Taos Haberdasher Dresses Activists

TMS Audit Brief

When was the last time you saw sartorial splendor at a meeting with the new Lt. Governor? Apparently all the women and some men are talking about the latest transformation of electrical engineer and coop activist, St. Jerome Lucero, who showed up yesterday, dressed to the nines in a new suit. Hardly anyone recognized the sometimes scruffy and unshaven activist—at first.

Paul Martinez of Pauls Mens Shop

Apparently, all those meetings at Paul’s Men Store, the alternative H.Q. for the KCEC, are paying off. (Caveat: I myself bought a jacket from Paul recently.) Paul Martinez, inveterate newspaper reader, local historian, and Father confessor to disgruntled trustees, former Coop employees, and local activists now provides a dash of style for the sartorially challenged. Not only does Paul serve as a local cross-cultural information nexus—Dennis Hopper was also a customer—but the Haberdasher is encouraging local leaders, including elected officials, to wear the new shirt or suit, and generally upgrade appearances.

“If you look good, you are good,” my old friend Thom Collins used to say.

As the Chicano Chamber in El Prado has lost momentum, so Paul’s Men Store has become the new locus of power—offering an informal alternative to the Centinel Bank circle of influential minders, who run the Coop. Is Taos a great town or what? You never know whom you might meet while buying socks, a shirt, a new sombrero, or a suit. Whether a lobbyist or activist, you must dress well, too.

According to Senor Martinez, who has sold numerous volumes of his Martinez family history, his business has been good since the beginning of June. While other retailers have suffered, mysteriously or not, tourists and locals alike have given his sales a boost. Now, he’s plugged into the no. 1. Industry in Taos: Los Politicos.

A decade ago, I stopped by the Blinking Light Texaco station for my morning news. Then I moved on to the Disappeared Barber’s salon of happy haircutting. Now, I stop by Paul’s for mitote about politics and Rick’s Brodsky bookstore, a half-block away, for news of local literary lights. One stop shopping: politics and literature. Michael’s Kitchen is next door if you’re hungry and the U.S. P.O. is only two blocks away.

At one time, according to employees, the KCEC management suggested the Barber Shop was off limits. Now the Coop minders worry when they see the sartorial influence of “Suitors” on elected officials. By the way, Paul says he doesn’t have time to check all the pockets and places, where the Coop may be hiding electronic listening devices. But like Flavio says, “There are no secrets in Taos.”

The best source of secret behavior consists of public meetings and the public record. It’s just that public officials are so used to the self-censorship practiced by the local media that they forget that other organs of public information rely on simply reporting what God, la gente, and the press already know. Read about it in the Journal or in your notes from meetings, lo these many years.

For instance, considering Taos Municipal Schools, the Keystone audit, an annual and required report, in one of their findings, says, “”Management’s ability to ascertain the accuracy and completeness of the financial statements has been diminished”…because “Management does not have internal controls in place that are necessary for the preparation of the financial statements”  (my itals) for year ended June 30, 2009.

Remember, the board was attacked by administrators, the press, some board members, and misguided members of the community for ordering this audit. In another finding, the accountants say that TMS “does not have an updated inventory of capital assets and depreciation.” (my itals) We’re told that the “cover-up” at CRAB Hall continues.

The findings, which affect all the schools in the district, including the charter schools, one of which, according to the audit, sold a piece of property to TMS at a profit of $76,000—contrary to the law–go on from page 177 to 222, When you read 45 pages of findings, it’s a little shocking—like a rise in property taxes or electrical rates.

The Citizens for Quality Education need an education on the incompetence at CRAB Hall and a program to learn who the players are and whether or not they are gaming the system—like the punks on Wall St. Anansi, Taos Charter, and TMS all come in for criticism from the accounting firm. Mostly, they are late, late, late. The dog apparently ate their homework. Perhaps the Haberdasher could order some green eyeshades for finance department personnel–the same ones worn by Peter Baston, whose voice was singularly quashed by the con artists.

The audit is a tale full of fear and loathing.