Gadaboutblogalot's Blog

Does Free For Thee Mean A Fee For Me

Posted in incentives, internet access by Chuck Ring on March 9, 2010
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By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009 – 2010)

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Our Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is contemplating free WIFI Broadband for some areas and some people.  At least that is  the direction  preliminary considerations by them seem to be heading.  An article from Yahoo!® News starts with:

U.S. regulators may dedicate spectrum to free wireless Internet service for some Americans to increase affordable broadband service nationwide, the Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday.

The article continues on to state that the FCC will make the final recommendation next week under the National Broadband Plan.  No cost is given for the potential service and no definitive cost  for the project is presented in the article.  Perhaps a regular tax, a surtax on providers or some other form of assessment will be made to pay for the scheme.  Free from the government does not mean free for all … except in the combative sense.

Read the rest of the short story and the comments on the story here and wait for further news next week.

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Is The Old Road To Be The New Road

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By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009 – 2010)

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Well, maybe if a trend to tear up asphalt and other pavement types continues past the recession or whatever it is that is keeping everything to a crawl. Some municipalities and counties in different areas of the nation are not replacing damaged pavement with paving material.  Instead they are ripping up the pavement and retrofitting their roads with gravel.  Such government entities are citing the high cost of asphalt and other materials and the rising cost of paving materials (asphalt is quoted at $400 a ton) and what has become the prohibitive cost of maintenance, especially in areas that have cycling of extreme cold or heat for climate components.

Edgewood does not enjoy miles and miles of paved roads and during times of what passes for extreme rain or snow in the area, our gravel roads can become a perilous mess and a hazard to vehicles and a danger to the safety of children and adults alike.  This danger to life and limb can be especially true in the case of school transportation via school bus or private vehicle.  There are no easy solutions or even likely solutions to the condition of Edgewood’s gravel roads which might be forthcoming in the short-term.  This is especially true since a recent bond issue for road improvements and one for facilities construction failed.

Speculation as to the reason for the failure of both issues has ranged from the economy to a perceived lack of effort to educate the public on the need for the passage of the referendum.  Certainly there was no effort by a citizen committee to inform the public and there was some organized opposition to the the referendum.  Perhaps, it was assumed by those citizens in favor of the bond issues that others enthusiastically shared their views and there was little need to call for committees or other bodies of support.  Whatever the reason, the failure of the bond issue has ensured that there will be no new source of funding for road improvements unless stimulus or other monies can be found to supplement Edgewood’s  decreasing proceeds from gross receipts taxes.  Additionally, we do not know the full impact of the New Mexico State Legislature’s recent actions at the just adjourned special-session.

It is plain to see that Edgewood has roads which have not been accepted for maintenance or improvements and that citizens suffer because of the lack of both.  Whether or not, the old excuse (valid or not) of  the New Mexico Constitution’s stricture on donations of public monies will continue to get in the way of the Town’s maintenance or improvement of some or all of the roads remains to be seen. Certainly a solution will require some original thinking and change of direction.  Or, maybe it will require simple acceptance of what amounts to common sense responsibility and the citizens and the town can work together to get to an acceptable resolution.  I feel sure we can  all get out of the box and think around it, instead of in it.  Ideas and solutions will be welcome.

Meanwhile you can read what other locations are doing with their paved roads by clicking here.

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President Obama Nets Stern Heat For Stern Pick

Posted in SEIU, broken promises by Chuck Ring on March 7, 2010
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By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009 – 2010)

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

Fox News reports that the President’s choice of Andy Stern for a position on a new 18 member government panel has gained him serious criticism in the business world and among conservative groups.  The lead paragraph in the Fox story has this to say:

President Obama’s decision to appoint his close political ally, union leader Andrew Stern, to the newly created National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform has set off a firestorm of criticism from business and conservative groups who charge he is a political radical who should be investigated for failure to register as a lobbyist.

Stern is the subject of a request for investigation of his alleged violation of lobbying laws with at least two groups having looked into his activities.  The Fox story reports that the groups used a variety of records (including Twitter messages) to compile records which purport to show that Stern has utilized more than 20% of his time to communicate with or to contact policymakers.  A law passed in 2008 requires anyone spending that much time attempting to influence those in government to register as a lobbyist.  Stern has spent a relatively large sum of time in contact with the White House as indicated in this paragraph from the Fox story:

Stern, whose union funneled $60 million to the Obama election campaign, has been a regular visitor to the White House since Obama’s inauguration. White House logs released last October showed he visited the presidential mansion 22 times since Obama took office, including seven meetings with the president. But most of the visits were for group events, and it is an open question whether his attendance would count as lobbying activity.

To paraphrase; we wonder if this is much ado about very little … or, is there a grand amount of scoffing of the law piling up around Stern.  You can read the rest of the article by clicking right here.

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New Mexico And Japan = Smart Grids?

Posted in Foreign relations, area events/meeting, energy by Chuck Ring on March 6, 2010
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From New Mexico Business Weekly comes news of the signing of cooperative agreements and more between the State of New Mexico, research laboratories located in New Mexico, private companies and the nation of Japan:

Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization signed five agreements on Friday in Los Alamos with state officials and representatives from the two national laboratories, Los Alamos County, the Public Service Co. of New Mexico, and the Mesa del Sol master-planned community in south-central Albuquerque.

The agreements call for investment of 30 million dollars from Japan while the other partners will provide technology and implementation of various processes to help develop and expand smart-grid technology.  Such technology is essential to the proper utilization of renewable energy distribution and efficiency.

The current information on the agreements can be seen by clicking here.

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The Citizens Have Spoken – No Taxes For Paved Roads

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By Bob Steiner

The election of March 2nd  in Edgewood is now history.  The voters have spoken and rejected  a  bond issue that would have initiated a municipal road program   that would have established a schedule for maintaining and improving the town’s streets.  I’m certain that current economic conditions had a lot to do with the decision of the electorate. Still there are some acute needs within our town’s roads system , that need to be addressed.

At the March 3rd town council meeting, a citizen who lives on Range Road, just North of I40, stood up and spoke to the meeting regarding the total disintegration of her road.  It seems there is no crown,  drainage, hard gravel , or any visible markings to define just where the edges of the road  end.  This really  complicates driving in this area because  the least bit of rain or snow turns the road bed in to a sea of mud that is sometimes not even negotiable with  four-wheel drive.  Even during the dry season, residents who live on the road find it difficult to convince merchants to attempt  the most basic delivery service  in this area.

The council was very attentive to the citizen’s comments and one of the councilor’s brought up the fact that conditions on  Palomino  Road were much the same as Range Road and might also warrant some additional attention by our road crews.  Councilor Hill suggested that the town  compile data on other similar road situations in the community and that the town look into providing some relief to those residents who are affected. Look for the town to hold a special meeting on this subject sometime in the near future.

Now, for those readers who are disappointed that they don’t have pavement on their road, I suggest you take a brief ride down Range or Palomino.  Once you see what other residents are having to contend with, You may appreciate your gravel road a lot more!

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Edgewood Chamber — Friday Blast

Posted in Chamber of Commerce, area events/meeting, food/feeding by Chuck Ring on March 5, 2010

POSTED AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE BY GADABOUT-BLOGALOT

Edgewood Chamber of Commerce’s Friday Blast!!!

Happy Friday Chamber Members! What beautiful weather we are having! Having lived out here my entire life, I know not to get too used to it. Old Man Winter will show up again before it is all said and done!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS March 10: Edgewood Chamber of Commerce’s Monthly Luncheon Kevin Lorenzen with Aflac and St. Baldricks will be sharing with us about Aflac and educating us on St. Baldricks. Kevin has also supplied me with items for the “goody bag” drawing for the Scholarship Fund. One of the items is a must have…I know because I have one!!! We will also be unveiling the upcoming events that the Chamber has on the calendar. The agenda is FULL so the meeting will start promptly at 11:30. The meeting is at the community center and begins at 11:30. The cost is $10 and that includes your lunch. I also need your RSVP’s if you are attending the lunch today.

March 17: Edgewood Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors meeting Everyone is invited to attend the general session of the meeting. The meeting will begin at 8:15 AM and will be at the Chamber office.

March 18: Edgewood Chamber of Commerce’s Monthly Mixer Rosanna Aragon and her USANA team will be hosting this month’s mixer. The mixer will be at the chamber office and will begin at 5:30 PM and go until 7ish. These are a great way to meet people and market your business (so bring your business cards). The mixers are also a great event to invite business people you know who are not chamber members.

March 25: Edgewood Food Pantry’s mobile food bank This will take place at Valley View Christian Church (just north of Dinkle on 344). They will begin at 5 PM.

SAVE THE DATES

April 22-25: Buffalo Stampede SASS will be hosting this event at Founder’s Ranch. Call the SASS office for more info: 843-1320 or visit their website: www.sassnet.com

May 1-2: Wildlife West’s Wind Festival Always a great time! Call WLW for more info: 281-7655 or their website: www.wildlifewest.org Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!!! Enjoy the sunshine!

Robin Foshee Executive Director

Edgewood Chamber of Commerce

505-286-2577 office

505-948-6963 cell

Check us out on Facebook!!!

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Short Of Full Disclosure

Posted in Uncategorized by Chuck Ring on March 4, 2010
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By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009 – 2010)

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

New Mexico State Senator Dede Feldman has managed to reveal very little of the pain New Mexicans will suffer as a result of the special legislative session that just ended today.  On her blog she does report some decent action by the legislature (if true) and that would be the elimination of many of the Governor’s patronage jobs … but, not all of them and not enough by any real consideration of the issue:

An amendment to cut about 102 “exempt” positions hired by the Governor outside the classification system.

No estimate is given of the savings which will be realized by the elimination of the Governor’s political cuates.  Nothing is said about the 1/8 cent increase in the State’s portion of the gross receipts tax and nothing is said of the two cents on the dollar food tax which will accrue to municipalities and counties (if outside the incorporated limits of a municipality) after the promise of “hold harmless” money became empty of sense and devoid of cents.

The Senator lists other revenue streams, cuts or sources approved during the special session, but her blog is short of detail.  This is not to be expected since it is likely the Senator was short on time and final details.

I am awaiting detailed information from the New Mexico Municipal League and will post it as soon as I have it.  Meanwhile, please see the Senator’s blog for additional information.


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Gary Birkman’s Garaoke Entertainment

Posted in Edgewood New Mexico, Edgewood News Plus, Family, Garaoke, entertainment by Chuck Ring on March 3, 2010

POSTED AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE TO NEW BUSINESSES

Gary Birkman gets to tell his story about how he came to pursue and realize his current passion,  which just happens to be his livelihood.  We hope you’ll consider Gary for your next party or other special event. The rest is from Gary:

Here is a little about my business and how it came to be…

As many of us are faced with tough times in today’s economy and changing job market, so was I. I had worked as a technical specialist for a worldwide medical company for almost 10 years when my job changed and I was forced to either do a job that I didn’t enjoy anymore or find another path. I chose the other path.

I’ve always had a great love for and been very involved in music. As a teenager, growing up in a very small Montana town, I built homemade audio and lighting equipment and put on dances at local bars and community centers. While attending college I had various DJ jobs and was involved in bands and choirs. Through the years I’ve collected music and played, or attempted to play, several different instruments. I started doing Karaoke about 15 years ago when it first became popular and I set up a personal Karaoke system and would have parties for friends and relatives and everyone loved it! People would frequently ask me why I didn’t open up a DJ business because my system was better than most at the bars they would go to. At the time I was very happy with my medical position and didn’t want it to change.

So, when I found myself among the army of unemployed, I decided to go back to where I started. Where my passion was. Music. Garaoke Entertainment was born! I invested in a lot of new professional audio and lighting equipment and a trailer to haul everything around and hit the streets. It’s been slow going, as is any new business, but things are picking up and thanks to a lot of great people, I’m looking forward to a good year!

What I want to focus on, and what makes Garaoke different from other DJs, is customer service! As my tagline and motto state, it’s “More than music . . . it’s entertainment!” which “Makes the event an occasion to remember!” I personally work with my clients to customize their event. I want them to get something special. Anyone can play music for people, but what I do is get the crowd involved! We can do games and contests, special music mixes, give-aways, and more. Not to mention the extensive light and effect show that we can put on! Whether it’s a small house party for a few people, or a huge wedding for hundreds, Garaoke has the setup and the experience to do it right. We can do strictly  DJ or Karaoke, or a combination of both.

Surprise Birthday Party & Having A Good Time

Currently I’ve got a couple regular weekly Karaoke gigs at a couple local restaurants that have gone great! In fact, one of the restaurants was considering closing its doors a couple nights a week but since business was so good with Garaoke there, they decided to stay open and it’s been doing even better since!

Garaoke is available for; Graduations, Birthdays, Weddings, Private or Public Parties, Events big or small, and more! With a huge music library that’s growing all the time, we can play almost anything you like!

Spoof Band Competition

You can find me if you do a web search for “Garaoke Entertainment Facebook” (or just click on the link as shown) and take a look at some of the events that I’ve done and stay abreast of some upcoming public events.

New Year's Dance

Wedding Garaoke Trio

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Short Note Of Appreciation

Posted in Edgewood New Mexico, Edgewood News Plus, Rural development, area events/meeting by Chuck Ring on March 2, 2010

By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009 – 2010)

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

Edgewood, NM Logo

Just a short post to thank everyone who helped with the election process in Edgewood.  Whether you personally helped with my campaign or the campaign of others, you were part of the process that is so important to this country and this community.  To the poll workers and Edgewood Town Staff, thank you for completing a hard, trying  job under difficult circumstances.

Here are the results for the candidates in the Edgewood election:

  • Ring – 365
  • Simmons – 350
  • Felton – 273

Here are the results for the bond referendums:

  • Facilities 491 against 110 for
  • Roads      454 against 147 for

All Results Unofficial Until Canvassing On March 5, 2010

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Mr. Rangel’s Absence Is Requested

Posted in Fraud, United States House of Representatives, politics, scam by Chuck Ring on March 1, 2010

By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009 – 2010)

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

It isn’t a quorum, it’s not an entire choir, but it might be a chorus.  I expect that it is a chorus, and that it is not just those fellow Representatives on the same side of the aisle that are singing to see the gavel slapped out of Representative Charles Rangel’s (D-NY) hands.

Previously there were five fellow party members that called for Rangel’s relinquishment as the head of the Ways and Means Committee … now, the total is seven, this according to TheHill. The seven, all vulnerable in November this year are:

There are now seven Democrats who have publicly called and/or voted to have Rangel give up his chairmanship: Reps. Bobby Bright (Ala.), Travis Childers (Miss.), Paul Hodes (N.H.), Mitchell, Mike Quigley (Ill.), Sutton and Gene Taylor (Miss.).

Not very good news for the 79-year-old,who in addition, has a couple of Democrats that received campaign funds from him rushing to rid themselves of his lucre, whether filthy or not:

Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) is giving money Rangel donated to his campaign to charity while Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) is returning funds to the 79-year-old chairman.

The story runs on with little to nothing of benefit or support of Congressman Rangel.  In fact, to the discerning reader, it probably appears that the Congressman is on the downhill slide.  Where’s Rangel on all of this you may ask. He doesn’t “man-up,” but instead blames his staff.

Here’s more of the story, click.

Representative Charlie Rangel (D-NY)

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