El Mitote: Beauty and the Beast in El Norte

While some of us were sleeping or studying the ways of local government and passing time discussing The Legend, Judge Jeff McElroy and County Clerk Anna Martinez were awake and looking out for both civil rights and, truth be known, creating publicity that Griffin & Associates could only dream of. Taos, as one of New Mexico’s six counties, celebrated the liberation of gay marriage on Wednesday Aug. 28 and garnered headlines from Anchorage to the New York Times and beyond…We want to congratulate these two elected officials for their sense of justice and low-key contribution to the  grass-roots march for equality

Now the Mayor of Taos has rescued The Legend from being ignored and disrespected in his own hometown and rescheduled the annual Mother’s Day Event at the Kit Carson Park, an appropriate and obvious venue. We only hope that the Town Council supports the move by demonstrating some attention to the Kit Carson Cemetery where so many famous, infamous, and good Taos citizens are buried. The presence of graffiti, broken headstones, and weeds at the historic cemetery in comparison to other better cared-for plots in the community suggests the Public Works Director needs to wake up and plant the flowers associated with the departed.

We want to praise the Town or their private contractor for the unusual and rather stunning display of flowers in the historic district flower pots. If you divert everyone’s eyes with the blossoms, they might not notice the street decay, sidewalk disintegration, potholed pavement, and mottled surfaces beneath their feet. The Mayor frequently refers to our “beautiful community” but the sandwich boards, weed-strewn sidewalks and pockmarked streets, as well as mish-mash sign code creates an appearance of something far from “beautiful.” Mother Nature gave us one of the more stunning landscapes in the world but men and women, especially in the commercial district, dishonor daily that gift.

Given the dysfunctional nature of town government, their focus on bandido movidas at the Command Center or on the Annexation of County property, we need a new mayor and two new councilors. At least one honorable “citizen,” has announced his candidacy, Mr. Fritz “the fixer” Hahn. He just wants to fix the relations between town and county, fix the infrastructure, fix the budget, and fix up the political process. As he says, he wants to “Return, Refocus, Revitalize, Restore” the nuts and bolts of governing.

Mr. Hahn has been married to a local woman, Tina Hawley, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ann Hawley for some 40 years. His son, Francis, teaches at Taos High. Another son is studying in Boulder, Colorado. The estimable Mr. Hahn is grandfather of three. He knows how to fish and has done his duty as an acequia parciante. Below, we post his resume for your private reading.

Another candidate, who has yet to commit but continues to float trial balloons is Jerome Lucero. Mr. Lucero spoke recently at the Command Center information session at Taos County, in favor of “Consolidation” as did Director Gleason of DFA. Jerome brought up the issue of the Red River PSAP, emphasizing that Taosenos and elected officials needed to work together if they wanted to create a financially sound and responsible E911—Dispatch Center.

Currently, the Town, as agent of the PSAP/JPA has decided in favor of relocating from Civic Plaza Drive to the Kit Carson Command Center for reasons, which have not been made available to the public. Meanwhile, Taos County will be focused on creating their own countywide facility and letting out bids for remodeling and equipment, etc. shortly after Sept. 1. Ultimately and despite the expense, a majority of county commissioners say they must put the safety of their citizens first and the expenses second, due to the repeated failures and mismanagement of the current E911—Dispatch services by the Town of Taos. I believe a majority of county residents support the County’s decision.

Now the countywide community needs to focus on the implementation of the Abeyta—Taos Pueblo Water Settlement and what it means for parciantes and traditional acequias. The Town, itself a signatory to the agreement, has run roughshod over a Taos Valley Acequia Association (TVAA) member, aka the Spring Ditch, whose members are refusing to sign the agreement. In turn, Abeyta signatories El Prado Water and Sanitation and TVAA are running roughshod over traditional communities in northern Taos County, specifically buying up water rights that affect the village of Questa and its outlying agricultural potential. The Abeyta signatories are drunk with federal gold and they are coming to an acequia near you.

Some of my readers might be familiar with a book and movie of the same name, “The Milagro Beanfield War,” by John Nichols. If you read the novel and imagine yourself in the shoes of the characters like Joe Mondragon and Ruby Archuleta, think of Milagro as based in Costilla or Amalia, Sunshine or Questa and think of Chamisaville as Taos, you might get some idea of what’s happening up north. Activist Jodie Cisneros and Mayor Esther Garcia have much to do if they are going to live up to their name sakes in the novels and stop the raids on water rights and the devastation of their watersheds and their once and future agricultural lands.

The Taos County Public Welfare Committee has done their duty, analyzed the impacts, and recommended a protest against transfers sought by El Prado Water and Sanitation as well as the Taos Valley Acequia Association, who are looking out for their own, two watershed valleys away. If the Taos County Commission demurs and refuses to act on the protests, who will look out for Questa and the communities in the north as this shell game continues?

Activism begins at home. The acequia you save may be your own.

Fritz’s Resume

George Arthur Hahn (Fritz), LISW Clinical Social Worker

Summary:

This highly organized and effective executive wishes to give back to the community what has so generously been given. Desiring a career change, leaving the business he helped to create, he returned to the University and obtained a Masters degree in Social Work Community Organization. Interning with Amigos Unidos while in graduate school valuable clinical experience was obtained in individual, couples and family therapy. Additional skills were gained mentoring juvenile delinquents, conducting group work with at risk youth, co-facilitating parenting classes and counseling domestic violence perpetrators. Administrative, management, community outreach and budgeting proficiencies were augmented. The state of New Mexico and the National Association of Social Work authorized LISW status after completion of graduate, internship, Master’s and LISW examination requirements; LISW licensure was obtained in August, 2010. He currently is in private practice specializing in individual and family counseling.

Hahn Counseling January, 2012 to Present

Director of a small clinic providing individual and family therapy.

Men Engaged in Nonviolence August, 2008 to December, 2011

Clinical Director, supervising all clinical staff and agency programs including: the mentoring program for at risk boys and girls in the Taos, Questa and Penasco communities; experiential activities coordinator; self empowerment group work coordinator at Juvenile Probation and the schools; summer camp director; fatherhood program clinical supervisor and batterer intervention program director; additionally, maintained a client load for individual counseling. Also responsible for all case management and liaison with school district officials. Implemented and maintained the design and analyses of statistical evaluation verifying program effectiveness. Facilitator of monthly continuing education (CEU) events for community members and mentors. Supervisor of the Juvenile Justice prevention and early intervention Gang Resistance is Powerful (GRIP) program affecting over 1500 students during the past 2.5 years. Taos County Juvenile Justice Board Chair; Juvenile Justice Gang Task Force member. Agency intern supervisor for the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University School of Social Work graduate student interns. Speaker at the National Association of Social Workers – N.M. annual conference, February, 2012.

New Mexico Highlands University June, 2006 to July, 2008

Clinical and community organization skills were emphasized with a concurrent two-year internship at Amigos Unidos, an agency specializing in counseling vulnerable children and their families. He conducted a middle school at risk boys anger management group the past two years and additionally co-facilitated parenting skills classes. A twelve-month research project investigated the effectiveness of a batterer’s intervention program and involved group facilitation and counseling of domestic violence perpetrators. While at Amigos Unidos he participated in fund raising activities, administrative, management and budgeting practices. CYFD has conducted a background check and provided clearance for eligibility to provide care. Certification has been achieved utilizing the Children’s Functional Assessment Rating Scale, compensation training with the New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission, Human Participation Protection Education for Research Teams and completion of a Love and Logic parent-training course. Competency with the DSM IV, Beck Depression Inventory, the Cole Substance Abuse / Addictions Survey, Mental Status Evaluation Form 32 and the Burns Anxiety Inventory has been achieved.

University of New Mexico, Taos, New Mexico June, 2003 to May, 2006

Returned to the University to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Recipient of the Extended University’s Academic Achievement Scholarship, 2003 – 2004. Obtained mediation certification and grant writing expertise; elementary Spanish and American Sign Language competency.

B.A. emphasis has been in linguistics, psychology, sociology and cultural studies.

Taos Herb Company, Taos, New Mexico January, 1980 to May, 2003

An international privately held, manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of medicinal herbs, vitamins and natural health care products.
Chief Financial Officer
• Launched the Taos Herb Company in 1980, with a $3000 loan.
• Guided the business to a current $1,000,000 in revenue, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 15% and a fully vested staff of twelve.
• Instrumental in expanding the business’ product lines to include vitamins and body-care products.
• Directed the business into manufacturing its own line of herbal extracts, as well as health and beauty aid products.
• Spearheaded a sales and marketing program that has expanded the customer base of wholesale and retail clients in excess of 1,000 nationally and internationally.
• Negotiated the sale of a non-essential business division to a competitor at a meaningful profit.
• Consistent record of negotiating fair and mutually beneficial purchase contracts with suppliers, regularly resulting in costs savings to the business in excess of 10%.
• In 2000, negotiated the purchase of the “Yerba” hair care company, manufacturer of natural shampoos.
• Successfully integrated the new shampoo operation into the manufacturing and distribution operation.
As a result, this new product line has grown 25% per year, and is available in over 100 retail outlets.
• Familiar with bookkeeping, accounting and extensive P + L experience; proficient with State and Federal corporate taxes, payroll and associated tax liabilities, budget forecasts, negotiating lease agreements, employee benefit programs, business liability issues, shareholder reports and dividends, re-order point levels, inventory control, and customs regulations.

NMC Homecare, Taos, New Mexico 1986 –1990

A local branch of a national home healthcare company. Health Care Provider
• Concurrent with operating Taos Herb Company, joined and made solvent a ‘start-up’ branch of NMC Homecare.
• Developed a reputation among physicians, patients, and families as a reliable, conscientious home healthcare provider.
• Revenue increased by 300% in four years.

Holy Cross Hospital 1980 – 1986
During the start up phase of the Taos Herb Company, employed as an emergency room and operating room technician.
OR Technician, Emergency Room Technician
• Provided initial assessment, care and physician assistance in the emergency and operating rooms.
• Requisitioned appropriate supplies.
• Was frequently ‘on call’ 40 hours per week, in addition to a regular 40-hour workweek.
• Assigned and successfully completed an administrative directive to reorganize and streamline the hospital’s stockroom warehouse, enhancing purchasing and re-order procedures.
• Organized and implemented an Employee Safety Program and Disaster Training for the community.
• Nominated as ‘employee of the year’ three times.

Community Service

• In 1975, launched a parent-teacher organization for handicapped children.
• In 1976, organized a basketball team and league for high school aged, special needs, young adults.
• In 1984, instituted a successful, unaffiliated, independent union organizing drive.
• In 1985 with spouse served as Mayordomos at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church.
• In 1987 served on the San Francisco de Asis Catholic School school board.
• In 1988 adopted an older ‘at risk’ child, our second son.
• In 1989 served on the San Francisco de Asis Catholic School school board.
• In 1999 – Present, coordinated the legal and financial committees of T.A.W.S.S. (Taosenos Against the Wal-Mart Super Store), a ‘grass-roots’ campaign to thwart the Wal-Mart Corporation’s attempt to build a supercenter in Taos; coordinating City, County and Tribal governments.
• 2004 – 2005, successfully presented, lobbied and obtained a resolution by city and county government to support a Veterans for Peace initiative to sustain our returning veterans offering local help and aid.