Taos United / Taoseños Unidos  –  Community Forum Recap Oct. 15th, 2019

DISCLAIMER:  The opinions and comments below are those of the speaker and not official positions of Taos United / Taoseños Unidos , a non-partisan, nonprofit community information and education group.

 

Martin Dimas – Candidate for County Commission District 3 

Martin has been involved with the Talpa community for 18 years, currently working with water rights. He has also been a major domo with the St. Francis church and has served on the buildings and grounds committee. Public officials should listen to voters and take action. Do it right the first time.  Current job title: State of NM electrical inspector. We must work with other districts and commissioners. If we don’t take care, it will hurt our children

 

Music in the Park (Bob Silver) 

“All politics is loca”l (Tip O’Neil). Music in the park has been on many people’s minds. The decision process in Town of Taos is flawed. The city manager chooses to enforce laws as he chooses. 80% of life is showing up. Do whatever you can. Don’t let our democracy be fatally damaged.

 

S&R Septic (Dion Smith) 

Stagecoach Hills Neighborhood Association — Since 2002, S&R has been dumping sewage off Tune Dr. in an open pit. Permeable geology creates a possibly dangerous situation for water pollution and diseases that can be transmitted by animals or wind. S&R fails to comply with ecological requirements, and is not monitored. The New Mexico Environmental Dept. has rubberstamped this three times. We would like the ED to enforce the law.  Oct 16th: public hearing — 5:30. County facility on Albright St.

 

Cancer Support Services Fundraising Activities (Tracy Brewer) 

Cancer support services for patients, including transportation to Santa Fe. Silent auction and Zumba party. “Paint Taos Pink.” https://z-m-www.facebook.com/events/952037185149109/

 

Darien Fernandez – Town Council 

Several months ago, he announced his candidacy for State Senate. After the untimely death of Carlos Cisneros, Darien has withdrawn. Darien feels more women are needed in the State Legislature. Northern NM delivered 80% of the vote for MLG. Issues left on the table after the last legislative session include reproductive rights, funds for early childhood education and recreational marijuana. These issues should be kept in mind when selecting our next State Senator.

 

Abeyta Settlement (Cliff Bain)

The Bureau of Reclamation has finally announced their process for implementation of the Abeyta settlement, giving us a week’s notice. Scoping meetings will be held Monday Oct 21st+22nd 4-7 PM  at the Sagebrush. Will study direct impacts as well as the potential impacts on cultural, social welfare, etc. that will be impacted by this scheme. Deep drilling is proposed. What treatment will be done? Comment period until Midnight Nov 6th.  Taos news coverage.
Email comments to:  BOR-sha-AAOTaosNEPA@usbr.gov

 

Candidate  for State Senate – District 6: Kristina Ortez

Currently, the executive director of the Taos Land Trust. Two daughters in Taos schools. Believes in working in coordination and partnership. Not a career politician but believes in community. Land and water are foremost. Will serve as your advocate at the State and Local level. Experienced in  budgets and fundraising, and setting strategic initiatives. Daughter of union leaders. Will fight for you. 

1. 1. Where are the strong, young, women we need as candidates?
      Kristina works with the Women in Leadership Collective Instagram:  @taoswomenleader
   2. Can we vote for you?
      No, but you can call your County Commissioners. Letters of interest. Vote on Nov 7th. Each county submits one name to the Governor.

Candidate for Public Regulation Commission District 3: Joseph Maestes  

Public regulation commission. Running to address the PRC’s complex regulatory decisions affecting multiple stakeholders, putting voters first. Engineer, retired from federal civil service. Immediate past vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Santa Fe County. Joseph previously served on Santa Fe City Council, as Mayor of Española and is now on the board of the Conservation Voters New Mexico. Attend meet and Greet at Dem Party HQ November 12th. https://www.maestas4nm.com/

 

Maggie Toulouse-Oliver  – ballot petition: (Deb Monroe) 

Maggie’s record shows she knows how to fight, as she demonstrated by standing up to  Koch brother’s lawyers in the New Mexico legislative session. She is called on to advise the Dept. of  Homeland Security. New Mexico has one of the most secure election systems in the nation thanks to her efforts. Maggie is also strong on women’s rights and the Green New Deal.

 

Candidate for Congress CD3:  Joseph Sanchez

Joseph, current State Representative (D) District 40, is from Acalde and has a background of electrical engineering. He worked at Los Alamos for 20 years. Due to his efforts Jemez Electrical Coop now in the black. Works with communities and pueblos.  Poverty and water issues in Northern New Mexico (as bad as Flint MI) are ignored. Congress could use perspective from an engineer. There are certainly enough attorneys. This is his chance to give back to the community and fix Norrthern New Mexico. http://josephsanchezforcongress.com/

1. Gun violence. You voted against gun background checks, red flag warnings, against expansion… Why would NM Democrats vote for you?
   Law enforcement didn’t support these policies and wanted more input. We have to protect ourselves. 
2. What is your stance on expansion of Los Alamos.
   Los Alamos contributes millions to our economy. Nuclear weapons are a deterrent that keep us safe. 

 

Susie Schwartz + Serit Kotowski

Last May the Town of Taos passed Resolution 19-22  regarding Health, Safety + Regional Contamination Issues  at Los Alamos National Laboratory. We are now obtaining endorsements by businesses and organizations.  We also advocate DOE/NMED strengthen and enforce the 2016 Consent Order governing LANL cleanup. 

 

Count the Money Events: Thursday, Oct 24 -3-5pm Taos Plaza-  Climate Crisis, Disarmament and Nuclear Safety Activists Join to Count the Nuclear Weapons Money 

Many Americans and especially climate protectors are starting to make the cause and effect connection of the corporate military-industrial complex to climate destruction. Billions of taxpayer money are being directed toward nuclear armaments that could instead be reallocated to climate protection, just transitions, and sustainable development goals rather than the threat of nuclear annihilation.  

This live event in Taos will coincide with the international Count the Nuclear Weapons Money action centered in New York City. You can count for 30 minutes on video and then express in an interview or by writing in a big book how you think this massive amount of your tax dollars currently being invested in the world’s ultimate weapons of mass destruction and genocide should be better spent for good!

 

Plastic Free Taos  (Peg Barlett)

News: Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, (and owns Smiths) will phase out the use of plastic bags in its stores by 2025

Plastic Free Taos’ next meeting is Wed Oct 23rd at 5:30 PM – Kit Carson Boardroom. Our goals are to grow the group, work with the Taos Recycling Center, phase out single-use plastic bags, and connect the group with the global climate strike. 

 

Rev Lewie Pell

Recently arrived from California, was impressed by a climate proposal (ideas and resources) that he got at the Climate Strike at the Roundhouse. It is not on the New Mexico Climate Action website.  [ed. Note. I have requested a copy of this proposal from the author and will attach when/if it’s provided.]

 

Candidate for Congress CD3:  Laura Montoya 

From Las Vegas, from a family of union members, Laura has 17 years of experience Federal State and Local government. She was the Treasurer of Sandodval County, the fastest growing in the State. She did community service through Rotary, at the University of Costa Rica.

Special interest should not dictate life in CD3. Congressperson must serve all of the District plus support statewide Democrats.  “I have the tools to get the job done. Not only in policy but constituent services. Special outreach to rural New Mexico. I am where the rubber meets the road.”

 

1. Women’s reproductive rights  – R v. Wade is in danger of being overturned.
   I believe in policies that further fairness, equality. I don’t have the right to tell you what to do with your body. Compromises could have been proposed that would have allowed that vote to succeed. (such as protection for doctors who don’t want to peform abortions). 
2. What is your view of expansion of Los Alamos, in particular pit production?
   Will discuss issue with Los Alamos to learn their perspective.  Public officials should inform their constituents.

 

Letter writing campaign for Virginia (Marjorie Luckey) 

2020 is much bigger than 2018. We must take the Senate and protect our southern congressional district. Several key States are severely gerrymandered. One of these is Virginia. TU/TU is partnering with Swing Left to write letters.   Thursday 3:30 PM at Dem HQ

 

Annette Arellano

 

1. Personal support for Joseph Sanchez for Congress
2. Announces the newly formed Taos County chapter of the Federation of Democratic Women. First event: booth for Halloween.  (We need candy!)
   Come join “Spooky Donkey”. Taos Plaza Oct 31st. 3-6 PM. 
   Contact Annette: missannettea@hotmail.com   575-224-7591

Darien Hernandez  #2 — Dem Party Announcements – SAVE THE DATE

Nov 4th: Alicia Keys Economic Opportunity Coordinator
Nov 8th: Maggie and BenRay   RSVP taosvotesblue.com

Taos Feeds Taos  continues their tradition of giving food baskets, and has a goal of $4000. Please contribute.    If you’re not getting TCDP emails  write taosvotesblue@gmail.com 

 

Thank you, Kit Carson Electric Co-op for providing space for our monthly meetings on the the 3rd Tuesdays of each month.
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