Earth, Air, Wind, and Fire

Recently one of Manby’s sons, a member of the United Realtors of Taos, “implied” in the excellent local weekly that I allowed my readers to write and say outrageous things about the proposed airport expansion project. I do. Due to his run-on periods and unclear syntax, he also conveniently implied that I condoned the remarks.

Similarly, a week or two ago, the Taos Bark and Bite person accused me of saying “hateful” things because I summarized in a brief paragraph and posted the complete findings of the NM Veterinary Board in the Stray Hearts Animal Abuse case. Though I didn’t say hateful things, I suggested the responsible parties shouldn’t cover up cruelty to animals.

When residents get shut down by the censors at the corporate media or don’t have the wherewithal to profit from Manby’s legacy, I make space available for the occasional post. Some of my long time friends and readers are against the airport, they say because of “bait and switch” tactics by property vendors, or because of altered flight paths, not to mention the potential for fallout from depleted uranium, or whatever. I dunno. I can’t keep up.

But “they” have a right to make their case even if not a realtor.

I have faith in the County’s planning director and believe he will do a good job of vetting the project. Besides once it’s in the process, the public will have access to the appeals process, the courts, etc. Full disclosure: I’m hoping to get the concession for a Mini Hooter’s Cafe in the corner of Taos Pueblo’s high rise casino-hotel and “fly-in” condo development. My off-the-record and retired architect, Gene Sanchez, is working on the plans. He’s really excited and thinks we’ve stolen the march on Manby’s Sons.

As for my view of the Taos economy, I’m with Councilor Andrew Gonzales, who said, “We live off the trickle down.” We do. We’re darn lucky here in El Norte to have our own billionaire. How many small towns in El Norte can say yea? When I read in Forbes that he might promote a scheduled or charter airline to fly in passengers, I began to believe in what I had considered sheer folly. After all the guys promoting the airport are famous for getting high over Taos due to altitude or because of flying in non-pressurized airplanes or the use of smudge sticks or whatever.

Now it’s time to take the Airport project and Young Andrew seriously. Besides Mr. Perovich and his guys need the work this winter, spring, and/or summer. And Charmin Joey is my vecino and I hear he might take Brian Shields place at Amigos Bravos. One thing for sure, neither Joey nor Pavel, who actually bought the old Humane Society Home, have ever, to my knowledge, been accused of being cruel to animals. But then, knowing the “cat and dog” people I probably spoke too soon.