Learn Something New Every Day

Who says you can't teach an old person new tricks? And who says that the authors of this blog are too busy to learn?

Up until recently this author/s just simply didn't have time to sit down and figure out all that this blog could do. But now? Well maybe this author/s haven't learned everything but they have learned to do one new thing.

Look to see more links that look like this. (This is an embedded link)
Instead of this:
http://www.newscientist.com/gallery/dn16422-best-ancient-observatories

It is not hard, it has always been a matter of priorities and it wasn't a priority to do this until recently.

As always, in order to not violate copy writes, this author will try to post quotes in blue and provide a link to the quote (or information about where the quote came from).

By the way, this blog author/s have always known how to put in a picture into the blog. However, it was decided long ago that this blog would have few, if any, pictures.

If this author was going to put in pictures; there would be pictures of some of the ugly fences around the Village, some of the police cars speeding on the freeway, some of the new businesses and so on. But for now, the authors have decided to keep it status quo.

The Budget

Jones also reminded the council that property taxes were increased this past year. The village did receive an $18,845 check on Dec. 29 for the November property tax collection. Another check was mailed to village this week for $52,044.

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/86355-01-28-09.html

So, they raised property taxes. Knowlton wants to raise water rates and sewer rates. And they have increased the spending to keep up with the income.

And yet the employees still can't live within a budget?

Wait, let this author rephrase that statement. And yet the police still can't live within their budget? This author isn't reading about anyone else, any other department, being overspent in their budget.

Oh well, if you over spend in our Village someone will come to your rescue.

The Budget

Isn't that interesting?

During a mid-year budget review workshop last week, Mayor Wayne Ake instructed the village's clerk-administrator Gayle Jones to take his salary for the remainder of the fiscal year and designate it to the police department. Ake made the decision to forego his remaining salary, which would be less than $2,500, after the police chief explained to the council why at least one line item in his budget will most likely be in the red at the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/86355-01-28-09.html

Good for Mayor Ake that he is willing to forgo his salary for the police. Good For Him. It is nice to see that at least one elected person has put his actions forth that demonstrate his commitment.

What this author would like to see is that the Council would say 'find the money Stidham'. Find the money somewhere else and make the budget work. That is what should happen. Otherwise how do you expect Stidham to learn to live within a budget if more money keeps coming along?

Another Blog

Another blog reporting to tell the truth of Bosque Farms.
This blog is put forth by the illustrious (eye roll) Stidham.

Yes folks. You got it. The Police Chief has decided he'll share with you the news you need to know so you can know the truth about the police in Bosque Farms and Peralta.

This author particularly liked the comment from the resident in Peralta. Read it here.
"VNS" starts by saying 'oh I'm so happy' but then there is this:
I'm also a little surprised about the drug statistics. My neighbor and I have called a few times about a suspected drug house and there hasn't been any action. Is there a drug task force of bf police? Or any kind of help bf can provide to deal with someting like a deal house?

Wait! Let's get this straight- Bosque Farms has contracted to be the police force in Peralta, but they haven't taken care of the drug house in a neighborhood! Hm.

Maybe VNS shouldn't be so happy. Because Bosque Farms PD is who is supposed take care of the drug house in their neighborhood. And yes. There is drug task forces they can call in for extra help if it is needed.

"El Tigre" will be missed

El Tigre (Dad) passed away late last year. He went real fast and sudden. Blood poisoning complications from his mashed up hands the doctors said. We found out he was posting here when we went through his hard drive for some financial info. I thought you all would like to know. I imagine you all must miss his input. I went back and saw how much comment he drew. He was nothing if not controversial. He always was a bit of a lightning rod. Sorry to see the commentary drop so far. only 31 in the last 3 months.

Original post by "El Tigre 2"

New Businesses

This author wants to give a hearty thanks to the new jewelry business in town. You can go get your rings cleaned free and meet them. Thanks for opening up here in Bosque Farms. Looking forward to visiting more often. Good Luck.

The State Funds

This author has been seeing notice that the state is wanting it's money back. If the state has awarded a community a sum of money and that money isn't spent, isn't going to be spent right away, the state wants the money back.

Thank Richardson for this. He has passed out money left and right and now? Economic Downturn and he's going to make everything work by taking back the money he passed out.

Doesn't it make you wonder how that is going to impact Bosque Farms?
What money is sitting in Bosque Farms budget that the state is going to demand back?

Is there money for the walk path? Probably. Maybe that explains the notice a few weeks ago that this author saw in the paper that they are going to add exercise equipment to the walk path.
Is there money for bringing the Village up to arsenic standards? Maybe.

How about money for fixing the Village sewer system? Could be. There was at one point some big numbers being tossed around about getting a new tank.

The Bottom Line? Bosque Farms is probably hurting from this economic downturn and now it is more than likely that some of the funds in the bank will have to be turned back to the state.

How about that? The rainy day is here. Has the Village saved for it? Time to find out folks.

Where Do They Drive?

It is interesting to note that there have been Village Vehicles (and not just police vehicles) around other places than Bosque Farms.

So, where do they drive?

Well. They could be driving to a meeting. There are many Council of Government meetings that someone has to attend. Mayor Ake used to go to them until he started working. Is it possible that an employee goes to those meetings and drives a Village car. Yes. Possible.

They could be driving to meetings for Council of Governments, MRGCD, the 911 call center, and any of the local communities such as Isleta with which we might have a Memorandum of Understanding. Sure. Possible.

Or they could just be driving to lunch. Lunch at Dion's. Lunch at Wendy's. Lunch in Los Lunas.

What do you think? Should the employees of our Village be driving a Village car to lunch?

What a mission statement.

Our community center needs something like this for it's mission statement.

Our mission is:

• to provide a safe, accessible community space for activities and programs that meet community needs

• to strengthen and unite the community by bringing together its diverse elements

• to raise consciousness through public education, art, music, culture, craft, communication, civic discourse and debate

• to advance the full inclusion of all persons in the community.

http://www.westcottcc.org/

Some ideas

A community dance, something for everyone. Get the live band that plays for the Seniors and invite everyone.

A movie outside. Throw the sheet up on the wall, get a projector and invite everyone to come sit on the hay bales and watch a movie. A first Saturday of the month type of event.

A mother daughter book club.
A mother son book club.
A book club of any type. Bring a pot luck item and lets discuss the book.

Community organizations. 4h, Girl Scouts, Scouts and so on.

Art shows by local artists.

And of course, lunches for seniors and more.

The Community Center

Ok. This is it. Mrs. Stanley has retired. The Community Director Mrs. Snare has taken over and had a few weeks to get settled in to place. Now, this is the time to turn that building into a true community center and not a senior center that serves only one section of the community.

Mrs. Stanley said it herself, the number of people that use the community center has dropped.

So what can be done with that community center that will attract a lot of us to go join the community and have fun? Let's brainstorm.

One thing needs to happen almost right away. A policy about using the center needs to be developed. Oh yeah, there is a policy but did you know under that Stanley leadership that some groups got to use the community center free? 4H does. They just have to pick up the garbage around the building as a community service. Not quite fair is it?

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/85635-12-31-08.html

Sadly

There really is not much to report on at this time.

The Council is not doing much. In fact they are doing the same things they have been doing this whole time. Nothing. Missing meetings, coming in late, spending our money on things we don't see.

Too Bad. This author is just waiting and hoping that some one new, young, smart will run.

The Council's Job

When they were elected that was part of what they were sworn in to do- to help protect property values. That is the very and only purpose of zoning. Zoning is allowed by the New Mexico constitution only as a way to protect property values. That is it.

The Council isn't doing their job when they allow people to park on the road in front of your home.

How many of you know someone who parked on the road and got a ticket?
This author does.
How many of you know someone who received a ticket for parking on the walk path?
This author does.
How many of you know someone who had a guest of a party at a home receive a ticket because they parked on the road and not in the driveway because there wasn't enough space to park on the driveway?
This author does.

But if you live by the school you have to put up with people parking right in front of your home at all hours of the day simply because the school district won't put out the money to make more parking. And they do have a way to make more parking.

The Police are not doing their job. The Council is not doing it's job. Shame on them both.

America On the Move

This author was reading an article about a town that joined this movement. America on The Move. The goal was to get people in the community walking more, losing weight, being healthier.

There are some good reasons for doing this:

• Women who increased their activity level by an additional 3,500 steps a day lost 5 pounds during the year.

• Men who added that many steps lost 8½ pounds in a year.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2008-11-02-brisk-walking_N.htm

America on the move is a non profit organization. They are encouraging people to walk more. In one community they helped set up signs that showed how far/how many steps it was to the door of a store. This just helped people add steps to their daily routine.

While whole communities can participate, so can individuals. This is a very motivational site. You might want join me out on the walk path walking this year. (Thanks to Councilor Linthicum for pushing that through!)

http://aom2.americaonthemove.org/

To Do

Happy New Year and here you go Council. Here are a list of ideas you can use to plan your resolutions. Will you please do something?

--- An emergency evacuation plan needs to be developed. And remember, Sept.was National Preparedness Month so why not make it your goal to be ready by then for any emergencies.

--- The library needs to be open more: longer hours, later nights, weekends. They don't have to pay the librarians more, just rework their schedule a bit.

--- A plan for animals in case of emergency needs to be developed. Again, another September planning prepared item. Where will all these horses go? Author note: This one came directly from Councilor Wallace one time talking about taking care of the horses in an emergency. Where will they go? Who will feed them if we have to evacuate? It doesn't take much to make a plan and it hopefully won't be used. But if we need it, there is no plan; and we have seen too often homes and places threatened by fire and people frantic to take care of their animals.

--- The take home car policy needs to be evaluated and the numbers and facts need to be considered before continuing this program. Author's Note: This is one that comes from this Author and has never been mentioned in meetings. It makes sense though. And what is a shame is that not one person on the Council agrees. They think things are just fine. And maybe this author needs to erase this to do item before everyone on the Council extends the take home car policy and allows everyone to drive police cars on vacations to NYC.

--- A Master Calendar needs to be developed and important dates need to be noted and planned for ahead of time. (for National Night Out, Yearly Garage Sale Day...)

--- The park bathrooms need to be available and vandalism limiting methods considered.

--- The Community Center needs to be used for everyone in the community- ALL year long.(Credit for the Council for budgeting for and keeping it going a limited summer recreation program. This needs to be improved and expanded. While you are hiring someone, why not find someone who has true experience in this type of thing and who wants to do it? In fact, it wouldn't surprise this author (this is for Councilor Proctor) if you could find someone half time who did more than Miss Gloria did in her hours working.

--- The Horse Path Committee is doing what? The public needs to be updated.

--- The levees need to be evaluated. The Corp. of Engineers, the MRGCD, and the Village need to work together to make this occur and to possibly prevent flooding. This is doubly important since we have watched Belen and surrounding areas flooding repeatedly these past few years.

--- The Property Law needs to be completed and passed.

--- FEMA needs to be petitioned to take Bosque Farms OUT of the flood plain.

--- The Current hiring and background check policy needs to be rewritten and clarified.

--- The Fireworks Ordinance needs to be considered now (Not in July!)

--- 911 Service needs to be considered and some method of insuring that those calling from cell phones will get service as soon as possible. And they need to ensure that people who work at 911 know basic landmarks so they can better direct police, fire fighters etc. And yes, while that might be a county run program; Bosque Farms pays for the service so it should be good for those of us who live here and it really isn't that great right now.

--- A policy needs to be developed about who can use this Community Center for free or fee and when. (Such as 4H getting free use for picking up trash, why can't other groups?)

--- The results of the pay comparison have been turned in, now a pay raise policy needs to be developed. This is back to black. The pay comparison is finished but the employees need to see the results and a policy needs to be developed. (Author note: This one has been there for years. Shame. )

--- The librarian needs to be told to not bring her dog to the library. The general public would not be allowed to do the same, it is not a seeing or hearing helping dog so it needs to be out. And if the librarian isn't going to comply, she needs to be fired.

--- The Economic Development Committee needs to start developing economics and they need to start talking to people who want to talk to them.

--- WiFi needs to provided. Free. A program like Los Lunas. It is a nation wide trend and it makes a lot of sense and it ties directly into the goal above of economic development.

--- A balanced budget needs to be developed with incentives to employees to save money (by providing ideas for saving water, energy etc), to work within their department budget, and to write grants for other funds.

--- The police and the Council need to work with the school district to bring Bosque Farms Elementary into compliance with our local laws.