight that she found out about the hearing today from her lawyer. She has just come out of her last surgery last weekend for one of her broken legs. She has already had one neck surgery and now has had a total of 3 leg surgeries). I have her contact information if anyone is interested in talking with her.) --Pamela Pereyra
575.751.9721
575.741.0798

TMS