Unidited - Guess She Told Me, Her Response To My Earlier Post From A Reader - Unedited.

Anonymous said...

Dearest Blogger;

Your anti RPS bias shows through once again. Get over it already. RPS simply states that under their current franchise agreement they can not just add six dollars to the bill and pass that through to the city. Instead they paid their attorney to find a way for the city to receive the same net dollar amount but by doing it above board and not trying to bury it in my electric bill. I for one am perfectly fine with paying the extra six dollars a month. I hope they put it to good use. I’m not real optimistic about it, but who knows.

I do however wish you would climb off that soap box of yours and understand that RPS is responsible to the people who pay their rates not the city commissioners, who would like to siphon off the funds for their pet projects. I would have went through the roof if they try to turn that utility into their own personal ATM machine. This method of doing the fee is at least transparent and honest unlike previous attempts. I also urge you to re-read the article regarding the “legal hammer” no where in it is a legal option mentioned except by the Mayor himself. If you further examine the facts instead of your revisionist history you will note that in the case of The City of Raton vs Raton Public Service, it was the city who initiated this lawsuit and thus is the “petitioner” and under the standard legal exchange RPS simply responded thus they were the “respondent”. What should they have done? What would you have done?

If only people would operate on facts instead of their own hidden agenda like you are, I bet this will be more like a puff of smoke and nothing like the firestorm that you describe. I also like how you seem to avoid the document imaging scandal like it’s the plague. That my friend is where the true firestorm may in fact lie.

A New Firestorm? New $6.00 A Month Tax? And RPS And The City Disagree Again !!!

The city wants to institute a new $6.00 a month tax and include it with the electric bills collected by Raton Public Service (RPS). They actually wanted to impose a franchise fee on RPS but  RPS did not agree that it could be done. The article in its entirety is in today's edition of the Raton Range. Read it here;

http://ratonrange.com/city-eyes-new-charge-to-boost-budget-monthly-assessment-of-would-be-pla-p4985-1.htm

There will be ample discussion on the tax itself and the merits of such. The "interim city manager" wants to hire 2 policemen with the money and use the remainder to cover city expenses where ever they may occur.

I am sure this will bring a new round of ugly discussions and city commission meetings. Probably the same folks will align themselves as they have in the past when these type of issues came up

The bigger story in the article is RPS again dictating to the city what it can and cannot do. RPS has been a rogue agency for quite a while and bears watching. There is something going on there above and beyond what appears on the surface. RPS needs some direction from the city council and has refused and will continue to do so. They are not above the voters reach and if they threaten litigation I recommend getting rid of the governing body at RPS and start over again.

RPS keeps using the threat of litigation as a hammer to beat the city over proposed oversight. RPS knows full well the dire straights the city is in financially and the devastation such litigation costs would bring. They have used this tactic in the past and appear ready to do it again. Their coffers are flush with cash and the cost of litigation does not bother them

RPS NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CITY...

The Raton Osos Play Their Opener

They did it! They really did it! I have to apologise for being a doubting Thomas. But they played their opener today, May 15th against the Trinidad Triggers. Not sure who won, but they played. The stadium seemed filled, at least by the looks of the parking lot. Looks like they solved the way to collect the entry fee by blocking a few of the access points.

Congratulations are in order to the Oso's and tours truly will have to eat crow.

Oil And Gas Drilling

There was a pro oil and gas drilling letter to the editor in the Raton Range, here is another view from a former NM Land Commissioner. An interesting read.

http://onlyinnewmexico.blogspot.com/

There has to be a happy medium but both sides seem to want an all or nothing scenario. The oil and gas boys will drill wherever they are not barred and the anti drilling folks want 0, nada, zero.

Price Gouging By Business

It happens all over, every day. Small town merchants are not above doing this. Just this week at the local store the name brand corn chips were on sale, two 10 ounce bags for $4.00 and 9 inches to the right were 11 ounce bags for $4.39. The "for sale" sign led me, and others, to think the bags were one and the same. They weren't. If you weren't looking at your slip on the way out of the store you paid $8.78 for the two 11 Oz. bags you took instead of the $4.00 advertised price for the 10 Oz. bags. That is $4.78 for the additional 2 ounces.

And then they complain about shoplifters, I do not feel sorry for them. There is not much difference between the two of them, both are stealing only the law protects the merchant. Both take advantage of unsuspecting folks.

And this is not the only place in town that practices this.....

Another Recall In Raton

The Raton Range has an article in todays edition about another recall election in Raton. This one recalled Michael Ann Holland from the Raton School Board with 131 votes out of a total of 223 or 59 percent of the folks that voted. Very low turnout out of 5,298 registered voters.

Seems a bit low, but some like me did not vote because we did not really have an opinion on the matter. Let the folks that know or are informed or care enough about the issue determin the outcome.

Blast From The Past

Raton Range Article on bears from 18 months ago.

Thanks to a comment from a reader. Thought it might be worth reading again.

Nothing To Do With Raton, But Funny...

Plagiarized from a major newspaper. Not sure what to make of this, sorta funny when you think of it. Turrett's syndrome is one of those illnesses that baffles me.

Deer Herd In Town Needs Management

The deer herd(s) roaming in the vicinity of Raton need management. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish ought to step in and do something. The animals are causing a lot of damage to properties.

Yesterday driving from Raton, in the vicinity of the golf course, to Lake Maloya at Sugarite I counted 117 deer, 42 of them in the city limits. They are all over. I have seen them crossing on 2nd street by the car dealership, over by K-Mart, crossing 2nd using the railroad overpass, by the ball fields and a herd of about 16 on south 5th and once counted 26 at the golf course.

The NM Department of Game and Fish is the agency responsable for dealing with wildlife. They need to step up to the plate and do something. I, for one, do not know what they do for a living? Does anyone know? Every once in a while you read or hear where they cought a poacher, but that is it.

He Is Gone For Sure

Pete Kampfer is gone.... Gone for sure and gone for good. KOSA TV has the information. Seems like he jumped from the frying pan into the fire with this move. But we can breath a sigh of relief that he is gone from Raton. The city council dodged a huge bullet here.....

Anyway ole Pete is looking at suing "blogs" for harming him as quoted below;

"Kampfer denied giving any misleading information and said he believed the accusation was based on public comments made on Internet blogs."

I wonder what "blogs" he is refering too?

What Is Going On?

1. With the racetrack/casino?
2. Construction next to the Miners/Colfax Long Trem Care Facility?
3. The bear proof dumpsters?
4. The Raton Oso's baseball club?
5. The multimodel area next to the train depot?
6. The paving of the street by the Raton Aquatic Center?
7. The Search for the new city manager?
8. The resignation of the city clerk?
9. The paving of Cedar Street?
10. The cleanup of the El Portal?

City Commission Advertising

The Raton City Commission is advertising what a wonderful town Raton is on Raton radio station KRTN. Citizens of Raton know all about the town. We don't need to hear all about it on the radio via paid commercials. I wonder why the City Commission felt this was a good expenditure of limited funds. Why advertise Raton on Raton radio? What was the thinking there? Who was the genius who came up with the idea? Is the commission advertising in other places?

What Land Ethic?

Dust on the way to the landfill on Monday, April, 22 2013. The folks that live on the east side of the road must have been upset at the land owner(s) who own the property(s) on the west side of the road. It has been grazed until there is no cover whatsoever and the wind was blowing from west to east this afternoon.

There may be more than one owner as it seems like one piece was plowed. This after years with insufficient moisture. The topsoil is blowing away like in the dust bowl days. The landowners are very irresponsible people.

This next to the guy who operates the salvage yard who cleaned up that mess in the last few years. The salvage yard owner stands as an example of a good citizen as compared to the irresponsible owners of the properties to his south.

Take a ride out there to see a perfect example of what irresponsible land ownership is. What damage it can do. Look at the desertification these folks promote with their nasty land stewardship.

About Time Citizens Realized It Is Not Going To Happen

It is not going to happen folks.... After months and months of talking about it nothing, NOTHING, has been done. The city council, regardless of who has been on it or who had been mayor, has done NOTHING but talk.

Now here is what the Raton Range has to say on it quoting the current administration;

"Bears often frequent Raton dumpsters to find food and sometimes use them for a daytime nap, according to Game and Fish. The department has been working with the City of Raton to change out the current dumpsters for ones that will be bear-proof. However, top city officials are now looking at replacing a previously proposed agreement between the city and the state agency that would have used a federal grant obtained by Game and Fish to purchase large bear-proof roll-off trash containers to replace most of the city’s smaller residential dumpsters."

We need to learn to live with the bears... At least until they hurt or kill someone. The NM Dept. of Game and Fish is one sorry agency. We ought to save a ton of money and change their mission. Dummies on dummy cars would do a better job and save a whole lot of tax dollars.

And the Raton City Commission has a pitiful record on this matter. This is one of the major efforts related with "community development'.

What Can We Do? What Can We Do?

In these days we see everything as it happens on multiple channels and the Internet and then we can turn on the radio to see the right wing radio talk show hosts blame it on Obama or his policies. We have to do what the guy in the cartoon above does if you want to get past the current "threat". Be assured there will be another one tomorrow or the day after.

Bears Falling Out Of The Trash Trucks In Raton

Article in today's Albuquerque Journal about a bear being in a Raton trash bin when the trash truck came by. Ended up inside of the trash truck and compressed with the rest of the trash and then dumped at the still operating landfill. They had to dispatch the critter.

Then another blurb from the city about "bear proof" dumpsters.... The bear proof dumpsters and the landfill are never ending source of material for this weblog. The issue is always front and center in Raton.

When will the bear proof dumpsters finally arrive, when will the landfill finally fill up. These are questions for the ages in Raton. Two questions amongst many in this small community.

Nasty Way Of Doing Business

K-Mart was doing it a while back and Comcast does it all of the time. Checking on each and every one of their employees all of the time by asking customers to comment on the individual employees actions each and every time you do business with them.

That is not the way to treat your employees. You leave them at the mercy of someone who has a grudge. Especially in a small town like Raton. Any other town this size really. I will complain about this the next time some company does this.

The Miricle Of The Raton Landfill

The situation with the Raton Landfill reminds be a bit about the myth of El Santuario de Chimayo and the hole with the dirt which has healing powers.

I have been going to the landfill for years now and have been told how it was to close "next July." Then it was to be closed "next July" then sometime in the near future. Then again in a few weeks. But it never closes, it stays open. Some type of a miracle is happening with the landfill right before our eyes. We can put trash into it and it never ever really fills up. Maybe the closing of the landfill was a ruse by the Raton City Commission to double our trash rates.

As with the hole with the dirt that has healing powers, a myth is growing about the Raton Landfill. With the hole at the Santuario it does not seem to matter how much dirt is removed, the hole remains the same depth. This after generations of faithfull have been taking handfulls of dirt home. With the Raton Landfill it does not matter how much trash is hauled in, the pit never seems fill up and close.

Pretty soon our economic development prayers will be answered as believers worldwide hear about the landfill that never fills up. Throngs of believers will flock to Raton to see the miracle for themselves. Believers will be walking on the sides of the roads from the north, east, west and south. Motels will be full and the curio shops in Raton will be doing a land office business.

The Bears Are Back, Where Are The Bear Proof Dumpsters?

Come on.... Where are they? Where are the bear proof dumpsters? They are super late, they were due months and months ago.

The bears are out now, soon they will be all over town.

Raton Ractrack And Casino

Is a race track and casino in Raton a pie in the sky thing? Or is there still a chance of one being built here. It appears the first thing needed is investors with the capitol and willingness to pursue the effort.

The latest group, the group that Pete Kampfer brought over seem like a hoax. Either a hoax or some Texan bragging. With Texans you really never know, seems like they are 50% brag and 50% ability, sort of like Kampfer himself.

But it does not appear that reliable investors are out there. And without investors, the opportunities out there seem far fetched.

There is no doubt in my mind that raton is the best location for such a racino should the state decide to go ahead with the endeavor. But is raton poised to go at it again? The city commission is committed, the citizens want it too.

At this point, who knows. The race track and casino would not be a cure all but would go a long way in helping the area out. The benefits would radiate out from Raton.

Enough..... Stop The Drama

The stuff, and I mean stuff, as related to recalls is getting old, real old. Ward Shrake has lost all credibility, he pushed the issue too, too far. He got the "I am important" bug. I think this recall is not about the city council, I think it is all about Ward needing the attention. Instead of another recall he ought to run for office if he thinks he has the support. Seems like he wants to recall all of the commissioners with the exception of Mantz.

The fact he filed for a recall garnered a couple of paragraphs in the Range. He does not, to quote him "have the public trust."

This is going to be a low key recall for Ward, we will not hear much about it and the effort is doomed to fail. Who in the world wants another recall? Another city election? He will probably rely on the Internet and maybe the Raton Range, if they will publish his letters to the editors. In the past he has actually paid for some ads there. I do not think he has enough money that he is willing to put up to run an ad campaign. Sooo it will probably be an internet thing for him.

By this effort he has made himself a certified pain in the you know where. Some have known this for a while and now he has proved it for all to see. Reminds me of the local character who runs for every office in town on the platform of uniformity in enforcing the city codes related to trash and building additions and remodels.

Yet More Drama, When Will It Stop?

Yet another drama queen at the Raton City Hall. City Clerk Nancy McGlothin! When will it ever stop?

Quotes from the Raton Range;

"In another city-position transition, the arrival of the interim city manager has coincidentally occurred at the same time the city clerk/treasurer announced she will step down in a couple months. Nancy McGlothin confirmed to The Range this week that she has given notice of her intent to leave the clerk/treasurer post at the end of May, although she said she would consider staying longer if the city continues to need her help.

McGlothin, who was hired into the position last September, had just returned from a three-week leave of absence while her husband recovered from surgery. She said she decided to step down now because she believes there are other available candidates for the job whose skills and experience would allow them to be a more effective city clerk/treasurer. She noted that working for a public entity is greatly different from her experience that has been in the private business field. McGlothin came into the city position after more than 20 years as an accountant and executive secretary for private firms."

Quit if you are going to quit and be done with it.

What Needs To Happen?

Folks this post is about the future of our fair city. Lets see what positive ideas/thoughts folks have. For this one post lets talk positive. If you want to gripe do so on the next post or the one last week.

We  have been talking about the future of the town for a while now. Years of talking about the town and its past and future. Ratonions need to understand that the old glory days, if that was what they were, are not coming back. The coal mines will not come back, the race track may or may not come back. The train will soon no longer blow its whistle in the area.

But Raton has a bright future, all we need to do is focus on what can be done and get down to doing it. The area is a great place to retire. Decent medical facilities, also shopping is good, not great but good. The air and scenery is great, not good but GREAT. There is plenty for everyone to do, young or old. You don't have to leave town if you don't want to, most things are available locally.

We will get over the problems with the local politics, they will eventually settle down. The economy will pick up and the downsizing of the town will cease. The tourists will continue to pass if not stop by. And they can be induced to stop and spend a few bucks and spend a few days or maybe consider moving here.

Raton has most everything locally to succeed. And it will, with or without you or I, Raton will succeed. The folks are resilient stock from all walks of life who will make it happen.

Raton, New Mexico - My Home Town

 

Check this video out.

We Have To Stop the Hemorrhaging Soon

Stop the SNAFU's

Something needs to be done, and soon. By whom? Probably the city leaders, the city council. I certainly don't know who for sure, but we have been pushed into a corner and we need to work our way out. Now the Kampfer hire "the city clerk" has quit? At least that is what is indicated here;

http://www.krtnradio.com/News.html#McGowanDollarClerkResigns

And the Raton Range has articles pointing out what a mess the city of Raton is in. Audits piled upon audits.  The city cannot even keep the website updated there are so many changes. It is no wonder the place is in such a political mess.

We need to remember that we were led into this mess. We fell for it and now we need to figure out how to get out. One more resignation and we can start from scratch. Will o the wisp Mantz ought to go. She ought to have the common sense to understand that she was part of the group who started this whole mess.

Am glad to hear the mayor state Kampfer is gone for good.

New Raton, New Mexico Weblog

A new Raton, New Mexico weblog. Information for the folks unfamiliar with the area. A good place to visit to get something other than news or gossip. If you are interested in visiting our area THIS WEBLOG HAS THE INFORMATION.

http://www.visitraton.org/

Raton is a very beautiful area of the country with plenty to do. Just stay out of the local politics. I hope they get thousands of visitors a week.

The City Commission And The Ex City Manager. What is goin on? What happened to the job in Texas?

Is this the new city logo?

Maybe it is an April Fools joke, but I don't think so. Hard to believe we let some folks lead us into this mess.

 

What is going on in this town? Jezus Christ, we can't even get a breather from one scandal before something else comes up. Now the ex city manager, Kampfer, is gone! No he isn't! He is still here in a different capacity! But he is not the city manager. What is going on?

If he is gone from the city managers position.... good riddance. Vaya con Dios, as they say in these parts. If he is gone the city dodged a hellatious bullet that was self imposed, the golden parachute. Be glad he is gone and be done with it, we probably saved a ton of money.

If he didn't secure his new job before finishing up here, that is his problem and indicative of the way the individual does business. Spastic is the word to describe that, he cannot finish up a task. Lets all be glad he is gone from the city manager's position. He is gone before inflicting major damage.

I for one am missing ole Pete Mileta, big time. Wish the commission would somehow get rid of Mantz and bring back Mileta. The ole coalition of Chuck Henry, his wife, Mantz and the DREGS are responsible for this mess we find ourselvs in. Love the way ole Mantz dodges her responsibility for it. She has become a will o the wisp.

We need some stability in the city government, we need that bad. Before we were concerned ole Mileta was into everything now no one knows what the other is doing. What a mess. All thanks to ole Chuck Henry and his wife. Maybe we should have put her as chair of one or the other of the many groups in town. We might have avoided this mess we are in.

Been Gone

I have been gone for a while and was unable to update the weblog. Just posted the comments. I see that the Turkey Vultures are back in town and so am I. Let me catch up on what has been happening.

New Mexico Policeman Stabbed on 64/85?

Check out the information on this here;

http://www.krtnradio.com/News.html

Commissioner Mantz Is Showboating Again

She threatened to skip the executive session at Mondays Special Meeting. What a puffed up showboat maneuver. Reminds me of a horned toad when they puff up, except you have to aggravate the toad, Mantz looks for opportunities to do it. She seems to enjoy these types of mini confrontations, they definitely appeal to the folks who remain from the DREGS and who still attend the commission meetings. I would ask Commissioner Mantz to quit the showboating and concentrate on meaning full actions. Enough of the tough kid actions.

Here is what Marty Mayfield of KRTN wrote;

"Commissioners then moved to go into executive session. Commissioner Mantz questioned the need to do so as they had accepted the Kampfer's resignation. The item on the agenda was advertised as a personnel matter pursuit to Section 10-15-1: City Manager's resignation. Mayor LeDoux felt it was within the advertised item to go into executive session and discuss a direction for the now open City Manager position. Commissioner Mantz disagreed and voted against the motion and indicated that she would not participate in the closed session. Commissioners did go into executive session without Commissioner Mantz."

Read the whole article here;

http://www.krtnradio.com/News.html

A thanks to KRTN for the report.

Ranchers!

Ranchers want to be loved too, check out this editorial;

http://ratonrange.com/our-viewpoint-ranchers-farmers-work-to-serve-us-all-p4663-90.htm

They would have you think they have Americans best interests in mind. In reality they could care less, Ranchers, for the most part, care about themselves and then put up billboards and editorials like this in an effort to convince us that they care about America and Americans.

They fight every progressive effort or thought that anyone comes up with. Remember the lawsuit trying to prevent the power line from going through? Voting against wolves, like we did not have better things to care about. Fighting the military over the expansion of Ft. Carson.... Fighting the Air Force because they don't want them flying over the ranches.

I would be willing to hear what ranchers are for, other than their own self interests. Not that it is bad, just don't try and pull the wool over Americans eyes. Ranchers cost the American taxpayers untold billions of dollars. Worse welfare cheats than all others combined. Look at the farm bill.

Check this site here if you don't believe me;

http://farm.ewg.org/region.php?fips=00000&regname=UnitedStatesFarmSubsidySummary

Then come and tell me that ranchers have the American public best interest in mind. We are not that dumb.

The End Of The Railroad Era Coming Up For Raton.

Read about it here, click on the link below;

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/governor-nm-scrapping-deal-to-buy-bnsf/e2c37da2bb114d6ca1d49e639c0fd3d9

Soon there wil be no more train whistles/horn to hear. It will be a thing of the past. Just like the race track and the steam from the generating plant.

Smokey Taking A Beating

Smokey Bear is taking a beating. The US Forest Service will no longer fight all forest fires. That is one tough choice. And make no mistake about it, the Forest Service is the agency who fights forest fires. All others contribute, but no one has the resources or know how that the Forest Service does.

Vultures Will Return This Week

The Turkey Vultures will return to the area by this time next week. First one and then the other until they all are back. The roost on the corner of 5th and Pecos will be full. If there are too many birds for the trees on that property they will expand their roosting to other close by trees. They create a mess there and are a real problem should you have to deal with them.

A sure sign that spring has sprung. The birds are the masters of the summer skies. Ravens and crows will take a back seat.

Check out this previous post on the subject;

http://norteno1.blogspot.com/2011/03/vultures-are-back.html

Mountain View Trailer Court in Raton

Looks like someone is cleaning up the place which was written about here a while back;

http://norteno1.blogspot.com/search?q=trailer+court

This place was a hazard. Someone was there working at removing some of the debris (trailers) there. The folks living adjacent to this eye sore have to be relieved. There was a couple of pickups and a dump truck working there earlier.

Now the old El Portal is the top priority. The bricks look recyclable to me.

By The Way, What Happened To The Bear Proof Dumpsters?

Read more about the bear proof dumpsters here;

http://norteno1.blogspot.com/2012/10/indecision-yet-more-on-bear-proof.html

These dumpsters have been discussed here on this weblog again and again. All posts related to the dumpsters are viewable at the url listed above.

Which begs the question, WHERE, FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, ARE THEY?

Where are they? Were the commissioners telling us the truth? Did they lie? Are the dumpsters just late? Whatever happened, the fact that they are not here diminishes what the city commission tells us.

The bears will be back in the next 2-3 weeks.

Is Kampfer Gone?

Check this out below, Click on the link;

http://cbs7.com/news/details.asp?ID=42729

 Thanks to a reader for the heads up.

What happens now?

We (Raton) can't seem to get over this mess that was started by former City Councilman Charles "Chuck" Henry. He said he was going to shake up the community and he sure did. We continue to shake years after he was dumped. I bet Mr. Henry and his wife are rolling over laughing at the chaos they left.

Check out this previous post;

http://norteno1.blogspot.com/2010/10/aftermath-of-train-wreck-that-was.html

The current City Commission is probably glad. He will have to leave without his golden parachute.

Plagerized From The Albuquerque Journal

Raton commission violated Open Meetings Act

By Associated Presson Sat, Mar 9, 2013

POSTED: 10:29 am

RATON, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico attorney general’s office says Raton commissioners violated the state Open Meetings Act several times last year.

The findings were spelled out in a letter sent this week to Raton City Attorney Ray Floersheim. The attorney general’s investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by a resident.
 

Assistant Attorney General Sally Malave says the commissioners violated the act when they failed to specify why they were going into executive session during six separate meetings in 2012.
While the commission does not have to disclose what is discussed in closed sessions, Malave says the law requires that the subject matter be specified beyond general descriptions such as personnel matters or threatened or pending litigation.

The findings say the commission’s agendas and motions didn’t give the public adequate notice about what would be discussed during the closed sessions.

 

Drought In Colfax County, 2013 Style.

It is bad out there folks, I know you know it. But what you may not know is that the forested areas are dying due to lack of moisture. And dead trees on the landscape equals about 75 tons to the acre of fuel for wildfires. That is a lot of fuel, a whole lot of fuel. Take a drive north over the pass and look at the unburnt areas, they are dying right before our eyes.

The forests around Raton are extremely vulnerable, more so than usual because there are no wildland fire resources for a hundred miles around. Initial attack wildland fire resources are even further away. That means should something get started or moving more than a hose length off of a paved road we will be in a world of hurt. Local fire departments cannot cope with wildland fire. They do not have the equipment, training nor responsibility. That rests with the state and they are a long ways off.

A fire start and a lack of initial attack resources equals a maximum exposure. It means the fire will be big before anyone can get to it. The county ought to petition the state for the pre positioning of Initial attack resources somewhere in the area. Maybe a helitack crew. Cimarron Canyon has one on occasion and a second one in or around Raton may be a cheap way to go.

We don't need a repeat of the track fire.

My advice to the the administrators of Colfax County is do something about it now.... Before it is too late.

Merchant Rules For Dealing With Customers

Is this what is used by merchants today to deal with their customers:

http://www.sjtrek.com/trek/rules/

Some times I think so. Read them and weep or laugh, one or the other.

Customer Service, Does Anyone Know What It Is?

 

Some businesses in Raton Have no clue what customer service means, much less know what it is.

Super Save is OK sometimes, other times it is a mess. The deli is great but the service sucks. I rarely pay the same price for the same stuff I buy there. The difference can be over a dollar for an $8.00 purchase. And what I get is sometimes different too. The produce area is the same as far as customer service. Some ladies there don't know what they are talking about and give people wrong directions and information.

Another lousy service place is the Medicine Shop Pharmacy. You can wait for 45 minutes when they said it would be ready in 10. You may or may not get what you ordered... Check the bag before you leave. best check the price also, I have paid different prices for the same medicine. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

Phil Long Ford?? Lousy service, cheap oil changes but lousy service. Where is the old Cimino service we got used to.

Most of the real estate places are the same way. Lots of smiles but all they want is to turn a buck. MLS, heck no, not in Raton. Best bet is to sell your property yourself and avoid the hassle and cost. You usually have to use the listing agency to view a property, so you are really not free to choose an agent.

There are some good ones, Ace Hardware, the Sands Restaurant, Comcast office, most banks, Santa Fe Trail Traders, etc.

But some have such bad service I wonder how they survive.

Body Jewlery and Smoke Shop in Raton

Just the type of business the town needs is opening up on the Clayton Highway, paint a building orange and draw in folks who like piercings and "body art" and sell then nose and ear plugs so they look cool. Gross, just plain gross. Where in the hell do these folks come from? And a "smoke shop"?  Fine cigars and aromatic pipe todacco? I really don't think so.

The only good thing is this business will be gone by mid summer or early fall at the latest.

Yikes! Here? Raton HS Hazing?

Report on Raton High School hazing incident here.

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/state-police-investigating-nm-high-school-sexual-hazing-incident?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+krqe-crime+%28KRQE+News+13+-+Crime%29

Check it out.

Hope it isn't as bad as indicated because it could really split the town.

Citizens in and Uproar in the Area. Is Something in the Water ot the Air?

The perfect storm? Or what?

I read where the Hoehne School District is in an uproar, a couple of years ago it was Aguilar School District, the Trinidad Schools have been in a mess for some time. The Raton City Commission has had all kinds of trouble over the last few years as has the Trinidad City Council. That is not to mention the Raton School Board.

What gives? Is there something in the water causing all of this? Something in the air? Can we Blame President Obama? How about blaming the Tea Party? Why is the citizenry so dammed upset in the area?

All of this political unrest is not only unusual, it is unprecedented. This much "action" has not been seen at one time in the area before.

Raton Public Service - RPS

Read the entire article here at the Raton Range. Seems like RPS manager Kathy McQueary is trying to protect her fifedom from any oversight by the city. RPS belongs to the citizens of the city and needs some oversight. Ms. McQuery is trying to thwart any one, even the city, from looking into the way they do business. The actions of Kathy McQueary on behalf of RPS does not pass the smell test. Why all of the oposition? What is RPS hiding?

The last go around RPS blamed Ex Mayor Charles Starkovich and attacked the efforts of the city commission at oversight at every turn and by several methods. What will RPS do this time? Will they let lose the hounds on the city commission again? Who will bear the brunt of their blame? Will it be Mayor LeDoux. We will have to wait and see, but there is something fishy going on. Just wait and see.

Check previous posts on the subject here:
http://norteno1.blogspot.com/2012/07/battle-waged-in-raton-range-newspaper.html

and here:
http://norteno1.blogspot.com/2012/07/rps-vs-city-commission-and-hostile.html

and here:
http://norteno1.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-initial-analysis-on-rps-mayor-city.html

and here:
http://norteno1.blogspot.com/2012/08/insulated-from-political-process.html

Who Will Be Our Next Sheriff? Who Will Run For The Position?

Who will be the next Colfax County Sheriff? Anyone have any ideas who might be running? Pat Casias has turned out to be a big dud. No telling how long ago he was a dud, but for sure we know about him now. I wasted my vote on him twice. He turned out to be a detriment to the department, hopefully the folks who work there know that, even if they can't say so out loud at the current time.

Steve Marquez, the current under sheriff may well run. These positions, sheriff/under sheriff, seem to be one person (sheriff) appointing the other (under sheriff) with the understanding that the under sheriff will run when the sheriff's term runs out and then appoint the ex sheriff as under sheriff or at least keep him on the force. I have nothing against Marquez, but if he comes knocking I suggest you ask if he plans on keeping Casias.

Both Democrats and Republicans need to look at future candidates NOW. Don't put up someone that cannot win. Marquez, if he intends to run needs to pay attention to this. He will lose if he will keep Casias in the department. The Republicans in particular need to make sure they don't put up some right wing nut, of which there seem to be several in the county.

Maybe there will be some new blood enter the race. Not sure who is out there but maybe someone capable will run. We need someone who can connect with the community and manage the department. Someone who can fix things so the evidence room is not robbed of over $34,000.00 right under the sheriff's nose. What a damn embarrassment.

Here is a list from the Friday May 11, 2012 issue of the Raton Range of what was stolen:

"The lost drug money was among several items that were discovered missing from the evidence room in June 2010. The items included $34,335 in cash, more than 25 pounds of marijuana and a .22-caliber gun. Also among the missing items, according to Gallegos, were close to 10 marijuana pipes, a pocket knife, an axe, beer, two Pyrex pots, a roll of film connected to an “unattended” death of a person, and a bowling bag."

Read about that fiasco on this article of the Raton Range.

Bottom line is we need a new sheriff and Patrick Casias needs to find a new line of work somewhere other than the Colfax County Sheriff's Department.

Stolen Television Set At The County Courthouse

Someone stole a television set from the courthouse according to this article in the Raton Range. So what else is new?

"The county commission on Tuesday directed Day and Sheriff Pat Casias to look into the options for a security camera system and determine the best way to install such a system at the county building."

All kinds of "things" have disappeared from the courthouse. Including thousands of dollars from Sheriff Casias evidence room. He did not know who stole that money and he could never catch or identify them. The height of incompetence in a law enforcement officer. The height of incompetence in a law enforcement officer I wasted my vote on.

And County Manager Day is just another incompetent in there. Both need replacing. Casias will be gone as Sheriff, but he will attempt to stay on as a deputy for sure. Don Day was appointed by the county commission so they are responsible for what goes on in his department.

The next sheriff we elect needs to get rid of Casias, he is one worthless sheriff. Someone could point out some of his accomplishments while sheriff, if he has any.