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 / Taoseños Unidos , a non-partisan, nonprofit community information and education group.
Recap June 18th, 2019
State Senate Candidate Darien Hernandez
Darien will run for State Senator because Senator Cisneros broke his promise to us to preserve women’s reproductive rights, and voted against HB 51. Other important issues: education, proper distribution of internet taxes, healthcare, and job creation. Darien promises to be present in the district.
Leopold Writing Program – Laura Pascas to speak at the Harwood
Steve Fox, on the board of the Leopold Writing Program, announced that Laura Pascas will speak at the Harwood Museum (238 Ledoux Street), 7 PM on June 25th, on her new book from UNM press: “At the Precipice”, about climate change in New Mexico. There is no charge.
Democratic Debate Watch Parties
George Brown announced two nights of Democratic Debate Watching at the Taos Democratic Party Headquarters (TCDP) , 729A Paseo del Pueblo Sur, June 26th and 27th. Bring a dish/beverage and pillow or lawn chair. RSVP taosvotesblue@gmail.com or contact George at 575-999-1621 6:30 PM to eat. 7:00 PM Debate starts.
The TCDP is also looking for volunteers for upcoming Holiday events: July 4th, Fiestas and Pride parades.
Taos Recycling Center
Pascual Maestas tells us that the Taos Recycling Center has been running $250K in the red annually.
Factors influencing the situation:
- Town residents pay a small fee, but County residents and other parties who use the center are not charged.
- Taos County has a low rate of recycling
- Customer education is needed to keep from “contaminating” donations, which results in
un-saleable product
The Town of Taos will present a proposal for a regional solution, that would give control of the recycling center to the Regional Landfill Board. 9 AM Thursday June 20th at the County Commission room — County Facility Albright St.
Immigration Conditions (Bea Balsamo)
ICE has created concentration camps holding more than 52,000 people on any given day. This is mass detention of civilians without trial. The President threatens “mass roundups”. There are now unlicensed facilities being established which are not required to submit to oversight, intentionally placed in locations that are hard to access. Adults and children are being held in substandard conditions and are dying in custody.
These measures do not contribute to our security.
National Renewable Energy Labs (Erin Sanborn)
Something good that’s paid for by our taxes is the National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL). Their mission is to advance the science and engineering of energy efficiency. Among their initiatives is a tool (DG squared) that any coop such as Kit Carson, or a municipality can use to determine optimal sites for local renewable energy deployment.
Candidate for Taos County Clerk: Valerie Rael-Montoya
Valerie has been working as Deputy County Clerk under current County Clerk Anna Martinez , who is term limited. Valerie is familiar with all aspects of the position: Elections, Licensure, Recording of Land Titles and much more.
Impact of HB 5 on Funding for Vista Grande
Isabelle St. Ange, Director of Vista Grande Charter High School. Vista Grande, a unique charter school (45% Native-American 40% Hispanic) faces elimination of 80% of its funding because HB 5 (Public Education Changes) defined Taos as an urban, large district (> than 2000 students). Without amendment to this legislation, Vista Grande will not be able continue their operation.
Isabelle asks for volunteers. Get in touch: http://vistagrandecharter.org/
Taos Progressive (Cristy Holden)
Cristy’s group is reading the Mueller report together. (Read on your own but connect to write editorials.) They are also hosting informal “Friday Progressive Therapy” gatherings where you can connect with fellow Progressives. This week’s gathering will be at KTAO as part of the PPC Solar 40th Anniversary Celebration (June 21st beginning at 5 PM — https://ktao.com/SolarCenter/events)
SAVE THE DATE: Retake Our Democracy will be visiting us in Taos July 8th at Taos County Democratic Party HQ
Pro choice delegation meets 10 AM – July 4th at the Arroyo Seco Post Office before the parade. Pride Parade is Saturday August 2nd. Contact TaosProgressive@gmail.com
Taos United (Paula Claycomb)
The Taos United Steering Committee would like information from members. Options could include an online survey and/or focus groups or questions at the September meeting. TU/TU would like to explore how we can increase our reach and effectiveness. Info: paula.claycomb@gmail.com
Candidate for County Commission District 4 – AnJanette Brush
AnJanette is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Taos County Democratic Party. She is running for County Commission District 4 (Incumbent Tom Blankenhorn is termed out) and will bring her communication skills to the job. Zoning and taxation, as Stacey Abrams observed, are the most direct forms of social engineering. Necessary services should be available for all.
Community Against Violence Thrift Store (CAV) – (Bobbi Grillo)
CAV is looking for volunteers (half day) for the store. Sorting, sweeping, greeting, etc. Contact: bobbig@taoscav.org 575-751-4824
Money Stamping – Jeff Northrup
Since 2015, Jeff has been stamping money with messages protesting money in politics. STAMP $$$ OUT OF POLITICS
Renewable Taos – Dan Pritchard
Climate change may be the #1 issue in the world. Two upcoming events:
– Friday: PPC 40th Solar birthday at KTAO beginning at 5 PM
– 2nd Electric vehicle expo – Aug 24th at the TCA Noon-4 PM in coordination with the Classic Car show
Debut of Taosunited.org Marjorie Luckey
Community Forum recaps, Action Alerts, Events, Resources will all be posted. Even links to Facebook. Take a look!
https://taosunited.org
Friends of the Park – Bob Fies
Public money is spent without discussion on large band events in Kit Carson Park, at the expense of the Youth and Family Center. Commercial concerts (i.e. Sting) create noise and congestion. Friends of the Park is gathering data of adverse effects. Sign the petition or contact bobfies@taosnet.com 575-776-2015
Iran – Terry Surguine speaking for Nat Troy
If you’re concerned about impending war in Iran, write and call reps. In addition, it may be effective to work directly with these organizations:
Taos United Poverty Project – Pascual Maestas
A Canadian nonprofit, The Tamarack Institute, has developed techniques that have resulted in poverty reduction in Canadian communities. Agencies with poverty reducing missions, such as soup kitchens, often work in isolation. Decisions are made by organizations or municipalities without consulting actual poor people. Using the Tamarack model, we would like to study what poverty looks like in Taos, and achieve community change. Sign up for advisory committee to arrange future meetings which will feature food and childcare. Contact Pascual at pmaestas@mail.usf.edu