Taos Rhymes with Chaos
News Summary
Falling Upward
Jimmy Carter: “It [unlimited money in politics] violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president.”
Gov. Martinez nominated for judge one Emilio Chavez, who the Judicial Standards Disciplinary Board recommended be “censured” and “fined” and even “suspended” for 90 violations adding up to “prosecutorial misconduct.” The wily DDA is slated to replace Judge Paternoster, who had also fined the miscreant for “misconduct.”
County Commissioners will consider a special tax to benefit Holy Cross Hospital, despite a lack of oversight by the hospital’s “social club” or board and a record of mismanagement and incompetence by Quorum execs, according to ad nauseam public testimony and reports during the last couple of years. Oh, yes, commissioners have more new taxes in mind for you lovely citizens.
Commissioners, county staff, and the paid architect, who did the study for the Historic County Courthouse, want to rip through the historic facade on the Plaza and install a “new alley” or “pocket park” on the west side of the historic county courthouse building. Commissioners have not confirmed a purpose for this building but getting high- dollar tenants like a fancy “bistro” or “craft beer joint” appears to be a priority, according to a local landlord, who is in the “know.” And here we thought the HCC was all about “history” and “local culture.” But now that they have the money for the elevator, the ADA bathrooms, and a roof, so they want an alley, too. Go Figure.
Stray Hearts receives a quarter of million dollars from Town and County for animal care. Not so long ago the animal shelter got about 10% of the above and considered themselves damn lucky. Now they want more. I say, “Free Fido” and “Let the Kitties go!”
The Superintendent of Schools and TMS Board in a truly amazing movida have decided to destroy the Special Ed school i.e. Chrysalis of Canon and force out three bright-eyed and dedicated Native Born Taoseno school teachers. The administration and board seem intent on mainstreaming students and rebuilding the “pipeline to prison” infrastructure at THS. Congratulations.
The Town’s Public Works Director can’t find all the water and sewer pipes, and seems “baffled” by questions about leaks from a Mayor, Council, and Manager, according to The Taos News. But never fear, the Town is putting money into an Arts and Cultural District/Mainstreet Program, which has failed at the Town and the County but no doubt will succeed the third or fourth time. BTW: the town recently rejected a young well educated native-born engineer’s job app. So the young Taoseno must leave town for a job (or jail). Folks are so warm and fuzzy here.
At TSV los politicos, in a statewide effort, figured out how to privatize public revenue for the sake of the Billionaire’s dream, via a special taxing district, while the Feds and the Town with County support are building the man a new runway for his jet. Someday he’ll be “leaving on his jet plane, don’t know when he’ll be back again.” But he’ll take a little bit of Taos with him, including a smaller fortune.
The business barrister, one Lee Boothby, I hear, caught El Prado’s Painter and Gonzales with their fingers in the “wite-out” and now EPWSD is searching for an extra “$400,000” or so to pay-off attorneys and a settlement with a contractor they tried to wipe-out with “wite-out.” When these same folks at EPSWD pirated water rights from northern Taos County, the transfer was pushed through by their commissioner-in-chief, the formidable Mr. Blankenhorn, who is the “leader of the pack” at the Complex.
“They” say KCEC owes about $100 million, is not making tier and promises to ask for a rate increase and more dough to complete the “$60 million” Broadband project. After losing money in Propane, Telecom, and now on “Broadband,” the “traveling trustees” have nothing to worry about because Mr. Energizer Bunny i.e. Laughing Luis Reyes can talk his way out trouble by buying ads in The Taos News. Ay, caramba, Cowboy!
SOMOS has asked the above-mentioned politicians and/or their representatives to appear during the Fall Fantasy Series about El Norte under the Gazebo entitled: “How I fooled some of the people most of the time.” Don’t miss it.