Important Otero County Information sent out 7/27/10 am.

Friends,

Below is a petition that will be delivered to Otero County Commissioners. Please read and if you agree, simply respond by email. I will then add your name to the petition noting electronic response. If you have questions, I will be happy to answer them.

Janet




We, the undersigned citizens/voters of Otero County, New Mexico, are aware of a desire on the part of Otero County Commissioners to move ahead with plans to renovate and equip 2351 Eddy Drive, Alamogordo.



This property is known as the old Pepsi building and is proposed as a new location for Otero County Sheriff’s Dispatch and Otero County Emergency Services. A target completion date of November 15, 2010, has been indicated.



We, the undersigned, are requesting the Otero County Commission place this project on hold until after January 1, 2011, when two commissioners will be sworn into office.



We, the undersigned, want this project to proceed in a deliberate, open and thoughtful manner which will best serve the needs of Otero County’s first responders and therefore provide the maximum level of safety to its citizens.



We want the opportunity to review Otero County’s long range plans to see that this project will achieve those goals prior to further actions.



Finally, we would request that a Public Hearing be scheduled where the Board can address questions and concerns on this project before further action is taken.

Update: 7/27/10 pm

Friends,

I met with Sheriff Blansett, Undersheriff Sanchez and Assistant Dispatch Supervisor Mackewich this afternoon.

John, Norbert and Terry were very helpful in explaining the need for the Public Safety Access Point (PSAP 911) equipment prior to the first of the year 2011. I was told today that Qwest will be making changes to its phone service sometime around January 2011. This change will have the potential to make existing dispatch equipment obsolete or non-functional. Of course, that would be a major safety concern for the public, peace officers, EMS and fire departments.

I assured John, Norbert and Terry that from my perspective, safety and security come first and are legitimate functions of our government.

As a result of what I learned at the meeting, I volunteered to remove paragraph 3 from the petition as waiting for the PSAP installation until after January 1 would be irresponsible:

"We, the undersigned, are requesting the Otero County Commission place this project on hold until after January 1, 2011, when two commissioners will be sworn into office."

In light of local, state and national economic and political climates, all other paragraphs will remain as they address legitimate concerns of citizens.

I welcome your feedback,

Janet

Where we are now: We have approximately 40 signatures on the petition. I am researching the Qwest change of service issue and will report what I find.

Billboard dedication, rally and four-hour plus observation of Otero County Sheriff's Dispatch.

Otero Tea Party Patriots are building momentum and members. With the election on November 2, County Fair - August 11-14, there is much to be discussed. The next meeting will be after the fair. If you want to be on their list, let me know.

From 7pm to well after 11pm, I observed Dispatch. The calls early on were mostly the result of heavy rains and flooded areas. Mixed in, were welfare check requests and requests from deputies in traffic stops for verification of licenses, etc.

Not only were Chris and Bruce receiving 911 calls, administrative calls, radio communications, their job requires them to provide documentation for deputies. The best way to describe their job is "rubbing their tummies while patting their heads" or keeping three to four balls in the air at the same time - something not many people can do.

Without going into a lot of detail, these folks have to know what they are doing and obviously, they do. Kudos. Our safety and that of the deputies, fire departments, EMS, depends of good communication. Here in Otero County, the problem is not the people. But, there is a definite lack of radio capabilities - no service areas and aging, unreliable equipment.

Meeting K-9 "Jimbo" and his handler was inspiring and depressing to learn about meth and it effects.

Learning and staying out of the way was my goal. My plan is to visit other departments as well. My only assistance came in the form of solving a math problem and was glad my grey matter didn't leave me under pressure.