Village Insider | Vol. XVI | December 2022

Hello all, hoping this finds you happy, well, and energized for this joyous Christmas season. The Village is all aglow with signs of the season, smiles on faces of loved ones we have missed, and memories of those we have lost. Be mindful of those less fortunate, be kind to strangers, and welcoming to all our visitors.

The year brought us many hurdles including COVID, the McBride Fire and the subsequent flooding, and through it all we have flourished. Ruidosoans have pride in our community with a spirit of giving and caring for others, that is a big part of our success. Thank you to all that have given so much of your time volunteering and for your financial support.

The Village is blessed to have such wonderful people working in our ranks, talented, mindful people with purpose. Thank you to our fantastic Council. These are truly selfless individuals with a deep commitment to this community.

At the Village we are goal-oriented, and it is visible all around us. So many projects have been completed and many are still in process, well over 60 to date. I hope while reading this you have a sense of pride and warmth for your Village. The Ruidoso Insider is meant to keep you engaged and up to speed with what’s happening, and to show that we are being good stewards of your trust and money. Our goal is to maintain that trust and to improve on our past. Soon we will be presenting the State of the Village, it will be eye-opening and informative, so please plan to tune in.

On the tourism front, I want to share that the Village of Ruidoso recently won the 2022 TopHat Award for Best Broadcast Campaign for our TV campaign called “Building Traditions”. The award was presented to Kerry Gladden and Alden Gilligan of The Agency at the New Mexico Hospitality Association’s annual dinner in Albuquerque.

Secretary

Enjoy the season, renew your faith, and take part in all that the Village has to offer, and it will be a wonderful end to the year. Remember to tune in to Mondays with the Mayor every Monday from 8:00 -10:00 AM. You can find it on 1490 AM - The Mountain, or stream it live at 1490Krui.com.

My prayer is for God to bless you and our wonderful Village - Merry Christmas!

Mayor Lynn Crawford

Mayor Lynn Crawford

of Tourism Jen Schroer with Kerry Gladden and Alden Gilligan of The Agency.

VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETINGS Recent Actions

At the November 8, 2022, Regular Council Meeting, the Governing Body:

» Approved Ratification of Local Driving While Intoxicated (LDWI) Grant Agreement for the County DWI Program No. 23-D-G-15 with the State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration Local Division to Support Programs, Services and Activities to Reduce the Incidence of Driving While Intoxicated, Alcoholism, and Alcohol Abuse in New Mexico, in the Amount of $58,129.49.

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» Approved Grant Agreement No. A22G2019-G553 with the State of New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Capital Outlay Department to Purchase New Commercial Kitchen Equipment for the Ruidoso Community Center, in the Amount of $32,826.00.

» Approved Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the New Mexico State Land Office and the Village of Ruidoso to Facilitate Joint Efforts to Develop, Fund, and Implement Projects to Promote Resilient Forest and Watershed Conditions, Mitigate Post-Fire Risks to Life and Values at Risk, Reduce Wildland Fuels, Maintain Soil Health, Sustain Hydrologic Function, and Manage Noxious Plants on State Trust Lands within the Boundaries of the Village of Ruidoso.

» Adopted Resolution 2022-49, a Resolution Creating the Ruidoso Cultural and Natural History for the Purpose of Promoting Projects, Programs, Exhibitions, Policy, and Management Related to the Cultural and Natural History of the Village of Ruidoso and Region.

» Approved Purchase of Six (6) Dispatch Workstation Radios from Advanced Communications and Electronics in Accordance with the New Mexico State Contract #10-00000-20-00048 to be Installed in the Consolidated Dispatch Center at the Horton Complex, in the Amount of $330,335.96, Including Gross Receipts Tax.

» Adopted Resolution 2022-53, a Resolution Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Water Project Fund Loan/Grant Agreement by and between the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) and the Village of Ruidoso (Borrower), in the Total Amount of $1,697,281.00.

» Approved Intergovernmental Agreement #NMMS-2023-002 with State of New Mexico Economic Development Department for the Benefit of the Ruidoso Midtown Association, in the Amount of $80,000.00.

Ruidoso Village Council Members

Rifle Salas - Mayor Pro Tem

Susan Lutterman

Joe Eby

Gary Jackson

Tim Coughlin

Darren Hooker

Above & Beyond Above & Beyond

“Mayor and Members of the Village Council:

My name is Laurin Prather and I live in Lubbock, Texas and have owned property in Ruidoso for over 40 years. The reason for this letter is to inform you that I had an incident last week of some uninvited people living in my houses.

I have been a certified economic developer for over 30 years and have worked with or in over 40 communities over the years.

We called the police and they were there immediately and I have never been around any police that were more professional, dedicated, or respectful than your officers. They removed the people and did a complete forensic analysis of the two properties. Even to offer to come back to clear the properties the next morning.

They give true meaning to the phrase “Protect and Serve.”

Sincerely, Laurin Prather”

PARKS & RECREATION

Thank you and yours for not only working day and night to repair the broken pipe and coming back to help me clean my property from the damage. They were great and I do appreciate all you and the crew did for me.

Thanks so much!

Gerald Anderson”

Keep Ruidoso Beautiful: Clean Up of Yard Waste

Fall is the season for building mindfulness and resilience. With summer days behind us, we are facing new challenges. Pine needles are falling rapidly, and the winter chill is upon us. Please remember that all private residences and businesses are subject to Village of Ruidoso ordinances. Maintain your yards without impacting neighboring lots, public right-of-way, or streets. Code enforcement is inundated with calls of leaf blowers displacing pine needles. Please ensure proper disposal of all yard waste accumulated from your property. Pine needles can be hauled off or placed next to the dumpster sites. Do not put them under electrical power lines as the grapple trucks cannot reach them there.

Public Works does a great job of keeping drainage ways clear, but we cannot catch all illegal dumpers. Drainage blockages cause flooding, leading to property damage downstream. Our goal is to gain compliance with locals instead of ticketing our citizens. Pine needles can cause water pollution by blocking sewer drain flow. Also, pine needle build-up near structures can be a fire hazard.

The Village of Ruidoso has enacted municipal codes that prevent property owners from blowing leaves and pine needles into the right-of-way. This action is considered illegal dumping and can carry fines of up to $500. Violators may be charged in Municipal Court under Section 70-5, which relates to unlawful dumping and disposal of yard waste.

Finally, lawn service companies must obtain a business registration annually and adhere to all Village ordinances.

“Adam Sanchez and your hard working water line crew:

We love it when VOR employees go above and beyond to make a positive impression on visitors and residents alike!

Winter Storm Plan

The Village of Ruidoso’s Winter Storm Plan is designed to provide coordination of the response to incidents of winter storm(s) that result in impacts on the Village. The plan details the responsible departments, departmental equipment, communications, activation processes, and overall operations.

The primary objectives of the plan include:

» Keep Village roads, sidewalks, walking trails, and river trails open, clear, and safe

» Ensure the continuance of essential services following major inclement weather by clearing accumulated snowfall

» Provide a uniform plan, or level of service, to be followed during emergency snow and ice storms

The plan provides Village staff with the ability to address the plan objectives in an organized manner, down to the tricky details of developing the plowing routes list, the plowing process, and the process of initiating activation of the identified operation. As a community resident or visitor, you may be most interested in the primary routes to be plowed. Please know that the Village takes many components into consideration when it comes to developing the primary routes, including school bus routes, state highways, collector streets, and neighborhood streets throughout the Village. If you are interested in seeing the plow routes, you can view the entire plan on the Village website (www.Ruidoso-NM.gov).

*Redundancy in the flow of information is built into the plan for monitoring purposes.

Workforce Housing Update

Mechem Meadows, the Village’s workforce housing project located at 1114 Mechem Drive, is progressing quickly now that the rains have stopped. The infrastructure is in place, and final lot elevations and concrete footings are being constructed in preparation for the delivery of the 18 homes. One of the homes will be placed at 99 Sunny Slope Drive, Ruidoso, NM, to be used for workforce housing. The Property Manager for the Village of Ruidoso will be in contact with those wishing to occupy these homes and will vet them according to set criteria. Priority will be given to those that are still displaced by the McBride Fire.

Elk Meadows Apartments, located at 1104 Mechem Meadows Drive, will be reapplying to the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Company for the 9% tax credit allocation in January 2023.

Village Staff is working closely with the developer, Mesa Apartments, to update the application in an effort to be more competitive during the next cycle. The intent is to develop approximately 55 units to include an active community center for residents. Community Development Director Samantha Serna is working with Region 9 and ENMU-R to develop services that could be provided to residents at the development’s community center. Services may include health, wellness, childcare, and adult literacy.

RUIDOSO MIDTOWN ASSOCIATION UPDATE

From the Desk of Executive Director Kendra King

Hello December! It’s hard to believe that we are already in the last month of the year!

Coming out of the pandemic has challenged us all in different ways, yet here we are, gearing up for a brand new year.

It has been particularly exciting this past year to see all of the updates and renovations taking place in Midtown. The building that formerly housed the Irish pub came back to life with the Noisy Water Winery crew. The Kawlija’s building is starting to look like a new mall in the making, and Casey’s Cabins saw extensive construction and remodeling. Dream Catcher’s has a new owner and is in the process of a transformation. Rebecca’s, which sat vacant for some time, will be demolished soon, and there are grand plans to fill that space. The MainStreet District has received JR Bill Senate funding for facade improvements and more than $200,000 in grant monies will be distributed to qualified stakeholders that apply for these funds. Expect to see many new and exciting improvements throughout Midtown.

This year’s Midtown Trick or Treat once again did not disappoint! The area was packed with families in costumes having a great time. We rolled 257 pumpkins down Eagle Drive and saw 12 teams compete in the coffin race. A big thank you to the Midtown merchants who are so generous with their efforts to give back to our community.

RMA will be hosting our annual Ugly Sweater Business Mixer on December 15th at Quarters Bar & Grill. We will have great entertainment and a raffle to raise funds for the Midtown Association - everyone is welcome!

I would like to express my appreciation to the Village and all of its departments for upholding a high standard of operation, and the support it provides to all its organizations, businesses, and private citizens. The Parks and Rec staff is simply amazing with all that they do. The Agency does an incredible job producing this newsletter and providing a platform for getting information out to the community. Also, thank you to those that have reached out and contacted me.

Please feel free to contact me or any board member.

Kendra King, Executive Director 575-973-0967 | director@ruidosomidtownassociation.com

RMA 2021 Ugly Sweater Mixer

Follow the Ruidoso Midtown Association on Facebook for regular posts and updates.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE

From the Desk of Executive Director

Deborah Douds

Season’s Greetings from the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce! With this holiday season upon us, we are thankful for all our wonderful Chamber members and the beautiful Village we live in. We are excited about this year’s Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday, December 3rd at 5:30 PM. The theme will be Star Wars “Christmas in the Stars.” Let your imagination run wild, and let’s see some great floats! We are working with the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department on the After Party in Wingfield Park to make this year’s event fun for everyone!

Festival of Lights Parade

As you begin your holiday shopping, please remember to shop locally. See if there is a local business that can offer the goods and services you seek. Commit to spending a portion of your holiday budget at a local business, and frequent a local restaurant while you’re shopping. Another way to support our local businesses is to give them digital love! Check in on Facebook to increase their exposure, post photos of your favorite items, like and follow local businesses, and leave a positive review on Facebook, Google, or Yelp. This year, think outside the box for gifts! Give presents such as gift certificates to a nail salon or hairdresser. Movie or theater tickets also make excellent gifts, and who wouldn’t like to receive a gift certificate to a spa for a massage or facial? We have so many great local businesses that would love to help ensure that everyone on your list gets the perfect gift!

Congratulations to ENMU-Ruidoso on the opening of their new entrance! The Chamber helped them celebrate with a Ribbon Cutting on November 16, 2022. If you are interested in attending classes, registration is now open, with spring classes starting on January 17, 2023.

Each year during the Legislative Session, the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce holds a Legislative Reception in Santa Fe. This year, the reception will be Wednesday, February 1st at the Drury Plaza Inn. This reception is your chance to speak one-on-one with our legislators and Cabinet Secretaries and their staff. It is important for Lincoln County residents to attend this reception and help make our voices heard in Santa Fe. Please consider joining us!. Advance tickets are $50. Contact us for more information or to help sponsor this event.

We are always busy here at the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce helping to make Ruidoso and Lincoln County a better place to live, work, and play. If you would like to become a member of the Chamber, helping to support the organization that supports this community, please contact us. We wish everyone a holiday season filled with love and peace. Remember, sometimes the gift of kindness can be the greatest gift of all.

December EVENTS

DECEMBER 1:

• Christmas in the Park, Wingfield Park

DECEMBER 2:

• White Mountain Christmas, Flying J Ranch (other dates available throughout the holiday season)

DECEMBER 3:

• Festival of Lights Parade and After Party, Midtown Ruidoso and Wingfield Park

• Country Christmas Bazaar, Lincoln County Fairgrounds

• The Hamilton’s, Hidden Tap

DECEMBER 6:

• Office of the State Engineer “Water Rights,” and The Entrepreneurial Equation by Karen Rounds, Ruidoso Public Library

DECEMBER 9:

• Doso Dirtbags, Hidden Tap

DECEMBER 10:

• Doso Dirtbags, Lost Hiker Brewing Company

DECMBER 14:

• Ruidoso Writer’s Group, Ruidoso Public Library

DECEMBER 15:

• Outsmart the Scammers by Karen Rounds, Ruidoso Public Library

DECEMBER 17:

• Regional Housing Fair

• The Nutcracker, The Spencer Theater

• Zas Festival, Ruidoso Convention Center

DECEMBER 18:

• The Nutcracker, The Spencer Theater

• Zas Festival, Ruidoso Convention Center

DECEMBER 20:

• Office of the State Engineer “Water Rights,” Ruidoso Public Library

DECEMBER 28:

• Ruidoso Writer’s Group, Ruidoso Public Library

DECEMBER 31:

• Ring it Inn New Year’s Celebration, Inn of the Mountain Gods

• New Year’s Eve Throwback Party, Enchanted Vine by Noisy Water Winery

• New Year’s Eve Party, WPS

• New Year’s Eve Dinner/Party/Dance, Sacred Grounds

• Terry Bullard, Cree Meadows Country Club

• NYE Menu, Michael J’s

• NYE Celebration, Hidden Tap

Airport 575-336-8111

Convention Center 575-258-5445

Judicial 575-257-9055

Library 575-258-3704

Parks & Recreation 575-257-5030

Police 575-258-7365

Fire 575-257-3473

Regional

Senior Center 575-257-4565

Solid Waste 575-257-1502

Street Works 575-257-6023

Water

Water Production 575-257-5525

Water Rights/Watershed (RJU) 575-258-6913 www.Ruidoso-NM.gov

HUMAN RESOURCES

Eric Boyda Leaves VOR After Years of Working to Improve Watershed

Eric Boyda, Water Resources Director, resigned from his position with the Village of Ruidoso effective this month. Eric has accepted a position out of state that will allow him to be closer to his family. He has been a huge asset to the Village of Ruidoso, managing the Village’s water rights portfolio, which enhances the efficiency of our water distribution system. A steward of our natural resource system, he has worked diligently to improve our watershed.

Overseeing all the projects related to our water production department and wastewater treatment plant, Eric also conducts biological assessments for other projects within the Village of Ruidoso. He seeks funding sources for water projects and works closely with several agencies throughout New Mexico, such as the Office of the State Engineer and the New Mexico Environment Department. Eric is the chair of the watershed committee and serves many other committees as well. Working with the Village of Ruidoso since 2016, his knowledge and experience have been invaluable. The advances he has made for the Village have been significant, and he will be missed.

Thank you, Eric, for the contributions you have made to our community, and good luck on your new journey!

Minner Named Deputy Chief at RPD

Ruidoso Police Department’s Lieutenant Steve Minner has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Police. Deputy Chief Minner started his career with the Capitan Police Department, where he worked for three years. He then transitioned to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, where he spent the next seven years. In 2012, Minner started working at the Ruidoso Police Department, successfully working his way up through the ranks.

He has played a critical role assisting the Chief of Police with positive improvements to the department. Throughout Deputy Chief Minner’s career, he has earned several instructor certifications and has a passion for teaching other officers. He is looking forward to continuing his law enforcement career in his new position.

Congratulations Deputy Chief Minner!

Christmas Mountains

in the by: Frank Potter

Christmas in the mountains

What a sight to see

A feeling of Yule tide

That’s the way it should be Celebrating the birth of Christ

Spread the message of cheer It’s the way we show our love

As we feel His presence near A single walk through Bethlehem Reminds us how often

We should listen to His message

That is spoken so softly

The sight of the manger Laying beneath the pines Reminds us of a world together

And of prayers on our minds

The lights of luminaries That send us on our way

Gives a message to everyone

To kneel down and pray Hold in your heart this night

And ask for His help

For all of those less fortunate That He grant them a stronger step For Christmas in the pines Was put here for a reason To strengthen one and another Throughout the holy season

Eric Boyda

Deputy Chief Minner