Dangerous Potholes, Talk, Action, and Kid Gloves
While Mayor Barrone and Manager Rick Bellis in Taos have seen to sweeping up the daily deposit of snow or dirt in town, they somehow neglect the potholes, which are growing larger and expanding beyond mere bounces and jounces. Councilor Fritz Hahn, during his campaign repeatedly emphasized the dangers posed by potholes to small children on bicycles. While Councilor Hahn has made a name for himself as a hardheaded advocate of social justice issues in the Red Willow matter, his constituents are disappearing into black holes.
On Thursday night, Jan. 22, your functionary here attended the town meeting where the Mayor, Manager, and Council gathered to hear the community’s concerns. The mood was civil. The mayor, manager, council, and audience all behaved.
Initially, Chief Weaver, who said he could “talk paint off metal” went on to prove his point while discussing issues of public safety. He claimed that with the exception of auto burglary, which was going up due to an appetite for drugs, crime rates have fallen.
A spokesman for the Farmer’s Market, Paul Cross, said the group seeks a three-year deal for locating food vendors on the Plaza. Not content with taking over the Plaza on Saturday mornings, Cross also asked the Council to rent more private parking spaces and, in turn, allow customers and vendors to park for free. Councilor Andrew Gonzales diplomatically reminded the farmer that the town’s financial resources were limited.
Cross said the Plaza provided Farmers space last year for about 100 booths and said the Plaza had potential space for a total of 120. Depending on the weather, the Market could outgrow the Plaza this year. A member of the audience suggested the Market ought to explore a relationship with Our Lady of Guadalupe, which has parking galore, a block west of the Plaza. Some Plaza businesses object to the closure of the Plaza on Saturdays and some farmers object to the requirements that they unload and load up in timely lockstep fashion due to competing needs for Plaza access.
According to the agenda, the Town will consider an implicit deal with the Farmer’s Market at Tuesday’s council meeting re: street closures.
Most of the conversation about the “revitalization” of the Plaza on Thursday night was redundant. The same issues came up when the Plaza Merchants met in the seventies: Plaza closure, parking meters, revitalizing of the community commons, merchants urged to stay open late at night, employees taking up most of the parking spaces, etc. The planner for Mayor Phil Cantu, Councilor Cantu’s father, discussed closing the Plaza and faced full-scale rebellion.
On Thursday night Manager Bellis introduced the Town’s grant writer, who announced that the community had received a number of planning grants. Planning grants, though a necessity, are like community meetings, and serve as a substitute for action. Mayor Peralta oversaw the production of Vision 2020 and Mayor Cordova oversaw various versions of plans re: an Arts and Cultural District along with innuendos about “Mainstreet.” All these plans, like the Taos Project, add up to excuse for argument and indecision, which confirms the tendency toward community inertia. You might end up with a couple of alleys paved over with bricks and more damn signs for sure. We need fewer signs, not more.
But there is change—action—and good news coming from one Plaza property owner: Taos County. According to Commissioner Jim Fambro, who represents District 1, Barrone’s old seat, the County is in the process of refinancing the Ag Building Loan and will allocate some $700,000.00 to refurbishing the Historic County Courthouse. The County hopes to install ADA access to the upper levels and provide proper bathrooms. Commissioners will meet on Tuesday to discuss the matter. Revitalizing the Historic County Courthouse as a cultural institution fits in with the concept of experiential tourism.
According to Bellis and the Town agenda, on Tuesday, there will be an amendment to the Griffin contract for promotional services. The Manager suggested on Thursday night, Jan. 22 that he would advise the council to hire a marketing coordinator. So far the Manager has neglected hiring either a long-term or interim coordinator. There are a number of passionate Taosenos with expertise, a virtual brain trust, which could advise the manager and mayor on how to implement a marketing plan. Several spoke up on Thursday night: hint, hint.
As for the political melodrama and the diverse reactions of a week ago, when Bellis almost lost his job, the Mayor might consider ordering a set of “kid gloves” for use in council meetings. Work gloves are appropriate for the rough and tumble politics in Taos county and when it comes to filling pot holes. But the cultural sensibilities in town and on the Plaza require a more sensitive approach, especially when it comes to the “swing vote.” Whether due to inaction or missteps, there is a “perception” in the community that Hahn, Bellis, and Barrone make policy decisions behind closed doors. Thursday night was a welcome change.
Chavez Endorsed
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter supporting incumbent Dr. David Chavez for school board. I have the pleasure to say that I was able to work with David when I served on the school board. I have the utmost respect for Dr. Chavez. David is outspoken in a manner of being respectful and firm. His focus is on the facts and not the bullshit. Dr. Chavez has proven he is for student centered learning.
He is a Professor of Chemistry at UNM Taos. He continues to work with students that need individual help.
When it came to decision making Dr. Chavez was very analytical and made decisions very carefully. He is a problem solver. He always listened to anyone that went before the board. David’s wife Carla Chavez was recently recognized for becoming a Nationally Board Certified Teacher.
When I was on Board with Chavez he focused on recognizing teachers for their hard and dedicated work to students. Teacher recognition awards were handed out on a yearly basis. When I would bring up special education issues with the superintendent time and time again, David always gave me support and backed me up. All students come first with Dr. Chavez.
I encourage everyone to go out to vote, and urge voters to vote Chavez.
Optimistically,
Stella Gallegos