Taos County Chooses New Manager

Breaking News: Taos County Commissioners emerged from executive session today and chose to make Interim Manager Jake Caldwell the permanent County Manager. Caldwell apparently meets the criteria Commissioners wanted: somebody who will remain at his post and in the community. Caldwell accepted the job, while smiling quietly as is his way.

Taos School Board Elections

Unofficial returns indicate that David Chavez and Zach Cordova have won smashing victories in Taos and Ranchos in the Taos Municipal School Board elections. In the El Prado district, Jason Silva beat Jacob Caldwell by one vote. Voters apparently hope that a new civility will help resolve problems at TMS as it has for the Town of Taos, where there is peace in the valley.

Since Governor Martinez is bringing new focus to education, the new board members may find support in Santa Fe if it decides to address issues of financial impropriety, budget challenges, declining enrollment, poor graduation rates, and the spectre of students failing standard tests. Of all elective local offices, the local school board confronts the most difficult challenges. Taos Friction congratulates the winners and wishes the board good luck.

In Penasco, according to news reports, longtime politico Mary Mascarenas lost her bid for re-election to that school board. Previously, Mascarenas lost control of the community center and the PACA (community association). Her current loss is considered by some observers to be a referendum on her husband’s Ambrose’s support for KCEC rate increases, where he serves as a trustee of the travel division.

Speaking of the Coop, Flavio says KCEC CEO Luis Reyes is moving the Propane Division into the new Command Center. Now you can call the KCEC version of 911 and request assistance from your home-owned homeland security institution. A safe room at the center, according to wags, has been designed for the “Naughty Nine,” in the event that Coop members launch an Egyptian style street protest against wild spending at the local energy HQ.

In news from Ranchos de Taos, we are following a developing story about the Ranchos de Taos Mutual Domestic Water Association. Apparently, the managers of the facility may be worried about “pressure” problems due to deferred maintenance. We don’t know if the issue affected protests against the request for a wine and beer license at Old Martinez Hall. (The establishment of a new fire chief position in Taos County, can’t come too soon.)  Mutual domestics are frequently affected by a lack of funds for maintenance. The Ranchos facility may be taxed beyond capacity by its obligations to serve commercial and religious institutions. The requirements to furnish water for a fire  in a two-story building like the new Old Martinez Hall could jeopardize the fragile system and its solo fire hydrant (s) (?).

Below, TMS is requesting help from the legislature to assist the charter high school.

Change of Use Requested

February 1, 2011

Representative Roberto Gonzales

6193 NDCBU

Taos, NM 87571

Senator Carlos R. Cisneros

Box 1129

Questa, NM 87556

Senator Phil A. Griego

P.O. Box 10

San Jose, NM 87565

Dear Sirs,

Three issues, the budget, public ownership of charter school facilities, and the limited likelihood of bond approval in the short term, have created the need to request your assistance.  As we look at housing Vista Grande Charter School and the need to reduce the district’s operating budget, the use of Celestino Romero Administration Building comes into the discussion.

The cost of renovating the Enos Garcia Elementary School East (Old Taos Elementary School) for administrative use is less than the cost of renovations for student use.  The cost of purchasing land and building for Vista Grande is prohibitive.  It appears that the least expensive solution would be to move the administration to Enos Garcia Elementary East and move Vista Grande into Celestino Romero Administration Building.

I understand that there may be a legislative prohibition to that change in use.  Since Celestino Romero Administration Building Hall was constructed in the early 1980’s and given the current economic challenges, would you be willing to sponsor legislative action allowing a change in use?  This change in use is essential to the positive completion of the current bond project.  Thank you for your attention in this matter.

I am ready to provide any additional information that may be needed.  I can be reached at 570-916-0402.

Thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely,

Rod Weston

Rodman J. Weston, Jr., Ed.D.

Superintendent

Taos Municipal Schools

cc: School Board