Encourage People to Vote
Doña Ana County Clerk Scott Krahling said that over 90% of registered voters do not vote in local elections. He wants to build a voting culture in our community. His goal is to engage local voters. No one has the budget to inform everyone the way they’d like. In regards to employers giving employees time off to vote, the law says that’s only applicable to state and federal elections. Scott encourages people to come to the following event:
A Community Conversation – Democracy in Doña Ana
September 16, 2017, 9 am
Doña Ana County Government Building
Keynote speakers – NM Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Doña Ana County Clerk Scott Krahling
For more information, email Scott.
August Unified Action
Don Kurtz asked that everyone create/update your Personal Influence Network for use in this fall’s Las Cruces Municipal Elections and beyond. Don’t forget to tell us, “I did it!” Use your network to let people know when an election is coming up and the candidates you support. Don reminded us that in the 2015 municipal election, City Councilor Kasandra Gandara won by 18 votes and City Councilor Jack Eakman won by 11 votes, so every vote counts.
For more information, email Don.
Reduce Domestic and Global Poverty
Rich Renner, with RESULTS, gave us an update about domestic and global poverty. New Mexico is 49th in child well-being – this means that 40% of children are food insecure at some time during the year. The RESULTS Las Cruces group is building its Action Network. Use your voice and see how we make a tremendous difference on poverty issues. Rich has some action points to protect SNAP, Medicaid, and global education. Rich hopes you will attend the following event:
RESULTS Advocacy’s Impact in Africa presentation and potluck
September 9, 2017, 1:15 pm
Call or email to RSVP and obtain directions
For more information, email Rich.
Fundraiser for the Homeless
Nancy Baker works with Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, which provides housing for the homeless. Camp Hope offers transitional housing for our homeless population; currently 200 people are being served. It costs $6,000 to move someone from living at Camp Hope to an apartment or home, so they are holding an online fundraiser.
Tents to Rents fundraiser
September 15 – October 31, 2017
Go to tentstorents.org and donate
For more information, email Nancy.
Update from Lucas and ProgressNow New Mexico
Lucas Herndon works with ProgressNowNM and had some exciting numbers for us: 200 people attended the Progressive Summit in Las Cruces last July. Also, Lucas went to Washington DC and met with 300 progressives for candidate training. He networked with people from around the country. About 300 people showed up for the Charlottesville candlelight vigil last weekend. Also, Lucas announced the following event:
Ice Cream Social
August 25, 2017, 4:30 pm
Pioneer Park
For more information, email Lucas, see his Twitter, or visit the ProgressNowNM Facebook page.
From Homeless to Having a Home
Nancy Barnes-Smith also works with and supports the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope. Nancy told the story of Charlie, in his 50’s. Both of his parents died when he was in his mid 30’s, so he had no family to stay with. He came to Las Cruces and MVCH helped him out and he’s been living on his own for 3 years now. Please participate in their fundraiser.
Tents to Rent fundraiser
September 15 – October 31, 2017
Go to tentstorents.org and donate
For more information, email Nancy.
Stop the Border Wall
Director of the Southwest Environmental Center, Kevin Bixby, spoke about President Trump who has threatened to shut down the government if he doesn’t get funding for his border wall. To protest the border wall, SWEC, ACLU of New Mexico and NMCafé are sponsoring a No Wall Town Hall protest that will meet at the wall. They are renting a bus that seats 55 people to go to the protest site.
No Wall Town Hall
August 28, 2017, 6pm
Sunland Park, end of Anapra Rd
To reserve your free spot on the bus, call 575-522-5552 or go to www.wildmesquite.org
For more information, email Kevin.
El Paso Electric Update
Allen Downs gave three updates about El Paso Electric:
- A hearing has been held on EPE’s annual renewable energy plan.
- EPE has asked New Mexico to share the costs and power of a Texas 10MW solar installation purchase agreement. A hearing examiner has been appointed to accept testimony and hold a hearing.
- EPE wants to change a rule of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Currently if an IRP has withstood objections from interveners, and has been accepted by the PRC, it can then serve as proof, in a later case, that a resource type chosen in the IRP is required by public convenience and necessity. If this presumption is removed, there is little reason for a utility to take seriously the three year long IRP process, including more than a year of Public Advisory Group meetings.
To join the El Paso Electric Public Advisory Group for the 2018 IRP, call Maritza Perez, EPE regulatory case manager, at 915-543.2057 or attend the next meeting scheduled for September 7, 2 pm, at the Dona Ana County offices, 845 N. Motel Blvd, Room 113.
For more info, email Allen.
No Wall Town Hall
Peter Sloan, who works with the Southwest Environmental Center, told people to join SWEC on the bus for the No Wall Town Hall. Come by SWEC’s offices, 275 North Downtown Mall on 8/25, 5-7 pm to make signs for the protest on 8/28. Also, comments are still being accepted on the Mexican Grey Wolf plan. The deadline is 8/29. Go to www.wildmesquite.org to make comments.
No Wall Town Hall
August 28, 2017, 6pm
Sunland Park, end of Anapra Rd
To reserve your free spot on the bus, call 575-522-5552 or www.wildmesquite.org
For more info, email Peter.
Governor Martinez as the next Chancellor of NMSU?
Earl Nissen said he heard a rumor that Governor Martinez wants to be the next Chancellor of NMSU, since the Board of Regents did not approve an extension of Garrey Carruther’s contract.
For more info, send an email to Earl.
Celebrate Women Getting the Right to Vote
Cassie Calway announced the Women’s Celebration and Suffragette Procession will celebrate the passage of the 19th amendment, where women got the right to vote. Come in costume if you want. There will be food trucks and vendors. They are collecting bras, hygiene products, diapers, and underwear to be given to the Community of Hope and La Casa.
Celebrate the Women’s Right to Vote
August 26, 2017, 6 pm
Plaza de Las Cruces
For more info, email Cassie.
Listen to KTAL-LP, 101.5 FM
Cliff Pelton announced that KTAL-LP FM is up and running. Tune in and hear local people talking about local, national and international current affairs, as well as some great music.
For more info, send an email to Cliff.
KTAL-LP, 101.5 FM and Peter Goodman
Peter Goodman invited Cliff Pelton and others (Earl, perhaps?) to come on his KTAL-LP show and talk about Governor Martinez becoming the next Chancellor of NMSU.
For more info, email Peter.
Listening Clinic
Vickie Aldrich said, “Come and improve your listening skills, so you can more fully be listened to.” This new clinic will teach methods from the Compassionate Listening Project, the Alternatives to Violence Project and Nonviolent communication.
1st Wednesday of the month, starting 9/6, 4:30 – 6 pm
Las Cruces Friends Meeting House, 622 N. Mesquite St
For more info, email Vickie.
KTAL-LP, 101.5 FM Show
Shannon Reynolds spoke about his show on KTAL-LP FM, which is on Mondays, 9 – 10 am. His guests have been, the Board of Education, the Fire Chief of Las Cruces, Café and the Chamber of Commerce, among others. They are working on a way to listen to the shows later. You can underwrite a show for only $10 to $15.
For more information, (or if you want to be on his show), call him at 575-650-7388 or email Shannon.
What Joy Goldbaum Would Change as Municipal Court Judge
Joy Goldbaum is running for municipal judge in the upcoming Las Cruces municipal election. Joy would like to start a Homeless Court program by occasionally bringing the court to the Community of Hope. The chance of people showing up for court is greater since it’s where they are; plus, people learn not to be terrified of the police. Remember, when voting for municipal judge, any registered voter in the city can vote.
Visit Joy’s website or look at her Facebook page.
Election Reform Panel Discussion
Abraham Sanchez works at the Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office. Abraham doesn’t want entities and laws reducing the vote. He invited people to come to the Election Reform Panel Discussion:
Election Reform Panel Discussion
September 9, 2017, 2:30 pm
Doña Ana County Government Building, 845 N. Motel Blvd.
Panelists: Jeff Steinborn, State Senator District 36, Angelica Rubio, State Representative,
District 35, Bob Perls, New Mexico Open Primaries and Scott Krahling, Doña Ana County Clerk
For more information, email Abraham.
David Baake is running for US Congress, NM 2nd District
David’s background is an environmental lawyer, so he understands protecting our monuments and environment. He’d like to see common sense immigration laws. Currently there is no statute of limitations on illegal immigration, but he thinks there should be. He believes Citizens United needs to be overturned. Here’s David’ website.
For more information, email David.
Updates on Regional Transit
Sharon Thomas thanked the county commissioners for funding transit for another year. Transit ridership is up – they are getting 100 riders a day and 2,000 a month.
For more information, email Sharon.
Should the County go Solar?
Rocky Bacchus spoke about several ways the County Government could save money. A solar study presented to the county commission reported that if the County went solar, it would save $700,000 a year. Additionally, for those who own rental properties, there are 60% tax incentives for using solar with those properties.
As for the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) proposal, Rocky was disappointed to see that the commission voted against it last Tuesday; unfortunately, at the meeting, the commission received some faulty information and was influenced by Commissioner Rawson, who is against PACE. PACE is important, Rocky said, because it can save us 20%+ in future rate hikes. Rocky emphasized that showing up to the County Commission & EPE meetings has an impact and can often change votes. You might want to email your commissioner and tell him or her that you support the PACE program in Dona Ana County.
For more information, email Rocky.
Tony Martinez is running for US Congress, NM 2nd District
Tony Martinez, who is the co-leader of Indivisible in Las Cruces, is running for US Congress, NM 2nd district. He does not support the repeal of the ACA, he wants the national monuments to stay the way they are, he doesn’t want money for public schools to go to private schools, and he supports developing our local economy.
For more information, email Tony.
Get Progressives to Vote
Glenn Landers said that just getting more people to vote is not necessarily going to lead to better results. Campaign finance reform is needed because the drive to get full participation means that those with money will get the vote. An example of this is having money to hire paid canvassers. Our job is to get progressives to vote.
For more information, email Glenn.
Fundraiser for Tony Martinez
Tito Marquez announced a fundraiser for Tony Martinez, candidate for US Congress.
Fundraiser for Tony Martinez
September 8, 2017, 6 pm
Rokoko Gallery, 1785 Calle de Mercado, Mesilla
For more information, email Tito.
Joanne Ferrary Attending Interim Committee Meetings
Our NM State Representative, for District 37, Joanne Ferrary, has been busy attending interim committee meetings. She’s on the Health & Human Services committee and wanted us to know that upcoming meetings that the public can attend are:
Behavioral Health: 9/9
She also went to committee meetings with the National Council of State Legislators. They discussed best practices in other states. She’s also working on rural health concerns. Please contact Joanne with any of your concerns.
For more information, visit her website or email Joanne.
Gill Sorg Fundraiser
Gill Sorg, City Councilor District 5, is running for re-election. He’s reached 1,200 voters and talked to 560. He has 250 more to talk to before he starts over with the ones that weren’t home. His campaign team consists of Matt Gloudemans, Roberta Gran and Emerson Morrow.
Visit Gill’s Facebook page.
Gill Sorg Fundraiser
September 10, 2017, 2-4 pm
Salud! De Mesilla, 1800 Avenida De Mesilla, Las Cruces
RSVP to Matthew.
For more information, email Gill.
Paul Ponce, Candidate for County Assessor
Paul Ponce, who currently works at the Doña Ana County Assessor’s Office, announced his candidacy for County Assessor. He wants to continue the quality customer service for county residences and to always provide fair assessments.
Fundraiser for Paul Ponce
September 9, 2017, 5-8 pm
The Venue Event Center, 5585 S. Main Street, Mesilla Park, NM
For more information, email Paul.
Emilio Gutierrez Fundraiser
Elisa Sanchez talked about Emilio Gutierrez seeking asylum in the United States. He’s a Mexican journalist who’s been here for 9 years. Recently he was denied asylum, but they are appealing. ICE comes to check on him every month. Help Emilio stay here by attending the following event.
Tacos for Sale
August 27, 2017, 12 noon
2525 Hagerty, Las Cruces
For more information, email Elisa.
Antoinette Reyes, Candidate for County Commission, District 1
Antoinette is a community activist who’s running for County Commissioner, District 1. She supports sustainable agriculture, not privatizing the detention center, and believes we need to provide support for our elderly and disabled.
For more information, visit her website or send her an email.
Drinks with Dems – Get the Under 40 Democrats Interested in Elections
Luis Guerrero, who is the southern NM field organizer with the NM Democratic Party, wants to get Democrats under 40 more involved in the election process. He asked people to get involved and help us develop future leaders.
Drinks with Dems
September 19, 2017
Time and place TBD
For more infomation, email Luis.
Mountain View Co-op Board Elections
Dael Goodman announced that nominations for the Mountain View Co-op Board are due 9/1/17. It’s a great chance to have a say in our local co-op. Nomination packets can be accessed at their website.
Also, SWECs’s gala will be in October.
SWEC’s 25th Anniversary Gala
October 14, 2017, 6-10 pm
Plaza de Las Cruces
For more infomation, email Dael.
Taos United Visiting PVA
Mary Lane Leslie, is with a group called Taos United. Mary Lane Leslie and her friend Marjorie Luckey came down to Las Cruces from Taos. They are starting a PVA type forum in Taos and wanted to see how we’re structured. They have 400 people on their mailing list and they want to keep people motivated, active, and voting.
For more information, email Mary.
Emma’s Revolution Concert
Joy Goldbaum announced a concert for Emma’s Revolution. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Get tickets from Joy or www.emmasrevolution.com, click on concerts.
Emma’s Revolution Concert
August 27, 2017, 7 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church, 2000 S Solano, Las Cruces
For more information, email Joy.
Shop Local
Peter Goodman reminded everyone that it’s important to shop local.
For more information, email Peter.