Taos Bits and Pieces: “The Soul of the Southwest”
Marketing: Somebody reminded me yesterday about prior slogans associated with the Taos marketing campaign. I’ve always found the notion of “slogans” and “branding” rather ambiguous, like the term “networking.” What’s wrong with making “friends?” Though I’m told by my business betters slogans and “branding” are necessary.
Still “The Soul of the Southwest” meets the peculiar triumph of kitschy karma that describes Taos. I first heard the term from N. Scott Momaday in a piece he wrote for the New York Times Magazine back in 1983 or 1984 and I’m sticking with it. Under this rubric you can include all your promotional elements, be it getting higher, skiing, the Monument, or the Arts. You can say it sincerely or with utter sarcasm. Taos appears to be a bit tattered around the edges but I think we can all agree that that the “Soul of the Southwest” needs reviving. We’re told there’s a marketing meeting today so interested parties can attend. I think they are held at the Visitor’s Center, beginning at 9 am.
Town of Taos: At last night’s special meeting, March 17, the Mayor and Council named, as expected, Rick Bellis as town manager and Jake Caldwell as attorney. Otherwise all the department heads were re-hired. Going forward, the biggest challenges appear to be dealing with the nuts and bolts of “deferred maintenance.” Whether the need is for a new roof at the swimming pool, decaying streets and sidewalks, or water and sewer infrastructure, the Barrone administration has its work cut out for it. It will take some time to figure out the past, how much money is available, bonding capacity, etc. in anticipation of the future plans.
Apparently, the Town will join the County in the new Command Center at the Complex and drop the annexation lawsuit. In turn the County will be asked to fore-go the gross receipts taxes generated by the airport expansion so that the Town can match the federal grant. In all likelihood the County will pass responsibility for the Arts and Culture District and Mainstreet Project back to the Town. (Now both entities can begin the search for grants to complete the old County Courthouse project per architect David Henry’s fine preliminary research and design.) As well, the Friction predicts an end to litigation between the Town and the Spring Ditch. Let their be peace among the parciantes and the Mayor and Council.
Taos County: Today, March 18, the County will recognize Trudy Healy for her local and statewide work as a ten-year member of the Water Trust Board.
As well the County will consider amendments to the animal ordinance, Art and Artifacts Review Committee resolution (expanding membership) and an amendment to the Water Advisory Board ordinance. The Art and Artifacts Committee is poised for action but has suffered set backs due to a lack of a quorum at meetings. The Water Advisory Board is becoming increasingly important as predatory water buyers representing our downstream neighbors come looking for water upstream in Taos County.
Among a number of budget adjustments, etc. the County will discuss detention policies, policies and costs for Town of Taos inmates, a variety of financial issues re: the proposed E911—Dispatch Center. After doing its due diligence and analyzing the audit, the County is also moving ahead with the Ancianos project. And there will be the expected revisions and/or policy decisions re: the arts and cultural district. We hear a compromise on charges for Town of Taos inmates at the detention center will be broached.
County Political Campaigns and Issues. In prior coverage Taos Friction didn’t mention the County Assessor’s race. Taos County indigent fund coordinator Tammy M. Jaramillo, Deputy Assessor Roberta (Bobbi) Deherrera, former commissioner Andrew Chavez, and Abel Montoya are all running in the democratic primary.
For Probate Judge, the winner of the June primary between democrats Maxine Valerio Montoya and Paloma G. Romo will face republican Michael A. Torrez in November.
Though the County Commission races do not have the same intensity as the recent municipal elections in the Town of Taos, Friction believes citizens need to pay attention and support candidates who exude the “steady as she goes” policies of the current commission. In addition to continued collaboration with the Town of Taos and the challenges of preserving water resources, new commissioners will confront rising revenue needs associated with the new responsibilities the County has taken on in recent months.
There is some talk among community leaders in the town and county et al of trying to combine Planning and Zoning efforts all across the county in an attempt to envision a common future for the region. While the LUDC is an attempt to acknowledge differences among villages and neighborhoods, we also need a better grasp of the common needs that pertain to the economic and cultural elements of the enchanted circle region. By meeting with their counterparts from Southern Colorado, Taos County Commissioners have acknowledged the need for even greater regional planning and collaboration regarding the Rio Grande del Norte Monument, the Rio Grande itself, and the particular challenges of maintaining the country life and local culture common to Colorado and New Mexico.