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Letters to the Editor

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Thursday, June 05, 2008

Letters To the Editor



      Thanks for Help With Energy Fair
THE TOWN OF EDGEWOOD wishes to thank all of those that helped create a successful Wind Festival & Green Energy Fair May 3-4 in which more than 500 people attended:
    The Albuquerque Boy Choir, the Wind Spirit Drum Performance Art Group, Wildlife West Nature Park, Youth Conservation Corps members, East Mountain High School, American Kitefliers Association, Dick Pledger and the Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department.
    Thank you.
    ROGER HOLDEN
    Manager, Parks and Recreation Department
    Edgewood
   
    Festival Funding — What's To Discuss?
I'M TOTALLY CONFUSED BY YOUR front page article, “Founder Vows Fest Will Go On” (May 29, 2008). Why is there further discussion by Mayor Stearley on an issue that has already been decided by the town council at their budget meeting on May 14th? I attended the meeting and was present when the budget was approved.
    When a packed house of nearly 60 people showed up to listen to the budget discussion, Councilor John Abrams stated early in the evening that the funding for the bluegrass festival was a line item in the budget, and it was still there. Following the anti-donation clause review by the town attorney, Marcus Rael, Councilor Glenn Felton asked if there was any way for the town to fund the bluegrass festival. As your article correctly states, “Marcus Rael said there may be another way for the town to fund the event.” Stearley explained the details of this would be decided later.
    In order to balance the budget, $16,000 was taken out of the Parks and Recreation total event budget. … Mayor Stearley said they would review the town budget again at the end of June prior to final approval in July. He stated that they may be able to add the $16,000 back into the Parks budget depending on projected revenue from Wal-Mart.
    The town has an extremely competent Parks and Recreation Director, Roger Holden, who should make the final decision, with council oversight, on how his parks budget is spent and managed. Further discussion and “challenging” remarks (as stated in your article) by the mayor is confusing to me since the council already supports the bluegrass festival. I trust that the mayor will honor his commitments and move forward with his support for the festival held at Wildlife West Nature Park. Edgewood is growing and rapidly changing. Successful communities plan for and recognize the need for good roads, a sewer system, police and community-sponsored programs and events. After attending the budget meeting and hearing comments from the mayor and council members, I believe they have a vision for our community that promotes quality of life in addition to basic services. They now must continue to build partnerships and inspire team spirit to make it all happen, especially with Wildlife West Nature Park — the perfect venue for family events.
    KAREN LEACH
    Tijeras
   
    May 9 Star Party Was a Success
THE TOWN OF EDGEWOOD wishes to thank all of those that helped create a successful Star Party, May 9, 2008, in which more than 115 people attended. Participants saw Saturn's rings, the moon and Mars; got to play “Who Wants to be an Astronaut”; saw a NASA slide show; and got to view stereograms.
    Wildlife West Nature Park; Albuquerque Astronomical Society; Civil Air Patrol, New Mexico Wing, Squadron # NM085; Bethe Orrell; Barbara Holden; William Kaiser; Joaquin Garcia; Jim Smith; Chuck Ring; Carol Ring; Sue West; Lori Harris; Roger Alink; Jim Edmiston and Dianne Murray.
    Thank you.
    ROGER HOLDEN
    Manager, Parks and Recreation Department
    Edgewood
   

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