Did You Eat Some Turkey

The authors expect to see you out on the walk path walking off all that turkey today.

And note that you will be that much safer while walking because there are speed humps that encourage drivers to stay on the main road rather than speed down West Bosque Loop.

And of course, with a small nod to the Council, you must obey those little stop signs that are put out there on the walk path to keep you safe.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day.
Enjoy the parade on tv and eat lots of turkey.

Another Business Gone

Wow, isn't this scary to turn on the news and see all of the large businesses failing.

This author is sad to report that there are at least three on the main street now with now closed doors- Server Syde the place that got robbed. The Mobile Home Sales lot by Phillips and Augue's.

This author hopes that things get better for the economy.

The Council could help attract new businesses and keep the ones we have here in Bosque Farms. The Council can't help though if we who live here do not shop here.

This author is waiting for all the economic development activities that have been promised by Councilor Knowlton.

Some things that could be done include:
Making up a flier of businesses that are here in Bosque Farms. There are people here who sell Mary Kay or do taxes in their own home. These are businesses also. They charge taxes on the sale of their services and products. At one point the Bosque Farms Business Association did put something like this together and then tried to charge $10 for it. As if. As if anyone would pay $10 for a phone book that has less information than the ones you get free. (That was when Councilor Proctor was heading up the group, and not on the Council).

What about working with the Bosque Farms Business Group to see what they think they need? At one point one of their members was asking to have a 'welcome sign' placed so people could see it as you enter Bosque Farms. Maybe it is just that simple. Probably not though. But, it seems like a business owner might have some good ideas.

Lower gross receipt taxes. Instead of using these taxes and spending every penny on raises and perks and fun toys for employees (like new cars) how about decreasing the budget expenses for a while and lowering the GRT? Given the choice of buying vitamins and paying more versus paying less- this author would opt to pay less. Wouldn't you? Wouldn't you shop more in Bosque Farms if the GRT was less?

Recipe

It is that time again. It is almost Thanksgiving and it is time to post a recipe that is healthy and yummy and not very expensive to make.

Combine 1 1/2 cups lemon juice, 1 cup fresh lime juice, 1 cup fresh orange juice.
Make a fresh mint syrup by making a simple syrup. Combine and bring to a boil 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water and 1 cup of loosely packed mint leaves. Boil one minute and then strain to get out mint leaves
Add the simple syrup.
Combine with about 3 cups of sparkling lemon or lime flavored water.

Late and Absent

This author has been meaning to point out- Did you know we have a Councilor that is awol?

Councilor Knowlton continues his normal routine of being late and being absent from meetings.
August at the normal scheduled meeting Councilor Knowlton was Late?
August at the special meeting he was absent.
This was the special meeting held to discuss the controversial apartments for seniors in a residential area.
September he was absent.

Even in May he was late.

Late and absent seem to be the watchwords of Councilor Knowlton.

Isn't that reassuring?

Have you tried to call the police?

Have you tried to call the police for a non emergency? You call and the phone rings and rings. Sure, it's not an emergency, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to report your (fill in the blank here)?

Instead, after some amount of time you get an answering machine.
So now what? Do you leave a message and hope that you get a call back in some timely manner? Or do you hang up and call again?

In the case of a good friend of one of the authors' - you leave a message and wait. You wait for a day or two and then you try again. You leave a message and then you wait some more.

Answering machines among friends are one thing. Answering machines when the place of business is closed is another thing. And having an answering machine during normal business hours for a basic service??? That is not acceptable.

Of course, look at the Councilors. Some of them are difficult to contact as well. Why should they care if the police are easy to contact?

Another Business Gone

This author didn't mention it when the Server Syde left. Certainly this author can understand, it was a theft and it just happens sometimes.

But Auge's?
What did the Council do to chase off this place?

While they might not have brought in gross receipt taxes, they were popular enough to lead this author think they brought in some additional outside money. They advertised, they kept their business clean, and they worked hard.

They answered their phones, they sent out mailings, they worked hard over there.

This author also thinks they were great because they participated in Bosque Farms Trash Pick up day. Way to Go.

This author will miss Auge's

This Day in History

This is the day when Lincoln gave his famous speech known as the Gettysburg Address. November 19, 1863

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/gadd/

This author challenges you to memorize the Gettysburg Address. If you didn't know it already, it is one of the most quoted speeches. You will be joining masses of educated people who can quote from this speech for memory.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/gadd/

A Big Mistake

If you don't make mistakes,

you're not working on hard enough problems.

And that's a big mistake.

Frank Wilczek

To the Council: This means if you do nothing, you are not making mistakes but that in and of itself is a mistake.Now that Councilor Wallace can quit running around trying to get elected; please, lets get some work done.

This author has tried to remind you of some of the work you promised you would do that you haven't done. This author hasn't even held you to your promises that were just too big to keep. But how about some of the smaller ones? It is time.

Veteran's Day

This author, as always remains grateful and appreciative of all those in uniforms who serve our great nation.

From a school website.

Veterans Day

By Taylor Weinman

Representing the red white and blue

The colors of our flag stand out proud and true.

The white stars on blue background with red and white stripes

Remind me of these veterans, who all risked their lives.

Just so the people of the U.S. could all live in peace and be free

These are the heroes that represent you and me.

They stood up strongly, untied as one,

And kept up the fighting until they were done.

And although some have fallen, and lost their lives in war,

We pray for each one of them.

And now that their souls live on forever more,

Above in God's hands.

They watch over our nation,

And give us strength to triumph over others with strong anticipation.

So every year, when this day comes by,

Think of all the veterans that while fighting, had to die.

And remember that they were people

With fire and passion embedded inside.

They die for this country,

So remember and honor them with pride

http://www.fifeschools.com/cjh/news/newsitems/VeteransDayPoems.htm

Another Special Month

In light of recent politics you might find this month to be worth celebrating. It is, among other things National Home and Health Care Month.

Other special events this month include:
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.
This author is seeing an ongoing theme here and hopes the librarian takes advantage of these national monthly events to bring in new business to Bosque Farms and the Library.

And this author does not want anyone to forget the very serious night Kristallnacht that occured this month on the night of the 9th and going into the 10th.

Of course, other special events include "National Sinkie day" where you eat all the leftovers from Thanksgiving leaning over the sink.

Congratulations to the Winners

Based on the latest results this author has seen, it looks like the following are elected to office:

And right up front let this author give you the results for the local election that this author has been so concerned about:

Donald Holliday 2,855 - Way to Go Voters.
Dolly Wallace 2,291

State Senate
Michael Sanchez
Eric Griego
David Ulibarri

House of Representatives
Andrew J. Barreras
Elias Barela

Henry “Kiki” Saavedra
Don Tripp

Valencia County results only

COUNTY OFFICES

County commission
Dist. 2
Georgia Otero-Kirkham
Ron Gentry
Donald Holliday

County clerk
Sarry R. Perea (isn't that supposed to be Sally?)

County treasurer
Dorothy Otero Lovato

District attorney
Lemuel Martinez
http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/84492-11-05-08.html

Doesn't it Make You Wonder

Doesn't it make you wonder?
How does the police keep his job?

Every year he asks for more money and more money and more training and more supplies and every year he gets it.

Why doesn't the Council tell him no?

He gets caught drunk driving, admits it on tv and then gets promoted.
Why?

He asks to hire arm breaker police men and others who do not meet the high standards Bosque Farms deserves and he gets these men hired.
Why?

He's being sued for some very big things and the Council doesn't suspend him pending an investigation. Most other Councils do this. Ours doesn't.
Why?

He's been named on a webpage and reportedly being investigated for crimes and yet the Council doesn't suspend him pending an investigation. Most other councils would. Why not ours?

The Community Center

Ok. Councilor Proctor was outvoted regarding a money saving idea. Not a problem. This author thinks that the Community Center Director should be a full time job. This author also thinks that the Community Center should be just that

A Center for the Community

Let the Council hire someone who is dynamic, vibrant, a real go getter who is going to expand the programs and work with others to develop a great place to be.

Maybe the Council should spend the money here at the Community Center instead of the library? They hire three librarians and the library isn't even open as often as it should be for three people working there. Why not shake things up a bit. Dump a librarian and hire a really neat person for the Community Center.

Who cares if the place is rented out?

How about filling it up with evening classes?

Cooking classes for teens. Tutoring for kids. Craft making for seniors. Speakers on local history.

Speakers on horse care. Candidate debates.

How about filling it up with clubs and community programs?

4H. A genealogy group. A girl scout troop. Some groups already get to use the building free (yes that is a fact) for picking up a little bit of garbage. Why not every group?

How about filling it up with all ages?
A play group that mother's run. A mother son book club that meets once a month. A holiday pot luck for families.

This author came up with these ideas. Someone else could come up with other ideas. A dynamic Community Center Director would be able to impliment some of them and make this place a great place to be.

It make take some time to get a response after all so many of us have been kicked out for bringing children/grandchildren in to use the bathroom or for not being old enough that no one will expect a real Community Center that really serves the Community.

This is your chance to do something Councilors; your chance to shine.

Don't Forget Side B

When you are voting don't forget there are two sides to the ballot.

With such a crowded ballot this November election, New Mexico voters need to remember the B-side of their ballot.

On the backside of this year's ballot are five state constitutional amendments and four bond questions.

The Legislative Council Service has taken the time to put together a Web site so that voters can go online and access the details of the amendments and bond questions. The council has also provided brief arguments in support of and in opposition of each proposed amendment.

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/84295-10-29-08.html

For those of you who might not otherwise look and do the research, take a minute. You can visit the women voters website or you can visit this one. Either way, please be sure you know what you are voting for or against. Also be sure to vote for Mr. Holliday.

http://www.sos.state.nm.us/

A Funny Website

In honor of the upcoming election with an eye towards pointing fun at everyone in public office and everyone that is running or has run in the recent past; take a look at this website.

http://sendables.jibjab.com/

Be sure to take some time to visit the political animated videos. Those are the ones that are just plain funny.

Daylight Savings Time

It is that time again.

This is one thing the author thinks the states should rebel on and not do a time change.

Here is a link to some interesting facts about Daylight Savings Time Changes

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/daylight1.html