Village of Capitan, New Mexico Village Hall News Page

Mayor's Report

Our nation is at war. It doesn't matter if you believe this war is justified and agree with our President or not, we're all in agreement that our thoughts and prayers be lifted up on behalf of those who serve and who's lives are in harms way.

No matter where you stand on this issue, this war has touch us all, in one-way or another, even in Capitan. Last week one of our own displayed a sign in front of his store that read "Veterans for Peace", stating he was against the war in Iraq. Two cowardly, lowlife, thugs who took exception to this man's opinion marched into his store, armed with baseball bats and began to push him around. These want-to-be tough guys pushed him to the floor and threatened if he didn't remove the sign they'd be back. Then they slipped away like sorry slithering slugs.

We in Capitan are a good, strong people. We're a people of many different opinions, colors, cultures, lifestyles, and belief's Even with all our diversities the one thing we all agree on is the concept of freedom. But freedom is not the right to do as you please, but the liberty to do as you ought. We believe in the freedom to voice our opinion and beliefs without being pushed around by shallow, one-dimensional hoods.

To those two punks who felt they wanted to play baseball with one of our citizens, I would say this. The gentleman you chose to attack is a veteran. He was one who stood ready to fight for your right to your opinion. It was men and women like him that protected the freedom you cowards enjoy today. I'm of the opinion that this war is justified but I'm angry two punks felt they needed to threaten someone who had a different opinion.

I couldn't be more opposed to Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, George Clooney, Rosie O'Donnell, or the Phil Donahue's. Not one of that bunch were willing to become a "human shield" when the US S Cole was bombed. Not one treaded water in the flames at Pearl Harbor, or burrowed into the sand at Iwo Jima. Not one were spit on after coming back from Nam. None of their names were among the list of those in body bags returning from Iraq. It wasn't some over paid TV personality rushing into the burning World Trade Center on September 11, to save people they didn't know. It was underpaid civil servants, firemen and policemen. If you want to see the real "human shields", and not those who want to put their face on TV and talk about it, walk through Arlington Cemetery. Those are the real heros, and some still walk among us. The people who deserve to be shielded are in tanks, planes and walking toward Baghdad.

To you punks who came into that man's store with your baseball bats because he has a different opinion, our Village say's "come on back". We'll need to call the police to direct traffic around the line of truck and cars of the good people that are not afraid of you or your bats. I'm sure you'll want the police to show up to that dance. Be very afraid if you decide to come back, our village is angry about your attempt to take our freedom away and we'll fight for that freedom. Come back and we shall introduce you to some real human shields of freedom, the good citizens of Capitan.

Forgive me for climbing on my soapbox. It's not the ups and downs of life that get to me - it's the jerks.

You may have noticed the flashing light going up in our school zone. Dr. Larry Miller and many, many others worked hard getting that light for the safety of our children. This Village worked over 30 years to get the light and I thank all that worked on that project. I'd name you but I only have two pages and I've already spent one spanking hoods. Everyone pulled together and got it done for the safety of our children, it was a good thing.

Another project we're working on and would like to have your help with, is the baseball field. Dan East of Cone Construction, the outfit that put our water project in, has given the school $4,000 for the baseball field. Dan, we're grateful for the gift. Our Village and kids thank you. We need lights, bleachers, grass, and to put the field in order for our kids to play ball. So if you have ideas let us know or call Dr. Miller at the school. I was thinking about putting together a softball team and challenging some of the other local merchants to a play off. Maybe the Flying Monkeys could have a team - now that would be fun. Each team could put in $ 100 and the winner could do something like name the field (we would have to run that by the school - my luck it would be Flying Monkey Field). Then I looked at my bunch at Village Hall and none of us look like much of a threat on the ball field. Can't you see me, the trustee's and the employees on the ball field, that alone would be worth coming to see. But we're willing to do it anyway if any of you are up to the challenge. I hope this project is done and in less then 30 years.

The rumor has come to me that some are talking about next budget year taking 10% away from our employee's pay. If this is not a rumor I'll go on record to say I'll fight that until the cows come home. If we're stupid enough to try that move, whoever is backing it needs to head to Santa Fe and get commissioned as a police officer, learn to be a village clerk, run the office, work the streets and water department. I've checked with other places our size and smaller and we're paying less then any of them. I've heard complaints about our guys driving the trucks home. Did you know we call them out from home, and we call them out a lot. I personality don't want to start paying mileage for each call we make. Our employee's don't charge mileage to run to the post office, and everywhere the village ask them to go. They don't charge overtime as the law says they can and should. At. times while -we sleep our people are in freezing water filled ditches so we can have a hot shower and coffee when we roll out. Instead of cutting their pay we might want to understand what these people do for us and thank them. We'd like you to believe it's the Mayor and Trustees that run the Village. I'm here to tell you it's the hard working employee's that have this place running smoothly. The real Mayor is your Village Clerk, the real people making the real decisions are those that come in early and leave late. So don't come crying to me about "lazy employee's". I see their work. I've noticed the people talking about the cuts in pay are never down there when the work is being done. So if anyone is planning on cutting anyone's wages let's get ready to fight, you know how I like to fight.

Steven M. Sederwall: Mayor

CAPITAN VILLAGE HALL NEWS