Authoritarian Regime Takes Over Torrance County

At the January 23rd Torrance County Commission meeting, in a bold move, Commissioner Leroy Candelaria clearly stated that no public comment would be allowed. 

Candelaria refused public comment involving yet another funding request by Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority (EVSWA) stating that he expected factual information and would not allow any opinion on matters involving EVSWA. 

Perhaps Mr. Candelaria has slept through the commission meetings he attended prior to being seated and has failed to read the news papers, but the DuCharme family has repeatedly tried to bring facts and figures to the Torrance County Commission since May of last year.  More on EVSWA in another post.

Candelaria also stated that on matters involving EVSWA "the commission would hold public hearings" before taking any action - yet without public hearing or public comment, Candelaria and the Board of Commissioners granted EVSWA $16,000.00.

Commissioner Candelaria further refused public comment through out the entire meeting by abusing Robert's Rules of Order.  Without any discussion from the floor (the public),  Candelaria called for a do pass motion and second on every agenda item and only then allowed discussion from the commission members.    

According to Mr. Candelaria, he is putting his foot down and wants to hear only documented facts from the public continuing with a statement that could be interpreted as individual opinions are of no interest to the Torrance County Commission.  

Commissioner's Leanne Tapia and Lonnie Freyburger once again failed to champion the publics perceived right of participation - both remaining silent on the matter. 

If one were to name the new Torrance County Commission a good choice may be an Authoritarian Regime which is defined as political authority concentrated in a small group of politicians usually opposed to individualism and libertarianism. 

The Commission Chair runs the meetings, and yes, as hard as it may be to swallow, those in elected office have no requirement to allow any member of the public to speak.  The commission has the right, if you will, to silence public input in matters involving taxes, private property rights, passage of laws (ordinances), policies and procedures - decisions that affect each and every citizen in this county. 

However, in a democracy, the public not only expects to be heard, they believe it to be a right that those in elected office should honor, uphold, and protect to the highest degree, isn't that what democracy is all about?

This isn't the government Candelaria remembers, a Commission that had minimal to no involvement from the public - and the hat in hand approach to elected officials is fast becoming a thing of the past.  The public knows what each commission member promised when they ran for office, the public is keeping a tally, and I bet that not one voter recalls seating a king or a queen to the commission.    

The public will be heard either at open public meetings of the Torrance County Commission or our Commissioners can read all about it in our local news paper, blogs, social networking and word of mouth - the kiss of death to any aspiring politician.  

Based on Commission performance at the January 23rd meeting, the Torrance County Commission believes that democracy and open, accountable government belongs stuffed in the storage closet at the back of the building. 

 

Edwina (George) Hewett, Mountainair
Constituent of Leroy Candelaria

Single Action Shooting Society Decision Today

Today is the day that the Torrance County Commission is to vote for a zoning change for the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) and Founders Ranch.  The request to the Commission was a blanket request with SASS and Founders Ranch seeking to do everything all the way up to a "world class event center". 

The unanimous do pass from Torrance Counties planning and zoning board was made with suggestions on some conditions for the approval. 

Members of the Commission were ask to recuse themselves at the commissions public hearing as evidence exists that Commissioners Candelaria and Tapia lack arms length and have realized financial gain in matters involving SASS/Founders Ranch. 

The recusal request has been denied openly by Commisisoner Tapia as noted in local news paper articles.  It is rumored that Commissioner Candelaria will recuse himself today, although one must wonder if it would be a recusal position as Candelaria participated in the hearing and deliberation processes. 

As for Commissioner Tapia, she is on public record stating that she makes money from SASS/Founders Ranch activities and Tapia has already stated she will not recuse as she belives she can be fair and impartial - political suicide at a minimum and possibly personal liability depending on who drags the decision into court. 

Today's decision and how our commission handles themselves will speak volumes as to what kind of leadership is running our county.  No matter what the decision is, someone is walking away unhappy and will more than likely appeal to district court. 

Our commission continually places our county in line for law suit and each day in court costs we tax payers thousands of dollars, money that could be used for upgrades to our roads, policing, and fire protection services. As a public, we all need to scrutinize what our elected officials do and weigh thier actions heavily when the next election rolls around - poor leadership hurts all of us. 

Vigil Road Request, Rio Metro, & District 3 Road Requests

During the Commission Updates, Commissioner Lonnie Freyburger as the road department blade the intersection area of Vigil River View roads.  Road foreman Leanard Lujan informed the commission that Edgewood is responsible for the first 1/2 mile of that area.  Commissioner Freyburger requested that the county portion of the road be bladed.

Commissioner Leanne Tapia continues her quest to bring back the transportation program and is still working with Rio Metro.

Commisisoner Venessa Chavez-Gutierrez requested several district three roads be bladed. 

Constituent Seeks Commissioner Tapia's Recusal

Direct constituents and citizens Art and Julia DuCharme requested Commissioner Tapia's recusal when it comes time to vote on matters involving Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority (EVSWA).  The DuCharme's do not believe that Commissioner Tapia can render an impatial decsion due to her freindship with EVSWA board member Debbi Ortiz.

Commissioner Tapia took great offense to the DuCharme's requst saying that she felt she was being personally attacked. The DuCharme's raise a very good question in this writters opinion, should members of the Commission step away from decisions involving money being granted to entities when commission members serve on boards and committee's, of those entities?  What about sitting on boards with local contractors or accepting airplane rides from contractors being awarded county contracts?  

What's your thoughts?

County Commission November-December Meeting Changes

The Torrance County Commission has changed the date of the regularly scheduled November 28^th, 2012 meeting to Monday November 26^th, 2012; the time remains the same, 9:00 A.M. Please note the deadline for inclusion of agenda items has changed to November 19^th, 2012 at Noon, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday we will be holding firm on the deadline for agenda items. Thank you so much.

 

 

Torrance County Recording Policy Back on the Agenda 03/28/2012

Please click here for a PDF scan of this document or contact the Torrance County Managers office for an official version of this document - office phone number is 505-246-4752  Meeting Agenda - Click Here

RESOLUTION NO. 2012-07

POLICY FOR RECORDING PROCEEDINGS OF THE TORRANCE COUNTY COMMISSION

WHEREAS, in order to maintain the proper decorum required for conducting the business of the county; the safety and well-being of attendees of meetings of the County Commission; and to assure that all attendees are able to view and hear the proceedings of the County Commission, while, at the same time accommodating and allowing members of the media or general public the ability to record and have access to the official audio and visual recordings of the proceedings of the County Commission, the Torrance County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the following policy for the recording of any such proceedings;

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the County Commission to accommodate the use of audio and video recording devices by the media and general public, while maintaining proper decorum during commission meetings; and,

WHEREAS, safety and well-being of all attendees of meetings of the County Commission must be considered and assured; and,

WHEREAS the County Commission has implemented a method of audio and •visual recording for events within the County Commission Chambers, including but not limited to County Commission meetings (the "official recordings"); and,

WHEREAS, the official recordings will be available for public• viewing and/or listening on the County website, following the meeting or event; and

WHEREAS, the public may record commission meetings in a designated area during the meetings to assure that all attendees are able to view and hear the proceedings of the County Commission; and,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Torrance County Board of Commissioners, that all County Commission meetings will be recorded by the County Clerk using the audio and visual recording devices installed for that purpose and all such official recordings shall be posted on the Torrance County website and available to the public pursuant to the Torrance County Inspection of Public Records policy;

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that an area within the County Commission chambers shall be designated wherein members of the public using their equipment may record commission meetings; so as to cause as little disruption to the decorum of the meeting and the ability of other attendees of the meeting to hear and see the proceedings;

IT IS FURTHERRESOLVED that members of the media or public who wish to videotape meetings must comply with the following requirements:

a. The person intending to record the meeting must provide 24 hours advance written notice to the County Manager's office of the intent to record the meeting;

b. All videotaping equipment must be on a tripod located in the designated videotaping area and facing the commissioner's dais;

c. Videotape equipment and tripods must not obstruct the view of attendees of the meeting and must not block any access to exits from the meeting room;

d. All recording devices must run on batteries, as power cords may create tripping hazards;

e. All recording devices must operate silently or at a decibel level not disruptive of the meeting;

f. All recording devices must operate without additional lighting;

g.  All videotaping equipment must be focused on the Commission table;

h. All videotaping shall be performed in such a manner as not to intimidate or otherwise harass members of the public who wish to address the Commission.