Brief Reports and Commentary

(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 million were added to the county tax rolls in the 2011 fourth quarter. Of the $62 million, some $20 million will be taxable. Commissioner Andrew Chavez estimated the find would be worth $1 million to the county revenue stream. Basically, the Appraiser’s office visited a variety of properties, some with building permits and some without. The program is part of the state’s mandated reappraisal program that takes place every two years.

(295 net new residential structures; 142 net new not residential structures. Of 602 properties reappraised 437 properties had new or additional improvements. Only 164 building permits were reported and 72 affidavits verified, implying some skullduggery on the part of home and business owners.)

The aggressive attitude at the Assessor’s office means tax rates might stabilize for those who have been paying their share of property taxes right along. Property tax mandates by the state require the county to maintain something like 85% of the property on the roles at total market value. Stories about lost and untaxed properties in the county are legend.

At the same meeting, Treasurer Evangeline Romero said she collected a record 57% of taxes in 2011, contributing, once again, to the solvency of the current county budget. Given the national news stories about insolvency affecting a number of municipalities and counties nationwide, the town and county governments appear to be in pretty good shape at the present. (Course we probably thought the same thing about the housing authority.)

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

The ongoing dialogue between independent Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Vendors and government agencies takes on a new dimension today, Jan. 7, Sat. at 2 pm. The Vendors and the BLM are expected to meet and discuss possible relocation and regulation. (The government has got to get its thumb on the Vendors or a hand in their pockets at all costs.) We applaud the BLM for stepping in where NMDOT and Taos Pueblo fear to tread. The latter, having won the battle are currently sulking behind their massive cement barricades because they are losing the publicity war.

The Airport

In the mainstream weekly, the reporter writes above the fold about good feeling–the Town of Taos and government of Taos Pueblo working together on the Taos airport expansion. Below the fold, a second reporter writes about the Vendor—NMDOT/Pueblo Bridge feud. The unsigned editorial alludes to economic development and the advantages of appealing to the “well-heeled” visitor, who can fly into the airport.

(The current attitude of community leaders—except for the County Commissioners–reflects an inhospitable attitude toward the less fortunate folks or protesters: Eliminate the Vendors, the Free Box for poor people, the Panhandlers and Pickets so the community can present the appearance of middle class conformity—an oft tried but impossible goal.)

For the life of me I can’t figure out where the justification is for airport expansion. We already have small private jets coming and going. On and off over the last 35 years, small scheduled airlines have come and gone—failed due to a lack of demand. I don’t remember anyone blaming the absence of a crosswind runway for the lack of passengers. But hope springs eternal in the hearts of amateur air aficionados and speculators.

(Maybe the local media and rock bands need a safer and more weather resistant place to park their choppers and their airplanes.)

The expulsion of the rabble at the bridge and the expansion of the airport to accommodate the “well-heeled” might have an answer in Taos Pueblo plans. For years the Tribe has tried to transcend infighting and planned for expanded casino operations—first at the Kachina Lodge, then on the Highway to Hondo. Perhaps they have finally selected the Rio Grande Gorge, where the Bighorn Sheep play, as a site for a high-rise hotel, casino, and golf course. Fly in the high rollers and keep the views pristine—free of non-paying tourists in cars and the rabble selling trinkets. I’m only saying…

Caveat

Taos Friction will not endorse or otherwise advocate for candidates in upcoming local elections. Due to having suffered the slings and arrows of retaliation, loss of friends in the community and the absence of joy—if not humor—in the political dialogue, we shall take a powder on electoral politics. The cuates and the cronies appear to be consolidating their grip on the community but cooperation is temporary and soon followed by schisms and fissures in the public face. The issues remain fair game.