Taos County Commission Candidates: A Candid View

Unlike the SRO crowd at last night’s tourism/marketing meeting held at the old County Courthouse, the audience for the forum at the KCEC boardroom filled about one-third of the available chairs. According to those who attended the meeting on tourism, they learned a couple of things, including the difference between permanent “branding” and annual “slogans.”

Taos apparently has no brand like the state of New Mexico aka “The Land of Enchantment.” Rather the Town’s public relations’ firm develops yearly slogans reflecting a kind of organizing principle: Summer of ’69, Sacred Places, Remarkable Women, etc. Historically, litterateurs, some marketing professionals, and the man or woman on the street has referred to Taos as “The Soul of the Southwest”. According to a study by LEAP Partners presented at the historic Town-County joint meeting, the tourism or hospitality industry is responsible for 40% of the economy, thus its importance and hence the interest in marketing.

According to reports issued by scientists, drought threatens both tourism and the historic way of life, agriculture and acequias, etc. The average and avid Google gofer on the web can read a variety of chilling studies about water shortages for southern Colorado and northern New Mexico during the foreseeable future. Shortages in the Colorado River and Rio Grande will surely test the patience of signatories to interstate compacts and agencies of local government. Just as the marketing professionals must prepare for potential changes in the attractions due to a parched environment, so County Commissioners will be thrust into local, state, and national controversies caused by water shortages.

Among the commissioners running for office there is a gap between those who are familiar with the issues and bring the experience of governing to the table and those who are, unfortunately, out of touch with the issues or have ignored issues that should be as familiar as last week’s headlines. Candidates should attend the joint Town and County Meeting on Monday at Town Council Chambers at 11 am. The agenda includes the following issues: Combined E911-Dispatch, Taos Regional Airport and settlement of annexation issues, jail, County-Town water rights issues at the Complex, Regional Economic Plan, Arts and Cultural issues, Camino del Medio, Joint Marketing, Ancianos and Animal Control.

District Two

Just as I entered the forum last night, a bit late, Virgil Martinez was finishing up his remarks, reminding the audience of the County’s number one priority: We “can’t let no (sic) water out of Taos County.” Later Virgil discussed, in general terms, his experience at Taos County as a two-term commissioner and mentioned the importance of prioritizing roads, supporting tourism, ancianos, etc. Though some folks dislike Virgil or don’t understand his manner, his constituents in the northern areas of Taos County believe in him because of his demonstrable support for them in times of flood, snowstorms, electrical outages, and because he fights for the historic interests in agriculture and water, not to mention roads.

As well he has brought home the bacon so to speak in the past for the folks of District Two. Nobody knows more about gravel pits and road maintenance in the district than Virgil. Nobody knows more people. And he frightens the status quo because he speaks up for the poor people. Regardless of whether he speaks wisely or well, Virgil is a populist with a big heart.

Virgil, a republican, congratulated his two younger democratic opponents, Mark Gallegos of Questa and Darien Fernandez of Taos. Last night Mr. Gallegos seemed willing but unfamiliar with County issues while Mr. Fernandez had the single best moment of the evening, according to a spontaneous outburst of applause. When asked if he supported a tax increase to subsidize Holy Cross Hospital, Mr. Fernandez listed all the problems raised by the public. How is the money going to be spent? What about the insular board? Why is the private corporation running the hospital? What type of management corporation should be in place? As in his candidacy for town council, Mr. Fernandez is chiefly relying on his youthful appeal as someone with fresh ideas.

District One

In District One, Jim Fambro easily outdistanced Sarah Medina Martinez when it came to knowledge of specific details and issues surrounding, for instance, his support for airport expansion i.e. for fire and safety reasons. The longtime Taos fire chief emphasized the need for air tanker support during wildfires. Fambro also dealt honestly with bedeviling issues of “economic development,” saying he’d heard and read the studies but admitted there seemed little that could be done other than working hard to support ongoing private-public partnerships, etc. re: marketing, revitalization, support for small business, etc. Sarah seemed flummoxed by questions and issues while Fambro himself is one of the two candidates who has been in attendance at crucial Town-County meetings.

District 5

In District 5, Candyce O’Donnell, who has been to more meetings than anyone but the omniscient Flavio, easily outdistanced her competitors with knowledgeable and articulate answers to difficult questions. In clear terms she explained the conundrum facing the loss of ag exemptions due to drought and the solution: changing the law by lobbying the legislature. She made it clear that neither the County nor the Assessor’s office were responsible for state mandates or what she called “unjust laws.” Her ease and succinct answers are due to her familiarity with the County, both the people and the issues.

Despite having served on the P&Z Commission Ben Tafoya seemed out of touch with the County’s attempt to reach out to the communities in terms of the LUR and Manny Pacheco, a former commissioner, much to my chagrin, said that Taos was growing fast and said twice that there were fifty-thousand people in the community. In fact there are about 32,000 and reports indicate that growth is so marginal that we could, in reality, be losing population. He also skated around the issue of “Taos Regional Airport,” which has been promoted for months by the County and enlightened officials at the Town.

But the boner of the night belonged to candidate Michael Silva’s response to a question re: the No. 1 issue in Taos County. Silva claimed “collaboration,” “communication,” “no personal agendas,” and “respect,” were key issues. This statement comes from a former town counselor who supported the Town’s corrupt Cordova administration and its attempt to undermine community via the KCEC Command Center and Annexation proposals, while he was seeking public “dirt work” and broadband contracts. Apparently he neither recognizes nor understands how voting one’s pocket book is an ethical conflict and undermines the confidence of voters in honest government. Silva’s hypocrisy is exceeded only by his naïve assumption that we Taosenos are Pendejos. The insult was duly noted.

Conclusion

One can never know how elections will turn, especially given potential apathy at the ballot box. Electoral energy seems to have evaporated due to the recent Town of Taos phenomena and the about face under Mayor/Commissioner Barone. I believe Fambro is a must for the commission and will win, maintaining stability at the county. According to my Penasco contacts, Candyce made a good impression up there and now she’s got to rally voters in Weimer, Taos Canyon, and Valle Escondido. She has a passion for the community and knows the issues plus she has a temperamental ease among her fellow Taosenos. And I see Virgil playing an important role not only as a representative of his district but also as an ambassador to counties in Southern Colorado where he is also well known.

Coming soon: A forum with Judge Betty and the Boys who would be sheriff.