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Commission Recognizes Rescuers
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Mayor Bobby LeDoux presented certificates of recognition to five men for their efforts in saving a mother and her children from the rising water in the north underpass this last month.
Casey Redd, Dennis Decker, Seth Garcia, Eddie Lawrence and Matt Preston just happened to be close by when the car driven by Misty Hale got caught in the rising water of the north underpass. The efforts of the men rescued the children as the water rose and began to float the car before it finally sank and was submerged under some 11 feet of water.
Commissioners then approved the street closure for the Raton Mainstreet street fair and dance to be held on September 14th. The street fair will close Second street from Cook to Park for the fair and Cook from Second to the Alley for the street dance.
The White House Saloon will be the site for a motorcycle bike run memorial on September 7th and the street fair dance September 14th. The commission approved their request for a special dispensers permit to allow the use of the sidewalk area in front of the saloon.
Commissioners approved the Lodger’s Tax Board recommendations for the Parks and Recreation Department for $10,000 for hosting a professional baseball team and promotion of their games. The $10,000 from the city leverages the $146,000 from the Pecos league to host and operate the Raton Osos.
They also approved a request for $3,000 to host and promote the mud bog races this weekend (August 17th) in Raton.
Commissioners approved Resolution 2013-33 authorizing the acceptance and execution of the Municipal Arterial Project with New Mexico DOT for the South 1st street improvements.
City Manager Butch McGowen continues to ask resident to hold their edible trash until pickup day in their area of town to help control the bear problem in light of the reduction in work force to the sanitation department. He also noted that some residents would be cited for weeds.
McGowen indicated that Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in town to look over the flooding issues. McGowen is hoping the Feds will step in so that the cost to the city will be less for the disaster monies. If the money comes through the state the 75% will be funded by the state and 25% from the city. If the Feds pay the bill it will be 75% from the Feds, 12.5% from the State and 12.5% from the city. The feds will primarily be looking at the runoff issues at Lake Maloya and the Cimarron River. It was noted that recent rains in the Whites Peak burn scar area maybe causing problem runoff into the Cimarron River.
Commissioners will meet again on August 26, at 7:00 p.m. that is a change from the normal meeting time due to the New Mexico Municipal League meetings that week.
Mayor Bobby LeDoux recognizes these men for their efforts in saving a mother and her children from their car whic was caught in the rising waters of the North underpass.
L to R Dennis Decker, Seth Garcia, Eddie Lawrence, Matt Preston and Mayor Bobby LeDoux
Not Pictured was Casey Redd
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Raton City Commission Special Budget Meeting |
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Raton CityCommission met Friday at noon in the commission chambers to handle budget matters that required their attention before the end of the month.
Commissioners approved a budget adjustment as well as a Raton water works budget adjustment. They then approved the May and June financial reports.
With a unanimous vote commissioners approved the final Raton city budget of $4,519,072, up just a mere $124,000 over last year’s budget. The city is expecting revenues of $4,519,072 and expenditures of $4,418,633.
The city is required to keep $368,219 or 1/12 of the budgeted amount in reserves. According to City Manager Butch McGowen if they had not received the $461,000 insurance money from the freight building insurance the city would be below their required 1/12 reserve requirement causing the state to take a hard look at Raton’s finances.
Mayor LeDoux once again commented that this commission is having to deal with decisions of the past commissions. Indicating they made the best decisions they could at the time with the information they had. The economy simply isn’t what it could be.
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| July 24, 2013 |
Water and Streets Topics at City Commission Meeting |
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton Water Works Manager Dan Campbell is asking that citizens of Raton not do any outside watering for the next 72 hours while the water department deals with the runoff water from recent rains.
Campbell explained to commissioners that the recent rains have created a turbidity issue at the water plant. Turbidity is sediment, silt, sand and trash which muddies up the water. There has a lot of sediment and such washed into Lake Maloya and is being pulled into the water system, which takes extra work to be removed from the drinking water. Campbell explained that the amount of rain is more the problem and that all the sediment ponds that were built to deal with the Track Fire burn scar are full and overflowing thus causing additional runoff into Lake Maloya.
Stella Sintas presented a letter to the commissioners in response to not being allowed to speak during the July 9 meeting. Mayor LeDoux indicated that the issue occurred during the business portion of the regular meeting not during the public comments period. Sintas also complained about potholes, former City Manager Pete Kampfer and the aquatic center as well as the $6 service fee that will be up for referendum in September at a cost to the city of about $6000.
Martha Phelps spoke about the flooding issues on Park Avenue explaining that the water had run into her business at Second and Park. City Manager Butch McGowen informed the commissioners that Resolution 2013-26, which the commission passed during the business part of the meeting, will address the flooding issues on Park. This is a grant agreement with the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Commissioners also approved Resolution 2013-27 to finish off the street work on South First Street after the water department work that replaced some old water line.
Commissioners approved the precinct assignments for the special election in September. They also approved the budget adjustment dealing with the Juvenile Justice grant.
Commissioners heard from David Stafford concerning upcoming tree planting projects in downtown. He is requesting assistance with the projects from city staff. The help he is requesting is for concrete cutting and water taps to water the trees. Commissioners approved Resolution 2013-29 to make that help available for this beautification project. The tree planting projects are being made possible with grant monies that Grow Raton has applied for and received.
City manager Butch McGowen indicated that they received a letter from Mark Van Buskirk concerning the land next to the landfill and that a tort claim will likely be filed. The city will work on pothole repairs as soon as cold mix arrives many of the street repairs will be a 50/50 split with Raton Water Works who purchased the cold mix for street repairs.
McGowen also asked that the citizens continue to help out in keeping their weeds mowed and helping the elderly with their yard work. He also asked that citizens continue to help with the bear problem and keep trash picked up. It is also suggested that citizens check when there particular part of town is scheduled to be picked up by the sanitation department and put your trash in the dumpsters on pickup day so that there isn’t anything in the dumpster for bears to pick through.
The city commission will meet again on Friday July 26 at noon to go over some budget items. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 13 at 6:00 p.m.
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| July 22, 2013 |
Trinidad Times /Raton Range Announce Temporary Closure |
By Christina Boyce ~ KRTN News
 Trinidad Times Independent (TTI) News and Raton Range did not reach readers on Friday. Publisher and owner Paula Murphy posted a long letter of explanation Sunday afternoon on the TTI website and facebook page. Murphy writes that deals that would have extended publication fell through on Friday, resulting in stopped presses.
Murphy says that the problem unless a last option she is working on is successful the paper and it’s sister publication, the Raton Range will no longer exist. The weak economy and dwindling paid advertisers are cited as contributing factors to the publication’s closure.
Expressing deep regret for her decision to outsource the publishing of the two papers back in January of 2012, Murphy writes,
“Now in hindsight, I believe (the outsourcing) to be my biggest regret. But I had no choice. The technology our press used involved film. Film is not being produced in the United States. I was going to have to buy a very expensive piece of equipment and did not have the resources to do so. The printing bid I got was more than my costs to produce but not that much more. But when I started outsourcing that price nearly doubled. But I could not go back to what we had been doing.”
While the website headline says this is a temporary closure, the tone of Murphy’s letter is somber. Holding out some hope, she writes, “So this may not be our death, but merely a regrouping. Please be patient and pray”.
KRTN has extended a call out to Murphy and hopes to learn more about the option she is working on.
Relevant Information:
Trinidad Times Independent Phone: (719) 846-8799
Raton Range Phone: 575-445-2721
Links:
Trinidad Times Independent Paula Murphy Letter
Raton Range ~ Murphy Letter
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| July 17, 2013 |
Superintendent, M. Neil Terhune D. Ed., Hits the Ground Running |
By Christina Boyce
KRTN News
 Raton Public Schools (RPS), working with new Superintendent, M. Neil Terhune, D. Ed., has been moving at a brisk pace to make sure the district is ready for the new school year. Terhune has been at work for RPS for just one week but teachers report back in three and a half weeks, on August 12th, and students will be back in class on Thursday, August 15th. KRTN attended Monday's school board meeting and met with Terhune in his office Tuesday to report on the district’s progress.
The regular monthly board meeting on Monday was well attended. Public comments are taken at the beginning of the meetings and Nate Ashbaugh, who resigned as Choral/Band Director was listed on the agenda as the first item. Ashbaugh was not present as the public comments began. Board President Art Armijo announced that Linda Ortiz, sponsor of Raton Middle School FCCLA program, and students who had attended last week's National FCCLA Conference in Nashville, TN, were also present to address the board. Armijo gave the floor to Ortiz and her students who reported on their conference experience, projects and awards.
Ashbaugh had arrived and was given his time to address the board. He was there to argue for additional staffing for the Choral & Band programs. Passionately advocating for music programming, Ashbaugh stated his opinion that the music department job description is more than one person can do and be expected to do well.
Lita Sanchez, Financial Director, announced that all district employees would see a 1% salary increase for the upcoming contract year during the financial report.
The board then discussed and approved a change in athletic/activity eligibility requirements that brings Raton schools into alignment with the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) GPA standard. This change lowers the required GPA for athletic and activities participation from a 3.2 to a 2.0 (with only one F). Ortiz, RMS teacher and FCCLA sponsor spoke to the loss of population in the school district, saying that the lower GPA requirement would increase the pool of eligible students for sports and other activities. Brian Saccomanno, Raton High School PE teacher and football coach spoke to the power of sports to keep students engaged and to prevent dropouts. Superintendent Terhune commented that the change “does not take away from the parents right to enforce a higher standard” for their own children.
Terhune reported that amongst the staffing changes, the job of Athletic Director (AD) would no longer be part of the Principal’s job description but would be split into two part-time positions hired internally. Terhune announced that Coach Saccomanno was one of the new ADs, however, the second AD candidate had not yet responded to the offer and Terhune would not name the candidate during the public portion of the meeting.
Terhune and the board were also waiting to hear from the principal search committee's pick for the Principal at Raton High School. They went into Executive Session to discuss these personnel matters.
KRTN visited with Terhune on Tuesday afternoon to find out more about some of the changes and learned that the district has hired a new Principal for Raton High School: Erik S. Fredell, Ed. D. of Colorado Springs, CO. Fredell writes in his letter to the search committee that he returns to the "job I love, working with parents, students, and teachers to prepare for the future.” He has been taking care of elderly parents for the past two years. Prior to that he was Campus Director of Mohammed Bin Zayed Campus of Emirates National Schools from 2009 – 2011. He was the Principal at Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, CO from 2001 – 2009, and served as Principal at Greeley West High School from 1996 - 2001. Fredell starts his job at Raton High School in two weeks.
Terhune also reported Teresa Kuchan’s acceptance for the second Athletic Director position. Kuchan teaches 8th Grade CMP mathematics at Raton Middle School. Terhune says that for now, Kuchan will handle the girls’ sports and Saccomanno will handle boys’ sports.
The position of Assistant Superintendent will not be replaced after Paul Malano completes his contract. That will affect the Special Ed Department, which will see some changes as the duties of Director of Special Ed are distributed within the department’s staff. Terhune believes that the changes will benefit students.
Terhune plans to make a practice visiting with KRTN’s listeners on This, That & the Other on Tuesday mornings after regular school board meetings and also half way between meetings. He’ll discuss what is going on in district, but he stated that he’d like to know what people want to hear about. Terhune can be reached at Raton Schools Administration office by phone at 575-445-9111.
Terhune plans to stop in on Thursday for his first visit. KRTN looks forward to the opportunity to speak with him. If you have any questions for Dr. Terhune please give us a call at 575-445-3652 or send an email to info@krtnradio.com.
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| July 16, 2013 |
Raton's New VA Clinic to Break Ground Today |
Story & Photograph
By Christina Boyce ~ KRTN Multi-Media
 A groundbreaking ceremony at 3:00 pm Tuesday, July 16th at 1493 Whittier Street will mark the beginning of construction on Raton's long awaited new Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic.
Recent rains have created a mud-bog of the unpaved Whittier Street so you’ll want to drive your four-wheel vehicle to attend, and wear sensible shoes.
People gathering to officially mark the start to the project will include representatives from Senator Tom Udall’s office and Senator Martin Heinrich’s office, City of Raton officials and members of Raton’s VA Clinic, VFW, DAV, and the Albuquerque VA Department. The public is welcome to attend.
The new clinic is scheduled to open by January 2014; along with street improvements, it will bring much-needed upgrades in facility and in quality of services to area veterans and their families.
A press release from U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich’s office stated that, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján secured commitments from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Robert Petzel, to improve quality of care and address chronic infrastructure problems at clinics in northern New Mexico. Dr. Petzel has assured the New Mexico lawmakers that the VA is aware of the problems and will do everything in its power to address them, including meeting the January 2014 deadline for opening a new community-based outpatient clinic in Raton.
Raton’s existing VA Clinic will remain fully functional up until the day the new clinic opens up.
To get to the site take Hereford east off of South 2nd Street and turn north onto Whittier Street. 1493 Whittier is just north of the old Morgan Building site.
Related Links:
Raton VA Clinic
My HealtheVet
US Department of Veteran’s Affairs
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| July 9, 2013 |
Budget woes Strap City |
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The petition against Ordinance 983, requiring a voter referendum on the $6.00 service fee, will require the city to reduce the city budget by $273,000 and another $6,000 for the election, which has been scheduled for September 3, 2013. According to City Manager Butch MaGowen the reduction is going to be hard to deal with.
Without the money the six-dollar fee will bring in the city will have to hold off hiring two additional police officers, three fireman and three public works employees. Currently the city is short more than four police officers and it was hoped that the four new officers would get the department back to 8-hour shifts instead of the 12-hour shifts they are now working.
The lack of firemen puts the fire department at bare minimum and the possibility of a higher ISO rating, which could mean higher insurance rates for homeowners. The fire department had worked very hard to acquire the equipment and training to reduce the city’s ISO rating from four to two, now that is in jeopardy to the reduction in staff.
As for the public works department the part time seasonal help will be cut in half and with three less regular employees it means less work will be done. Fewer blade operators during the winter months for snow removal. Less bear patrols to pickup trash nor regular alley patrols to pickup trash items left outside the dumpsters.
In other commission news commissioners approved the MOU with the Chamber of Commerce and the MOU with Service Organization for Youth for the Children’s Youth and Family Department Juvenile grant agreement. The city acts as a fiscal agent for that grant.
Mayor Bobby LeDoux told commissioners that a lack of action on Ordinance 981, which is a new procurement and purchasing ordinance, originally introduced on February 14, 2013, would mean it fails to be adopted. Commissioners then moved on to the next agenda item with no action on Ordinance 981.
Commissioners appointed Thomas Angeli to the Lodger’s Tax Advisory board, David Swanson to the Raton Public Service board and Kevin Nolan to the Planning and Zoning board. John Duran will continue in his position on the Housing Authority board.
City Manager McGowen then thanked all the staff and others for the help in clean up after the rains and for the work done on the holiday activities this past week. He also noted that he police department will continue to work on the current contract with negotiations to continue on their contract.
Sally Chavez, Jami Esquibel and Freda Baca accepted the proclamation for Relay for Life. The 12th annual Relay for Life will be held July 19-20 with a goal of raising more than $40,000 and honoring over 250 cancer survivors.
The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Raton city commission will be July 23 at 6:00 p.m. where commissioners will hear more about the budget and be presented with a final budget for the city.
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| July 5th, 2013 |
Dr. M. Neil Terhune is New Superintendent of Raton Public Schools |
Story By Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Dr. M. Neil Terhune, Ed. D., (Neil) has accepted the position of Superintendent of Raton Public Schools. In a phone interview with Terhune, KRTN learned that he is a native of Farmington, New Mexico, and has always intended to return to New Mexico at some point in his career; that time has come. Dr. Terhune says he is happy to be relocating to Raton, which he described as, “frankly, a beautiful little valley”. Terhune has family in Farmington, Santa Fe and Albuquerque and he is looking forward to being close to them after many years away.
KRTN asked Terhune what his first action as Superintendent would be. Terhune responded that he is not in any hurry to make changes. First off he wants to understand “where we are now.” To do that he will meet with Assistant Superintendent Paul Malano and spend time listening to staff and to the board so that he gets a clear picture of the school district’s current situation, needs, available resources and budget. Then he will work with the school board, teachers, staff, families and the community “to create the most positive learning environment for the students.”
Terhune attained his Ph. D. in Education Leadership and Curriculum in 2006 from Montana State University. He retired as a Major from a twenty-four year military career in the USMC and US Army. He was a teacher and Department Head at Poplar Bluff High School in Missouri from 1994 – 1997 and then Senior Vice-Principal at PBH from 1997 – 1999. He was Principal for Grades 6 – 12 in Polo School District in Pollo, Missouri for a year. He was High School Principal for Poplar High School Missouri, for two years. He has been a Superintendent for the past ten years, serving five years, from 2002 – 2007 as School District Superintendent in Harlem Montana for Harlem Public Schools, and most recently as School District Superintendent for Carbon County School District One, in Rawlins, Wyoming, from 2007 – 2012. Terhune is active in Rotary International, Boy Scouts of America, Lions Club, VFW and is a member of the Society of the American Military Engineer.
Terhune says strong community involvement is a key factor in the schools he’s worked with that have done very well and he looks forward to growing family and community engagement with Raton Public Schools. Dr. Terhune wants to all that he can to help families in Raton have the best education possible for their children, as Raton’s new Superintendent of Schools, that’s his mission.
Dr. Terhune will start on Tuesday July 9th. We look forward to visiting with Dr. Terhune on KRTN’s This, That & the Other show in the near future. KRTN welcomes Dr. Terhune to Raton.
Raton School board member Ted Kamp, responding to KRTN’s email inquiry had this to say about Dr. Terhune: “The board was very impressed by his character, work ethic and experience. He will be a tremendous asset to our community and our school system.”
Multiple calls to board President Art Armijo and Vice President Jimmie Saccomanno were not returned before press deadline. KRTN extends wishes for a Happy Independence Day weekend to all the board members and thanks them for their service to the community.
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| July 5th, 2013 |
Senator Tom Udall Visits Raton for Roundtable Discussion |
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Story By Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
GrowRaton!, Raton MainStreet and the City of Raton hosted (D, NM ) US Senator Tom Udall’s roundtable discussion on regional economic development in Raton, Wednesday July 3rd, at Raton Convention Center. Approximately thirty-two concerned citizens attended, among them were officials from Colfax, Union and San Miguel counties, area businesspersons and economic development leaders. Senator Udall spoke on water sustainability/climate disruption, Veterans affairs, area housing issues and stressed the importance of a regional, cooperative approach to economic development.
Pointing to an increase in returning Veterans in near future, as forces are withdrawn, and the need for well staffed and equipped care facilities in the area, Udall acknowledged what listeners knew, that ground has not yet been broken on Raton’s new Veteran’s Clinic. The clinic is scheduled to open in December of this year and Senator Udall said he is working to see that the project gets underway. “WWll Veterans and the GI Bill created our middle class.” Senator Udall said he is working to ensure that returning Veterans will have access to excellent medical care in their communities.
Senator Udall discussed the 57th Annual New Mexico Water Conference Report and encouraged everyone with concerns about water to read it. Also the housing shortage in our region was addressed in his opening remarks. The roundtable began with Senator Udall asking participants to introduce themselves and then he opened the floor for discussion.
Water conservation, suicide prevention, job creation, education, workforce development, and broadband connectivity, access to seed money for tech start-ups, intellectual capacity in the region, realistic assessment of assets and strategic design to grow the region’s economy and were main threads in the discussion. Senator Udall addressed some of the topics as they came up but more often than not directed participants with relevant knowledge or experience to respond. In this fashion, roundtable participants emerged as experts in the field, thoughtful council, and “boots on the ground” personnel and a dialogue grew amongst them.
Senator Udall wrapped up his visit by encouraging leaders to select projects that will benefit the region and to work together to make them happen. He promised to do all he can to support the success of cooperative efforts to revitalize our region.  Senator Udall invited participants to continue the discussion, as he had to leave for an appearance on KRTN’s Noon News Update.
GrowRaton! President Paul Jenkins reported that discussion continued for another forty minutes, centering on negative web-blog postings about Raton. Participants came to the conclusion that, moving forward, positive messaging in sufficient quantity would eventually drown out the negative.
To learn how you can get involved in regional efforts to grow our economy contact your local county commissioner or a member of GrowRaton! www.growraton.org
Paul Jenkins, President: paul.jenkins@ratonnm.us or call 575-445-3130
To contact Senator Tom Udall:
Phone (202) 224-6621
Website http://tomudall.senate.gov
57th Annual New Mexico Water Conference Report
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| July 2, 2013 |
Up Up & Away! 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally |
Story By Christina Boyce
Photos by Christina Boyce & Tim Keller
KRTN Multi-Media
 Hot air balloons will soon dot Raton’s skies with color as chase crews follow pilots to their landings. Raton’s 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally will be held Saturday July 6th and Sunday July 7th at La Mesa Airfield. It is a dream come true for balloon enthusiasts and rally organizers who have seen two summers go by since the Raton Track Fire in June of 2011 took the air out of what would have been the 16th Rally. Raton Chamber organizers cancelled the rally as the community reeled from the effects of the devastating fire. Last year Raton Chamber organizers turned the event over to Raton Recreation & Education Council, but the reorganization efforts came too late and a second year went by with no rally.
Raton MainStreet and the City of Raton, with assistance from Raton's Chamber of Commerce have tethered together a dedicated team of sponsors, pilots and volunteers who have been working together for many months to make sure that, this year, balloonists will return to fly over Raton’s skies during the Fourth of July holiday. A lot of history, and hot air, fuel the mass ascension of balloons this weekend.
Kathy McQueary, of The Raton Museum, tells KRTN that it all started in 1994 with the wish of 18-year old Jarrod Giacomo who had been spending summer vacations in Raton, visiting grandparents. Grandmothers Fredda Giacomo, and Eloise Henry, lived on the same street and Jarrod spent time with both families. Back in California he had asked to be able to fly in a hot air balloon. His request was denied because of his disability and very high costs for a flight. Jarrod’s uncle Charles Henry found out about his nephew’s wish and contacted an Albuquerque balloon pilot he knew, Bruce Hale, and asked Hale if he could help. Hale came up to Raton with his balloon, co-pilot Jerry Smith and a student-pilot, Chuck Ludberg. The trio crewed Jarrod’s dream-come-true flight that summer.
The pilots enjoyed flying over Raton so much that they encouraged Raton Chamber & Economic Development Council (as it was known then) to organize and sponsor an annual event. Everyone involved wanted to keep true to that first flight’s purpose so they decided that the premise for the rally would be to provide an opportunity for disabled children to experience the magic of a hot air balloon flight. International Bank agreed to fly those children and to sponsor future rallies. The organizers also decided that the rally needed a logo and wanted to involve children; thus began the logo design contest, open to mid-school age children. The winning artist won a balloon flight and their drawing was used to create the logo, used on T-shirts, pins and promotional materials for the event.
Hale, Smith, Ludberg (who had gained his license as a pilot), and a fourth pilot, Kay Adams helped the chamber council to connect with balloon pilots in Albuquerque. Open to pilots by invitation only, the Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally started that summer with approximately ten balloons. They took off from Legion Field (now Gabriele Field), but one significant miscalculation marred the rally: the public arrived at the field around 10:00 am expecting to see the colorful balloons but the pilots were already done for the day. Balloons need cool, calm wind conditions (occurring most consistently in the early morning) in order to fly; organizers realized that they had to educate the public about the sport of ballooning if they were to grow the event over the years ahead.
That first rally wasn’t perfect but it started something good. So good, that stories of Raton’s amazing scenery, friendly residents and near perfect “box” flying conditions spread quickly in the balloon community. Three years later the rally had thirty-two registered balloons; each year the rally continued to grow bringing pilots, crew members and balloon enthusiasts to Raton during July Fourth festivities. The balloon rally boasts a legacy of fifteen successful events that have enhanced Independence Day festivities and brought many visitors to Raton.
McQueary admits that the economic downturn has had a negative impact on the number of balloons participating during the last few years before 2011. Given the amount of balloons that take part in Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta annually, an estimated 700 will participate in this year’s 42nd annual event during the first week in October, the potential for Raton’s Rally to grow into a significant economic driver should not be missed. 
The 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally is made possible by the generous support of two Corporate Sponsors: International Bank and propane sponsor Raton Natural Gas. Sponsors at the $500.00 level are Larry W. McQueary, CPA, RBS True Value Building Material Centers, the Raton Rodeo Association, Two-Way Electronics, Pegasus Flight Services, LLC, In Memory of Jan P. Strnad and Friends of Raton Recycles. Sponsors at the $250.00 level are Colfax Senior Center, Vermejo Park Ranch, White House, Pais & Lannon, Title Services, Friends of Poetry Rocks!, Quest Realty, and Marty Mayfield Photography.
 Early on the morning of Friday July 5th there will be a special media day. Tom Gardner, owner and pilot of the Ajuua Dreamer, Royce Miller, owner and pilot of Green Hornet and several additional balloons will be flying to promote the weekend rally. On Friday evening, the 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally officially kicks off with a dinner reception for the pilots at the Raton Elks Lodge. Pilots will meet their sponsors and sponsors will have the honor of welcoming the balloonists to Raton.
Fifteen pilots and their crew will be at the reception to receive their welcome. They are: Tom Gardner, pilot of Ajuua Dreamer and this year’s Balloon Meister, Royce Miller, pilot of the Green Hornet, Gerry Graff, pilot of Lofty, Gregory Garcia, who pilots Good Grief, Kenneth Paulk, pilot on Ducky, Roger K. Hoppe who pilots Volcanic Motion, Dave Aley pilot on Dreaming in Color, Clarke O'Byrne, the pilot of Viento Encantado, Neal Smith pilot on First Light, David A. Fox who pilots Ship O' Fools, Bill Dimmitt, the pilot on Sunrise Angel, Linda Bonney, pilot of High Hopes, Cliff Keller who pilots Lily, Keith Lutz, the pilot on Sky Pirate and Ken Ferguson, pilot on Itsa Touchie Subject. These pilots and their crews are here to lift their magical floating color up into Raton’s blue skies.
Rally organizers are excited to watch as the 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally gets ready to lift Raton's Fourth of July festivities up for the long view. If you’d like to get involved, volunteers are still wanted to help at La Mesa Airfield directing traffic into the parking, selling T Shirts, Pins, 50/50 raffles and past event inventory at tables during the rally and earlier in the week, on July 4th, during Fun in the Park at Ripley Park. Christine Valentini, of the City of Raton says it best, “We all know it takes TEAMWORK to get our Rally off the Ground!”
The 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Schedule:
Saturday July 6
At La Mesa Airfield:
5:00 am to 9:00 am Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
5:00 am to 11:00 am Music at the rally provided by DJ
6:00 am Pilots Briefing followed by the Mass Ascension
Associated Rally Events:
1:00 pm Parade! “All American Weekend on the Santa Fe Trail”- on First Street downtown
1:00 -6:00 pm Art Reception for “Up, Up & Away” Balloon Art Show - The Old Pass Gallery on First Street; Refreshments provided.
Sunday July 7
At La Mesa Airfield:
5:00 am to 9:00 am Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
5:00 am to 11:00 am Music at the rally provided by DJ
6:00 am Pilots Briefing/Mass ascension at La Mesa Airfield
11:00 am Farewell Sendoff for ALL!
Experience a taste of balloon flight ~ Marty Mayfield's four minute video!
Photos to Enjoy:
Tim Keller Photography - Raton 2013 June Media Day
Christina Boyce - Raton 2013 June Media Day
Marty Mayfield's photos from the rally in 2010
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| June 27, 2013 |
Kathleen Honeyfield Appointed to Raton School Board |
Bulletin
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton Public School (RPS) Board’s four members met in special meeting Wednesday June 26th to interview and select the appointee to the last open board seat. A three to one vote resulted in Kathleen Honeyfield's appointment to school board Position 1. Honeyfield agreed to run for the seat at the end of her term, a factor that weighed positively for her in the disussion between board members about who would best complete their team. Honeyfield's seat comes up for re-election in 2015.
A complete board will interview candidates for Raton Public SchoolSuperintendent on Saturday June 29th.They will meet in special session on Monday, July 1st, to choose the next Superintendent at 5:30 pm in the Raton High School Krivokapich Media Center, 1535 Tiger Circle, Raton, N.M.
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| June 24, 2013 |
Busy Week Ahead for Raton School Board |
What to Know:
Raton Public School Board will hold a special meeting Wednesday June 26th to interview and select the appointee to the last open board seat. The meeting will start at 5:30 pm in the Raton High School Krivokapich Media Center, 1535 Tiger Circle, Raton, N.M.
Raton Public School Board has chosen to interview eight applicants for Superintendent: Neil Terhune, Patty White, Raymond Arsenault, Pagan Roueche, Greg Rockhold, Duane Denny, Duncan Ware and Loren Cushman on Saturday June 29th between 8:00 am & 12:00 noon.
Raton Public School Board will hold a special meeting Monday July 1st to swear in their newly appointed member and to discuss their selection for Superintendent. The meeting will start at 5:30 pm in the Raton High School Krivokapich Media Center, 1535 Tiger Circle, Raton, N.M.
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Story by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton Public School (RPS) Board’s four members met in special meeting Monday June 26th to swear in Beaver Segotta into position 5 as the newest school board member and to select the pool of candidates they will interview for RPS Superintendent and to set a date for those interviews. Also on the agenda, a decision on the appointment of an Interim Superintendent if necessary, a decision on which applicants to interview for the last open Board seat, as well as other business matters.
Board members prior to the meeting had reviewed fifteen candidates for the position of Superintendent. Each of the four board members named their top choices and in the discussion that followed, eight applicants for Superintendent were selected for interviews. The candidates are: Neil Terhune, Patty White, Raymond Arsenault, Pagan Roueche, Greg Rockhold, Duane Denny, Duncan Ware and Loren Cushman. The date for interviews will be Saturday June 29th. Candidates will be able to interview by phone if travel distance would prevent them from interviewing in person on such short notice. Board member Jimmie Saccomanno requested video conference calls for any phone interviews so that they would have face-to-face interviews with all candidates. The board scheduled a Special Meeting for Monday, July 1st to decide which candidate to offer the position to.
Three applicants for open school board seat, Position 1, were announced: Jarred Chatterley, Neil Emero and Kathleen Honeyfield. The board decided to interview all three candidates and make their selection at the Special Board Meeting they set for Monday July 1st.
Board members also discussed the possibility of Paul Malano, Assistant Superintendent, remaining on staff beyond his contract end date of June 30th. After discussion with Malano they decided to retain him until “such time as a new superintendent is hired or until July 18th.” Malano and the board agreed that it would be an advantage to have him help the new Superintendent get oriented.
Lita Sanchez, RPS Financial Director, took the floor during the Business Matters section. She explained several expense items to the board who followed along on copies of her report. Board President Art Armijo raised a question about then Financial Director Erlene Bradley’s signature on a meal reimbursement of just over $7.00 to herself. Sanchez explained that there are four layers of approval before any reimbursement check is signed and it is the Financial Director who signs all checks. In response to a question from the public, the board acknowledged that an external company audits the district’s financial records annually. The board seemed satisfied that the items discussed had been fully examined. No requests for further investigation were made.
A last minute twist occurred when a question from the public arose as the meeting was being called to adjourn. Discussion regarding why the board had moved to interview the applicants for Superintendent before selecting the fifth board member followed. The result was a retraction of their earlier decision to interview and select the last board member on Monday July 1st, and a move instead, to interview and select the fifth board member on Wednesday June 26th. The board will thus be complete during interviews with Superintendent candidates on Saturday June 29th.
Raton School Board members have a busy week ahead as they finish seating their board, prepare for and interview eight qualified candidates on Saturday and come together Monday to make a decision on who the next Superintendent of Raton Public Schools will be.
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| June 14, 2013 |
Dr. Kristi Brown ~New Veterinarian at Raton Animal Hospital |
Photos & Story
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
 Kristi Brown, DVM, fondly remembers coming up from Albuquerque for frequent visits with her grandparents, Martin & Carolyn Jones, who owned Jones Drug and C Jones Realty. Brown has wanted to live in Raton as long as she can remember; growing up in Albuquerque she found that she liked rural living much better than life in the big city. Dr. Brown remembers having had some hardships with her own animals and wanting to be a veterinarian so others would not have to go through those kinds of experiences. Her love for animals led her to choose veterinary medicine as her career. Fortunately, Manzano High School had a volunteer program that placed her in a veterinary clinic three summers during her high school. Dr. Brown credits working in that clinic with confirming her desire to follow through with her career choice. 
Fresh out of high school, Brown moved to the state of Washington, to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Washington State University. Becoming Dr. Brown, upon graduation in 2011, she and her husband Jake moved to Australia for her internship at the University of Queensland in the town of Gatton Australia.
Dr. Brown and Jake, along with their two dogs and three horses, have been in Raton for just two weeks. She has been practicing at Raton Animal Hospital for a week and a half. Raton Animal Hospital was her first choice amongst the queries she sent out in her search for a place to practice in New Mexico.
During a feline examination that KRTN observed, all eyes were on a young cat, Bailey, as Dr. Brown began her work. She spoke to her patient’s owners explaining what she was doing and what she was thinking. Bailey was clearly in good hands. Dr. Brown loves working on all kinds of animals but admits to a passion for horses. She specialized in horses during her internship, doing dentals, working on lameness and “working with babies and making babies” which she loves. Her energy is lively and also calming, an obvious plus when working with animals and their owners.
I asked Dr. Brown if she had any advice for someone who wants to become a veterinarian. She encouraged “Lots of study! And, hard work in all classes.” She said that it’s a good idea to volunteer for an animal shelter and/or veterinary clinic, saying, “It’s important to find a good mentor who can give you experience with animals and help you make connections. ”
Dr. Brown has much to celebrate. Practicing veterinary medicine at Raton Animal Hospital and living in Raton is a dream come true for her. She and Jake celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary last week and he has a position is a salesman at Phil Long Ford in Raton. Dr. Kristy Brown is living the dream.
Dr. Mark Jansen and his wife Stephanie, owners of Raton Animal Hospital, are pleased to have Dr. Brown join their team. Raton Animal Hospital, P.C. is located east of I-25 at 1100 Frontage Road in Raton, NM .
Call 575-445-2691 to schedule an appointment or to inquire about volunteering.
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| June 11, 2013 |
Raton City Commission Breezes Through Agenda |
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Richard Serna with Environmental Remediation Management Services informed commissioners about the work being done on the El Portal and indicated that within the week most of the debris will be cleaned up.
Serna estimated over 3500 cubic yards of debris are still to be removed. So far about 2190 cubic yards have been hauled off. The contractor doing the work has claimed the old steel and some concrete for himself and will haul it off probably next week.
Commissioners then approved the street closures for St Patrick’s St Joseph’s annual fiesta to be held August 2-4 and also the VFW’s July 4th music event.
They also approved a special dispenser's permit for the White House Saloon who will be hosting the class of 1978 reunion.
Raton commissioners approved Resolution 2013-18 to support the building of a new Veteran’s Administration Clinic in Raton. The Resolution notes that the current clinic is too small and that Veterans have to travel to Albuquerque to obtain quality veteran health care.
Commissioners also approved Resolution 2013-19 changing the bank signature cards and passed Resolution 2013-20 approving budget adjustment #2 for fiscal year 2013.
Interim city manager Butch McGowen touched on the progress on the sanitation department. The city still doesn’t have a final closure date for the landfill. McGowen is encouraging citizens to use the Recycling Center and to take advantage of the landfill still being open.
He indicated that the audit of the city books would begin in August and then commended the city employees for their participation in a recent safety event. The city is required to have an 80% participation rate in the safety program in order to qualify for insurance discounts.
The next regular meeting for the Raton city commission will be June 25 at 6:00 p.m. and will be aired on KRTN AM 1490.
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| June 11, 2013 |
Raton Basin RED Moves Forward |
Report
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
County, state and community leaders from Colfax county in New Mexico and Las Animas and Huerfano counties in Colorado met in Walsenburg, Colorado for a work session on Monday June 10th to finalize the Raton Basin Regional Economic Development Plan (RED). Pattie Snidow of Colorado USDA Rural Development gave an overview of the SET plan and then assigned participants into breakout groups tasked with brainstorming task lists to support the “SMART” goals of the RED. Participants worked on the five areas of the RED: Organization, Business, Education, Healthcare and Broadband/Connectivity.  The goal: to create action items relevant, specific, time-framed, and measureable for each area and attainable within the next 3 to 12 months. Speakers from each break-out group shared their results with the whole group. The morning session closed after a brief discussion that highlighted areas of overlap between the five goals.
An afternoon session, attended by core/advisory developers, provided time to finalize the plan. The plan will be reviewed by USDA and with approval will become a “living” document to guide coordinated efforts to bring economic prosperity to the Raton Basin. USDA will provide seed money to support the first steps identified in this plan.
Paul Jenkins of GrowRaton! reported on Tuesday’s This, That & the Other that after several hours, the afternoon session
was adjourned before the work was completed. Eager to move forward with submitting the plan, the core/advisory developers scheduled an additional work session for today to complete the plan.
The finalized Raton Basin RED will be submitted to the USDA for approval on or before June 30th. Upon USDA approval the Raton Basin RED expects to be awarded up to $3000.00 in seed money to be used on the next step in the RED. That seed money will go towards hiring a consultant to do “asset mapping’ for the region.
Jenkins stated that the finalized plan will be made available as a PDF document on the Colfax County website as the current RED is now.
For more information about the Raton Basin Regional Economic Development plan speak to your county commissioners or call Paul Jenkins of GrowRaton! at 575-445-3130 or send an email to GrowRaton@RatonNM.US
Related Sites:
Raton Basin: Economic Prosperity Through Cooperative Efforts ~ KRTN News
Raton Basin Regional Economic Development Plan
Advance Colorado – Raton Basin - Region 14 Summary
GrowRaton!
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
New Mexico Department of Economic Development
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| June 7, 2013 |
Ratonian Returns from Ride with the 25th Run For the Wall |
A Ride to Honor ~ A Journey to Inspire
Story by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Photos By Rick Trice
 Ratonian Rick Trice returns home to Raton this weekend, having completed the 25th Run For The Wall. (RFTW) is a cross-country motorcycle rally To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends; To call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA); To honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars; and To support our military personnel all over the world. ~ rftw.org
Riding his fuel injected 007 Yamaha V-Star 1300 Tourer and pulling a 2012 Aspen Classic compact tent trailer from Raton to Rancho Cucamonga, California, Trice began a quest to turn his long-held dream to honor his father, who served in WW ll, by participating in the 25th Run For The Wall into reality. Trice began his journey in Raton on May 11th, stopping over night in Albuquerque with family, and continuing on to Rancho Cucamonga where he joined the ranks of Platoon 10 on the Central Route for the ten-day trip across America in the 25th Run for the Wall.
On May 18th, the RFTW came through Raton for fueling, an event made possible by the Raton Independent Riders, Raton’s DAV Chapter #8 and the Sangre de Cristo Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. The citizens of Raton came out to show respect and support for the riders for the tenth year in a row. Trice fueled up along with hundreds of riders. Billy D interviewed him while Marty Mayfield shot video. Trice was able to visit with family happy to see him as he passed through town.
Expanding the scope of his quest, Trice created with a facebook group, Trice RFTW, to share the journey with friends and family. Rick was often without wi-fi but he spoke with his wife Linda daily, and she posted updates for him. The group’s popularity led Trice to open the group to the public so anyone with a facebook account can see his pictures and read his travel entries. In addition to the facebook group Trice spoke to KRTN’s Billy D almost daily on live broadcasts, gathering followers as the rally made its way across the nation.
RFTW ends each year with the Rolling Thunder Parade in Washington, D.C. in which approximately 350,000 motorcycles parade from the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, through downtown Washington, DC, to end their journey at the Vietnam Memorial Wall on the Sunday before Memorial Day. It was emotional day for Trice having completed the trip he earned the privilege of turning his New Guy pin to upside down. Trice asked his Platoon leader Nick, a Marine veteran of Afghanistan, to do the honors. This small gesture, signifying “Mission Accomplished”, brought Trice to tears.
Reflecting after attending the New Guys Ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, on Saturday, May 25th, Trice wrote, “ Run for the Wall came to an end today...where it was intended to...at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC. After us “New Guys” rode our bikes into Arlington Cemetery for a special ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, over 1600 of us descended on the wall. Many tears were shed, as many hands reached up to tenderly touch or trace an engraved name...I looked up a few names...two belonged to high school classmates of mine...two others were for friends...and yes, I got emotional I have many impressions yet to sift through ... many truths to absorb on my long meandering journey home...not the least of which is that hardship of all kinds...whether on the battlefield, or on an endurance ride of over 6000 miles in four weeks, though not at all comparable, still test a person beyond what they once thought their limits, physically, mentally, and emotionally, were. And in the end, we are still just "us," but with maybe the birth of some small, but good, thing within us...or a rebirth of something important we had forgotten...that to be brothers and sisters in this nation...indeed in this world...is a rather noble calling and purpose, after all...”
Trice will arrive in Raton with his wife Linda who flew to DC to make the return trip with him. He and his bike will have logged over 6000 miles in twenty-seven days whan they arrive home. Trice carries his road-wisdom in his heart sharing the journey with his love. Their pilgrimage, both separate and united will not be forgotten. Welcome home!
Also of Interest:
Run For The Wall 2013 Itinerary
Video shot from the helmet of a fellow rider - Raton at its finest on May 18th
Rick Trice on KRQE TV
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| June 3, 2013 |
Raton School Board Interviews Six Candidates for Position |
News Bulletin
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton Public School Board’s three members met in special meeting Monday June 3rd for a public budget hearing and to interview candidates for position 5, which was held by Michael Anne Holland until a successful recall effort removed her from the board. The person appointed to fill the position will serve until 2015 when it comes up for re-election.
Applicants interviewing Monday included Robert Gonzales, Kathleen Honeyfield, Beaver Segotta, Pete Mileta, Art Salazar and Stephanie Jansen. Questions were asked of each candidate that expanded on the information given in the application and on candidate’s resumes.
Six of the seven applicants were interviewed, however Ursula Garcia did not appear for her interview. KRTN reached Garcia by email and asked her why she was not present to interview. Garcia cited timing and her respect for the Willdens as factors in her decision.
The board will announce their selection at the next regularly scheduled meeting on June 10th at 5:30 pm.
The four-member board will then be tasked with appointing someone to fill Position 1, previously held by Anne Litchfield. Litchfield resigned because her family relocated to Albuquerque. The successful candidate will serve in position 1 through 2015, when the seat comes up for reelection. The application deadline for position 1 is June 21st at noon. Applications are available at the administration offices of Raton Public Schools.
Once the board is complete they will begin their task of finding the next Superintendent of Raton Public Schools.
ALSO OF INTEREST:
Seven to interview ~ Raton Range
Willden, Litchfield Tender Resignations to Raton School Board
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| May 30, 2013 |
New Mexico Workforce Connection, Raton, Forging New Partnerships |
Story & Photographs
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
 Joe Rodman, Business Consultant/Career Development Specialist, and Director of Raton’s New Mexico Workforce Connection (NMWFC) office, scheduled to close on June the 30th, is optimistic that the office will have a new home thanks the collective efforts of GrowRaton!, area businesses, the City of Raton and Colfax County Commissioners. Rodman will be working with County Manager Don Day to refine the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between New Mexico Northern Area Local Workforce Development Board (NALWDB) and Colfax County discussed at the May 28th County Commission meeting. If all goes as planned, the refined MOU will be ready for discussion at the County Commission meeting on the June 11th. Once approved the MOU will provide office space for NMWFC in the old Colfax County Manager’s office at the Old Courthouse in downtown Raton. The county space is well suited because utilities, phone and internet services are included. Rodman notes that the City of Raton has a space that would be available should the MOU with the county fail to gain approval. NALWDB and SER-Jobs for Progress, Inc. are committed to supporting Raton’s office beyond the June 30th date because the community is “willing to put some skin in the game.”
Raton’s NMWFC office provides a wide array of services for local workforce development, client career development, and business training. Job placement and career development services are provided to employers and qualified clients. Clients must be 18 yrs of age and signed up for selective service if born after 1960, be a citizen of the United States or have the right to work in USA. Employers provide detailed information about available jobs and their company. Rodman works closely with employers so he has a solid understanding of their needs and business “culture” so that the match between employer and employee is successful.
Rodman is passionate about developing a workforce-training center that is self-sufficient, supported by area businesses, and responsive to the needs of the local economy and works closely with GrowRaton!, and the Raton Chamber of Commerce. He encourages anyone interested in finding out more to come by the office. Office hours are Tuesday & Wednesday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Thursday 8:00 am to noon. 
Joe Rodman can be reached via email: jrodman@onestopnnm.org and by phone: 575-202-4235 (cell), or 575-445-5445 at the office, 1293 South Second Street, Raton.
The next County Commission Meeting will be on June 11th. County Commissioner meetings are open to the public and are held on the third floor of the Colfax County courthouse, 230 N. 3rd Street, on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
ALSO OF INTEREST:
Colfax County Website
SER-Jobs for Progress, Inc. / Northern Area Local Workforce Development Board
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
The City of Raton Strategic Plan
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| May 28, 2013 |
Commission Discusses Insurance Issues |
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi Media
Raton City Commissioner’s first big item on the agenda dealt with the health insurance for employees. If the city were to stay with the state insurance program they would see a 15% increase in premiums on July 1 and possibly another 15% increase on January 1 2014. The January 1 increase is not in the current city budget.
A bid request for health insurance was issued and three companies returned bids. A committee of department heads and Raton Water Works manager and Raton Public Service manager graded the bids and made a recommendation. Mark Morris of Park Avenue Insurance was present at Tuesday’s meeting and complained about the bid request indicating that it didn’t have enough information to properly create a bid, they were one of the companies that submitted a bid. Tyler Johnston, of Century Financial, told commissioners that they got very aggressive and asked a lot of questions about the needs of the city before they formulated their bid.
According to David Mitchell, RPS manager, Century Financial group came and asked questions and spent several hours working with the city to prepare their bid. The other two companies did not do this. Mitchell indicated they did ask questions but not to the extent that Century Financial did. Also once the study group opened the bids and made their recommendation they had Century Financial spend time with the city employees as another layer of checks before finalizing their recommendation to go with Century Financial.
It was noted that about 60% of the employees use Presbyterian Health Care Services and that is also the company that Century is proposing to use. There is no long-term contract with Century the contract will be with Presbyterian. The city is working towards a 1 year or 15 months contract at which time they can renew the contract or go out for bid again. Mitchell also noted that the state system requires a 90 day notice and that every month the city stalled past the September 1 deadline it would cost the city $10,000.
The savings of the new health insurance contract will be close to $180,000 over the state and the bid that Century submitted was $93,000 less than the next bid. After the discussion, it was noted that Commissioner Fanelli was an employee of SS Staffing, a sister company to Century Financial and that he would abstain from voting. It was a 2-2 vote with Commissioners Segotta and Candelario voting yes and Commissioner Mantz and LeDoux voting no. Mitchell and City Manager McGowen continued the discussion on what to do next due to the 90-day deadline and the fact that the bids were sealed should they rebid. As Mitchell put it these were sealed bids and that likely whoever won the bid the other two companies would again be unhappy. Commissioners decided to vote again. Mantz, Candelario and Segotta voted yes with LeDoux and Fanelli abstaining.
Commissioners then approved the street closure for the 4th of July festivities along First Street and Savage Avenue next to Ripley Park. They also approved the Lodger’s Tax Board recommendations for $33,000 to help pay for the Horseshoe pits. It was noted a statewide competition would be held in Raton once the pits are complete possibly in late June.
The other recommendation was for the Raton Chamber of Commerce to help pay for a part-time person to help promote Raton at the chamber office in the Tourist Center.
They approved Resolution 2013-14 asking for an extension on the MAP grant for Memorial Lane due to the environmental study delays. Also approved Resolutions 2013-15 and 2013-16 for the airport improvements.
Commissioners approved the introduction of Ordinance 985 granting the extension of the Raton Water Works franchise. They also introduced Ordinance 986 adopting the new electric rate schedule. David Mitchell asked the public to call his office and he would give customers an estimate of their new charges based on their current electric bill. He noted that with the new rates that are adjusted for the new rates from Enserco Energy and despite the $6 service fee, customers should see a reduction in their electric bill.
They introduced Ordinance 984 giving the city the option to separate the city Clerk/Treasurer position into two seperate clerk and treasurer positions should they need to.
They approved ordinance 983 promoting the health and welfare of Raton. They also approved the interim budgets of Raton Water Works and Raton Public Service and the city Interim budget.
City Manager McGowen informed the commissioners that Serazio construction was the only bidder on the horseshoe pits with the proper license according to Construction Industries. Serazio will start on the pits as soon as possible.
McGowen asked that the resident utilize the recycle center to better help with the cost of trash transportation to Wagon Mound and as an increase in city revenues since the recycling center has brought in over $5000 this year.
Commissioners then adjourned and will meet again next month on June 11 at 6:00 p.m.
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| May 23, 2013 |
Willden, Litchfield Tender Resignations to Raton School Board |
Story & Photograph
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
 Superintendent Dave Willden announced his resignation at Monday’s Special School Board Meeting. Willden spoke candidly on KRTN’s This, That & the Other program Tuesday morning, saying that he’d come up against “philosophical differences” with members of the Raton School Board, and had decided that it was time to move on. Willden has accepted the position of Executive Director at Pecos Valley Regional Education Cooperative. He will serve South Eastern New Mexico Educational Resource Center concurrently in the same position.
Willden was hired to the Raton superintendent position in 2008, and during his tenure started a credit recovery program through Mesa View Academy, led the effort that created the Health Career Pathways Program and built many alliances with civic organizations and businesses in the community. Most recently, Willden has been successful in creating an educational partnership with Virgin Galactic and was in the process of working out the logistics to be able to start the new program in Raton Middle and High Schools in the fall of 2013. KRTN asked Willden if that program would stay with Raton schools. Willden said that he could not speak for Virgin Galactic but that they were “not very happy” with the situation in Raton. Willden will relocate his family, Gail Willden, RHS English Teacher and Shuler Theater director, daughter Clair and son Spencer to Artesia, New Mexico.
President of the School Board Anne Litchfield also resigned during Monday’s meeting because her family is relocating to Albuquerque. In a phone interview with KRTN, Litchfield said she has enjoyed serving the students and community and also that she feels bittersweet about leaving Raton. She expressed gratitude to the community and the schools for the support she felt. Asked if she had any thoughts to pass on to new board members, Litchfield replied that she wishes “luck to whoever comes onto the board. It’s a very hard job and a very rewarding one.”
Art Armijo, a board member since 2001 says he was surprised and disappointed that Willden announced his resignation at Monday’s board meeting. When asked if he felt the board did all it could to support Willden’s efforts to bring the new aerospace/aeronautics career program, to the Raton Public Schools and to be sponsored by Virgin Galactic, Armijo said, “I never saw any indication that other board members were not supportive.” In answer to what steps the board will take next, Armijo said that two “very qualified” candidates had submitted applications in the last search and he hopes those applicants will reapply in the current search.
Recently elected board member Jimmie Saccomanno also spoke to KRTN in a phone interview and said that neither resignation surprised her. She suggested that a superintendent search would begin after the board was reseated. Saccomanno encourages people to come to board meetings. She hopes that people who have a background in education especially will apply for the open board positions.
The newest member of the Raton School Board, Ted Kamp, in a phone interview, said he did not have much knowledge of the situation and would know more after the next meeting of the board. He wished Mr. Willden well, “He’s been good for the community.” Kamp also wished Mrs. Willden the best. He assured KRTN that the board will be very diligent in finding a suitable replacement for Willden after the two open board positions are filled.
The current board search application deadline is noon on Friday May 24th. A Special Meeting of the Raton Board of Education has been called for Tuesday, May 28, at 5:30 p.m. On the agenda: Action Items: 1. Selection of Candidates to interview 2. Reorganize Board
Also of interest, see Raton Graduation Rates - Raton Range
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| May 17, 2013 |
Raton Rotary Club International District 5520 Club of the Year |
News Brief by
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
 Raton Rotary Club has earned Rotary District 5520 Club of the Year Award and the “Peace Through Service” Presidential Citation Award for 2012 – 2013. Rotary International District 5520 includes all of New Mexico and part of far West Texas and contains 71 clubs. Raton Rotary Club has seen a significant increase in membership and club activity in the past year, according to Bill Allen, the current President of the Raton Rotary Club. Weekly meetings are well attended by a diverse and well connected membership. Each meeting includes a program presented by representatives from local organizations and events. Members contribute generously towards programs they feel meet the club's mission to promote "Peace Through Service".
In order for a Rotary Club to be eligible for consideration for Club of the Year, they must meet stringent reporting criteria for club activity. Allen is the owner of RBS True Value Building & Supply Centers in Raton and Angel Fire. Proud of the job his club has done to make sure District 5520 would take notice of Raton, he lists a range of activity the club accomplished over the last year. Raton Rotary participated in two Rotary International grant programs including a "local simplified grant" that bought playground equipment for Colfax/Mora Head Start, and made a significant contribution to the Rotary International Bridges to Prosperity Grant, a program that builds bridges across rivers in South America. Members also raised a large amount of cash contributions for local area organizations and events and gave many volunteer hours in service to local organizations and events.
Allen will complete his term as Raton Rotary Club president at the end of June. Shawn Lerch CEO of Miner's Colfax Medical Center will take over the gavel as president.
Raton Rotary Club meets weekly at K-Bob’s Restaurant at noon. New members are encouraged. If you would like more information visit the Rotary International website at www.rotary.org or call Bill Allen at 575-445-2725.
Also of interest, see Raton Rotary Club Hosts International Group Study Exchange
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| May 15, 2013 |
El Portal Cleanup Resumes |
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News Brief by
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Tuesday May 15th, after a brief halt in the process, removal of the charred remains of the El Portal has resumed. An asbestos sampling done during the halted removal process revealed limited amounts of non-friable asbestos materials and one type of friable asbestos.
Owner Andy Holman has contracted ERMS, Environmental Remediation Management Services, of Albuquerque, New Mexico to provide asbestos removal and transportation of the El Portal. Holman’s general contractor, Truebuilt Construction Company, of Pueblo, Colorado, began the removal process. The two companies estimate that it will take two weeks to complete the abatement and removal.
Dan Robinson, Forman with Truebuilt Construction, said that the site will be secured and signage placed over the next couple of days. ERMS workers have begun the asbestos abatement process and will be securing these materials prior to transport. The project will proceed area by area until the site is cleared. Richard Serna, General Manager of ERMS, says that transport is expected to begin on Monday. The building debris will be taken to Raton City Landfill. Robinson says that once the site is cleared, owner Andy Holman will be taking care of any further work necessary to leave the property level.
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| May 15, 2013 |
Proclamations, Contracts and Resolutions on City Agenda |
Photo & Report
Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Commissioners approved changes to what has been a controversial document, the commission rules of procedure. Many of the controversial items, such as the need to register with the city clerk to speak to the commission was removed from the document.
Comments from the public, one of those items changed allowed Bob Beaudette to address two concerns before the commission without prior approval. One was the transfer of funds from one account to another. The other concerned the hiring of a company to do work for the city that a commissioner is an employee of. Mayor LeDoux informed Beaudette that both items had been discussed and were above board and that full disclosure had been provided by After Dark Solutions for the work they were to do.
Commissioners approved the sale of a police vehicle to another law enforcement agency as required by the grant that originally purchased the vehicle. They will also send a letter to the county to ask for the donation of a county semi truck that the county is no longer using. The truck will be used in the sanitation department.
Manager Don Day also informed the commission about a mass notification system the county is working to implement. More details about that project will be forth coming from the county. The system will work on a block or group of blocks, school district wide, city wide or countywide basis.
WM Serozio Construction was awarded the contract for the Memorial Lane project for $293,767. The project has been held up pending environmental and safety concerns by the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
A contract for solid waste transportation was awarded to Arthur Roll-Off for $13.50 a ton. The contract will run for six months and or can be set on a month-by-month basis. The bid from Arthur Roll-off was slightly less than the engineers estimate.
The bid for the Horseshoe pits was postponed until the May 28 meeting. The city is awaiting an answer from State Construction Industries on what type of contractors license is required to perform the work.
Commissioners were informed that Raton firefighters, after working for a long time without a contract, now have one that will go into effect for fiscal year 2013-2014.
Interim City Manager Butch McGowen informed commissioners that Jim Matthews has accepted the position as fire chief. He also said that the city will start advertising for the open board positions that have been vacated.
Based on work done by David Mitchell the city and city employees could see a new health insurance company and as a result a much smaller increase or none at all in insurance premiums. Employees will be offered the opportunity to visit with an insurance broker this month to help the city make the decision which way to go.
During the budget workshop held earlier in the evening McGowen went over the budget with commissioners and noted that insurance premiums could go up by 15% if the city stays with the state’s insurance program.
McGowen informed commissioners that a preliminary budget would be ready by the May 28 meeting. That meeting will also be carried on KRTN AM 1490.
John Johnson and Al Frydryk are pictured, receiving a proclamation for the work they did on the Climax Canyon hiking trails. Photo: Marty Mayfield Photography
See more at our facebook album: Raton City Commission News Photos
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| May 9, 2013 |
Raton Basin: Economic Prosperity Through Cooperative Efforts |
Photo & Story
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
What does New Mexico's Colfax County have in common with Colorado's Las Animas and Huerfano Counties? As pointed out by multiple speakers at the public forum held by the Raton Basin Economic Development group on Thursday May 9th, the three counties share history, generational family ties, environmental similarities and geological resources. Their economies are linked and they share similar economic concerns. Colfax County Manager Don Day, Colfax County Commissioner Bill Sauble and GrowRaton! President Paul Jenkins, along with representatives from Huerfano and Las Animas counties have succeeded in creating the capacity to fund an economic development strategy specific to the Raton Basin.
Kari Linker, Regional Coordinator for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the featured speaker at yesterday's public meeting commended this cross state effort. Linker said that Colorado’s Blueprint Economic Development Project recognizes that Region 14, by including Colfax County in New Mexico, has gained “a competitive advantage” in completing the Stronger Economies Together (SET) training and in ongoing cooperative efforts to continue the strategic planning process.
 The plan will be “sector driven”, specific to each county and will also combine those strategies into a regional strategy. Part of the funds will go towards implementation and marketing our region to key industries identified in the study. Colorado Blueprint has created a bottom up business plan for Region 14 that is used as a tool in economic planning. The next meeting for Raton Basin SET will be on June 10th at Walsenburg Community Center from 9:00 a – 11:00 am and will be a workshop meeting to develop SMART goals based on the Economic Development Plan created by the Raton Basin Regional Economic Development. Soon thereafter the plan and goals will roll out at community levels to get “street level” input.
Marilyn Leuszler, reported on Trinidad’s efforts to become designated as a Creative District by the state of Colorado. She listed an array of arts activities and creative businesses in Trinidad to support Trinidad’s qualifications for this designation, similar to the Arts & Cultural designation that Raton was granted by the state of New Mexico in 2009.
So, what makes a business creative? Harriett Vaugeois, President & Executive Director of Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre, answered the question, “A creative industry is one which figures out how to survive, one that entices people to come in and sends people out eager to tell stories about what happened to them in Trinidad”.
An interesting aspect of economic recovery touched on by several of the speakers was a challenge to look at what is “wrong” in our towns and neighborhoods, and to see an opportunity to correct the problem. By thinking creatively and looking for solutions, individuals can be directly involved in improving the quality of life.
Day, encouraged folk to “get involved, go to meetings if you are interested, and to talk to businesses to see what they need”. He cited the newly formed Colfax County Wildland Fire Volunteer Service as an excellent example of volunteers filling a community need and county resources deployed to make it happen.
Interested? Attend the next Raton Basin SET on June 10th at Walsenburg Community Center from 9:00 a – 11:00 am. For more information call Paul Jenkins at 575-445-3130 or send an email to GrowRaton@RatonNM.US
Related Sites:
Raton Basin Regional Economic Development Plan
Advance Colorado – Raton Basin - Region 14 Summary
GrowRaton!
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
New Mexico Department of Economic Development
And, see story below...
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| May 7, 2013 |
Regional Economic Development in the Raton Basin, May 9th |
By Paul Jenkins
GrowRaton!
This coming Thursday, May 9th, the public is invited to attend a special meeting on regional economic development in the International Room upstairs at the International Bank (enter off Cook Avenue) beginning at 9:00 am. Over the past fifteen months, County Commissioner Bill Sauble, County Manager Don Day, GrowRaton! President Paul Jenkins, and others have been working with a group of representatives from Las Animas and Huerfano counties in Colorado to discuss regional economic development. The three counties comprise an area which is geographically known as the Raton Basin.
This collaboration started with nine months of training under the Stronger Economies Together (SET) program made possible by a grant from the USDA. The federal government has been encouraging regional economic development and even awards additional points on grant applications which cross state lines. The idea behind this push is that communities which develop their economies together are stronger as a whole and the use of federal dollars is more efficient.
Regional economic development is not just a federal idea. GrowRaton!’s participation in the North East Economic Development Organization, Inc. dba NEEDO-NM is a result of seven New Mexico counties realizing that they have common economic development interests, and that by working together, they can better utilize the limited resources available for economic development. The same fact is true for Colfax County working with Las Animas and Huerfano counties across the Colorado border. We have a better chance of succeeding as a whole than we do just going our separate ways.
Meetings on the Raton Basin rotate between Raton, Trinidad, and Walsenburg. At this meeting in Raton, Kari Linker, Regional Coordinator for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) will be the featured speaker. In the state of Colorado, Las Animas and Huerfano counties make up Region 14 for economic development purposes. In an unusual gesture of goodwill, Colorado has included Colfax County in that Region 14. At a conference in Colorado on developing regional sector partnerships, which Paul Jenkins attended as part of the Region 14 delegation, Region 14 was specifically recognized for its efforts to reach across state lines for the purpose of economic development.
This is an excellent opportunity for the Raton community to learn about the efforts underway in the Raton Basin region. We encourage the public to come and be a part of these ground-breaking events. Due to limited seating, those who plan on participating are asked to RSVP to GrowRaton@RatonNM.US so they know how many people to expect.
Related Sites:
GrowRaton!
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
New Mexico Department of Economic Development
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| May 6, 2013 |
New Mexico Arts To Conduct Listening Session in Raton |
Special to KRTN
Photographs by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
 SANTA FE - New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, will conduct a Listening Session in Raton on Saturday, May 11, 2013. The purpose of the Listening Session is to gather input from the public to assist the division in developing a new strategic plan.
The Listening Session is hosted locally by the Raton Arts and Humanities Council and will be held at the Old Pass Gallery, 145 S. First Street in Raton. The session will begin at 10 a.m. and last about an hour.
The free Listening Session is open to the public. Arts organizations, artists, arts businesses, and educators are especially encouraged to attend.
For information about New Mexico Arts and the strategic planning process, contact the division at 505-827-6490. For directions to the Old Pass Gallery, please contact the Raton Arts and Humanities Council at 575-445-2052.
*Pictured above: Some of the artwork displayed in Shades of the Southwest.
 Of Interest:
Shades of the Southwest, Raton Regional Youth Art Show, will be hanging in the Old Pass Gallery for the month of May. Artwork created by area students hung at Raton Regional Aquatic Center. A reception for the artists and public given on Saturday May 4th. The show moves to Old Pass Gallery on May 6th.
Related Sites:
Raton Arts & Humanities Council
New Mexico Arts
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| May 3, 2013 |
Secretary Barela: Work Together in Visionary Effort |
Story & Photographs
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
 New Mexico Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela spoke, on Thursday May 2nd, at the Raton Convention Center, about challenges and opportunities facing New Mexico given the current economic climate in our nation. He gave listeners a run down on the bi-partisan seven point plan for economic development in our state just passed by legislators.
He also spoke of the serious threat drought conditions present for our state, citing studies that suggest we are in year 30 or 40 of a 300 year drought at our latitude. He stressed that New Mexico must develop a "visionary effort, with everyone coming together" to turn this threat into economic opportunity. He sees New Mexico becoming a leader in water conservation and development of water technologies that will conserve water and provide economic opportunities. Asked about watershed protection, he shared his excitement about "proprietary technologies" in development phases that can turn brackish water into clean drinking water and that can reduce water usage in industries that rely on water for production.
Strengths Secretary Barela sees for northeastern New Mexico include location, abundant natural beauty, potential energy reserves, and for Raton, a good water supply. He cautioned against relying on state contracts for business opportunity and emphasized the need to develop the private sector if New Mexicans are to create a "rural renaissance."
Secretary Barela cited Raton's Shuler Theater as a leading example of leadership in recognizing and taking care of a prime asset. Barela has been inspired by Raton's example to create a state-wide program to restore New Mexico’s downtown theatres.
Approximately 75 people attended the public forum presented by GrowRaton!, Raton MainStreet and the Raton Chamber of Commerce.
Related Sites:
New Mexico Department of Economic Development
And, see story below...
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| April 30, 2013 |
EDD Secretary Barela to Speak at Public Forum in Raton |
By Paul Jenkins
GrowRaton!
On Thursday, May 2nd, the NM Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary, Jon Barela, will be in Raton to speak about economic development issues facing the state and small rural communities like Raton. Secretary Barela will speak at a Public Forum to be held in the downstairs dining room at the Convention Center. A light lunch of Subway sandwich platters will be provided by GrowRaton!. The public is asked to arrive at the Convention Center beginning at 11:30 am to gather up their lunches. Secretary Barela will begin speaking at 12:00 noon.
Following Secretary Barela's presentation, Elizabeth "Beth" Davis, Director of the NM State Data Center, will provide more specific information on economic & demographic trends. She will also present a SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis for the state and the City of Raton, and then talk about the strategic planning process. Tim Hagaman, our new EDD Regional Representative, will provide information on his role and the programs available through the Economic Development Department.
This event is being sponsored by GrowRaton!, the Raton Chamber of Commerce, and Raton MainStreet to better inform the community about economic development issues. We are very fortunate to have Secretary Barela, Elizabeth Davis, and Tim Hagaman available to make their respective presentations. It is our hope that the public will recognize that this is a unique opportunity to hear directly from Secretary Barela and others "in the know."
We need the public's cooperation in letting us know how many people plan on attending. Please RSVP to GrowRaton@RatonNM.US no later than the evening of Tuesday, April 30th, to let us know if you will be present for lunch and the Public Forum.
For more information, or to RSVP by telephone, please call Paul Jenkins at 575-445-3130.
www.growraton.org
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| April 25, 2013 |
Trinidad State Robotics Team Takes Home Two Awards |
Special to KRTN
More success for the Trinidad State Junior College Robotics Team came over the weekend. On Saturday, April 20 at Aurora Community College, the TSJC team presented at the Colorado Space Grant Consortium's Research Symposium. The judges are from the aerospace and robotics industries. When it was over, the Trinidad group had won first place.
The TSJC team also won the People's Choice Award for the demonstration table they put together. That's the third year in a row the TSJC team has won that award.
This all stems from a very successful run over a series of obstacles at Great Sand Dunes National Park on April 6 during NASA's Robot Challenge. Other colleges represented that day included Pueblo Community College, CSU-Fort Collins, CU-Boulder, Colorado Mesa University and School of Mines.
The presentation was put together by students Thomas Staver, Jeff Manders, Brett Gonzales, and Joanna Jimenez. The team is coached by instructor Cindy Clements and other advisors. Their CAT (Crawling Autonomous Robot) successfully completed five of the six challenges laid out at the Great Sand Dunes.
Pictured is Thomas Staver with CAT.
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| April 24, 2013 |
Raton City Commission Tends to Business |
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Jerry Seward accepted the proclamation from Mayor LeDoux for Arbor Day on April 26.
Arbor Day was proposed in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton to set aside a day for planting trees. To celebrate Arbor Day the first time in Nebraska more than a million trees were planted.
April 22-26 is Foster Grandparents and Senior Companion Volunteer Appreciation Week noting the contributions that foster grandparents and senior companions provide to Colfax County.
Accepting the proclamation from Mayor bobby LeDoux is Remy Garcia, Elaine Johnson, Viola Sisneros, Betty Lucero, Vivian Romero, Filbert Flores, Mary Mitchell, Anthony Romero, Viola Iacobelli, and Patricia Hoover.
Commissioners then adjourned and will meet again on May 14 at 6:00 p.m. for their regular meeting. KRTN broadcasts all regular city commission meetings live on AM 1490.
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City Commission Report by Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Commissioners moved through the agenda fairly quickly Tuesday evening taking care of the issues on the agenda in about an hour.
Commissioners postponed the Memorial Lane project due to environmental issues and the horse shoe pit project bid award due to funding issues. Both projects will be brought up at the first meeting in May. Commissioner Candelario mentioned that the New Mexico Horse Shoe Throwers Association has scheduled a competition in late June in Raton.
Commissioners approved the February and March financial reports and the report to be submitted to DFA.
They also approved the Restaurant Liquor License for the Ice House. They moved on to approve Ordinance 982, the solid waste and sanitation loan to purchase sanitation equipment.
Commissioners approved the Lodger’s Tax board recommendation for $10,000 for promoting the Raton OSOs and $3,000 to promote the Master of the Mountain Adventure Race. $2,500 for the Raton rodeo Association to host the Backstage with a Rodeo Clown program which promotes "a drug free and right choices message". $2,000 to Raton MainStreet for organizing the Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
They approved the final payment to Franken Construction for $7,810.95 for the Shuler Theater entry doors.
Approved the bid from Acorn Petroleum for diesel fuel for the Fire Department and Sanitation Department for $3.2579 a gallon.
Approved the MOU with the Raton Little League for use of the ball fields.
Commissioners heard from interim city manager Butch McGowen on the budget. Commissioners will meet at 5:00 p.m. May 14 for a budget workshop. McGowen mentioned the goal this year is to give a 2% pay increase. There will be a 15% increase in insurance premiums as well.
McGowen is requesting a grant extension for the Game and Fish MOU. He is also working on changes to the Policies and Procedures Manual. He also noted the Worker’s Comp dividend credit meeting.
Commissioners then adjourned and will meet again on May 14 at 6:00 p.m. for their regular meeting. KRTN broadcasts all regular city commission meetings live on AM 1490.
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| April 22, 2013 |
Spaceport America the Begining of the Next Frontier |
Story, Photographs & Video by Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
"Space, the final frontier," words uttered by Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise at the beginning of each episode of Star Trek, the iconic television show. Students and some facility members from Raton High and Raton Middle school got a first hand look at the facility that will one day bring those words to a reality for many.
 The group travelled to Spaceport America on Friday, April 19th, 2013 for a tour of New Mexico's space travel facility. According to Virgin Galactic's Jeff Peters they hope to begin their first paid flights in the next 18 months to two years if all the testing goes well.
For the Raton students the visit allowed them access to places in the facility that in the near future will cost a mere $200,000.00 to see. The areas the kids were shown will soon be off limits to the general public. The state is planning a visitors' center that will show the general public the space experience.
The students were shown a short video that explained in detail how the space flight would be carried out. The video explained how the space craft would be airlifted to an altitude of 50,000 feet and then released where a 1 minute rocket burn would carry the craft in to sub-orbital space. The entire trip will last about two hours from takeoff to landing.
The complete space-flight experience will last about four days and includes the necessary training each individual will go through before the flight. Once in sub-orbital space the six passengers will be unbuckled and allowed to experience the weightlessness of space and see a view of earth only astronauts have yet seen. "Virginauts" will be able to see the curvature of the earth and see from about the east coast to the west coast. So far over 575 people have signed up for a flight. It is hoped that once the space craft development costs are recovered that the cost of the trip will start coming down and possibly make it more affordable for the general public.
Bruce Jackson and the small staff of Virgin Galactic gave a hearty thank you to the students for their help in getting legislation passed at the New Mexico legislature this past session. For their help, New Mexico Tech and Raton Public Schools are working on a career coarse of study to help students who may want to move into the aviation and aerospace industry. Virgin Galactic expects to employ over 200 people at the facility once they get into full operation.
At the end of the tour, students moved outside and at the suggestion of Brittany Fleming formed a heart that could be seen as a reflection in the windows of the space port building. A fitting thank you Virgin Galactic.
Back on the bus the students gave a resounding round of cheers when asked what they thought of the experience. These students have experienced a once in a lifetime experience and with some hard work could be one of the few to land a job at the facility. Many of these students who have seen the beginnings of a fledging industry could also be in on the ground floor of the educational boost that the educational partnership with Virgin Galactic and New Mexico Tech could bring to Raton.
Related Sites for your enjoyment:
Raton Students Tour Virgin Galactic at Spaceport America
Partnership with Virgin Galactic helps students explore space-related careers - Raton Range
Virgin Galactic
And, see story below...
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| April 18, 2013 |
Raton Students Travel to Spaceport America |
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
A trip to Spaceport America is a well earned excursion for 15 High School and 21 Middle School students who were involved in successfully lobbying to pass the SB 240, the Space Flight Informed Consent Bill that gives Virgin Galactic a favorable business environment needed to build their space tourism business here in New Mexico.
The group left Raton at 5:00 am this morning after being served breakfast in the cafeteria. Eight chaperones also travel with the students for a tour of New Mexico aerospace and aviation facilities. First stop is Sandia Aerospace and then on to Cutter Aviation in Albuquerque. After lunch the group travels to Socorro for a visit on New Mexico Tech campus. The students will meet the Vice President and "watch some NM Tech students blow things up." The tour will then go on to Truth or Consequences for the night where they will be treated to a BBQ dinner by Elephant Butte Inn.
Friday the group arrives at Spaceport America where Virgin Galactic will give them a tour. Dave Willden, Raton Schools Superintendent, clarifies that this tour will be more than the average citizen gets just stopping by the Spaceport. They will be guided through Virgin Galactic's portion of the facility, which is seen to be like an airport in that other aerospace entities will also use Spaceport America.
Virgin Galactic representatives Mark Butler, Senior Program Manager and Bruce Jackson, Vice President for Trade Controls and Export Strategy were in Raton on Tuesday to meet with community members and to thank the Raton School students and their families for their lobbying in favor of SB 240. This trip is a part of that thank you.
The return trip to Raton is on Friday however, not to miss out on a great dining experience, the bus will stop in San Antonio on the way home at The Owl Cafe for a meal that might include the Owl's famous green chili cheeseburger.
Related Sites for your enjoyment:
Partnership with Virgin Galactic helps students explore space-related careers - Raton Range
Virgin Galactic
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| April 17, 2013 |
Raton Rotary Club Hosts International Group Study Exchange |
Story & Photographs by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton Rotary Club hosted five visitors from India through the Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange Program over the last five days. Rotary member families served as hosts sharing their lives and giving tours of the area to their guests.
 At the regular meeting on April 16th, Rtn. Ajay Narakesari, Ranjit Dani, Chanda Sinhababu, Payal Gwalani and Shubhangi Salve, each gave presentations about themselves, sharing a bit of their culture with Rotary Club members who gather weekly at K-Bob’s restaurant. Shubhangi Salve, a professional dancer and choreographer, performed a blessing dance and a Kathak dance.
Rotary Club is an International organization with "approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members belonging to 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders”. RCI
India’s Group Study Exchange team, sponsored by Rotary International District 3030 India, is travelling in  New Mexico and Texas to promote understanding through personal cultural exchange, living with host families who share their lives and communities with their guests. The group is in Santa Fe for the next five days. Throughout their travels they will live with Rotary Club member families. From Santa Fe the group will travel to Truth or Consequences, Tucumcari, Roswell, Ft. Stockton, TX and then back to New Mexico in Las Cruces where the Rotary Club will host their Annual Convention.
Raton’s Rotary Club was honored to host India’s GSE team on their tour of New Mexico. Hugs and smiles filled the room as Ajay, Ranjit, Chanda, Payal & Shubhangi said goodbye. Follow their journey at their travel blog.
Raton Rotary Club members also heard from Virgin Galactic representatives Mark Butler, Senior Program Manager and Bruce Jackson, Vice President for Trade Controls and Export Strategy. Mark & Bruce were in town to meet with community members and to thank the Raton School students and their families who lobbied successfully to pass the SB 240, the Space Flight Informed Consent Bill that give Virgin Galactic the favorable business environment needed to build their space tourism business here in New Mexico.
Raton Rotary Club welcomes new members. Stop by their weekly meeting at noon every Tuesday at K-Bob’s Restaurant.
Related Sites for your enjoyment:
Rotary Club International
Chanda Sinhababu
Payal Gwalani
Shubhangi Salve
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| April 15, 2013 |
Raton Professional Business Women Host State Conference |
Special to KRTN
Raton Professional Business Women will host the annual State PBW Conference in Raton April 19th & 20th. The Friday night banquet will be held at the Pappas Sweet Shop and will include the Young Professional competition with Raton Young Professional Tammy Luksich and Santa Fe Young Professional Dodi Osburn. “Ashley Rose Mills, Miss Rodeo NM, will give the keynote address followed by the Willow Springs Singers,” said state President Elect Michael Anne Antonucci who will assume the state presidency from current State President, Kathy McGee, at the conclusion of the convention.
The conference being held at the Holiday Inn Express will offer two workshops on Saturday April 20th: “History Will Find You – Are You Ready?” featuring Retha Shiplet. “A Salute to Women in the Military” will feature a panel of women Veterans from Raton. Shiplet is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Programs for Quality New Mexico whose mission is to help improve competitiveness and performance of New Mexico organizations. Antonucci expects twenty five PBW members to attend the annual conference.
 Raton’s PBW Chapter has hosted the annual states conference several times, most recently in 2008. The chapter, currently thirteen members strong meet monthly on the third Thursday of the month at various locations.
The public is invited to attend this year's state conference. For seminar reservations and information, and on joining Raton Professional Business Women
call Michael Anne Antonucci at 575-447-3723.
Pictured above are Raton PBW current officers for 2012-2013: Former President Mercy Swanson, Allison Rue (Treas), Sue Holland (Sec), Sandy Fanelli (Vice Pres), Michael Anne Antonucci (Pres) and Former President Paula Cacciatore
Pictured at right are Raton PBW in Santa Fe with Lilly Ledbetter in 2011. Raton's chapter had just just received a proclamation from the City of Raton for Equal Pay Day.
New Mexico Professional Business Women
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| April 10, 2013 |
Ferri Returns as Director of Raton Arts & Humanities Council |
Story & Photos By
Christina Boyce ~ KRTN Multi-Media
Raton’s arts community is welcoming Brenda Ferri back as Director of Raton Arts & Humanities Council. The mission of Raton Arts & Humanities Council is “to encourage and strengthen the cultural life of the area, providing residents, whether trained or untrained in the arts, with opportunities for artistic participation, self-expression, education and enjoyment.”  Ferri is excited about bringing the mission back into the forefront of council activities.
Ferri was appointed to the position, which she says is part time, by the council board. Ferri, who is co-owner with her sister of the Heirloom Shop located right across the street from Old Pass Gallery, feels a sense of mission as she takes the helm from departing Director Ray Wolf. Three core components in her plans are to strengthen relationships with local artists, restore the website for Raton Arts & Humanities Council and to increase fundraising efforts. She is working with the board on event planning and will soon have a calendar of gallery events ready to publish.
 Old Pass Gallery is currently showing Art of the New Mexican Woman through April 30th. Next in the gallery will be the winners of the upcoming Raton Regional Youth Art Show, Shades of the Southwest, which will hang May 6th through the summer.
Ferri invites supporters of Raton Arts & Humanities Council and Old Pass Gallery to stop in and visit. She’s interested in hearing what people want to see in the gallery. Ferri is also looking for volunteers and for artists who are interested in presenting programs and classes.
Raton Arts & Humanities Council
www.ratonarts.org
Email: Director@ratonarts.org
Or by mail and phone:
Old Pass Gallery
145 South 1st Street
Raton, NM 87740
575-445-2052
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| April 10, 2013 |
Raton City Commission Meets in Regular Session |
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Accepting the proclamation for Equal Pay Day are Ellen Murphy, Michael Ann Antonucci, Paula Cacciatore, Mercy Swanson and Freda Baca. According to US Census Bureau stats women and minorities earn 77% of what their male counterparts earn each year.
Kimberly Mondragon from Children's Youth and Family Department accepted the proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month. The proclamation indicates that child abuse is a serious problem with approximately 30,000 reports of child abuse occur each year in New Mexico.
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Commissioners met Tuesday evening and rapidly moved through the mostly routine agenda. They did make it easier for the Water Board to conduct business with the appointment of Mark Morris to the board and the reappointed Al Litchfield for another term.
Commissioners approved the street closure for the Cinco de Mayo celebration. Mainstreet asked that Savage between 1st and 2nd Street be closed for the celebration at Ripley Park.
Commissioners approved the request by the Crystal Café for a beer and wine license. Annual dispatch agreements with Springer and Cimarron were approved.
Commissioners passed Resolution 2013-008 in support of bringing racing back to Raton.
Scott Berry informed commissioners about the conditions of the street work on Mora Avenue and 1st Street. The condition of the street will require additional sub surface work before paving can be completed. The cost will be about $23,360 and will come from existing monies in the road fund.
Scott Berry and Christopher Reed updated the commission on various projects. Berry indicated that the work on Memorial Lane should begin this summer after all New Mexico DOT paperwork is completed. There was a concern about doing a road in a park and crossing a walking path. Those concerns were taken care of and Berry will be in contact with the contractor to determine if the bid is still good.
The Multi Modal project is still underway but is dealing with grant deadlines and a missed deadline concerning the expenditures of the grant money. The contractor responsible for the environmental reports hasn’t been able to respond to question concerning why they missed the deadlines for filing the reports.
The solid waste project is continuing while Berry indicated that the life of the landfill will be extended a few more weeks. Berry also added that the city does have the equipment on hand to begin the process of setting up the transfer station. The city needs work on agreements for transportation and creating a construction and demolition waste landfill.
Commissioners approved the Lodger’s Tax recommendation for Phillips Broadcasting. The requested $3500 will be paid to Special Promotions, Inc for the right to host the Southwestern Regional Texaco Country Showdown for a third year. According to Jason Phillips the event last year brought in over 100 fans from out of town from 11 different states, and those were just the ones that did sign the guest book.
Interim City Manager Butch McGowen had a short report and mostly thanked those department heads, RPS board and Water Board members and staff for their cooperation in the last couple of weeks. He is hopeful and excited about the various staffs working together and moving the city forward. He felt like they were already making some progress.
The commission will meet with RPS board in a joint meeting to discuss the recent inventory and cost project. They will meet again on April 23 for their next regular meeting.
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| April 9, 2013 |
Senator Udall's Representative in Raton - Local Office Hours |
Senator Udall can be reached via email through his online office:
www.tomudall.senate.gov
Or by mail and phone:
Senator Tom Udall – United States Senate
120 South Federal Place, Suite 302
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-988-6514 phone
505-988-6514 fax
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Story By Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commission Chambers served as office space for Senator Tom Udall (D- US Senator) yesterday as Constituent Services Representative Joshua Sanchez spoke with citizens between 1:00 and 3:00 pm. Topics Sanchez will take back to Senator Udall ranged from Gun Control, Immigration Issues, the Raton VA Clinic and ATV Access in Carson National Forest and Maintaining Water Quality in Raton.
Although Senator Udall has power only over Federal concerns Senator Udall is often able to provide assistance in non-federal issues. The office is happy to connect constituents to the agency that is involved. When a citizen feels that they have “hit a wall” Senator Udall will do what he can to help. Sanchez cited several examples where the Senator was able to assist people who had come to him for assistance. Sanchez encourages citizens to contact Senator Udall, saying that they should feel free to bring their ideas and concerns to the Senator.
Senator Udall makes every effort to schedule local office hours in each county quarterly. Sanchez said that he hopes to return to Colfax County again in the early summer. We’ll look forward to that opportunity.
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| April 2, 2013 |
Raton Public Schools’ New Partnership w/ Virgin Galactic & New Mexico Tech Will Bring Aerospace Aviation Career Center to Raton |
Story By Christina Boyce & Billy D
Photographs by Tim Keller & Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Virgin Galactic, owner/operator of Spaceport America, has made Raton Public Schools its exclusive educational partner to create and administer a workforce-training program based in Raton. The potential economic impact of the Career Center for Raton and the surrounding communities is enormous. Raton Schools Superintendent Dave Willden tells KRTN that New Mexico Tech in Socorro is partnering with Raton Schools to create a curriculum that will initially reach students from sixth grade through university level. All students in Raton Public Schools grade sixth through 12 will be eligible to enter the program. An online dual credit program for high school students will be available to students around the globe. Summer programs will bring students and teachers to Raton from around the world, Willden says, for “a fast-paced, high-level immersion program that will culminate in a trip to Spaceport America to witness a launch.”
Looking ahead for local jobs within the aerospace and aviation industry for graduates of this program, Willden spoke with eight aerospace and aviation manufacturing companies. He has identified two that are interested in moving to Raton if the Career Center is realized. Proximity to Denver and Amarillo and a good water supply are among the reasons cited by these companies for locating factories in Raton.
Raton Public Schools will earn new revenue from the online courses and summer programs. Summer programs for teachers and students will put “heads in beds” for extended guest stays in Raton. Willden says, “This program connects our kids to a better life through education.” He goes on to say that aerospace and aviation in New Mexico generate approximately 1.7 billion dollars annually already, without Spaceport America, and that adding Virgin Galactic to the mix will add billions more. No other community will have this combined economic and educational opportunity.
Representatives from Virgin Galactic will be in Raton April 15th & 16th to meet with the community and talk about their plans.
Why Raton Schools? Willden explained that Virgin Galactic was threatening to pullout of the state if limited liability legislation was not passed in the 2013 New Mexico Legislative session. After being stalled in the roundhouse for the last two years, Willden and a contingency of Raton High School and Middle School math and science students, made impressive presentations on “Save Our Spaceport Day” on the floor of the legislature. Company officials recognized Raton's contribution as a major player in the passage of the legislation which was carried unanimously in both the New Mexico House and the Senate.
Keep listening to 93.9 FM KRTN and reading our News page. We will bring you more information on this exciting new project in the coming days.
Related News:
Aerospace Aviation Top Development Wish List - ABQJournal
2013 Legislature Images: Willden & Willden - ABQJournal
Students to Lobby for Legislation Related to Spaceport - Raton Range
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| April 2, 2013 |
McGowen to Work for a $1 and City Clerk Resigns |
City Commission Report & Photograph
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
 The Raton City Commission met in special session Monday night before a packed and overflowing crowd. After an 18 minute executive session Mayor Bobby Ledoux announced that interim city manager Butch McGowen would work for the city for $1 until the end of June.
The mayor then announced to the crowd that there would be no temporary project manager and that the city would not hire Pete Kampfer to serve in such a position. He added that if the investors for the Racino wanted to hire him that would be up to them. It is not the place of the city to pay a salary for a private business.
LeDoux then opened the meeting to comments from the public. Comments echoed those by Ron Schmeits who said it was now time for the citizens to work together and move the city forward. He added that we need to work together to “do some healing with the investors.” It was noted by others that the investors for the racino were no longer interested in investing in Raton if Raton is going to continue their bickering.
It was also noted that the investors do want to work with Pete Kampfer since he is familiar with the application process. The mayor also noted that Kampfer was the one who brought the investors to Raton.
It was also noted that the current recall petitions that are circulating should be turned into a petition of support for the investors saying that Raton will support your efforts to bring a racino to Raton and commissioner Mantz suggested that the commission put it on next week’s agenda to create a resolution to support the investor’s efforts as well.
Near the end of the meeting Mayor Ledoux also noted that, “we had a city clerk resign today.”
Commissioners will meet again on April 9 for their first regular meeting of April. That meeting will be aired on KRTN AM 1490.
Keep listening to 93.9 FM KRTN and reading our News page. We will bring you more information on this exciting new project in the coming days.
Related News:
McGowan Named Interim City Manager - Raton Range
Court Kills La Mesa Appeal, Others Eye Racing License - Raton Range
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| March 27, 2013 |
Raton's New VA Clinic Discussed At Town Hall Meeting Tuesday |
Story & Photographs
By Christina Boyce ~ KRTN Multi-Media
Raton's VA Clinic will be moving to a new and improved facility within the next nine to ten months. George Marnell, Director of New Mexico VA Health Care System, provided detailed information on the current status of the design and construction of the long awaited new and improved Raton VA Clinic.
The design phase is nearing completion and the project will soon enter the permitting process with the City of Raton. Shatterbone Enterprises, Inc. of Pinetop, Arizona, the contractor who won the bid for the project, will begin construction on the new site as soon as permitting is complete.
Marnell stated that he hopes that the facility will open in December 2013 or January 2014 but that "realistically, the project would probably be in final inspection process" about that time.
Marnell also fielded questions from veterans in the audience. In response to concerns about current and on-going short staffing he was given the opportunity to report that NMVAHCS will be adding a Physician's Assistant to the team at Raton VA Clinic in just a few weeks and that a second physician will return to the staff to support Dr. Sally Fabec. This news was very much appreciated by the veterans in attendance.
Raton VA Clinic will remain fully functional up until the day the new clinic opens up, Marnell assured the audience.
KRTN will continue to follow the project's progress and to report on the activities of our veterans.
Raton VA Clinic
My HealtheVet
Good News for Veterans in New Mexico
Raton DAV Chapter #8 Van Service Seeks Drivers, Ride Coordinator
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| March 26, 2013 |
La Mesa Racing Appeal Dismissed |
KRTN News Report by
Billy D ~ KRTN
KRTN talked with Vince Mares, Executive Director of the NM Racing Commission, and Mares said it was his understanding that Moldenhauer has 30 days to appeal the ruling to the NM Supreme Court. Mares said he believes the action wil release the injunction for the application process. The New Mexico Racing Commission is set to meet on Thursday, March 28th, but because there is not enough time to add to the agenda, so it will not be discussed. He added that it would probably be included for next months meeting on April 25th, 2013.
KRTN contacted Moldenhauer, who said, "We are not content that the decision from the Court of Appeals has addressed all of the issues. Our lawyers are assessing the next proper course of action and our decision for next steps will be made in the next couple of weeks."
If Moldenhauer does not appeal, the ruling clears the way for the Raton group led by Frank Bonds to begin the process of putting together an application for the racing license.
Tune in to KRTN FM 93.9 to keep informed on developments in this story.
La Mesa Racing's Appeal Dismissed
New Mexico Racing Commission
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| March 26, 2013 |
McGowen Named Interim City Manager |
City Commission Report
By Marty Mayfield ~ KRTN Multi-Media
Raton city commissioners met Tuesday evening and Mayor Bobby LeDoux recommended Butch McGowen as interim city manager to begin his duties today. Mayor LeDoux indicated McGowen didn’t ask for the job but was asked to take the job. Commissioners unanimously approved.
Commissioners voted to introduce Ordinance 982 to move forward with the Sanitation and Solid waste loan. It will be 30 days and a public hearing before the ordinance can be approved.
Commissioners then recessed until the city’s auditor could make the meeting. Audrey Jaramillo spoke to commissioners about the audit findings. Among the findings were issues with capital controls and the measures that have been taken to clear those inadequacies.
A couple of the issues involved PO numbers and how they are controlled and issued. It was recommended that POs be issued before the purchase not after the fact as was found in some cases.
There were also issues with reconciliation of the checkbooks. Part of that issue came from the turnover in staff and the inexperience that brings with it. Jaramillo recommended that the staff attend some upcoming training and she would be willing to help the staff as well.
Jaramillo also noted that Heinfeld, Meech and Co. is closing its New Mexico offices. Commissioners then asked about the contract they just signed to have them audit the books this year. With this in mind commissioners will go out for bid for a new auditor. The audit was approved and the final payment released for the audit.
 Joe Horner with Comcast was on hand to accept the Proclamation for Comcast Cares Day. Comcast will be working on the Raton Baseball fields this year. Comcast Cares Day is a national initiative in which Comcast employees and families do volunteer community service.
Commissioners will meet again on April 9 and that meeting will be broadcast on KRTN AM 1490. |
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| March 22, 2013 UPDATE |
NM State Police Capture Suspected Assailants |
KRTN has received information from New Mexico State Police which updates our report on the incident involving a NM State Police Officer last night:
After initiating a routine traffic stop Thursday night on Hwy 64/87, the male suspect in the vehicle produced a knife which he said he needed to turn off the vehicle. The suspect was ordered to drop the knife, which he did, and exit the vehicle. While the officer was reaching for his handcuffs, the suspect shoved the officer and jumped back in the vehicle, the suspect was pursued for a short distance before becoming stuck on Kennedy Road, at that point, the male suspect along with a female passenger fled from the vehicle on foot.
The male, identified only as Joe, and female, identified as Rachael Watts, have been appehended and are now in custody.
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| March 18, 2013 |
Raton City Commission Special Meeting Report |
The next regular City Commission meeting is scheduled for March 26 and will be aired on KRTN 1490 am. |
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Monday evening in special session to discuss the loan agreement for the solid waste financing, and deal with personnel matters.
The first item on the agenda was to act on departing City Manager Pete Kampfer’s resignation, which commissioners accepted. Mayor LeDoux thanked Kampfer for his work with the city.
Commissioners then appointed Assistant Chief Jim Matthews to Interim Fire Chief to replace Orlando Sandoval who is moving back to Washington to be closer to his kids.
Commissioners discussed the loan documents from DFA for the solid waste financing. The loan will cover the costs of two roll off trucks and building for the transfer station as well as a street sweeper to replace the 25+ year old sweeper currently in use by the city. Commissioners agreed to move forward with the loan. The documents are due in to DFA on March 26.
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.
The next regular City Commission meeting is scheduled for March 26 and will be aired on KRTN 1490 am.
City of Raton City Manager Job Description
KRTN broadcasts all Raton City Commission Regular Meetings on AM 1490.
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| Wednesday March 13, 2013 |
Mayor Announces City Manager's Resignation |
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Tammy Luksich, Michael Ann Antonucci, Mayor Bobby LeDoux, Mercy Swanson, Freda Baca, and Kathy Harris accept the Women's History Month Proclamation.
The next regular city commission meeting is scheduled for March 26 at 6:00 p.m.
Tune in to KRTN AM 1490 for live coverage.
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City Commission Report
By Marty Mayfield ~ KRTN Multi-Media
Mayor Bobby LeDoux announced to a packed house Tuesday night that city manager Pete Kampfer is resigning effective March 25. Kampfer will be the new city manager for Kermit Texas beginning March 27.
The city audit has been completed and commissioner Mantz requested that before the audit is approved, the firm doing the audit, Heinfeld Meech & Co., give a formal presentation. Mayor LeDoux requested a presentation be set up and information regarding payment status for the audit. Commissioners approved Heinfeld Meech & Co. to do the 2012-2013 audits for the city, Raton Public Service, and Raton Water Works.
Commissioners passed Resolution No. 2013-007, accepting ownership of the WWII Memorial sculpture at Ripley Park. The process for this actually started in 2009 but had been dropped due to City Manager and commission turnovers.
Chief Terry Sisneros gave the Raton Annual Police Department report indicating that burglaries and larcenies had risen over the last two years. He noted that the department had fielded 10117 calls in 2011 with 13 officers on duty and 10467 in 2012 with 11 officers on duty.
Commissioners then approved Resolution No. 2013-006 requesting $300,000 in Municipal Arterial Program funds for a project on south First Street. The city will match it with $75,000. Raton Water Works will also replace the water line as part of the project. RWW has been doing work in the area to replace some water line stamped with the date 1901.
During the public hearing held on Ordinance No. 981 to update the city’s procurement ordinance, several concerned citizens spoke on the matter, all against it for one reason or another. A major concern voiced was a separation of duties and over-worked staff as mentioned by Kathy Harris. Christine Barry echoed that sentiment as well. She suggested that putting that much power in one individual would open the door to other problems, adding that the commission should squash it, as it is financially irresponsible. Rose Marchetti-Lew also spoke about the overburden to the staff, remembering how overworked the accounts payable person was. Marchetti-Lew has previously worked in that job. She also echoed the sentiment about leaving the water department alone.
Wayne McMurtry indicated the city was fighting an uphill battle and asked for a show of hands from the gallery of who was against the ordinance. Mayor LeDoux quickly stated that a show of hands wasn’t needed. McMurtry went on, adding that if passed the city could expect legal action. Mayor LeDoux said that blame was being unfairly placed on the City Manager, it wasn’t his request that this be brought up, but mine because of the unnecessary spending that occurred during the RPS city snafu last year.
Ron Chavez asked how long the public has to say "don’t do it" before the commission won't do it. 'You represent us and this is what we want you to do'. Sarah Montoya, a former city commissioner echoed his sentiment. Chavez also made note of leaving RPS's and RWW's boards alone, as did Frank Ferri.
City Commissioner Sandy Mantz, speaking as a private citizen concerning Ordinance No. 981, indicated that there might be one of two aspects that violate the state procurement code and that would have to be looked into. She also mentioned a 5% discount to local businesses that was illegal. She also mentioned other areas that would have to be changed to follow the state procurement code. The ordinance will be considered at the March 26 meeting.
City manager Pete Kampfer passed out the document for the loan agreement for the solid waste equipment the city will need. Commissioners will need to discuss this and move forward with it possibly in a special meeting in the next couple of weeks. He is also working with the owner of the El Portal to get that cleaned up soon, as the landfill is about four weeks out from closure.
Kampfer also reported that the runway extension project is now underway at the airport and that this is a $1.5 million project. He also noted that Fire Chief Orlando Sandoval has tendered his resignation indicating that he wants to be closer to family in Washington.
The next regular city commission meeting is scheduled for March 26 at 6:00 p.m. Tune in to KRTN AM 1490 for live coverage.
City of Raton City Manager Job Description
City Manager Pete Kampfer Leaving Raton for Kermit, TX...
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| Tuesday March 12, 2013 |
DAV Chapter #8 Van Service Seeks Drivers, Ride Coordinator |
Story & Photographs by Christina Boyce ~ KRTN Multi-Media
 Laura Vigil, DAV Volunteer Van Commander is looking for volunteers who can give at least one day a month to drive the DAV Van from Raton to the Albuquerque VA Hospital and back. DAV Chapter #8’s service is all volunteer run and provides transportation Monday through Friday for area veterans and their family members. Vigil is also looking for a ride coordinator to take calls and coordinate the drivers and driving schedule. The ride coordinator can work from home or from the local VA Clinic office in Raton. Vigil projects that the coordinator would work 1 hour per day Monday through Friday.
Prospective drivers must provide a copy of their drivers record, have proof of up to date drivers’ insurance, submit to a background check and complete training in Albuquerque at the DAV Van Headquarters. Becoming a driver does take some time to complete. Training will thoroughly familiarize volunteers with the van and also provide sensitivity training for working with veterans. Volunteers need not be veterans to drive. This is a great opportunity for citizens to give back in a very important way to those who have served our country in the military service.
Once a driver is cleared for driving they will be added into the driving rotation. The ride coordinator works with each driver to place them in the schedule as frequently as they want and on the days that will work best for them.  Vigil would love to have a driver who is available to drive as need arises. Sometimes drivers cannot make a scheduled drive for unforeseen reasons and the service will do everything possible not to cancel a scheduled ride. Having a couple of drivers who can take the trip on short notice would be a great asset for the service.
A typical day for driver and passengers starts early. The van is prepped and ready to pick up rides at the Raton VA Clinic at 5:00 am and departs for Albuquerque at 5:30 am. Depending on the day, scheduled veteran riders may be picked up at any or all of the official pick-up / drop-off points along the route. Drivers will wait at the VA Hospital while passengers visit their health care providers. Every effort is made to schedule the van to leave Albuquerque on the return trip by 2:30 pm so the van can arrive back in Raton between 5:00 and 5:30 in the evening. For safety reasons the driver’s day is limited to twelve hours. It is a full day that is, in every respect, rewarding.
Vigil would be happy to talk to interested persons and can be reached on her cell phone at 575-707-3323 or call 575-445-8962 if you would like to join the team of volunteer drivers.
To set up a ride to Albuquerque VA Hospital call 575-445-8962 at least 72 hours in advance.
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| February 27th, 2013 |
Full House Greets Raton City Commission Tuesday Night |
| KRTN broadcasts all regular city commission meetings, live, on AM 1490 . The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 12. |
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
As commissioners heard committee reports, Raton City Commission chambers filled to seating capacity. Based on comments heard from the public, during the allocated public comment period, Ordinance 981 was the item of interest, despite that fact it wasn’t on Tuesday night’s agenda.
Kathy McQueary, president of Raton Public Service's board of directors, was the first to speak. She presented several concerns with the proposed ordinance. McQueary noted that the "Whereas" comments in the opening document were in contradiction to the agreement signed by RPS and Raton City Commission in August of 2012.
Ron Chavez, Don Giacomo and Debbie Gabrielle also spoke about the ordinance. All shared the common theme that references to the RPS board and RWW board were unacceptable. Gabrielle commented that Ordinance 981's direction that all purchasingfor RPS and RWW run through the city manager would greatly overburden and already understaffed and overworked staff.
Commissioners then approved the city manager’s recommendation to accept the low bid by Albuquerque Freightliner for $281,642 for two-tandem axle roll off trucks. City manager Pete Kampfer will negotiate a loan with New Mexico Finance Authority for the purchase of the vehicles.
Commissioners then chose to apply for Municipal Arterial Project funds to redo south First Street in conjunction with the Multi Modal Project. Scott Berry noted that water lines in the area could be as old as 100 years and that it would be a good time to replace them as well. Berry will start the application process and bring a resolution for commissioner approval at the March 12 meeting.
Ordinance 981 will be on the agenda for public hearing when Raton City Commission meets again, Tuesday March 12, for their regular monthly meeting.
KRTN broadcasts all Raton City Commission Regular Meetings on AM 1490.
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| February 6th, 2013 |
2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Up Up & Away! |
Christina Boyce ~ KRTN Multi-Media
Photograph Courtesy Raton Chamber of Commerce
 The 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally is a go! Hot air balloons will float over Raton and the surrounding area once again on the July 4th weekend! The second organizational meeting is coming up on Monday, February 11th, at 5:30 pm in the conference room at International Bank. Anyone interested in helping with this event will want to attend. This year's comeback event is being made possible with the support of many volunteers, sponsors and enthusiasts as well as the participation of many balloonists who have expressed their desire to see the rally return to Raton.
Raton MainStreet has agreed to take on the planning, organizing and execution for the event, creating a Balloon Committee, co-chaired by Sandy Solano and Christine Valentini. The committee is excited about the opportunity provide the loft that will lift this event back into our skies. The Chamber of Raton is providing guidance and helping with information from past events, fully supporting Raton MainStreet’s Balloon Committee.
The weekend will begin with Fun In the Park in Ripley Park on Thursday July 4th, presented by Raton MainStreet. A reception for the pilots will be hosted on Friday July 5th, balloon rally events and a parade will be held on Saturday July 6th, and close with more balloon events on Sunday July 7th.
The purpose of a preliminary organizational meeting on January 29, 2013 was to confirm the commitment of enough citizens and organizations to proceed. The good news is that the committee can now move full speed ahead to make 2013 a come back year the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally. Those who attended the first meeting and have begun to work towards the successful deployment of the event are International Bank, Raton Kiwanis Club, The Chamber of Raton, Raton Museum, Raton MainStreet, RHS Class of ’83, Raton Natural Gas, and several individuals. This list is just the beginning as the committee is actively working to enlist sponsors, lodgers, and volunteers and also to generate incentives that balloonists will not be able to resist.
Clear skies and a weave of directional winds for balloonists to navigate with, make our International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally a top seed event on balloon calendars. The Raton Track Fire in June of 2011 created unfavorable conditions for balloon landings and the rally site and was the precipitating event that ended the 16 yearlong run for the International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Creating incentives for the balloonists to participate and sponsorships are key to the event’s success. Sponsorships are available at two levels, $500.00 and $250.00. Premiums for the $500.00 level include a sponsor banner on a participating balloon, two balloon rides during the festival, two commemorative T-Shirts, two commemorative pins, and media advertising throughout the life of the event. A $250.00 sponsorship will receive a sponsor banner on a participating balloon, one balloon ride during the festival, one commemorative T-Shirt, one commemorative pin, and media advertising throughout the life of the event.
This year’s logo will be selected from entries in a Balloon Rally Art Work Competition open to students in Middle and High School. Entries are due by March 1st.
The take-away here is to invite friends and family to visit Raton in July, start planning your parade entry and clear your calendars for July 4th – 7th. Plan on having a super-fun weekend this summer. Have an idea for an event you’d like to make happen in conjunction with the 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally? Come to the meeting on February 11th.
What: 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Organizational Meeting
When & Where: February 11, 5:30 pm, 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Organizational Meeting in the conference room at International Bank. All are invited.
Why? You want to be a part of something GREAT!
Questions? Sandy Solano @ 575-445-2632, Christine Valentini @ 505-469-9878
or Jillian Solano @ 575-445-4760.
Mark Your Calendars:
March 1, 2013: 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Art Work Competition Deadline for entries.
2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally
July 4, 2013: Fun in Ripley Park
July 5, 2013: Pilot Reception
July 6, 2013: Independence Day Parade and 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Events TBA
July 7, 2013: 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Events TBA |
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| February 4th, 2013 |
Wanted: Citizen Input on Community Needs for CDBG Application |
Photos & Story
Christina Boyce ~ KRTN Multi-Media
 The City of Raton seeks citizen input to help design a Community Development project for the fast approaching deadline for a Community Development Block Grant. Raton is qualified to submit an application for CDBG funds, having successfully completed the 2008 Community Infrastructure project with the Sunshine Neighborhood.
CDBG criteria stipulate that input from citizens is considered and used to design a project proposal for the funding request. Projects must fit one of the following criteria: Benefit principally low and moderate income families, Aid in the prevention of slum or blight, Meet urgent community development needs where an existing condition poses a threat to the health and welfare of the community and other financial resources are not available.
CDBG funds awarded range from $300,000.00 - $500,000.00. An unbiased third party assures that all suggestions and comments receive equal consideration. Raton has retained Bohannan Huston, Inc. to fulfill that role.
Two hearings to gather public comment and input were held on January 29th at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Each hearing was attended by seven citizens. Ideas discussed at the morning meeting included street improvements on 1st Street to match the soon to be built Multi-Modal Center, for improvements to Optimists' Park on the east side, and a pedestrian crossing for the rail yard.
The "Stinky Tunnel" was remembered and ideas on what would be needed to erase the unsavory associations if it were to be renovated were tossed around. Attendees learned that a rail yard crossing is included in the city master plan but currently is placed in "phase four" of that plan.
A pedestrian crossing would connect the Raton Regional Aquatic Center, Round House Memorial Park and east side residential neighborhoods with downtown businesses and Raton's Arts & Culture District.
Comments heard in the evening hearing were similar with the addition of a multi-unit rehabilitation though a specific site was not mentioned.
Comments are being accepted through February 5th. Citizens can send their ideas, suggestions and comments to dweston@bhinc.com .
The CDBG Council will meet on February 12th to consider applicants, and Raton's final application is due February 15th.
Note: Photos shown in this news item do not reflect the opinion of KRTN or the City of Raton as it pertains to the CDBG application currently in progress. They are meant to inspire interested citizens to think about places they know that could benefit from inclusion in the application. Please email your comments and suggestions to Denise Weston of Bohannan Huston at dweston@bhinc.com.
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| February 1st, 2013 |
Art Salazar, Incumbent on Raton Public School Board Position 3 |
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Art Salazar is 67 years old, married 42 years to Priscilla, and father to Archie and Isabelle. Salazar graduated from University of Northern Colorado in 1979 with a degree in Business Management. Retired since 2002, he is a US Army Veteran who served in Vietnam December of ’67 through October of ’68. His family moved to Raton when he was 4 years old and Art attended Raton schools through his sophomore year. His family moved and he graduated from Aguilar Schools. He
Salazar spent his career in the aerospace industry working for Westinghouse, Ball Aerospace and the Department of Defense. Projects Salazar has worked on include the GPS technology on the space shuttle and the WIPP TRU PAK container design project including quality assurance. He was the branch manager for New Mexico operations with Ingersoll Rand.
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Interview and Photograph by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
We asked all candidates the same questions. The responses were as varied as the candidates are unique and diverse in their experience. One thing that all candidates share is their care and concern for the schools, the community and especially the success of students in the Raton Public Schools.
The questions along with the candidate's responses follow.
KRTN: What are your qualifications?
Salazar has served four years on the board and initiated the strategic planning process that the school board has begun. He has extensive professional experience with business lease/purchase agreements, contract management and planning. The many projects Salazar worked on have included high dollar, high risk, and schedule-critical products. Salazar brings the ability to see far into the future and to plan accordingly to reach project goals.
Coming from a family of many educators, he cares deeply for the community and our students, and is a strong advocate for our schools, local business, including women and minority owned businesses, and for fostering student leaders. Salazar coached youth sports for over 30 years.
Salazar sees opportunities for Raton in both location and designation as a HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) community that are yet untapped which he would like to leverage.
He serves on the facilities master planning committee that looks at facilities needs over the next three to five years.
KRTN: What is your understanding of the job of the board of directors?
As defined by House Bill 212, passed in 2003, took a lot of power away from the school board and gave it to the superintendent who is now referred to as the CEO of a school district. The Superintendent is the professional we hire to run the school district.
So, the responsibilities of a good school board member are to hire and fire the superintendent and to conduct annual reviews of the performance of your superintendent. The next important aspect of being a school board member is to engage in the development of policy and to assure that our CEO is following these policies that are put in place for the betterment of personnel and our local people. We set direction and we hold our CEO, the superintendent accountable. We are not chartered to be in the schools on a daily basis. We set policy; we set direction and hold our Superintendent accountable. Once we develop our strategic plan, we will have something not only to hold him accountable, but in turn he will have his administrative staff, teachers, everyone accountable. There’s accountability in the development of a good strategic plan.
KRTN: If re-elected, what are your goals for your term on the board?
I would work to further develop and implement our strategic plan. The board would grade the superintendent on a monthly basis and then meet quarterly, at minimum, with the strategic planning committee to make sure the plan is being implemented as designed and any changes in the committee members would be brought up to speed on the plan’s progress. He says that community involvement in the strategic plan is critical so keeping the community members up to date on the plan is very important. The review process will benefit the school; he would like to see the district maintain regular communications with the community regarding the strategic plan. Salazar is committed to seeing the strategic plan become a living document for improvements in the school district. “Reviewed regularly, and acted upon, it becomes a report card for the superintendent.” Salazar would provide guidance and leadership in implementing the goals of the strategic plan in the four years ahead.
Salazar would like to find funding for a curriculum director, to get a consolidated school built to replace the elementary schools.
He wants to strengthen and support current reading improvement programs in the elementary schools.
Salazar wants to get HVAC improvements at the middle school, to develop a comprehensive maintenance program for the district and align that with the state model for facilities maintenance planning. He says the Middle School is underutilized due to population decline and the strategic plan needs address that reality.
Salazar wants to enhance school security. This could include an electronic key system in order to know who is accessing school properties after school hours and would include secure fencing on all school properties.
KRTN: Why are you running?
Salazar is starting to see the returns on the time and effort he’s invested in the district in his current term and would like to continue with that work. He reiterates that the strategic plan is key to seeing long term and lasting improvements in the district and for the community. He wants to come up with a one time loyal-teacher pay incentive which would be paid for by the savings realized by consolidating the elementary schools. Salazar says that the district can fund a new consolidated school with the successful implementation of a lease purchase agreement.
KRTN: Anything you want voters to know that I haven’t asked you?
“I would really like to thank the people of Raton for having placed their trust in me four years ago when I was first elected to our local school board. I would hope that I’ve earned their trust to return me to the board where I could continue these very key endeavors that I’ve cited. The most importance that there is, is to the children of the community, and then to the community itself. If we get this strategic plan going it serves as a “bedrock foundation for education in our Raton Public School system for many, many years to come. And if we stay engaged, with continually changing our strategic plan, as we should, and hold our superintendents accountable for implementation, and, whenever we do have to hire a new superintendent, whether our current one decides to move on or future ones decide to move on, the strategic plan then becomes a very important part of an interview process for any incoming superintendent.
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| January 31st, 2013 |
Arthur Armijo, Candidate for Raton Public School Board Position 2 |
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Arthur Armijo is a life long resident of Colfax County. He has a lot of strong ties in Colfax and Union Counties. Armijo's great grandfather homesteaded in Colfax County.
Armijo is an ‘82 graduate of Raton High School. He has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and a year of study in Education at Highlands University. His wife is a teacher in the schools. They have a son who graduated in 2011, and a son who is currently a senior in high school this year.
He worked in corrections for 24 & ½ years and retired in 2009. Armijo also owns his own business, J&N Steam Cleaning. Since his eldest son entered college Armijo decided to go back to work. He is an assistant manager at Wal-Mart in Trinidad.
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Interview and Photograph by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Arthur Armijo has served three terms on the board in position 2. He is running unopposed for a fourth term.
We asked all candidates the same questions. The responses were as varied as the candidates are unique and diverse in their experience. One thing that all candidates share is their care and concern for the schools, the community and especially the success of students in the Raton Public Schools.
The questions along with the candidate's responses follow.
KRTN: What are your qualifications?
Armijo has served on Raton Public School board since 2001. On the board he has served as Vice President and Secretary. Currently he is a member.
Having served three terms on the board, Armijo provides continuity. His work in corrections gives him supervisory experience, knowledge of personnel matters and of how business is done by state agencies. Armijo served on a panel in 1990 that helped to get qualified teachers at New Mexico Boys School. He also served on a panel that helped to get New Mexico Boys School accredited. Through these jobs he gained a lot of experience with school law.
Armijo worked for Taos/Colfax Community Services under a grant and was able to create an after school program at Longfellow Elementary which expanded to serve Columbian and Kearney schools. The program continues to this day and is a highlight of Armijo’s career.
Armijo feels he is a good listener and he brings that qualification for a school board member.
KRTN: What is your understanding of the job of the board of directors?
The job of a school board has changed since 2006 when HB212 was passed into law. Before HB212, the board hired and fired the superintendent and anyone in the administration. Since HB212 the board hires and fires only the superintendent and is chartered to set policy. A board member is to be the voice of the community.
KRTN: What are your goals for your fourth term on the board?
First off we need to complete the strategic plan that we are in the midst of developing.
Personally I’d like us to share more information with the community. I’d like to have our superintendent, or his designee, go on the radio and also visit with the newspaper on a monthly basis.
I’d like to see a “resource officer” in at least two of our schools, preferably one in each school; even one would be good, given all the violence in schools. I’ve been pushing for the last five years. A resource officer would provide security and safety for the kids and would also be a father figure and perhaps provide counseling services for the students.
I’d like to see technology updates in the schools; we could have a technology bond tax or find some kind of funding so all the students would have pads. I believe it would save the district a lot of money in the long run. We wouldn’t have to replace textbooks every three years or so. I know we’d have to keep up with the technology but it is the wave of the future and I’d like to see our students and the teachers have up to date technology.
I’d like to see infrastructure improvements, specifically to get rid of all our portable buildings, so we have only bricks and mortar buildings. We’ve been working on that, slowly but surely, since I’ve been on the board. I’d like to see the curb appeal improved on all our sites and I really would like to see a new consolidated elementary school built.
I do have to say I’m very excited about Virgin Galactic’s interest in Raton Public Schools. I hope it will come to fruition. I think it will create jobs here in Raton and that would be good.
KRTN: Why are you running?
“Well, this will most likely be my last term, but the reason I’m running is the same reason I’ve run in the past. I feel it is an honor to be a voice of my community. I believe it is my way of giving back to the community and I know how important education is. I’m also very proud that I had the opportunity to attend Raton Public Schools where I got a fine education. It actually allowed me to be whatever I decided I wanted to be in life.”
I think we tend to forget about all the successful kids who come out of Raton Public Schools. If you look at all the people here in Raton who are graduates of RPS and are productive citizens it is a testament to the success of Raton’s schools. That’s why I run.
KRTN: Is there anything you want voters to know that I haven’t asked you?
I’d like to thank the voters and reassure them that I’m not on the board for any kind of personal reasons. I am there, as their public servant, and I will continue to serve them to the best of my ability.
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| January 30th, 2013 |
Jimmie Saccomanno, Candidate for Raton Public School Board Position 3 |
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 Jimmie Saccomanno is a life long resident of Raton, raised on a ranch east of town. She attended Raton Public Schools, graduating from Raton High School in 1989. Saccomanno left town to go to Trinidad State Junior College and then transferred to University of Northern Colorado where she earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and education. After graduating UNC she went back to TSJC and graduated with an RN/ADN from their nursing program. Several years later, she returned to school earning a master’s degree in Education Administration from New Mexico Highlands University.
Currently Saccomanno is a stay-at-home mom with a freshman in the high school, and a 7th grader in Raton schools. Her husband is a teacher and coach in the schools for over 19 years.
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Interview by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
Photograph Courtesy of Jimmie Saccomanno
We asked all candidates the same questions. The responses were as varied as the candidates are unique and diverse in their experience. One thing that all candidates share is their care and concern for the schools, the community and especially the success of students in the Raton Public Schools.
The questions along with the candidate's responses follow.
KRTN: What are your qualifications?
Saccomanno has 14 years experience teaching in the schools, one year as a special education assistant in the elementary schools and 13 years teaching in middle school and high school. She has taught dual credit classes in the high school and also classes for Luna Community College. She feels that while her degrees give her experience on paper, it is her years teaching and coaching in the schools, and as a parent of children attending Raton schools as well as being the wife of a teacher which give many angles and dimensions to her qualifications. She has a huge interest in seeing improvements in our schools, acknowledging that all the candidates have that in common.
Saccomanno believes that she has a lot of insight to bring to the board in terms of teacher concerns and experience and student experience. She believes the administration does not have enough understanding of what is going on in the classroom and with the students. She can provide insight to the board and believes that this kind of understanding will help improve the schools.
KRTN:What is your understanding of the job of the board of directors?
The school board, by law, has two main responsibilities. It makes and sets policies; it is responsible for making sure the policy in place is up to date and that changes are made as necessary. It is an ongoing process to keep it current and accurate so that the district functions as well as it can.
The second job is to hire and fire the superintendent of the district. Unofficially they serve as a liaison between the staff and the administration, between the community and the administration. The school board’s job is not to meet with constituents on matters or to be approached by individuals privately. They have to function as a unit, as a quorum, and do business, in public, together.
They need to come to consensus when there is disagreement, to conduct themselves in a manner that is accountable. The board must understand that they are icons of the district and when people look to them they need to see a board that is rock steady, knowledgeable, educated, experienced. The board needs to be a symbol of hard work and integrity. “For our district to be premier, to be what it can be, the people on the board need to step up and function as a unit to get their work done”.
KRTN: If elected what are your goals for your term on the board?
Number one has to be a different mind set towards education in our community, in the schools, the district as a whole. “Too often, I think, people look at the schools as a daycare type of situation. It’s just somewhere that the kids go, Monday through Friday, and they have to.” It’s not thought of as a disciplined learning environment; the teaching profession, education as a whole, is not honored like it should be. I don’t think we place the importance that we should on education; it’s not that we don’t have highly qualified teachers, or that we lack the talent. I think we need to change the way that they work. We need to let the teachers do what they do, we need to let them work. And the kids need to learn and grow and move ahead and develop not just be there to spend their day till it’s done. The parents need to expect their kids to show progress, they need to expect their kids to treat other students and their teachers and the administrators like they deserve to be treated. Parents need to get behind the education process.
Saccomanno points out that a fair contingent of parents are involved, show up to meetings, serve on committees… “but we need to make sure that the community values education, that everyone has a stake in it, that it’s not ok if a kiddo is gone for 20 days a semester, that it’s not ok if a 2nd or 3rd grader cannot read at grade level, it’s not ok if kids choose to drop out as soon as their legally able to do so, it’s not ok to leave high school and not know what to do next. We have to value education more”. Saccomanno believes this is a national issue and that until people of all ages and all backgrounds, whether retirees, business owners, or parents, all need to hold the students, the teachers, the district, and the administration accountable for the product that comes out of our schools. “That is huge to me. The biggest thing is to get behind the education process, get behind the students, get behind the teachers and make it work”.
Saccomanno would like to look into hiring a grant writer, perhaps in partnership with the city or the county. Given the economic challenges facing Raton, Saccomanno thinks that having a grant writer on staff would be a smart choice for the district.
She wants teachers to be able to teach more and test less, citing the increased numbers of tests given and the time this takes away from classroom teaching.
She mentions a reporting program involving the free lunch & breakfast program that could result in all students in the district having free meals available without additional cost to the district. She states that students with full bellies learn better and that extending the district’s ability to extend the free breakfast and lunch programs into middle school and the high school will improve learning for more students. “ Feeding kids is simple. We don’t need to study it, we don’t need to look into it, we just need to do it”.
She wants to see a meaningful daily physical activity program for all students in all schools. Saccomanno believes this will improve students’ behavior, performance, outlook and their mood.
She would like to see improvements to the appearance of all the schools because schools are one of the first things that someone looks at when making decisions on where to live. She says our schools should be “the crown jewels of our community”.
Saccomanno would like to see the dual credit program in the high school expanded. Having taught dual credit courses in the high school she sees the benefits to students who participate in the program are many. Students save money on college tuition and are better prepared for what will be expected of them in college and the workload they will be faced with.
KRTN: Why are you running?
“I feel like we could be so much better. Unfortunately the board that is in place has not functioned well together. There hasn’t been a lot of progress made.” Saccomanno wants the schools to be better, not just for her kids, but all kids. She wants them to have the best experience that they can and to have the best preparation that they can. “I want them to have experiences in school that encourage them to be life long learners, I want them to value learning and continue to value it beyond their school years.”
She thinks that there could be much more progress, that we have to “stop reinventing the wheel, to stop spending time running in circles, wasting energy on things that don’t work and put it in things that do. We need to hold everyone accountable. We spend too much time handing out undeserved praise or rewards or trying to drag students along who don’t want to be learning. We need to hold people accountable. If someone is not cutting it you tell them, you advise them, you give them the opportunity to change, to grow to fix it and then if it doesn’t get fixed you address it at the next level. That has to be true for our students, our staff, our administration, everyone.”
“We need to focus on real learning, real progress, real education; teachers have enough to do to address the curriculum needs of their classes. We need to do what it takes to make sure our district puts out students who are prepared, educated and well rounded.”
KRTN: Is there anything you want voters to know that I haven’t asked you?
I know that every candidate has their key issues that they care about and I know I probably left out important issues that need addressing, but I want people to know that this is not a position to be taken lightly. This is a job with work to be done. I look forward to getting the chance to do it. I want great things for our kids, for our city, for our district and I would love to be a part of it.
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| January 29th, 2013 |
Misty Gomez, Candidate for Raton Public School Board Position 3 |
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Gomez, a native Ratonian, is a 31-year-old mother of four. She says she is a product of Raton Public Schools. She’s been running a daycare service for the last nine months, and volunteers with several organizations, including the Shuler Theater, the schools, her church and little league baseball, as needed and as time permits.
Misty's Costuming Profile on KRTN News
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Interview and Photograph by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
We asked all candidates the same questions. The responses were as varied as the candidates are unique and diverse in their experience. One thing that all candidates share is their care and concern for the schools, the community and especially the success of students in the Raton Public Schools.
The questions along with the candidate's responses follow.
KRTN: What are your qualifications?
“I am a product of the Raton Public School system”. Gomez would have graduated from Raton High School in 2000 but instead dropped out in her freshman year, a result of being suspended for bullying, which she says, was a result of being bullied. Gomez attained her GED as an adult. She feels that her personal experience as an at-risk student who has found her way as an adult to turn her life around is a valuable perspective to bring to the board. “Someone like me, who’s been there, needs to be on the board.” She feels that she has a good sense of character and would bring that to the board.
KRTN: What is your understanding of the job of the board of directors?
To vote things in or vote things out; you’re not one to go into the schools to say you're doing something wrong. The teachers know what they need to do, the principals know what they have to do, the superintendent knows what he has to do. The school board is not there to dictate anything or to have power over anything or anyone.
KRTN: If elected what are your goals for your term on the board?
Gomez would like to look into the possibility of adopting school uniforms. She cites studies that show such policies decrease school violence, improve student learning, and reduce clothing expenses for families. She would like to increase the amount of trade programs available to the students, so that students who leave the schools and are not going on to college will leave Raton Public Schools with a job skill. She would like to find ways to improve teacher satisfaction, maybe set up a support system for teachers that would improve moral.
She wants to change the current school suspension policy to an in-school suspension policy. She believes that many students use violence as a way to get suspended so they can have “an easy three days off” and that if they had to spend time in a supervised suspension, where they can’t sit with their friends and are required to do their school work, students would not want to get into trouble any more.
KRTN: Why are you running?
Gomez is running because two positions came open and she wants to work to improve the school district. The timing is right; her past experiences as a student in Raton Public Schools and current experience as a mother of two children in Raton’s schools, gives her a perspective she believes, that would be an asset to the school board if elected. She wants to work to improve the success rates of the students.
KRTN: Is there anything you want voters to know that I haven’t asked you?
Prejudice and favoritism lead to bullying. Students see that some students get favored treatment and that sets up division amongst the students. We have a lot of violence in our school systems and the bottom line is we need to find ways to reduce bullying. There are different reasons that bullying happens and we need to have a way to look at each situation and determine what is the cause. The schools need programs that will help students work through their problems and help students express themselves positively so they can focus on their education.
We need to address the drug use in our community. We need more programs about drug abuse and alcohol abuse in our schools. “A lot of these kids have seen it all their lives. Plain and simple our community has a problem… it does, a big problem. A lot of these kids have seen it all of their lives and they’re being trained in this way.” She notes that there are students who, by the time they get to mid-school are already trying to figure out how to get high or get drunk and “by the time they get to high school they don’t care about their education anymore.”
Gomez would like to see the incidence of teen pregnancy reduced; this includes a need for sex education, and she is aware that some will “be mad” at her for saying so.
Gomez believes that more programs are needed in the elementary grades to help the students to understand the effects of bad choices and to help them to make healthy choices throughout their lives. She wants to see all students enjoy success in school and beyond.
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| January 28th, 2013 |
Sue Fleming, Candidate for Raton Public School Board Position 3 |
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Fleming has been a resident of Raton for 45 years. She says, “First and foremost, I am the mother to Mark Fleming and his wife Lee, Mathew Fleming and his partner Kathy Pole, and Scott Fleming who lives in Colorado Springs, grandmother to Jacob Fleming, Mariah Fleming at NMSU, Tessa Fleming in Raton High School, Brooke and Brittany Fleming in Raton Mid-School and Cody Pole who is at Clovis Community College and also, great grandmother to Gage who is at the top of his terrific twos.”
Fleming has been working for the past eight years at Stolar Research Company. Before that she was the Executive Director of Raton Arts and Humanities Council and prior to that she worked at Martin Financial Advisors, served as CEO of Artists International Management, and was co-owner of Fleming Linen Services.
Fleming worked as the MainStreet manager in the first incarnation of that organization here in Raton. She served for six years on the New Mexico Arts and Humanities Commission as well as the Shuler Board and the Personnel Board for the City of Raton.
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Interview and Photograph by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
We asked all candidates the same questions. The responses were as varied as the candidates are unique and diverse in their experience. One thing that all candidates share is their care and concern for the schools, the community and especially the success of students in the Raton Public Schools.
The questions along with the candidate's responses follow.
KRTN: What are your qualifications?
Fleming: “I have been told that I am a ‘uniter’ not a divider, I have three children who have been through the Raton Public school system and I have three grandchildren who are currently in the Raton Public Schools and one who is now at NMSU. I have been involved in education at the front line, paid attention and have volunteered. I’ve been interested in our school system for the last 40 years.”
KRTN: What is your understanding of the job of the board of directors?
Fleming stated simply that "The board of directors' job is to hire and fire the Superintendent and to set policy."
KRTN: If elected what are your goals for your term on the board?
Fleming: “It can’t be just my goals, it has to be the goals of the entire board, the superintendent, the principals and the rest of the educational staff.”
She is excited about the new Freshman Academy that Principal Johnson is starting at Raton High School. This program provides academic help to incoming freshmen students and will also help students make the transition from Middle School to life at Raton High School. Freshman Academy is designed to reduce the number of “freshmores” (students who have not passed enough freshman classes to actually be sophomores and yet are passed to their sophomore year). Fleming believes that this program will be critical in reducing the drop out rate.
Fleming has heard great things about a new program in the elementary schools that teaches teachers how to teach reading. She has heard from outside sources that the teachers are reacting positively and with increased motivation.
Fleming wants to see the drop out rate drop by at least 20%. “I want to see some vocational opportunities for students. Many students want to go on to college, but there are also students who don’t. Vocational programs can give these students skills that provide earning potential immediately upon graduation from the high school. She cites the nursing program with MCMC that is highly successful. Fleming says, "Students who have come through that program, without exception, have improved self-esteem. There are students who may not have been able to see themselves as physicians and now their goal is to become a physician. I think that program rocks!”
KRTN: Why are you running?
Fleming says that she is running because the three grand-daughters who are in school called her and asked her to run because “they think that I can help because of the understanding that I have. They see me as a uniter.”
KRTN: Is there anything you want voters to know that I haven’t asked you?
Fleming: I want to support our superintendent Dave Willden in the good work that is happening in the schools. She continues, “We all want to be successful. I see more exciting things going on in the schools than I’ve seen in a long time. ”
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| January 16th, 2013 |
Greater Raton & Colfax County Legislative Reception |
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New Mexico Visitor Information Center at Raton
KRTN's Billy D
Raton Country Club
El Raton Movie Theater
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Story by Christina Boyce ~ KRTN Multi-media
Photographs by Tim Keller ~ www.timkellerarts.com
Raton and Colfax County will be well represented in Santa Fe on Thursday, January 17th, at a legislative reception to be held at the La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza. The purpose of the event is to highlight the many assets of our area for legislators who are in Santa Fe for the 60-day legislative session that opened this week. Colfax County Manager Don Day will be the keynote speaker. Citizens of Raton, Colfax County, and surrounding areas are invited to attend the reception. Who better to speak on behalf of all the good this area has to offer than the people who call Raton/Colfax County home? The people of the area are its best ambassadors. If you plan to attend the session, please RSVP to Raton Community Development Director Christopher Reed at 575-445-9551 or email creed@cityofraton.com
Colfax County Commissioner James Landon Newton, speaking at the January 16th regular Colfax County Board of Commissioners meeting, said that if we have good representation, it will "bode well for the county with our legislators." Newton, along with several officials representing Colfax County and the City of Raton, will attend the Legislative Reception. Reed will report back to KRTN with a summary of the event.
Raton has been well represented in regional press recently with two articles by local photographer and writer Tim Keller appearing in New Mexico Magazine. "Dancing On Top of the Cars", about Raton's legendary local band The Fireballs, is in the January issue. "The Heart of Raton" ran in the November 2012 issue. His photographs show Raton's charm, hospitality and perennial beauty. Keller took more pictures than the magazine could publish; he created an album of the Raton photographs so others can see all that Raton has to offer visitors and locals alike.
The Santa Fe reception can only help Raton and Colfax County to be in the thoughts of state legislators as the session progresses. We look forward to seeing the results of our city and county representatives' efforts to bring welcome attention and funding to our beautiful part of New Mexico.
What, When & Where:
4:00 - 6:30 pm at the La Fonda Hotel, 100 E. San Francisco St. in Santa Fe
RSVP to Reed at 575-445-9551 or email creed@cityofraton.com
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Area Snowfall Today ~ More Delays |
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Snow lingers on Tuesday as residents welcome the moisture.
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KRTN Multi-media
Photograph by Tim Keller
Tuesday morning revealed another 1/2' of new snow accumulation and subzero temperatures on the coldest morning in Raton's history here at the station. Snow packed and icy roads along with the temperatures resulted in area delays.
Delayed two hours today due to snow: Raton Public Schools & Head start, Magistrate Court, District Court, Raton Motor Vehicle Department, Luna Community College - all satellites, NM Human Services, Adult Probation & Parole. Mosquero schools, also started on a two hour delay today.
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop will be closed today. |
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Overnight Snowfall Results in Area Wide Snow Day |
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Monday Morning Snow at KRTN
Keep your dial tuned to 93.9 FM for all the news and information.
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KRTN Multi-media
Photograph by Tim Keller
Overnight snow that continued to fall into Monday resulted in snow accumulation of 8 - 12 inches around the area.
Closures due to snow: Raton Public Schools & Head start, Magistrate Court, District Court, Raton School of Dance, Raton Motor Vehicle Department, Alternatives to Violence in Raton, St. Patrick's - St. Joseph's Parish Office, NMHU Raton, Luna Community College - all satellites, USDA Service Center in Raton, Raton Methodist Church Exercise & yoga classes; Des Moines Senior Center.
Rescheduled events: DM vs Texline BB Game to January 28th, Raton Board of Education Meeting to tomorrow January 15th.
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| January 3, 2013 |
KRTN Listener Wins the Guess the Christmas Story Window Contest! |
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A Happy Fonda Davis Poses With Prizes
Congratulations Fonda from all of us at KRTN!
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Story by KRisTiNa ~ KRTN Multi-media
Photograph by Sandy Solano
Sandy Solano and Mike Kowalski of Raton MainStreet announced the winner of the 2012 Guess the Christmas Story in the Window Contest on This, That & the Other Thursday January 3rd. Fifteen local businesses participated in the holiday window decorating contest this year and several more businesses participated by contributing items for the gift basket for the contest winner.
Winning with 11 of 15 correct answers, KRTN listener Fonda Davis!
Ms Davis is an avid supporter of all things Raton and takes the prize for the third year in a row. Her reward for having the most correct answers is a gift basket filled with many wonderful items from participating downtown businesses. Her basket is filled with:
Hair moos, body oil and free pedicure, from Bangs Spa & Salon; 2 Note pads and 2 pens, from Discount Office; A Sheet Cake from Enchanted Grounds Coffee Shop; A Bracelet from Joef's Tutu Parlor; A Free Haircut, from Just Teazin; A Free CD of music of Fonda's choice from KRTN, Enchanted Air, Inc.; A Water bottle from Park Avenue Insurance; A Candle from Willow Springs Quilt Guild; A Tin Can Robot from Radio Shack; A Candle and Hand Soap from RatPack Gift Shop; Post cards from Raton MainStreet; A Chili Rista from Santa Fe Trail Traders; A Santa Claus Bottle Stopper, Cowboy Playing Cards, Leather Gloves and a Candle from Solano's Boot & Western Wear; An Exercise Video and Nike T-shirt from Sports Arena; and also a Five Piece Accessories Set (3 candles, 1 frame & platter) from Woody's Furniture!
Congratulations Fonda and thanks to all who participated in guessing the Christmas Story in the display windows. Thanks also to Raton MainStreet for another year of holiday cheer and festive holiday window decorating.
We look forward to participating again in 2013!
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