Lovely Lorraine Reacts

Taos Friction Reprise: “Don’t Cry For Me Taosenos!”

“At Monday’s painful TMS meeting, regarding the issue of “tax lightning,” one board member blamed his own ignorance even as he said “the buck stops here.” One board member said, regardless, the community needed to confront and support the renovations for the kids. The board president was conveniently out-of-town and deferred voting until the other members voted; she has refused to take responsibility despite a lifetime of government service and experience. Later, another board member was quoted in the news as blaming the administrators for the mishandled bond sales.”

Lovely Lorraine Responds

“Despite having a lifetime government service and experience, I will not take responsibility for the property hike. I was not the financial advisor nor was I the superintendent or finance director who was all informed of this impact as early as June 1, 2010. It was they who were informed of the consequences should the bond be sold early; this information was never given to the board and the full discussion of this is in the public record of the special meeting.” –Lorraine Coca-Ruiz (“Letter to the Editor, Taos Horse Fly – School Bond Tax, September 25, 2010”)

Taos Friction: “Don’t Cry For Me Taosenos!”

“We don’t know exactly who knew what when but we hear that the Bond salesman and his company benefited—to the tune of an estimated million dollars in commissions, according to Flavio’s sources. …Stella at least acknowledged the painful difficulty—choosing between kids and ancianos or those on fixed incomes.

“I don’t know about you but when I read about high salaries for public officials, excessive travel vouchers for the likes of trustees or the legendary Don Francisco, or the misuse of funds at the County, Schools, Town, or Coop, I feel like my friends—the ones I supported and voted for—have kicked me in the stomach. And, apparently, they like to kick you when you’re down if the current situation is any example.”

Lovely Lorraine Responds

“Further it is my understanding that there is a ridiculous little blog on the Internet that claims to have some sort of media standing. The operative word is “had” media standing. Taos Friction has no traction nor does it have any standing as media in this community.

“It seems that you believe that the public officials are paid too much. You should stick to what you know and quit inventing friction in order to have something to write about. I don’t get a salary; I volunteer my time to serve on the board. As for the stipend for attending meetings, I will gladly donate the $63.00 (after taxes) to whom ever needs it the most, perhaps that is you Mr. Whaley?”–Lorraine Coca-Ruiz (Letter to the Editor, Taos Horse Fly, Sept. 25, 2010 – School Bond Tax)

Taos Friction Replies

As readers of this “ridiculous little blog” know, we didn’t invent the friction in the community but write about it. The above lament for “high salaries for public officials” refers in general to the oft reported annual wages that elected officials feel compelled to pay appointed public officials: Town of Taos Mgr., estimated $105,000 plus; former Superintendent of Schools DeLong, estimated $105,000; former Taos County Mgr Sammy Pacheco, briefly, $135,000; KCEC CEO Luis Reyes, whose reported salary of about $150,000 plus was recently given a jolt upward by the trustees.

TMS pays principals and administrators making $80,000 here and $90,000 plus there, which we find curious in light of budgetary problems. Plus, according to board members and PED, the schools are failing—attendance is dropping, graduation rates are poor, and test scores suggest a general decline. Certainly, we don’t believe any of our elected officials—with the exception of KCEC trustees who milk the Coop—are over paid.

Indeed we are sympathetic with TMS board members—especially Lovely Lorraine, Arsenio, and Stella-who have been beaten unmercifully by a biased mainstream media. And we haven’t forgotten how Lovely Lorraine earned her sobriquet by standing up to county commissioners lo’ these many years ago and alerting the community to financial improprieties. We don’t know who knew what when but somebody was napping at TMS.

In reality, the property tax impact is probably a collective screw-up but the renovation of the schools and the kids may ultimately benefit. Still, the public should have been notified of the proposed increase just as PED should have notified the board of the emergency prior to notifying the County.

Even board member Chuby Tafoya admitted he didn’t know what happened but recognized ruefully that “the buck stops here.”