Council Member Amy Quintana Town of TaosAD News Briefs Oct. 2008

I’ve served you for almost six months now, and wished to highlight some of the issues in which I’m actively involved.

Although our Northern New Mexico climate makes it hard to keep our infrastructure constantly pristine, the Town has made major improvements in our street and sidewalk striping, weed abatement, tree trimming, and other area safety, beautification and maintenance efforts on Town streets and our public parks/plazas. Check out the new public bathrooms at TaosPlaza too – a new and welcome addition for everyone.

Recycling efforts move forward as we target the opening of an ‘in town convenience center’ for county-wide improved recycling, and the Town has given Taos County 5 acres near the landfill to use for their solid waste/expanded recycling efforts. In addition, the Town’s existing recycling center on Bertha St. currently takes e-waste (computers), aluminum, cardboard, tin cans, paper, phone books, carpet padding, glass– and at the landfill itself, used tires, white goods (appliances) and green (yard) wasteis recycled. During 2007 the Town’s RecycleCenter has diverted over 1,389 tons of waste from going into the Taos Regional Landfill, and a 1-2% increase for 2008 is expected.

Taos is exploring how to move forward with a new ‘Sports Authority’ that will support local youth and adult outdoor, recreation and organized sports pursuits – as well as those for visitors. This is a community-wide effort involving citizens, sports organizations, the TaosMunicipalSchool District, the Town of Taos, and TaosCounty – and a major part of this effort is to move forward with the construction of the 20-plus acre AlexanderGusdorfEcoPark at Canon West and Salazar. We have the land – and are focused on getting the funding – to make this multi-use park a reality. This park is particularly important to me given my work as the Finance Director of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps – I know the importance of such programs and infrastructure for the support of area youth. Rocky Mountain Youth Corps still has Americorps Service Scholarships available for 17-25yr olds – please call me for details at 751-1420.

Finally, I simply want to say that I’ve just completed several training sessions with the New Mexico Municipal League’s Official Leadership Instituteto ensure that all I do on your behalf with the Town Council is focused on the ‘best practices’ available to make sure we’re running a forward looking, professional and efficient Town on your behalf. It’s a pleasure to serve you.

Council Member Amy Quintana

Town of Taos Town Hall 575-751-2003

  • Taos SmartCode implemementation discussion for Town’s Chamisa Verde Subdiv., special Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Oct. 15, Town of Taos Youth & Family Center (adjacent to subdiv.).
  • Annual Town of Taos Trek for Trash: 8 a.m. – 12 noon, Oct. 18. Volunteer for road side/vacant lot trash clean up – or focus on your own neighborhood. Freeconstituent trash acceptance (including appliances)at Town’s Public Works yard on Dea Lane (near Walmart). Get details from Town Parks Supervisor Dennis or 751-2020.
  • Angel Vigil, New Mexican children’s book author, 1-3 p.m., Oct. 18, will read from his book, Una Linda Raza: Stories from the Homeland, Town of Taos Public Library – sponsored by Storytelling Festival/SOMOs and Library/Friends of Library. For more info. 758-3063 or taoslibrary.org
  • RegularTown of Taos Council Meeting – 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct 21,Council Chambers, Civic Plaza Dr.
  • 12th Annual Taos Halloween Party, TownConvention Center, Free, 2- 5 p.m., Oct. 25. Youngsters are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy the spooky fun. And then join the really scary fun for teens/adults (over 12 recommended) from 7 - 10 p.m., at the same location for the Town of Taos Annual Spook House, $4 admission; open again 7-10 p.m. on Halloween, Oct 31. For details call Judy, Youth and FamilyCenter, 758-4160, taosyouth.org
  • 1-3 p.m., Oct. 25, nonprofit Taos Housing Corp. at Town of Taos Public Library to share affordable housing ‘how to’, practical info. with first time potential buyers. For more info. call the Public Library 758-3063.
  • Other Oct. In-Town Events: Fall Arts Festival at TownConvention Center, taosfallarts.com;Taos Balloon Festival, taosnews.com/taos_area_guides/ p. 56, and the Taos Mountain Film Festival, Town advertising underwriting provided, mountainfilm.net.
  • Old Spanish Trail Lecture Series by five historians, starts 1-3 p.m., Nov. 1 – running through 29, Town ofTaos Public Library. Funded by Friends of Taos Public Library. 758-3063 for details; taoslibrary.org
  • Get weekly Town Email News - Opt in via email to Cathy Connelly, Public Relations Director,. Town of Taos web site, taosgov.com.