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Opinion
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What Is Real Purpose of Animal Law?
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Edgewood Parade Turned Out Nicely
AYP Status Doesn't Tell Whole Story
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editorial: Hibbs Has Done Job of 2 Mayors
Editorial: Law Revised for Problem Animals
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Opinion
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Thursday, February 23, 2006
Letters to the Editor
Thanks for Water
Memorial Efforts
ON FEB. 8, I attended the New Mexico Senate Rules Committee in support of Memorial Bill SJM-36, which would require that entities seeking to transfer water from one basin to another demonstrate a need to do so and that they have eliminated other alternatives to resolve their water quality problems.
The bill, originally submitted by Sen. Pete Campos, was presented by Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, with support from Sen. Steve Komadina.
I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation for Sen. Wilson Beffort's vigorous support for, and defense of, the bill and its underlying principles. Her strong resolve in making sure the committee members understood the relevant issues ultimately ensured the bill's approval by the committee. Sen. Komadina is also to be commended for his support, as is Sen. Dede Feldman, who helped strengthen the bill with her insight into key aspects of the bill's specific language.
Several members of the public, including myself and Art Swenka of the Estancia Basin Resource Association, as well as a representative of Conservation Voters, spoke on behalf of the bill. Only one member of the public, Cyle Sharp of Estancia, spoke against the bill.
The bill subsequently passed through the Conservation Committee unopposed and is now headed to the Senate floor for a vote. Its fate in the House is uncertain.
Again, thanks to Sen. Wilson Beffort for her unwavering support for the bill and her dedication to resolving water issues in the State of New Mexico.
JOHN WECKERLE
Edgewood
Editor's note: SJM 36 passed the Senate 28-8 and was sent to the House of Representatives but did not come to a vote before the end of the Legislature's session.
Let's Pick Our
Officials Carefully
I HAVE BEEN involved in Edgewood in one way or another for almost 39 years now and I love this place because of the good people that live here. I have made hundreds of friends and have invested 18 years of my life trying to start and grow a business here. Yes, it is difficult sometimes because of the bureaucracy, but we just keep working and creating what we believe is best in our hearts.
Recent actions by some of our citizens, however, have caused serious concern by many in this town.
I am involved in many organizations in the region and Edgewood has become the topic of discussion and ridicule on many occasions. The problem is that Edgewood has a reputation for wasting taxpayer dollars on lawsuits and coalitions to stop progress by the very people who claim to be supporting Edgewood. This has happened in past elections and is happening again in this upcoming election. Town Council candidate Mr. (Timothy) Fleming and others have sued the town over the Wal-Mart issue. If we run Wal-Mart out of town, they will come to the area anyway and go out of the town limits. Some other community will get the gross receipts!
Whether or not we like Wal-Mart is not the issue here. And another coalition is also in the making with Mr. (Glenn) Felton and Mr. Fleming teaming up. The last time (the) Edgewood council had this coalition business, there was block voting on personal agendas. Is that what Edgewood wants?
After attending the election forum on Thursday night (Feb. 16) I came away with the feeling that we need to be very careful that we elect candidates who have a long-term history of personal involvement in the community, an understanding of the people who live and work here, an ability to think independently from the fringe groups and have genuine support for the greater good of Edgewood.
Please get out and vote!
Sincerely,
ROGER ALINK
Edgewood
Bill Would Help
Fire Departments
NEW MEXICO fire departments— from small volunteer departments like Eunice in Lea County and Santa Rosa along Interstate 40 to the professionally staffed departments in Roswell and Carlsbad— will finally get the extra funding they need if the governor signs House Bill 497, Fire Protection Fund Distribution.
I have supported additional funding for fire departments for years, and this extra funding will help all fire departments have better response that will in turn reduce the risks and consequences of uncontrolled fires. This year, as the winter drought worsens with no prospect of significant moisture predicted for this spring, the additional funding becomes crucial.
I, and my fellow Public Regulation Commissioners, applaud the legislators for their unanimous passage of HB 497, and everyone who provided testimony and support during its recent legislative journey. Now we ask everyone who is concerned about getting more funding to their local departments to contact the governor's office to urge him to sign HB 497.
People can contact the governor's office by calling (505) 476-2200, or e-mail him from his Web site at www.governor.state.nm.us/index2.php. On the Web page is "contact the governor." Click on this for access to e-mail the governor. In your message, whether by phone or e-mail, ask the governor to sign House Bill 497, Fire Protection Fund Distribution.
Ultimately the real beneficiaries of this bill are the people across the state who, as fire departments improve, can finally purchase fire insurance, or have their fire insurance premiums lowered.
The Fire Protection Fund gets money from a tax on property and auto insurance premiums. Under HB 497, fund distributions to the fire districts will increase. This will enable fire districts to purchase vehicles and equipment and upgrade communications that will result in the districts gaining improved insurance service organization (ISO) ratings.
It is estimated that property (commercial and residential) insurance premiums will be reduced by as much as 15 percent per each improved ISO rating level, especially for the districts with ratings of 9 or 10. (The higher the ISO number the worse the rating). In 2003 the Legislature funded a study for the N.M. PRC to conduct a needs assessment. The study found that $56 million was needed to bring fire districts with ISO rates of 9 or 10 (the worst ratings) up to a rating of 8.
HB 497 provides a mechanism that over 10 years will gradually increase the amount of money from the Fire Protection Fund for fire protection purposes. It is estimated that in the first year, distributions will increase from the current $24 million to almost $30 million. Each year the distribution will increase by more than $3 million until 2017, when 100 percent of the Fire Protection Fund will be distributed. Currently about half is returned to the state General Fund.
DAVID W. KING (R-Dist. 2)
New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner
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