Command Center Blues: Local Politics Prevails in Gay Marriage

Editor’s Note: Viva New Mexico. While other states grapple with same-sex marriage, county clerks and district judges in New Mexico have forged their own solutions to the challenge. In Taos District Court Judge Jeff McElroy issued a writ of mandamus to County Clerk Anna Martinez, who reportedly said she would comply and began issuing marriage licenses today, Wed. Aug. 28, 2013.

Given the entire national hubbub, the peculiarly local solution seems appropriate and customary in a place where the law has always been interpreted, according to local political concerns. To hell with Washington D.C. and the Governor who occupies the fourth floor of the corridors at the Santa Fe Roundhouse. How’s your national profile on Fox News working out for you this morning, Governor Martinez?

Command Center Monster

According to the website, “The Department of Finance and Administration, Local Government Division (LGD), provides administrative and technical support to local entities throughout the State of New Mexico.” State Director Ryan Gleason appeared in Taos Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013 at the County Commission information workshop to discuss the endless and ominous “Command Center” question. Gleason, more focused on his iPad than the public, emphasized DFA’s “hands-off” policy regarding the location of equipment upgrades, it pays for as the overseer of the PSAP (Public Safety Access Point) or E911—Dispatch service. Gleason did warn the assembled that if more than one PSAP was assigned to the local area, future funding from the state would dry up. State policy requires “consolidation” of local PSAPs.

Contrary to rumor, Taos town councilors Fred Peralta and Andrew Gonzales did show up (after a hasty meeting with Gleason the night before at The Legend’s bar and grill) along with the town manager, assistant manager, and town attorney. The town representatives announced that they had moved the E911—Dispatch center from the town-owned current facility on Civic Plaza Drive to the controversial Kit Carson Command Center on Gusdorf, which would soon be operational. Assistant Manager Abigail Adame spoke briefly and politely when questioned; Town Manager Oscar Rodriguez listened attentively; Town Attorney Brian James smirked and laughed, and whispered to his neighbors during the meeting.

Gene Sanchez

Though specifically questioned by former Town Councilor Gene Sanchez, neither Peralta nor Gonzales would respond or say why or justify the reason for leaving the current facility, a facility found wholly adequate and superior in almost everyway, according to Sanchez, a retired architect and indefatigable researcher, who provided councilors and commissioners with a documented history of Reyes’ controversial project, which he termed a “fraud.”

County Commission Vice-Chair Gabe Romero, pictured,  conducted the meeting in what was a remarkably gracious and informative manner, allowing public comment, while also questioning his staff at length in order to clarify costs for a new county center as well as the troubled negotiating history with the Town. The latter, according to testimony, showed a remarkable amount of stone-walling—no matter what alternative the County presented, including taking over and operating the facility at the current location or at a new publicly owned county location, the Town said, “No.”

County Commissioner Larry Sanchez emphasized his concerns, confirmed by Amalia and Questa fire chiefs regarding the failure of “repeaters” meant to relay 911 emergency calls, which Sanchez and the chiefs pointed out jeopardized structures and lives in northern Taos County, a purview and responsibility of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for which the Town of Taos has acted as agent and manager for about 15 years. In other words, the Town has neglected its duties under the current JPA for the PSAP.

County Manager Steve Archuleta and Deputy Manger Rick Bellis joined in the discussion, providing both a history of the County’s attempts to provide alternatives while briefing the public on the potential purchase of state of the art equipment for the County’s own facility in its own paid-for building. Bellis also, fairly and reasonably, mentioned that all the members of the current JPA had neglected their duties. But the Town is the fiscal agent responsible for managing the facility. Other entities contribute cash for which there has been little if any accountability.

El Prado resident Arsenio Cordova chastised Councilors, “shame on you,” Peralta and Gonzales for playing “power politics” and ignoring their own constituents and the constituents in the County by unilaterally relocating the E911 facility.

Father Cordova

KCEC publicity man Steve Fuhlendorf repeated the tired saw about the twelve-year promotion of the facility as a local emergency command center by KCEC CEO Luis Reyes and allegedly approved of by some twenty entities. Sure everyone approves of public safety like they do Mother’s Day but who is going to take care of the children and how much will it cost? A resolution is not a contract and Reyes has consistently misrepresented the lack of real support for the facility. Nobody signed on but the Town, due to The Legend’s arm twisting.

He’s a Legend

Energizer Bunny

For years elected and appointed officials have said Reyes, the energizer bunny, is short on providing the devilish details. Until late in the current Cordova administration, no single public entity signed on to join the KCEC Command Center because, historically, none of the local, state, or federal agencies received a plan or lease or schedule of operating costs and management procedures from Reyes.

Yesterday, County Attorney Bob Malone confirmed the Reyes syndrome, saying the current lease between the Town and the Coop–offered to the County–still has unanswered questions or loopholes—fill in the gap—regarding common space, utilities, taxes, and insurance (for an inadequate building). The Malone comment suggests Reyes still—after 12 years—has not figured out how to provide a standard lease for a commercial building.

Reyes and the Town have refused to allow the appointment of a board, composed of policy makers and technical professionals to make decisions as to management costs, decisions about technical programs and equipment as well as the construction and location of building and site for the PSAP.

The impasse between town and county, will, in all likelihood continue until the Town of Taos gets a new mayor and council, who  can bring peace to the valley, a valley filled with folks who would, historically, rather fight than switch.