Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Some interesting trivia for you about this day:

http://www.halloween-website.com/trivia.htm

How it Should Be For Elected Officials

Men give me credit for some genius. All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort that I have made is what people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought.

~ Alexander Hamilton

Post 500, Something Positive.

!!Congratulations!!

Post 500 of this blog, a mile marker for the authors, should be a positive post.

Congratulations to Nick Blea of Lone Mountain Contracting for earning his place in the Valencia County Locals Recognition.

And Congratulations to each and every person recognized through out the county.

http://www.news-bulletin.com/locals06/enterprise/65749-10-28-06.html

Something to Think About, The Budget

The budget is an important document. It is permission granted for new purchases before they are completed. It is what may dictate an increase in property tax or gross receipt tax.

If the budget is not followed and more money is spent than is incoming then a problem occurs. The Council will solve this problem by 'floating a bond' or increasing taxes or water rates or any combo of the options.

If you live in Bosque Farms and go to the public meetings you would know that the budget changes often.

The budget is already difficult to read and understand. It is almost impossible as a person sitting in the audience to grasp the complexities.

This author wants to support the request of one audience member, again, and say that the Council should provide those who attend meetings with a better idea of where the money is going, how much money is coming in and an idea of the economic health of the Village budget.
They should do this every month in an easy to understand manner. There is a wipe board in the room, possibly providing a few key numbers on the wipe board would help?

This author also hopes that the new treasurer will forstall many of the problems that has occured in the past and that there will fewer changes to the budget.

Don't Forget

Day Light Savings Time

This Weekend, October 29, 2006

Some Trivia

for your entertainment

http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/k.html

And if you are the engineering, want more in depth information with charts and graphs and such try this interesting site:

http://www.timeanddate.com/time/aboutdst.html

More about First Responders

This link provides information for South Carolina. However, the description of what a First Responder in an emergency situation does is worth reading and considering.


It is a fact that proper and timely rendering of emergency medical care at the scene of an automobile crash can reduce the number of deaths and decrease the level of injuries. (The Same Can be Said of Heart Attacks too). Areas that have an inadequate number of EMTs or that have long response times can supplement the EMS system by training personnel outside the system such as police officers, firemen, city and county maintenance workers and other governmental personnel who work on or near roadways. In addition, rescue squad members who are not currently EMTs but perform other duties for the squads, particularly driving the vehicle to the scene, are ideal candidates for First Responder training.

http://www.scdhec.gov/hr/ems/first.htm

This means that there does not have to be a different department of First Responders but that the fire men that are currently trained as first responders or as EMTs could fill this need. In addition, the police could recieve training to fill this need. And while people are being trained, train some of the other employees driving around the Village.

It would be a simple thing to check and consider. Let this blog provide some of the types of questions that Councilor Proctor should ask. Hopefully, someone who promised to do this during his or her campaign will take the initiative and make it happen.

- What kind of training does a first responder need?
- How much will it cost to train our employees?
- How much extra in insurance will the Village need to pay for this?
- What are the current response times of the ambulance service?
- Is there a need for this? Do the residents want this?

The Ambulance Service

This ambulance service used to have a very bad reputation.
The slow response times was written about in the newspaper.

But lately? Nothing.

This author has heard nothing negative, nothing positive, nothing slow or fast or even mediocre.

Has anyone heard anything or experienced anything (hopefully not) with the ambulance service lately?

This author is hoping that they have superior service and no problems.

Having said that though, what has happened? At one point there was consideration by the Council to develop it's own emergency units. This was one of Mayor Akes campaign promises. What happened?

Some articles about the ambulance service and emergency services:

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/30526-11-23-02.html


http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/26519-05-25-02.html

A Quote About Budgeting

There is no such thing as real accounting in government, of course, since there are no profit-and-loss statements, only budgets. Consequently, there is no way of ever knowing, in an accounting sense, whether government is adding value or destroying it. All we know is that the budget grew by a certain amount, for some ostensible purpose...

http://mises.org/freemarket_detail.asp?control=395&sortorder=articledate

Where are the Watchdogs?

It seems several incorrectly spelled words were posted in this blog recently. In addition to that one author noticed the incorrect date on the posts that were put up for today. They were dated for tomorrow.

Which brings the question up- where are those that cry foul when this author makes a mistake? This author appreciates and relies on those very people to provide a back up check on this blog for these very minor mistakes.

A Few Bosque Farms Websites Links

http://www.joywell.org/Rangers/rangers.html

http://www.joywell.org/

Some information about the history and houses of Bosque Farms
http://ag.arizona.edu/OALS/ALN/aln47/mchenry1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosque_Farms,_New_Mexico

School Safety Programs

While not directly related to the current threads on Neighborhood Watch Programs, this is important and is tied to October being National Crime Prevention Month.

There are many School Safety Programs. Here are a few:

http://afterschoolalliance.org/

http://www.schoolsafety.us/

http://www.ncdjjdp.org/cpsv/

And here is a model after school program worth looking at:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/services-afterschool-beacon.html

And the US Department of Education often has additional information:

www.ed.gov

Thank you to the person who provided much of the information listed in these posts on Community Safety and Neighborhood Watch. It is safe to say that this person could probably organize this program with eyes closed.

The Last Council Meeting

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/65888-10-25-06.html

Here it is. The link to everything that happened.

This blog will clarify something for the readers of this blog. See the last item? Training.

Approved on-site training in the amount of $3,692. Councilor Dolly Wallace said the additional training will make them better and said the department is really watching where money is spent. "I'm please to see you do this," she said.

The training is not to help a department watch their money or to teach them to be more careful about where it is spent. The training is simply to teach the new treasurer to use the software for accounting.

So here is Councilor Wallace, voting to spend money and yet she is pleased because the department is watching where the money is spent? How much sense does that make?

(This blog would like to see her be pleased about how much money they are saving. Or at least demonstrating her understanding of why this money is being spent, they have to in order to train the treasurer.)

By Request of "Triventive"

One reader recently asked that this blog provide additional information and a place to discuss the what is on the ballot for this year's election.

There are four Constitutional Amendments
The League of Women Voters has provided the legal language for these and a brief explanation in English that explains the amendments and a list of pros and cons for each one.

http://www.lwvnm.org/VGuide2006/amendments.html

Rather than copy them in the entirety, this blog would suggest you follow the above link so you can read more about these issues. Here is one that is on the ballot.

Brief Analysis of Constitutional Amendment One.
Constitutional Amendment No. 1 proposes to repeal Section 22 of Article 2, which mandates that unless otherwise provided by law, aliens who are not eligible to become citizens, and certain business entities that are majority-owned by such aliens, are prohibited from acquiring any interest in real property in New Mexico.

There are also three bond issues and you can read about them here.
http://www.lwvnm.org/VGuide2006/bond.html

Obviously the authors of this blog have some opinions about this matter. The authors have agreed to sit out for a bit and see if others weigh in with opinions and comments about any of these bonds or amendments. "Triventive" It's your turn...

Additional Places to Look for Information

Here are a few additional sources you can look to for more information about voting. If you run across other websites that you find useful, feel free to share them as well.

The New Mexico Republican Party
http://www.gopnm.org/

The New Mexico Democratic Party
http://www.nmdemocrats.org/

The Libertarian Party
http://www.lp.org/lpnews/news.shtml

Additional Information
http://www.sos.state.nm.us/main/Elections/ElectionInfo.htm

http://www.lwvnm.org/

Vote Now.

Early Voting

County Clerk's Office after 12 noon in the Commission Meeting Room.
Mark the little circles and put it in the machine and you are done.

Monday through Friday 12 noon to 8pm
Saturdays 8am-6pm

It has been the understanding of this author that there has already been a high turn out of voters in this area.

Keeping It Going, Neighborhood Watch Part 3

Once neighborhood watch programs are developed and set up they will slowly fade away if not supported by the police department and community officials to some extent.

This came from a study called the "Block Booster Project". So what can the police and community officials do that will help? Here are a few ideas.

- Attend meetings that are held by the leaders. Being suportive and showing each and every person that the police department and community officials respect and value the people who are developing neighborhood watch programs is important.

- Plan and train new leaders so the existing ones don't burn out. Related to that is to hold special training events. Invite leaders or block captains to special training. Provide them the education they need to educate their neighborhoods.

- Communicate with them. Provide them information about current crime sprees, special events, etc.

- Recognize the participants. Present the people who work at making each program a success with certificates of appreciation. Notify the newspaper for articles of positive events and programs.

- Provide them with outside resources. There are many outside resources and many events that are held each year that neighborhood watch programs can access. National Night Out, Victim Services, School Safety Programs etc. Each of these will enhance and encourage a neighborhood watch program in a different way. Neighborhood watch programs that take advantage of these outside services stay more active than those that don't.

There are other things the police and community officials can do but these are some that are easy, cost effective and worthwhile.

The Meeting on the Hospital

Town Meeting At Community Center
The question under discussion should there be a hospital in Valencia County.

7 people attended.

In other communities 20 to 30 people showed up.

This author wonders why that might be the case? That in other communities more show up and here in Bosque Farms fewer people choose to attend such a meeting.

Is it because as was reported in a previous article:
The viewpoint of Gerald Charlton of Bosque Farms is an example of the feelings of those from the north. "I don't really think so, no. To us in Bosque Farms, it's only about 15 minutes to one. Now, people in the southern part of the county probably think so. If someone's having a heart attack, they have to drive all the way to Albuquerque, noted Ruth Hanks of Belen."

What do you think?

http://www.news-bulletin.com/locals05/commgrowth/55395-10-29-05.html

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/archives/arch_NB_1556-2001.HTM

Get Started, Neighborhood Watch Part 2

Getting started. This can come from the individual neighborhoods or it can come from the local police department.

It seems to these authors that the police department often know who is active in a neighborhood or who is interested in setting up a neighborhood watch in one area. One resident has often requested this very thing in many public meetings.

If you are interested there are some basic steps the Neighborhood Watch program often follows.

1st a small planning committee and discussions are held. Is there enough interest in this neighborhood to get this going? Will someone be the block caption? and so on.

2nd, a neighborhood meeting is held. The police attend and discuss this program.

3rd Bock Captain(s) are put in place. There may be a newsletter editor, or the block captain may choose to take over the communication within the neighborhood.

4th The police will train the neighborhood watchers, sometimes only training the captains so the training can be passed down by the captains, sometimes the training is for everyone.

5th Signs are posted. This is a Neighborhood Watch Community.

6th Regular meetings are held.

Community Policing and Neighborhood Watch.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance has a webpage, listed below with several pages of ways those of us who want to help protect our communities can do so. The first on the list isNeighborhood Watch Programs!

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/topics/crime_prevention.html

They also had this to say:

The actions of community members are extremely important to preventing crime, and law enforcement agencies can offer the help community members need to make a difference. Preventing crime involves not only making sure that our homes are secure and that we take precautions to be safe, it also means working with law enforcement to look out for the safety of our neighbors and other community members.

We believe that decreasing crime and making our communities safer requires a return to the value that we must all take responsibility for our families and our neighborhoods. ...

A Few Websites

These are nothing outstanding but certainly interesting and informative.

Places that mention Bosque Farms

http://ethics.sos.state.nm.us/LOBBY/BOSQF.HTM

http://www.co.valencia.nm.us/OlderAmerican.htm

http://www.facetersco-op.com/zabinski/Clubs/Newmexico.html

Why New Mexico Missed Out, Safe School Week.

Unfortunately, too late to inform you, this author has recently discovered this year from October 15, to October 21 (today) was National School Saftey Week.

Why was this not advertised within New Mexico? Maybe because our Governor did not join in the list of Governors proclaiming this National School Safety Week.

See for yourself:

http://www.schoolsafety.us/

John Lynch, Governor of New Hampshire
Jon S. Corzine, Governor of New Jersey
Kenny C. Guinn, Governor of Nevada
Mike Easley, Governor of North Carolina

Neighborhood Watch. (First in a Series)

In light of the fact that it is National Crime Prevention Month, this author has decided to do some research and once again bring up the subject of a neighborhood watch. This would be one pearl in the string of community policing that has been discussed on this blog previously.
And because this is an important topic, this author is posting on the weekend, something not done very often on this blog.

First, the whys:

The arguments for setting up neighborhood watch areas within Bosque Farms include the fact that it is one way to teach those of us who live here how to help ourselves prevent crime. Neighborhood watch programs typically involve education both about what to watch for and about crime prevention.

Another reason is that this is a method of empowering people and empowered people can make great changes. Some neighborhood watch programs across the country have set up safe house programs, teen tutoring, and task forces that influence policy makers.

Still another is it works. Neighborhood watch programs prevent crime and save the police money. From a large study completed in 1980, but still valid, provides some measurable facts. Lakewood, Colorado: Crime dropped 77% after neighborhood watch programs were set up. Cypress, California cut crime by up to 52% and saved police about $80,000.

This author would encourage each and every person who reads this blog to consider looking at the option of setting up a neighborhood watch program in your area.

October is....

National Crime Prevention Month

http://www.ncpc.org/about/crime_prevention_month.php

Sorry that it almost slipped by the authors of this blog.

Volunteers, An Idea Worth Considering

Volunteers are often called "A Thousand Points of Light".
Something that might be wonderful for everyone is if the Village were to consider setting up a Volunteer for the Village program.

Wouldn't it be great if we could get a thousand volunteers right here in Bosque Farms working to make Bosque Farms better?

This would be on top of the traditional 'things' that each of us do currently.

We already have a good start.
One lady has helped write the grants that have provided the Village funds for plants.
Then there are the 4H groups, the Boy Scout Groups and so on. They often do community service.
There are Community Watch Volunteers who drive the neighborhoods looking for trouble.
Of course, it goes without saying, the Volunteer Fire Fighters.

Here are some ideas:
The Village Volunteer Coordinator could match volunteers with people who need help. Cub Scouts looking for service projects could mow the lawn of someone who has a broken leg, for example. The Girl Scout Troop could adopt a section of the road and each week after their meeting they could clean it up. (Maybe in return they could get free use of the Community Center!?)

Parents could organize a Village Reading Program at the library. Once a week a parent could read a book to the children at the library. It would boost the number of children using the library and the volunteers would be making a better place for everyone. Of course, the hope being the librarian is willing to have a Village Reading Program.

More grant writers could be used on a volunteer basis for what the Village needs.

Someone could organize craft lessons for the community center or a 'walk in' movie event once a month.

This could be put up on the website and a list of current needs could be maintained and as people volunteer the list could be updated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Points_of_Light_Foundation_&_Volunteer_Center_National_Network

http://www.pointsoflight.org/

A New Treasurer

Did anyone notice in the paper the notice that the Village of Bosque Farms is getting a new employee? A new treasurer!

Wonder what happened to the old one? Or will they now have two?

The Community Center (From Oct. 5, 2006)

This author recently attended a swanky function at the community center.

While the function itself was nice and the company was wonderful; the community center itself left a lot to be desired.

As one small example: The chairs were dirty. Each and every chair needs a good cleaning. They were not just dirty with years of dirt that is hard to clean and that comes with lots of use over time, they were dirty. Sticky dirty.

This author wonders what the policy for cleaning the community center is? Do the people who use the community center clean it? Is there a budget set aside to pay for cleaning the community center? If there is money set aside why are they not using the funds to clean the community center? Or why are they not demanding that the people who clean the center wipe down the chairs?

Maybe it is time to get new slick, easy to clean chairs.

"City Boy" Asks a Question

Why is it that some groups have to rent the community center and some get it for free? Do you know how much it is to rent it & for how many hours. Why does "Gloria" (from land landy) get to pick and choose who has to rent and who gets it for free? If anyone has time please feel free to answer, if not I'll see you on a different "thread" ("izatech"'s word).
http://bfgovernment.blogspot.com/2006/10/community-center-from-oct-5-2006.html

Maybe someone who has recently had to rent the community center can share this information.
The last time this author asked about using the community center it has been more than five years ago. Surely things have changed since then?

In the past, when this author has asked (about five years ago), there was a two hour minimum rental cost. The price per hour was $35. Thirty Five Dollars! So to rent it for a small function or a club, such as Boy Scouts it was a minimum of $70.

This author is also aware that groups have been turned away because it is at a time when the seniors use the community center. And when did they use it? Monday through Friday during business hours is the best this author can figure out. And even when they are going on a "Field Trip" no one could use the community center.

This author will also be clear that limited community events do occur at the community center: A Halloween event with a cake walk and costume contest, an arts and crafts show, a rock hound club, and there has been hints that there are summer classes for kids but this author has never heard of them and supposedly they are filled quickly by the private school/daycare down the road.

It is the understanding of the author that there used to be many functions at the community center in past years but no longer.

Thank You!

This is our twice a year, when the authors remember to do it, Recognize the Readers Day

While the authors of this blog have no clue how many people read this blog, each and every reader is appreciated. By reading what is posted and thinking about it and discussing the topics with friends and family, learning more, and forming your opinion; you are working towards making Bosque Farms a better place.

And of course, a big hello to the newspaper reporter Clara Garcia, who even one time wrote about this blog.
A double thank you for that and for reading!

Please consider joining the discussion if you are reading this blog and not commenting yet.

Please do not be upset if your name is not mentioned. NO ONE was left out on purpose. These were just the names that came to mind as the authors were writing the thank you post. This blog appreciates everyone who posts and comments.

"Hazardous" "Just Here" "My Turn" "BF Watcher"
"Just Amazed" "Eye Care" "US Military Man" "Fuggetaboutit"
And all the others too numerous to mention. Each person brings 'something to the table' for discussion and thought. Some provide facts, some are able to wrap up the problem and tie it with a bow, and others are able to offer solutions.

This blog has missed some of the people who provided well thought out responses.
"YesACop" "Landlady" "Spotman1" "Formerly Counciled"
"Eldorado" "Valley_Girl", the college grad spell checker and
"BosqueMom" who comments on education and school issues.

There have been some one or two time posters that provided information and we look forward to more from them.
"Hello" "Observing" "Elmerfudd"
There are others but these are the three that come to mind quickly.

and this author refuses to leave off the list the ever fascinating
"Dizzy" "Izatech" "The Hog" and
"Resident Responder", who always provided something interesting to the discussion.

A Garage Sale Event, A Solution

In the past five years it seems a long standing tradition has been dropped. Previously there was a Village garage sale event. The Village paid the minimum cost of advertising and notified everyone of the date it was to occur. Everyone put out their own signs, if this author remembers correctly, and set up their garage sale in their yard.

Maybe this needs to be considered again, with the business association sponsoring the limited cost of advertising in the Albuquerque paper and notifing residents of the date. In fact the Village offers space in the little flyer they mail out for the business association so the cost of mailing this notification out would be picked up by the Village.

The Benefits

It would be another way to bring 'outside money' into the Village. People travel from Albuquerque every weekend in the summer to shop the garage sales that are held by people who live here. A day that many people in a community have a garage sale would be well attended by the weekend garage salers! And of course, they could stop and eat lunch and buy gas and maybe look at campers for sale!

Everyone would be given an opportunity to get rid of 'junk' and possibly get a few bucks. Money they can spend eating out after a hot day selling said 'junk'.

Garage salers would have the opportunity to hit many sales in a small area.

Some Additional Ideas

Local stores could put out coupons that would encourage people to drop in while they are garage sale shopping. Stop at Benny's for a Breakfast Burrito, 1$ off. Eat lunch at Sopa's, kids eat for 1$.

The Business Association could notify some of the charities; such as Goodwill, or Catholic Charities, etc., that there will be big garage sales that day. This way they could call around and offer to pick up the left overs. Or the Business Association could provide the numbers for these types of places in their newsletter article so those who participate can call themselves.

The Water Bill

????????

Why is it that every so often my neighbors and myself do not receive a water bill?

?????????

We have wondered if it is because the Village has plenty of money and doesn't want ours? Or is it that the Village saves money on mailing out a water bill and by missing a neighborhood each mailing no one really gets cut off because you get your second bill in before the water is cut off?

Does this happen to anyone else? Care to share any theories about this?

(And for those who want to accuse this blog of complaining, it's not. Notice the question marks? It's a question or a series of questions on one topic. This last month, or so, several of the neighbors and authors did not recieve a water bill and were curious as to why.)

The Community Center Policies

This author has known for sometime now that one perk for emloyees of the Village is they get to use the community center free.

But it was a shock to learn that the 4H group gets to use the Community Center for free in exchange for picking up a bit of garbage. (Now, if this has changed, please notify this blog so this post can be changed!) The Rock Hound Group may get to use the community center for free as it is listed in the senior center activities paperwork.

Why a shock?
There are many other groups that would love to use the Community Center for similar types of programs that can't because they would have to pay the full price to rent this place out. They have asked and been told only that they can rent it out for the full price.

Here is a list of similar groups that are in Bosque Farms that allow anyone in the community to attend and could benefit from a large place to meet for free:

- Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts
- Girl Scouts
- The Homeschool Group
- Camp Fire Girls Troops
- Play Groups
- Study Groups
- Book Discussion Groups

And the list could go on.

A Quote to Think About

"Been Around" Shares a quote worth thinking about:

"Government works best under the glare of public scrutiny. Absent such scrutiny, abuses occur."

-Steven W. Hawkins

Thank you "Been Around"

Websites About Bosque Farms

Some Websites that Mention Bosque Farms

The Court System.

Nothing outstanding, just sharing a few websites that mention the Bosque Farms Court

Just in case anyone is interesed.

http://nmsc.state.nm.us/directory/program.php?program_id=469

http://jec.unm.edu/communication/jud_directory/municipal.htm

http://www.emercadonm.com/list.aspx?categoryKey=719&city=&hispano=&ecommerce=

The Water Law

On August 15, this author wrote a post about "Water Use In the Village". Now several months later "Clourophobic" wants to rehash the argument. Because this author has a few minutes and can edit the previous post, this author will for the moment humor him or her one last time.

Here is the ordinance according to "Clourophobic" It says in 9-2-9 “Village Water System is for domestic use only. All outside property use will require a private well.”

Let's look at that:
Domestic: related to the household or family and just for clarity Household: A household is defined as a person or group of persons residing in a dwelling.

There are MANY examples of how domestic use might not be indoor use only while still being RELATED to the family. You fill your dogs water dish and put it outside. Washing the family car, planting a garden and so on.

The very vagueness of the ordinance and lack of definition, except dictionary definitions means this ordinance cannot be enforced. Let's carry this to the logical end:

Domestic means relating to the family and the household means the people living in the home. Does this ordinance mean only those people in their own home can use Village water? Can your dog drink the Village water? Can someone who doesn't live in the home flush your toilet? Can a person carry a glass of water outside and drink it? OR will they have to use the water from their well if they want to drink it outside? Is it legal to carry water your potted plants outside?

"Coulrophobic's" problem was that this author didn't quote the last portion of this ordinance: "All outside property use will require a private well.”
Let's address that: It appears they are addressing the use of property outside. So if you do not have a private well you can't do anything outside on your property? That is one way to interpret it. Here is another way to look at it: You must have an outside well but it certainly doesn't say you have to use it to water your plants that are outside. It says you are required have a well but it certainly doesn't say the water you use outside comes from the well.

Both words are vague at best. Look up the words for outside, required, domestic yourself. Even using dictionary definitions as required by our ordinances in 10-1 for words not defined, it remains vague. It needs to be clarified if the Village wants people to use Village water correctly.

And this author says, even better, get rid of this ordinance. It is really not something that can be enforced. It would be a simple business friendly action. It wouldn't make liars out of everyone who once in a while waters their trees with Village water.

For the original post read here:
http://bfgovernment.blogspot.com/2006/08/water-use-in-village-long-but.html

A Warning

One reader of this blog often posts "Reader's Beware".

This blog would rather post it's own warning.

Voters beware!

Voters beware!
Educate yourself Become an educated voter before the next election. This is something this blog has asked readers to do repeatedly. Read in the paper their own opinions, speak to the candidates, and talk to people who know the candidates.

Voters beware!
Learn for yourself about the issues at hand and speak out to the Councilors and Mayor. This blog has asked everyone to do that repeatedly. The authors of this blog have tried to provide some of the documentation available so you can see for yourself what this blog has found. This blog has tried to provide links to information for a place to begin learning about the issues.

Voters beware!
Attend the meetings and listen to the money being spent and the methods they are discussing to get more money to spend. It involves your pocket book.

Voters beware!
Consider this blog as one place to look at information, hear opinions, discuss ongoing events. It is not, nor should it be the only place readers turn for information.

And yes, "readers beware"!
This same person who says "readers beware" uses this forum to support the current Councilors and to further their agenda. Yes beware. While telling you to not believe what the authors writes, while telling you to not believe this blog, you are expected to believe that he has the full story, the complete story, the believable story.

The Rest of the Plan, Water Rights (From Oct 4)

It is the rest of the plan Councilor Knowlton hasproposed be put into motion that this author has a concern with at this time. And, as listed previously, there are many questions that the other Councilors need to be thinking about and asking rather than just blindly voting for something Councilor Knowlton proposes.

- IF the Village owns more than enough water rights. And
- IF there will continue to be more than enough water rights as people hook up to the water system. (and there will be plenty as each person who hooks up has to sign over some amount of water rights to cover their water use from the public water system.)
- IF they will lose the water rights if they don't use them. And
- IF it is correct that they don't have a future use and a current use for those water rights,
- Then WHY would he and the other Councilors keep those water rights?

These water rights were ours to begin with and in fact may just be diverted water rights and they may still be ours. That is, we may have diverted or provided some of our water rights to the Village so we can hook up to the Village water but we can reclaim our diversion and unhook from the Village water system at some point in the future should any one of us decides to do so. This author needs to do some more research into this, but look at your paperwork folks from when you hooked up to the public water system.

So while this author can support Councilor Knowlton in ensuring that the water rights the Village has are 'real water rights' and not 'on paper only'; that is where the support ends.

So why not do the right thing and be fair and equatable to everyone and turn those water rights back to us? Why not let us take advantage of the option to lease water rights should we chose to do so? Why would they keep them and lease them if they don't need them even at full build out?

This is a way of taxing us and yet acting like they are not taxing us.

Columbus Day

Did you know???

Columbus Day was traditionally celebrated on August 12 until 1937?

That was when the President proclaimed it into being the second Monday of October.

http://wilstar.com/holidays/columbus.htm

The Complete Math- Subdivisions and Money (moved from October 5)

In the comment section under the post titled "A Few Ideas" there is an interesting discussion.
http://bfgovernment.blogspot.com/2006/09/few-suggestions.html

As an argument for requiring a person who subdivides his land to pay the Village or to donate land, "Coulorophobic" had this to say:
Property tax revenue in Bosque Farms is pitifully small, about $36,000 per year. New developments would add little to this revenue. So new developments end up costing the whole Village when new or additional services are needed.

But is that accurate? Does that paint the whole picture?
"Been Around" did the math, using "Coulorophobic's" number and provided readers with the rest of the picture.

So, let’s say Mr. Desmet subdivided into 100 3/4 acre lots. Each of those lots would be billed (as a minimum) around $40.00 a month for water and sewer. Water and sewer are things the Village has to sell without adding any real cost. The infrastructure is all ready in place, the resident pays the equipment and installation cost. So 100 * $40.00 = $4000.00 a month. That would be $48000.00 a year. Maybe sub-dividing could be a money maker for the Village.

I doubt seriously that the Village would be adding more officers for 100 more houses. ...What other services would the Village have to increase? If the Village all ready does work for 1500 homes what amount of work can be added for 100 homes?

A response to "Izatech

"Izatech" had these questions and comments
I have read you are facing the arsenic issue as are hundreds of other communities. This issue is causing most of those communities to face up to increases in their service rates. I don't see the prospect of raised rates as anything less than responsible planning in a governing body faced with millions in upgrades in the immediate future. Just where is the cash supposed to come from?

These are some valid questions. Here are some thoughts in response to your questions.

First, Councilor Knowlton was talking about increasing rates for both water and sewer long before the arsenic issue 'reared it's ugly head'. The reason he gave from the stand? Because other communities pay more.

That was it. No discussion about what the funds will be used for except that others pay more so we should too. In fact in one budget meeting he used the idea that eventually the water and sewer bills will be raised so it is ok to spend more.

Second. At one point this Village had a true surplus in the Village budget. That is, there were funds set aside for upkeep and repairs. It was expected that these large systems (the water, the fire, the buildings etc) would need reapir and there was money for that. It seems that isn't the case anymore.

Money has been spent with comments like "It's only an $8,000 raise" with no understanding that an increase in take home pay of any dollar amount increases the amount the Village pays to insurance, retirement etc. thus being more than the original raise.

Do you want an example of how little the current Councilors seem to grasp the budget, their biggest responsiblity?Recently Councilor Wallace read the ending numbers on a set day and said essentially 'right now in the bank we have... some number of dollars.' Bully for her, but she didn't take into account the funds that were spent, the funds that were budgeted to be spent, the checks that hadn't been cleared and so on. But is there a surplus set aside for repairs? A Capital Improvement Fund for computers? For waste water disposal treatment plant facility repairs?

So one answer to your question about where the funds come from? Savings. The Councilors know this is coming up and they should be saving for it with every bit of effort. That isn't happening. And this blog resents it.

Another answer has already been provided to you. There should be some research into how do we ensure that everyone helps. Why should the people who already pay for the very systems that help everyone pay more when not everyone who benefits pays? An access fee? A law that says everyone should hook by a sunset date?

Much more can be said but this is a start.

Water Rights and Questions

Councilor Proctor seems to be attempting to filling the shoes of previous Councilors who spent many hours investigating every situation. This blog wants to help point Councilor Proctor in the right direction and provide him a list of suggested questions he might consider asking when discussing water rights.

So while this was brought up in August originally, it won't be the last time it is discussed and maybe this will help him in future discussions.

* Can the State Engineer just take away water rights?
* Can he take away water rights from a municipality?
* Will we be paid for the water rights the state engineer thinks he will take away from us?
* Who makes the final determination about someone losing water rights?
* What does it take to do this? Does he have to provide a warning?
* What constitutes use of the water rights? Does leasing them out prove they are being used?
* How does this apply to water rights that have not been signed over to the Village but have been diverted to the Village?

In addition he needs to ask himself and his fellow Councilors in an open meeting questions like this:
* What will we do with the funds if we do lease the water rights? How will we spend the money?
* Is this an appropriate use of the money?
* Wouldn't it be better to return the water rights to the individual if we are not going to use them?
* How will those who live here in the Village benefit from this action?

"US Military Man" when reading that Councilor Proctor has his own water well for his mobile home park had this to say:

Let me get this straight. Proctor gets to sell his water and we have to give up our rights and buy ours back. Then we pay for Village services and he does not. Seems fair to some I am sure.

And just for those who might doubt the validity and truth, here is a link to the details of his private water system.

http://eidea.state.nm.us/SDWIS/JSP/WaterSystemDetail.jsp?tinwsys_is_number=1693&tinwsys_st_code=NM&wsnumber=NM3515032

Options for Extra Water Rights

• Return them to the original owners.
• Split them equally among property owners here in the Village currently.
• Allow businesses to sell Village water. This would encourage the ice making business. It would encourage businesses to have water for service that isn't bottled and it would encourage car wash businesses and other high water use businesses. (That is economic development!)
• Quit with the ridiculous myth that we can't use city water our homes. The law doesn't say that and it is not enforcable. It would also encourage homes and families to do the same. The greening of Bosque Farms is a great idea.
• Pass and enforce an ordinance that requires local businesses to water and maintain outside landscaping.
• Lease the water rights and decrease the water rates in the Village.

You share your Ideas and Options.

Water Rights, More

"Eyecare" has asked the following:
"has proposed to spend Village money for a water person to tell us that the Village already has more water rights even at full build than we currently need? If I read your post correctly, what is the matter with him? Is he trying to finish what Baldwin started, spend the Village into bankruptcy?"

This author started explaining in a comment section but has decided it is important enough to move up to the main page. The anwer:

It is a little bit more complicated than that.
Water rights are tied up in legal and court battles all around the country, and New Mexico more so.
Currently, based on the numbers provided, we have enough water rights on paper. That is evident enough. They are not using all of the water rights we have currently. And if the current practice of requiring each person who hooks up to city water to divert water to the Village continues (and it will by our laws) then we will continue to stay ahead of the game plan.

In other words, yes, we have more water rights than we need now and will continue to have more water rights than we need. And all of that is dependent upon the fact that we are counting on the paper water rights being legal. And that is what Councilor Knowlton is asking that we do, in part, pay someone to check and see if we can be sure we have enough 'real water rights' as opposed to 'paper water rights'.

That is admirable and it is thinking ahead. This author will recognize that this part of his plan is worthwhile.

It is the rest of the plan that raises questions.

Water Rights, a link

Because water rights are such a big issue here in the South West area, many attornies have specialized in this one topic. Some of these law firms have provided a brief overview of water rights and the law on their websites.

Here is one link this author used in looking at information.

http://library.findlaw.com/1999/Jan/1/241492.html

Thoughts About Water Rights

There is much information floating around about water rights and the laws. What is important for those of us who live in Bosque Farms is what is happening and what is being said in public meetings about water rights.

During the Council Meeting in August it seems there was a motion to hire a water rights consultant. Great idea. Councilor Knowlton said he wants this water rights consultant to do several things: 1. provide information about leasing water rights. 2. see how many water rights the Village really holds, what is on paper and is legal per the state, and 3. get some credit for the water we are releasing back into the river.

All very good and reasonable. But here is what everyone needs to think about.

A water right is what it takes to fill one acre of water with one foot of water.
According to the information provided at the last August Council meeting the Village uses 350 (thousand?) water rights and currently has roughly 850 (thousand?) acres of water rights.
Either way, thousands, hundreds... here is the problem.

Many of these water rights, this author believes, are the ones that you and I agreed would be diverted to the Village when we hooked up to the Village water system. Remember, by law, to hook up to the water system you have to sign over or divert some water rights to help the Village cover the water they have to buy to provide you water.

You can't even say with full build out they will need all these water rights because every home that is built must divert water to the Village in order to hook up to the water system and every home built must hook up to the water system. So they will always be ahead on how many water rights they have versus how many water rights they have by law.

So now the Village has more water rights than they need and they are going to lease them!

WHAT???

What about returning them to those of us who live here and have signed over or diverted our water rights to the Village? Doesn't that seem like the right thing to do?

Failing that, what about letting the businesses water plants and grass and trees outside with Village water? The businesses would probably like that idea. Or how about being able to make ice with Village water and sell it, say in cups for a coke or in blocks (like the business that had to stop because it was selling Village water).

Economic Development Certified Community

Look at this. Right on the main webpage. Officially we are a certified community for Economic Development!

Bosque Farms Selected as Certified Community
The Village was selected as a Certified Community by the NM Economic Development Department. For more information on Economic Development in Bosque Farms and links to information on the CCI Program.

http://bosquefarms.us/index.htm

And what does all of that mean?

Certified Community status comes with up to $5000 of contractual funding for two years for special projects and ten bonus points toward your score in the Coop Advertising Program.

Most important, being a Certified Community shows the world that you are willing to invest in the infrastructure that successful, growing businesses need.

http://ww1.edd.state.nm.us/index.php?/community/become_a_certified_community/

Maybe this author is incorrect but it seems like we'll get a little bit of money for two years and our name on a map that says we want businesses. In return, we spend money on infrastructure that businesses might think they need.

This author has some questions and wishes the government of Bosque Farms was more open and direct with informing the public of the ongoing events and long term consequences of those actions. While this has been in the works for some time no questions have really been answered and no opportunity for an open questions session provided.

Some of the questions might include:
* What types of infrastructure might we be required to build?
* Who decides what infrastructure will be required?
* Who will be on this special committee that will be put together?
* Where will the funding for this infrastructure come from?

This last question is particularly important when we hear Councilor Proctor trying to sell someone on the idea of floating a bond because we need money. This last question is particularly important when we consider that the arsenic that we have to get out of our water and the extra sewer system component we need and when we are begging money from the state and federal government to just maintain the current well tanks we have.

This has the potential of being a positive event. But this author is leery of jumping for joy until further information is provided and everything is clearly understood.