Special thanks to Kit Carson Electric Co-op for our meeting space!
2019 Community Forums: 3rd Tuesday of the month @ KCEC
DISCLAIMER: The opinions and comments below are those of the speaker and not official positions of Taos United, a non-partisan, nonprofit community information and education group.
May 21st, 2019 TU/TU Forum
Nat Troy We’re moving towards war with Iran. Please lobby New Mexico congresspeople to support SB 1039 (Udall) which has 19 co-sponsors and HR 2354, which has 36 sponsors including Ben Ray Lujan — but write to Holland and Xotchil Torres Small as they haven’t spoken out yet.
Jan Smith (SOMOS) – announced a two-day event with Francisco Cantu, author of “The Line Becomes a River” Friday May 24th/Saturday May 25th. Co-Sponsored by Taos United/Taoseños Unidos / and Taos Immigrant Allies (TIA)
George Brown (Democratic Party Headquarters Event)
June 12th- Maggie Toulouse Oliver Meet and greet
June 3rd – Secretary of Public Education – Karen Trujillo
RSVP and more information: https://www.taosvotesblue.com/
Featured speaker –Cliff Bain (Guardians of Taos Water)
Due to the long history of caring for the land and water here in Taos, we now have a fairly pristine watershed and we have an obligation to protect it. To accomplish this, we need to block the potentially harmful effects of the Abeyta settlement, a water-sharing agreement among major water users and water rights holders in Taos Valley, which was finalized by Congress and President Obama in 2013. As part of the settlement, El Prado must relocate its water pumping away from Buffalo Pasture at Taos Pueblo, because of its negative impact on the shallow aquifer there. In return, El Prado is allowed to drill supply wells further from the pasture to supply current customers and facilitate development. Environmental impact of these supply wells, which will impact streams and acequias, has not been thoroughly documented. In 1999 federal action determined that no harm would result from “exploratory supply wells”. Too late to fight this now, but we can comment and participate going forward. The Bureau of Reclamation plans a scoping process this summer to determine WHAT needs to be studied. We don’t have the details, but are trying to get the bureau to mandate a comprehensive impact assessment. Prayer and occupation held in April was a start. There will be hearings and a comment period, at which we must press for a broad evaluation of environmental and cultural impacts. This will be an opportunity to obtain consensus about how we can live in balance with the natural world. We can pull off miracles such as the Blue Lake settlement. The acequia system is a grassroots democracy. Let us reclaim our agency in our future. The Taos County Planning Commission is currently evaluating the Tareleton development plan for 400+ homes near El Prado. Goal: re-negotiate. Though Pueblo rights are acknowledged, the plan is unfeasible. We must expand the number of stakeholders at the table. The National Environmental Policy Act applies. Guardians of Taos Water will keep us informed of events and opportunities for action on this issue. https://www.taoswaterprotectors.org/
Karen Monson: New Energy Economy (https://www.newenergyeconomy.org/)
The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that PNM acted improperly in regard to renewal of nuclear power leases: https://www.apnews.com/2b45127ad6b141199a57c12a60fec39f
Read about the issue and join mailing list for future actions.
Bea Balsamo (Taos Immigrant Allies) https://www.facebook.com/tiataos/
Dr. Scott Warren, a volunteer with No More Deaths, (http://forms.nomoredeaths.org/en/) is on trial merely for providing immigrants with food and water, accused of Smuggling and conspiracy. Action: Call Tuscon, AZ DA to request all charges be dropped. Nathaniel Walters US Attorney 520-620-7512 nathaniel.walters@usdoj.gov
Jim Ludden TENT – (https://www.taoselders.org/)
Taosenos are helping seniors with transportation, minor home repairs, technical support and more. The organization has been active since October, with volunteers providing 2-3 services every day. 25% of Taos seniors, however, who could make use of these services, are below the poverty line and might not be able to afford the membership fee. Consider a donation that could subsidize membership for these folks.
Ann Ellen Tuomey (https://momsdemandaction.org/)
100 people a day int he USA die from gun violence. Gun Sense America (GSA) is growing and gun sense laws are being passed by more states. As part of Gun Violence Week, GSA is sponsoring a Wear Orange Weekend June 8th-9th to advocate for a future free of gun violence. Look for tables outside Albertson’s, Smiths, and Walmart collecting items to support clients of Community Against Violence (CAV) seeking refuge from violence.
Bob Bresnahan
As the most senior trustee on Kit Carson Electric Co-op Board, Bob’s been advancing the cause to transition to renewable energy for years and is hoping to continue in his position for another term. He encouraged all to take a look at Washington State Governor (and Presidential candidate) Jay Inslee’s climate plan on his website: https://jayinslee.com/issues/evergreen-economy
Bob’s research finds no scientific confirmation of health risks from 5G, which interestingly, has less ability to penetrate the body through skin than 3G waves. Also, it has been demonstrated that smart meters actually reduce exposure to electro-magnetic radiation compared to the older existing meters. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of people people die each year from fossil fuel related pollution and accidents, which is equivalent to two 9/11’s a month. This is clearly the health risk we need to be addressing.
Al Kelly – Resolution for Taos United to consider:
Whereas, since the 1980’s and the Reagan Administration our Common Airways have been deregulated and given to monopoly corporations and
Whereas, prior to the last 39 years of deregulation of our airways, Pharmaceutical Corporations, Lawyers, even children were not allowed to advertise and
Whereas, the false advertising of pharmaceutical drugs has caused the opioid crisis and
Whereas, even Public Broadcasting System has been turned into commercial radio and television via underwriting throughout the Country and
Whereas rich individuals make billions via our airwaves, roads, ports, airports, natural resources and other common goods, which belong to every citizen and non-citizen of the U.S.!!!
Now, therefore, be it resolved that Taos United request of any candidate for elected office be required to seek the total breakup of ATT and Fox Warner, who own Comcast, DirectTV, and other communication entities into independent communication companies. This would assist in returning our Common Airways that belong to the people of the United States and not to private corporations.
Susie Schwartz (statement presented by Marjorie Lucky)
Resolution 19-22, “REGARDING HEALTH, SAFETY AND REGIONAL CONTAMINATION ISSUES AT LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY” was presented to the Taos Town Council May 20th, 2019 and was unanimously adopted! Current task is to gain endorsements from non-profits, pueblos, legislators. Long range goal to get NM legislative unity on this issue. Millions of dollars poured into LANL do not really help our economy
Marjorie Luckey – Taos United Election Committee
We’d like to see an even larger election turnout for 2020, with an additional reach-out to non party affiliated voters (DTS–decline to state). The proportion of registered not choosing a party is increasing, especially among young people. The Taos Elections Group will be discussing this and other strategies when we meet and gear up for the 2020 elections in the next couple of weeks. If interested in working on the most important election of our lifetimes, contact luckbend@gmail.com
(George Brown follow-up – Despite changes in procedure for General Elections, DTS voters, as many as 4000 in Taos County, still need to be registered with a party 28 days in advance of a Primary. It’s possible for them to affiliate with a major party for the Primary and then change again prior to the General if they choose. This is important information to remember ahead of what will be a hotly contested Primary election: June 2nd, 2020.)
Jay Levine – We are almost out of time to affect climate change. The 2020 elections are the most consequential in human history. Non-progressive candidates need to be replaced on the Taos Town Council, County Commission, etc. Good people are running.
Marianne Furedi – Plastic
We should carry our own stirrers and cups. Horrifying how much plastic is in our oceans.
Al Kelly – After attending a recent TCA event “What’s it like to be American? he’s been reflecting on something he often hears in Taos, which is that there are “three cultures in New Mexico” – Anglos, Spanish and Native American. But there’s a very important 4th culture, often ignored, which is Mexican.
Thanks for attending and supporting Taos United/Taoseños Unidos
Don’t forget to like and follow us on FACEBOOK