A Note to Knowlton

This is a note to Councilor Knowlton. This is also a note to the State Legislatures that pay for the new ball parks and things that are around our community.

This is a big article about professional ball player ball parks. The idea is that the state and city picks up the tab to build new stadiums and arenas and call it a public service. Taxpayers end up footing the bill because as we know, the government when it spends, is spending our money, our taxes.

And because it is a little bit controversial in New York, it hit the paper. The whole article is sorta interesting. But what was important and made this author sit up straight was this quote:

New ballparks and new arenas are never public services and never help the taxpayers, not in the Bronx, not in Queens. Not anywhere.

That is the quote from This paper

Economic Development?

Where is the economic development?
Councilor Knowlton is in charge of that group and it's past time that he do something about it. So far all this author can tell is that he's raised the water and sewer rates and not done anything to bring in new money so we don't have to have higher rates on water, sewer and taxes.

Who voted for this person?

Belen

Ok. It is not the Belen in Valencia County.
However, it is still a good little you tube video about Basketball and Belen.

Check it out here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZdFiwDnbvs

MEETING

IF you are interested about your sewer rates and your water rates, then this is the meeting to go to. Don't forget. And remember you just showing up isn't enough. If you just show up but don't say anything the Council will take it as unspoken support for their decisions.

And if you are interested in the new Property Maintence Ordinance that Councilor Wallace has been working on, read up on it HERE and go to the meeting and voice your opinion.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The Wearin' O' the Green

Today is the day fer the wearin' o' the green.
Today is the day when the little people are seen.
Today is St. Patrick's Day, so if ye'r Irish me lad,
Join the celebratin' fer the grandest time ta' be had.

Ya' put yer hand up in the air, the other hand on your hip.
Ya' tap yer toe, ya' tap yer heel, ya' bounce yer knee a wee bit.
Ya' prance 'n dance around the room, n' circle one two three.
The saints be praised, I must admit, ya' all look Irish ta' me.

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems14.html

At Least One

At the last count by the official counter and the person in the know, at least one councilor gets to make the decision about your water and sewer rates and is not hooked up to either.

Who? Councilor Proctor
Councilor Wallace is probably not hooked up to water and sewer either.

But that won't stop them from voting to raise you rates. Why should it? They don't care. They don't have any buy in to this program. And it won't inpact them one bit.

But they will get to spend your money that you have pay and pay and pay for the joy of having city sewer and water.

What will they do with that money?
Save it for a rainy day? Probably not.

In the past those of us who live here have seen our money spent advertising events in Los Lunas, buying used police cars only to see them broken down on the side of the streets and huge raises for employees that already earn more than the average.

If nothing else you can come see them vote and express your opinion about it.

The Police Meeting

This month you can go to the meeting at the police station and learn about money. Should be interesting. That is one thing the police do well- they put on a small meeting and share some interesting information.

http://bosquefarms.us/police_series.htm

See How Well They Listen

This author has been asking for years to help us get out of the flood system. And look at this:

http://bosquefarms.us/FIRM_info.htm

Some properties that are currently in not in a flood zone (X zones) will be going into a flood zone (AE Zone) with the new FIRM.

That is just lovely Council. Thanks for thinking of those of us who live here.

Let's see - you can add to the list of things the Council has done:

• higher property taxes,
• higher flood insurance rates,
• more laws to control what you do with your property and
• higher water rates and
  
• higher sewer rates

Impressive isn't it?

A Few More Dispatch Thought

While one vacant position will go unfilled, no dispatchers will be cut from staff, Stidham said. "There won't be an interruption to our current level of services," he said. "I know there are things to be addressed with the increased need for service, but we are not faced with the terrible dilemma of cutting six positions."

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/87276-03-07-09.html

Here is the other quote that bothers this author.
Those of us who live in this Village have seen this happen time and time again.
Reasonable people understand what this author is about to say but those in our service do not seem to get it.

When you cut a position to save money to run a department, that money is sucked up into the operating expenses.

You can not cut a position one year and expect to have that position the next year unless you add more money to the budget for that department.

So next year, either the Councils and Commisions need to hold firm and be sure that they do not have a budget increase simply to hire the person that this year the dispach service could live without; or they need to be prepared for a budget increase.

Getting rid of a position is an easy way to save money. And that is fine if you don't need the position. But you really need the position and you cut it because it is an easy way to get out of financial trouble, an easy way to cut funds, then later this move will come back to hurt you.

What bothers this author is that NO ONE is asking the tough questions about this move and they should be.

An Article about 911

Here is the article

And here is one quote that stood out to me:
Valdez had good news for the commissioners - they wouldn't have to hunt for the second half of the $172,371. "After the last meeting, I went back to the Village of Los Lunas, our fiscal agency, and asked if there was a way for me to tighten up my budget," she said. "I found we could cut back on some planned operational and equipment expenditures, and I eliminated one vacant dispatch position.

Several things disturb me about this article. But this is a big one:
The lady running 911 runs out and says "I need more money" and is pushing already cash strapped communities to ante up more so she can keep on running the way she has been. AND THEN she finds out she can cut some stuff.

Well Duh!

When you don't have enough cash- the FIRST THING you should do is cut expenses. Then see where you can make more money.

It must just be the smart reasonable people who read this blog who get this?

Time Change

Do Not Forget

Time Change this weekend.

Spring Ahead

water and sewer rates

Say Bosque Gal. Speaking of "gold in them thar hills". Did our steller council vote to raise the water and sewer rates at the last meeting? I was out of town and could not attend. And is it true that at least TWO (2)of our counselors aren't even connected to the water system and yet are allowed to raise rates on those of us who are? What is this Village coming to?

The way this author understands it is that there will be an increase even though it hasn't been voted on yet.

Do you want to have your say? GO TO THE MEETING. Speak up.

A Website

http://www.heritage.org/

Many of you maybe already visit this website. It is an interesting site full of good information, food for thought, conservative ideas.

This is their mission statement:
To formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

Just for the Big Pig

For those who might want to know more about a 'big pig' You might look here and here

Yup. Not a thing to do with the "Big Pig" blog but certainly just as interesting don't you think?