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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Letters To the Editor



      Storehouse Says Thanks for Help
       THE BETHEL COMMUNITY STOREHOUSE would like to thank Terri's Flowers, Smith's and Wal-Mart for their contributions in making our 21st Birthday Celebration a success. We would also like to thank Moriarty Foods, Subway, Shorty's, Cactus Jacks and Home Run Pizza for contributing lunches for our Volunteer Appreciation Week.
       Thank you!
       LINDA SMITH
       Executive Director,
       Bethel Community
       Storehouse
      
       Post Office Keeps Messing Things Up
       MY BELIEF THAT THE POST OFFICE was a more secure place than outlying boxes to receive mail has been shaken.
       Once near the end of March and twice in April I've gone to the Edgewood Post Office and found my box full of my neighbor's mail. The first time I just remailed it to “local” like I usually do. The second time, a couple of weeks ago, I rang the bell and handed it to the lady and asked her to check around my box to see if she could find my mail. She did not.
       The third time was April 26. I'd been expecting a very important letter sent from Silver City on April 22. I had checked my box, which was full of mail from P.O. Box 37, not my box number.
       The following Monday, I took 37's mail back and asked to see the postmaster. The “new” postmaster was not there, but the lady said she was the “old” postmaster. I explained the continuing problem and she said the problem was mine, not theirs. I asked her if I could put my number on the bottom of the box so they could see it better. She responded that they already had numbers. Clearly their system is not working. I felt like I was talking to a rock.
       The scariest part was when I got to the office door and looked back — the two people in line and the three behind the counter were laughing. I receive all my medication from the VA and Social Security checks by mail. I do not see anything humorous about someone else receiving my mail. Oh, as of May 1, the Silver City letter had not arrived.
       I'm truly disappointed in the Edgewood Post Office.
       JIM BRUNACINI
       Edgewood
      
       4-H Pie Auction Was Big Success
       THE ACHIEVER'S 4-H CLUB APRIL MEETING was its annual pie auction fundraiser. The auction was held at the Mountainair Elementary School cafeteria. The Mountainair FFA Chapter was invited to participate in the auction, too. We had a good turnout. We sold 41 pies for the 4-H and FFA and made just over $1,900. That's an average of $46.34 per pie! We gave out door prizes too. We would like to thank all the businesses and individuals that bought pies and contributed to the pie auction: Leroy Candelaria, Clint Wellborn, Gustin Electric, Gustin Hardware, Zia Electric, Burns Auto, Roberts Tax & Accounting, The Roberts Family, David and Brenda Cain, Lonnie and Sonya Greene, Wells Insurance, Patsy Gustin Real Estate, Mountainair Meds & More, Greg Brazil, Craig Lockwood, Stephanie Greene, Glenn and Deloris Fulfer, Cain Cattle, Theron Imlay, Rebecca Moseley, Valencia Animal Clinic, and Rebecca Campbell. Special thanks also to Larry Gustin for being our auctioneer, Yvonne Zenga for the use of Mountainair's Elementary School Cafeteria, and the families for providing the pies.
       ACHIEVER'S 4-H CLUB
       Mountainair
      
       Town Hasn't Got Funds for Frills
       SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T GET IT! Our Edgewood budget doesn't allow for frills at this time. We don't even have enough income to provide the basics yet. By law, Edgewood is required to make provisions for public safety, and that includes roads and law enforcement.
       Our interest payment on the sewer alone is approximately $135,000 a year. The people who want all the frills now need to be patient. Their day will come when the basics are paid for. In the meantime, perhaps they need to be more creative and find ways to entertain themselves.
       Also, I'm tired of reading in this newspaper about the bashing of Councilman (Glenn) Felton, who is doing a terrific job. All councilmen are elected to prudently budget our town's income, to see that we live within our means, and that we do not get deeper in debt. That means budgeting for priority items and items required by law and not for frills at this time. Our priorities should be safety, roads, sewer and protecting our water in the Estancia basin. Until all of these priorities are met, Edgewood councilors have no business caving in to people who want the town to pay for their personal wish lists. I, for one, am delighted that Councilman Felton is watching the spending. If all towns lived within their means, our country would be in far better shape.
       Just call me “old-fashioned.”
       KATHRYN CLEAVER
       Edgewood
      
       Keep Eye Out For Mischievous Boys
       WHILE DRIVING TO ALBUQUERQUE on Tuesday, April 15, around noon in the neighborhood of Pine Ridge Road and Frost Road, someone took a pot shot at my car.
       It was a BB-size hole that immediately shattered the driver's side window. The sheriff's deputy who responded to my call informed me that mid-schoolers had the day off.
       Fortunately, I'm the only one who suffered — emotionally (my 2-year-old and 2-month-old grandchildren were in the back seat), physically (cut on my hand), financially (replacement of the window).
       I'm writing to alert parents in the area of this activity. Having raised three boys in this area, I know it isn't easy keeping track of them in our unique East Mountains environment. Please let them know that those activities could have serious consequences.
       VICKI PRAWITZ
       Sandia Park
      
       Firefighters Knew Just What To Do
    ON FEB. 4, WE HAD A FIRE AT THE WATER BOYS STORE in Edgewood due to shoddy construction of the piping to the wood stove. There was all the natural panic involved with assuming all would be lost. Because the electricity was knocked out immediately we called 911 from our cell phone and the call was routed through Santa Fe county. After attempting to explain our location to the dispatcher, we were quite concerned about how long it would take for the Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department to actually be informed that we were ablaze. Thank God for neighbors.
       A woman had stopped who knew the direct number to the Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department and called them herself. Within minutes we could hear the sirens and see the trucks arriving.
       By this time, the flames were at least five to 10 feet high, pouring from the roof and filling the building with smoke. The firetrucks were arriving from all directions! When the firefighters were able to enter the building we assumed everything on the interior would be a total loss. This was not the case. Thanks to their expedience, experience and thoughtfulness, we lost absolutely nothing on the inside. The firefighters had pushed all the furnishing together and covered everything with huge tarps before cutting a hole in the ceiling to make sure the fire was under control. We did not have even one piece of paper with either fire or water damage.
       Because of their quick actions and attention to detail, we are able to continue our businesses. Although we will not be rebuilding at that location, we are relocating to our home in Tijeras with everything we own intact.
       Kudos to those wonderful people! Again, thank you Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department.
       NOBERT AND MAGGIE POHL
       The Water Boys
       Way 2 Santa Fe Custom Furnishings
      
       Councilor Wrong About Nature Park
       AS I READ YOUR FRONT PAGE ARTICLE, “Town Councilor Questions Park Contributions,” I was shocked and saddened by comments from Councilor Felton. Wildlife West Nature Park is a tremendous educational asset to the community and state. What they accomplish on a very small annual budget is truly amazing.
       I have been a volunteer at Wildlife West for four years. I research and write their grants, so I have access to their financial records. Felton says they have “hidden revenue streams and expenses” — that makes me want to cry! The bluegrass festivals are definitely NOT a money-making event. Wildlife West incurs tremendous expenses to bring nationally known performers to our rural community so we can have great entertainment without having to travel to Albuquerque. Roger Alink, executive director, works so hard to secure in-kind contributions, donations, grants and volunteer support to make these community-wide events happen.
       Most importantly, the park is totally managed through volunteer support. More than 60 volunteers provide hundreds of hours of time to the park.
       Over the years, many town events, wildlife/environmental workshops and music festivals have been co-sponsored by the town of Edgewood and held at Wildlife West. It's the perfect venue for families. And as our area is rapidly being developed, the environmental values learned at the park are crucial for protecting our native wildlife and their habitat.
       I strongly believe that the town should continue to support events and the annual music festival held at Wildlife West Nature Park. The bluegrass festivals provide the only award-winning entertainment in our area in a fun outdoor educational environment.
       Wildlife West Nature Park is a real jewel in our community, especially for children and wildlife. We should be supporting the park, which is a nonprofit organization, instead of making faults accusations.
       KAREN LEACH
       Tijeras
   

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