New Mexico Wildlife Federation (NMWF) held a public meeting at the Tays Center on Saturday evening billed as an Economics Forum. Only one of the panel, Robert Curran, a sportsman, was local. Although NMWF refused to take a position on Otero Mesa becoming a National Monument with the stroke of the presidential pen, NMWF did admit that it supports Wilderness designation for the Organ Mountains.

Since we have pristine grasslands worthy of consideration for National Monument status, how did the grasslands survive under BLM and ranchers' care and now need another level of bureaucracy, the NPS, for protection? This defies even basic common sense.

I could go on and cite a number of facts that could not be rebutted at the meeting, such as nearly 45 years of decline in visitation at White Sands National Monument, something that even ecotourists can not cure.

But, I would rather refer you to a very interesting article by Walter E. Williams entitled "Profit vs. Nonprofit": http://patriotpost.us/opinion/walter-e-williams/2010/09/22/profit-versus-nonprofit/

Also, a favorite tool of mine to find out where organizations get their money is Quidestar where you can read their IRS 990's - always enlightening. http://www2.guidestar.org/

Also, Activest Cash is good for making the connections between large and small nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). http://activistcash.com/index_foundations.cfm

We here in Otero County have a much greater interest in preserving Otero Mesa than anyone else. It is our home. All the promises in the world of money and ecotourists falling from the sky will not change the facts. Let's deal with reality.

The Otero Regular Meeting on September 16th was long and a "barn burner". You can view it at AlamogordoLive.net. If you have specific questions, please email me.

The meeting at the Detention Center was very educational. Virginia Blansett and her staff were forthcoming with their concerns and perspectives. All three candiates from District 1 attended. We were "interviewed" for the position of commissioner, as it should be, instead of us telling them "what is best". Every department could do this.

I attended the Boles Acres VFD training meeting. Visited with the Chaparral community Sunday and registered 10 voters. It is very encouraging to see people starting to realize they can make a difference.

"It does not take a majority to prevail ...
but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men."

Samuel Adams

Another Boles VFD meeting 9/9/10: Something I didn't know - calls to the departments are tallied up by the State Fire Marshall/State EMS. State funding to each VFD is based on number of calls received. Dog Canyon services come under umbrella of Boles Acres. Three members of Dog Canyon were in attendance. Asst.Chief Pete Tissley conducted the meeting. Met Chief John Bajar at the Otero Work Session the following morning.

Went to Dog Canyon to deliver a yard sign and ending up placing three. The community, like Boles Acres, is very receptive to the idea of being treated fairly. Apparently, the Corps of Engineers is ready to do a study on the escarpment near Dog Canyon. This came to light at the work session. That is the good news. The bad news, the county will be required to do a "2-foot" survey prior to that and the current estimated cost is $120K - and the "county doesn't have it".

The election on November 2 will include proposed amendments to the New Mexico Constitution. I know how I am voting, do you? Want to have a discussion?

Please read these, it takes less than 30 minutes to educate yourself. Amendment 3 is erroneously named to make you think it restricts felons' voting rights - it does just the opposite and leaves it up to state politicians!

Most of these "sound" good until you read the pros and cons.

"On November 2, 2010, five proposed constitutional amendments will appear on the New
Mexico general election ballot as the result of passage of joint resolutions by the New Mexico Legislature in its 2009 and 2010 regular legislative sessions.


CA 1 (2009) Allow the establishment of a college scholarship program for New
Mexico military war veterans.

CA 2 (2010) Allow county officials to serve three consecutive terms instead of
two.

CA 3 (2010) Modernize language regarding qualified electors by defining
mental incapacity for voting purposes; adopting federal requirements; and restricting felons from voting except when voting rights are restored by statute.

CA 4 (2010) Provide a property tax exemption for property of a veterans'
organization.

CA 5 (2010) Allow for the appointment of certain former members of the
legislature to certain civil offices.

Copy and paste the address below into your browser to read the analyses and arguments for and against the 5 Constitutional Amendments on your ballot November 2:

http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/lcsdocs/182482.pdf

JANET WHITE CAMPAIGN YARD SIGNS ARE IN. CALL OR EMAIL TO HAVE THEM DELIVERED. 575-921-1760 - janetwhitedesigns@msn.com

Have a get together at your home! I will provide postcard invitations, an appearance to meet your guests and answer questions. As you know, I don't "speechify", so these will be short, to the point, informal and educational.

On Wednesday last I stopped by the Boles Acres VFD and met with a couple of volunteers who were performing truck checks. Tonight I will be attending their business meeting.

What I learned at my first visit: The Chief is John Badjar and the Asst. Chief is Pete Nissley. Boles Acres #1 is located on Sage Avenue, Boles Acres #2 is located in Dog Canyon. Boles #1 has an ISO of 7 and Boles #2 is rated 9. Between the two locations they have 4 tenders, 3 engines, 2 medic units, 2 brush units, 1 air truck and a 1936 fire engine, way cool! 3/4 of the volunteers have some medical certification and they have between 20-25 members.

I learned that it costs approximately $2345 to fully equip a fire fighter with bunker gear; helmet, Nomex hood, boots, gloves, coat and pants.

They are automatically assisted by Oro Vista VFD and Alamo West.