CAPITAN VILLAGE HALL NEWS

I've appointed Dr. Bernhard Reimann as the village Environmental Advisor. He's been a major player in obtaining grants and dragging me up to speed on many complex issues. He's a scientist with the ability to get the point across to a cowboy-mayor.

In an attempt to attract new money and jobs to the area, I've been talking to Foresight Energy Company, a California company that develops wind farms. These are the large fan type windmills seen in California and Texas. The company has been in the area studying the Capitan wind (no, I'm not talking about breakfast at the Smokey Bear).

For over 10 years, Capitan has been trying to get a flashing light in our Highway 380 school zone. You'd think since Billy the Kid has his own flashing yellow light on the same highway in Lincoln, warning the motoring public of tourist on open range, we in Capitan would have no problem getting the same flashing light to keep our children safe.

However, after dealing with the New Mexico Highway Department I've learned justification comes under the headings of road width, speed of vehicles, number of vehicles, and number of students crossing the road. Last week, after a number of phone calls from your mad-mayor, the highway department did a study. Today, I'm told we didn't meet their standards and wouldn't be allowed to have a light. The news served only to ratchet up, my already warm temperature. I believe it's wise to have a light in Lincoln to keep tourists from Cut and Shoot, Texas (real town) off the hood of a ranch truck, I also believe our children should be afforded the same safety.

This is where you can step up to help your community. I'd like for everyone in your family, your friends, neighbors, everyone you know to write a letter to Governor Johnson. In this letter ask for a flashing light in our school zone and be BOLD. Is it asking too much for our children to be safe while walking to school? Write your letter and place in an envelope and bring it to Village Hall, we'll take care of the rest. Address the letter to;


I've also met with State Representative Dan Foley on this issue. I'll not give up if you'll help me. Together we can make changes, even in Santa Fe. As your mayor I'll make enough noise they'll give me a light just to shut me up. Please help. I need your letter by the end of May. Let's drive them into submission in Santa Fe. It's a rule that needs to be changed for the safety of our children. If all else fails we'll saddle up and I'll lead the posse to hig J k Billy's light. After all it's for our kids, so let's protect them.

Adios,

Steven M. Sederwall; Mayor