CAPITAN VILLAGE HALL NEWS

Folks who've lived here since the earth cooled tell me the parade was the best they've ever seen. Friends of Smokey dropped the parade in the Village's lap. Thankfully the Chamber jumped in and saved the day. Salted within the over 80 great entries were Congressmen Steve Pierce and my friend, the Grand Marshall, Ben Leslie. Thanks to the Chamber, and the rodeo board. You both made our town look good. It was a great 4th.

A number of folks have asked how to join Friends of Smokey. They tell me they've tried to join and can't get a response. On July 7th, I wrote Friends of Smokey asking to join, they did not respond. It must be a Secret Clan of the Bear that you have to be born into. Is it fear that more members would result in a real vote and a real vote would in turn upset the Clan's balance of power? People will join, there will be a vote and the Clan's balance of power will be upset. For those interested in joining, you can reach the president of Friends of Smokey at 937-2702. Call her, join, get your tag, and let's go Bear hunting. It's time to get a new high priestess of the Dead Bear Clan.

Village Hall could get three times the work done if we didn't have, to deal with people who have too much time on their hands. Idle hands are the devil's. . . well, you know. This week we received a copy of a letter from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (not an official government body) to Assistant Attorney General Albert Luna. The letter was a complaint to the Attorney General. The letter says, "Rose Barton, a resident of Capitan, complained, that no agenda was posted in the glass enclosed bulletin board outside Village Hall. " The Village clerk posted the agenda on the front door. Break a sweat Rose, walk over and look, it was only four feet away.

The letter also stated; "Doris Cherry, a reporter for the Lincoln County News, noted the same omission... " This hard-hitting, fast breaking exclusive piece of journalism appeared July 10th in the Lincoln County News. The story was front page, above the fold with a headline, "Capitan Meeting Notices Absent". (Somebody start a real newspaper down here - Please!)

The most egregious violation was found in paragraph 7. "On April 9, the minutes show, the council approved a motion by Trustee Whitaker to add "Blue Ribbon Proclamation to the agenda. The council then approved the motion by Mr. Whitaker to declare April 22-28 Blue Ribbon Week " Blue ribbon week is an anti-violence program.

In John's defense, I put this on the agenda. The Mayor has the power to write proclamations but I wanted to show the kids the entire Board of Trustee's was behind them, along with giving them the experience of public speaking and working with our government. I do not speak for the Trustee's but I offer no apologies or excuses and I'm pretty sure the Trustee's do not either. The children got this to me at the last minute and we put it on the agenda. If it happens again, I promise, I'll do the same. Our board of Trustees has a heart for our children. The vote was unanimous. To the complaining Tearful-Twins, just fan the flames of discontent and we will continue to light our candle from your flame. I understand you have trouble with my agenda, but I'm having no trouble recognizing yours.

In the past few months we've had a rash of burglaries and attempted burglaries. The Barbecue Place (twice), Enchantment Propane, Hall's Automotive, the Library, Christ Community Fellowship, our Senior Center, Dr. Seidel and the Shell station have all been victims. These business owners are our friends and neighbors. They work 12 and 14 hour days, provide jobs, pay taxes, attend our weddings and funerals, support our local school and civic programs and wave when they pass us on the street. A local, not someone passing through, is victimizing them. Our police tell me they could be close to relocating this person to Carrizozo since one of their "close friends" is trying to save their own skin. This burglar, too lazy to work has stolen from our friends, our businesses, our library, our church, and our elderly. If you have information on these crimes call Ruidoso/Lincoln County Crimestoppers at 258-7300. There's a $500 reward on this guy's head. You can "drop a dime" on this thief, get him out of our town, and he'll never know who gave him up. Do you think the little thief is squirming with the thought one of his friends would burn him to the ground for less then Crimestoppers is offering? Let's throw this thief to the curb, he does not belong here with hard working people. Make the call. If you know who he is, your neighbors will thank you.

On a more compassionate community minded note, one that represents the majority and not the minority. There is currently underway a fundraiser for the Feuerstein family. They recently lost their son Jeremy. That means we lost a village son. What kind of place is it that grown men would cry openly over the loss of a teenager? What kind of a place is it a business would close to say good-bye to that child? What kind of place is it that a child could touch the Chief of Police causing him to write a poem about his feelings toward that child? Thank God, it's the kind of place you and I live.

I hung up the phone and bowed my head, My thoughts were runnin' wild, The news was bad, a boy has died, It was a local child.	I said, "that's good, I'm proud of you," Then he left with a wave and a smile.
Jeremy wasn't your average kid, He had a special style. Whenever I passed him on the street, He'd wave and then he'd smile.	I'd see him working' in our town, Rakin' leaves into a pile, He said, "I'm makin' money." Then he'd wave, and then he'd smile.
He'd ride his bike or walk to school, He said, "I'll have a car in awhile."	I know were gonna' miss him, He's gone that extra mile. But I know he's waitin' in heaven', With his wave and with his smile.

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I am your Animal Control Officer. I am not the "Dog Catcher" or the "murderer" you call me.

I'm not the one who allows your pet to roam the streets, to contract diseases from other free-roaming animals, to be hit by passing motorists or poisoned by rotting garbage. I am the one who must look into those sick, pain-glazed eyes, try to remove the animal without causing it further pain and then humanely "put it to sleep" to put an end to its suffering.

I'm not the one who allows your pets to breed, then dumps the unwanted puppies and kittens on the roadsides and in shelters. I'm the one who must find -the tiny animals before they die of starvation, exposure or disease and as an act of mercy, exterminate them.

It hurts me to be forced to kill hundreds of thousands of animals each year, but because of your irresponsibility, I have no choice.

I'm not the one who abandons unwanted animals on farm roads, telling myself some friendly farmer will surely taken them in and give them a good home. But I am the one who picks up the frightened animal who waits in vain for its beloved master, wondering why it has been abandoned. I am the one who must help that friendly farmer trap, tranquilize or kill that animal because it has begun to roam in packs with other abandoned hungry animals, killing livestock, fowl and game.

I am not the one who breeds and fights dogs in the name of "sport". But I'm the one who fights the breeders and participants, and must pick up the dead and dying animals that have been left behind.

I'm not the one who keeps a pet confined in an area too small--without food, water, shelter or exercise. But I must deal with the irresponsible owner who does.

I'm not the one who refuses to spend time and money to keep up regular inoculations that all pets require. But I am the one who must pick up the sick animal that is dying of a preventable disease.

So remember, the next time your child is bitten by a stray dog, your trash is dumped and scattered, your pet is lost, stolen, poisoned or hit by a car, it is the Animal Control Officer you call--not the "dog catcher."    

The next time your pet is picked up, or you are cited for neglecting or abusing it, remember that I am only trying to get you to fulfill your responsibility to your pet, your neighbors and yourself.

Do not scorn me. Respect me, for I am the product of your irresponsibility.