Windex and Whiteout on Saturday Night

(Scandals always break on Saturday night when nobody’s reading or listening.)

Francisco “French” Espinoza, public works director for the town of Taos, doesn’t mince words when describing some of his department’s biggest headaches: He says Gusdorf Road is “screwed up bad,” Camino del Medio is “littered with potholes,” and the condition of the Plaza in the heart of downtown is “horrible. –J.R. Logan, The Taos News

Last year Taos Friction complimented the new team at Town Hall for their attention to the “clean” streets and flower boxes around the Plaza. While Mayor Barrone and Manager Bellis focused their attention on the Farmer’s Market, and listened to the happy sound of the Kongos or lit up the Plaza like a Hallmark card at Christmas, they missed the ghost haunting the roads. Despite claims about “revitalization,” as the last honest man at Town Hall, says, above, the condition of the Plaza is “horrible.”

Though Mr. Bellis has yet to announce the hiring of a marketing coordinator, planning department maven, or financial overseer, he did find a grant writer, who has gotten some more funds to study the community (again). Still studies, lights, rock’n roll, and Halloween parties can no longer cover-up the disappeared asphalt.

Before you criticize Mr. Bellis, I should warn you about his record in Plumsted, New Jersey, Archuleta County, Colorado, and Taos County, New Mexico. While reports indicate he consistently advocated regional cooperation and for special “economic development districts,” he also displayed little appetite for nefarious doings. Though the data reveals that he has some experience as an administrator, Taos, apparently, is his first stop as a Town Manager.

Like any good bureaucrat Bellis blames others for his lack of fulfillment at the Town. Job applicants have weaknesses on their resumes. The high cost of living in Taos discourages qualified candidates due to low pay at Town Hall. He also blames “political turmoil” for turning off candidates (turmoil for which he bears much responsibility due to poor communication skills). “They” say Bellis occasionally rises to the occasion as a “crisis manager.” Though a “vivid imagination” and “gift for gab ” may not be considered a “fireable offense,” neither quality fills potholes with sand and gravel.

Councilor Hahn claims Bellis is getting a lot “done behind the scenes.” But Mr. Hahn’s political credibility seems slightly estranged from reality. Recently the social engineer uttered innuendos about Charmin’ Joey Perovich, the contractor who won the airport expansion contract. We’re not sure what Mr. Hahn knows and we don’t. Sure Charmin’ Joey, the Paul Bunyan of Roads in Taos County, could find enough trucks and gravel in his backyard to fill up every pothole in town and probably do it in three days or less.

Since the current Mayor, Manager, and Council would rather fight or insult and ignore qualified candidates  (no locals need apply), those who could help the Town in planning, marketing, and economic development and even help fill potholes are standing by and watching the parade under the big tent. There’s more to revitalizing the Plaza than permitting summer farmers to sell, erecting Christmas lights, or hiring the occasional band and throwing a party for the kids.

Brick and mortar merchants stand up for Taos Plaza 365 days a year. The Chicano Chamber itself stood up at the entrance to the Plaza for several Saturdays in January and February of last year and campaigned for this new team at Town Hall. We thought the mayor was bringing a pair of work gloves to Town Hall, not a guy with a bottle of  Windex to polish up the “smoke and mirrors” style of governing.

What would Juma say? Que Pasa, bro? The joke is on you, cuate. As Mr. and Mrs. Pothole mate like rabbits, the pothole progeny multiply. Maybe Sister Judi’s got it right. We also voted for her.

Over at the Complex on Albright St., you might ask who’s in or who’s out. It’s tough to tell the inmates from their guards. The Taos Police, according to news reports, recently busted three detention center guards for drinking beer after work on county property adjacent to the jail (not a construction site). Rumor says three deputies were preparing for the Mr. New Mexico contest at Gold’s Gym and got hit with a steroids rap after flunking a drug test and have been “reassigned.” The NM Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Board has hauled up the DA and his No. 1 boy on charges of “professional misconduct” at the 8th judicial district where officers of the court “swear to uphold the constitution.” Maybe Mr. Bellis can loan Sheriff Holgrefe a bottle of Windex for the Complex.

Now comes the Taos County Commission to consider a protest against the transfer of water rights per Mr. John Painter of El Prado Water and Sanitation, who uses a bottle of whiteout to wipeout his mistakes or his signature on bad contracts. Now the Good John must answer allegations of how and why he and his shark are leasing water rights to thirsty downstream municipalities (Las Lunas? Rio Rancho? Belen?) and jeopardizing County farmers and irrigators in Questa and Taos.

Do we now have a new “water market” in Taos funded by the Abeyta agreement?

Thanks to approval from the Town of Taos, the Good John is also leasing water rights to Charmin Joey on the Town’s 1200 foot deep well for airport expansion. The well competes, say the fishing guides, for water from the deep aquifers that feed the springs for the Rio Grande’s fabled cutthroat fishery. First the Questenos, now the fish. Wipeouttttt.

If it ain’t Windex, it’s Whiteout. The Potholes, Potheads, and Politicos will always be with us. Pray for us, St. Jude.