Village Insider | Vol. V | January 2022

Volume V

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January 2022

Happy New Year to everyone! Hopefully you are enjoying this special time of the year. Our Village has dealt with many tough issues this past year, and we have also been blessed so much in return. We know that some among us have lost loved ones, and we know how difficult this season can be. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so proud to be the mayor of this beautiful Village. I am proud of the many wonderful people in it and the kindness you have shown during these trying times. This community is full of people that give unselfishly of their money and their time. Thank you!

Mayor Lynn Crawford

We look forward to 2022 with optimism as we anticipate the completion of many different projects that are in progress and are scheduled to be completed. Be on the lookout for the completion of the sewer rehab project along with more to come for Grindstone Lake and Alto Lake, the White Mountain Recreation area, Moon Mountain development, Workforce Housing developments and much more.

Be confident in your Village finances and our water resources, we know that we have to be good stewards of your trust, and it is all visible on the Village website. Here’s to 2022 and all it has to offer.

See you at the ice-skating rink at Wingfield!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mayor Lynn Crawford

VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETINGS

Recent Actions

November 22nd Special Council Meeting of the Governing Body: » Approved Ratification of Amendment to Real Property Lease Agreement with the State of New Mexico’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to Build a Magistrate Court in Ruidoso.

November 29th Special Council Meeting of the Governing Body: » Adopted Ordinance 2021-08, an Ordinance Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Loan Agreement to the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) Up to $1,500,000 for Purpose of Financing, Constructing, and Equipping a Magistrate Court Facility. » Approved Award of Magistrate Court Building Project to Bradbury Stamm Construction and to Authorize the Execution of Agreements with Sub-Contractors, in the Amount of $6,154,774.00, Including Gross Receipts Tax. 1

At the December 14th Regular Council Meeting of the Governing Body: »

Mayor Lynn D. Crawford Proclaimed 2021 as “The Year of the Warriors.”

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Approved Reconstruction and Minor Realignment of Center Street, in the Amount of $395,900.00, Including Gross Receipts Tax through Cooperative Educational Services (CES) Contract #2021-12-R214ALL with Renegade Construction, LLC.

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Approved Contract with Miller Engineering, Inc. DBA Souder, Miller, & Associates for Professional Services for Master Planning and Rate Analysis.

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Approved Contract with Molzen-Corbin & Associates, Inc. for Professional Services for Master Planning and Rate Analysis.

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Approved Final Grindstone Canyon and Reservoir Master Plan. Approved Request from Mesa Apartments, LLC for Participation in a Land Lease Agreement for the Affordable Housing Development at Brown Tract 2, in the Airport Tracts; 1100 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso, New Mexico.

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Approved Grant Agreement No. 2019-008-VOR-002-A1 between the Village of Ruidoso and the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the Severe Winter Storm Disaster Declaration.

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Approved Addition of a Safety Officer Position for the Village of Ruidoso.

Ruidoso Village Council Members

Rifle Salas – Mayor Pro Tem, Susan Lutterman, Dr. Gary Jackson, Tim Coughlin, Joe Eby, John Cornelius

THE YEAR OF THE WARRIORS! At the recent Village Council meeting, Mayor Lynn Crawford proclaimed 2021 as “The Year of the Warriors” in honor of the Ruidoso High School Warrior football team that recently competed for the 4-A State Championship. Under Head Coach Kief Johnson, the Warriors displayed their never-give-up attitude and demonstrated mental toughness and true sportsmanship. Although they came up short in the title game, the Village of Ruidoso is incredibly proud of their incredible season which ended with them being the 4-A Football State Championship Runner-up.

It’s Great to be a Warrior!

2021 Senior Warriors 7 8 14 17 18 21 23 27 31

Griffin Hooker Nickoli Apachito Camden Johnston Braxton Fox Michael Widener Christian Montes David Sanchez Bracxton Hall Mikey Sandoval 2

34 46 54 64 68 69 73 77 88

Michael Chavez Brantley Tercero Thomas Kazhe-Hernandez Julius Espinoza Devin Randolph Alex Mendoza Makya Cowie Jarmin Lester Logan Lewis

RUIDOSO COMMUNITY CENTER GETS MUCH NEEDED UPGRADES The Ruidoso Community Center, which is over 50-years-old, is an older building in need of renovation. Recently, Community Center staff has been able to obtain grants through the New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Capital Outlay Department to restore the building to optimal standards.

Some of the grant applications that were applied for and received are as follows: » Rooftop Replacement: $175,000 » Lobby Tile Replacement: $12,800 » Dining Room Tile Replacement: $19,777 » HVAC Addition: $49,200 In addition to the grants obtained through the NM Aging & Long-Term Services Department, the Village of Ruidoso has supplemented the Community Center with additional funding which has been used for the following: » Sidewalk addition around the center: $6,600 » Stucco repair and paint with gutter additions: $59,986 » Office space remodel: $13,555 » Exterior LED lighting: $3,000 The Ruidoso Community Center has improved dramatically from its previous deteriorated state. The renovations have brought the building back to prime standards making it a much more enjoyable and safer environment for the patrons that utilize the center. In addition to safety, the renovations have added great curb appeal to the Village of Ruidoso.

RUIDOSO POLICE DEPARTMENT & RUIDOSO FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZE SIMON GOMEZ FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE AT ALBERTSON’S The Ruidoso Police Department and the Ruidoso Fire Department along with Councilor Joe Eby recently honored Simon Gomez of Albertson’s Market. Simon is a familiar face in our community where he has greeted customers with his smiling face and upbeat attitude at Albertson’s for the past 20 years. A big thank you to Sabor and Pizza Hut for their generous gifts that helped us celebrate Simon!

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ON THE BALLOT: The GO Bond For Improving the VOR Water On the March 2022 ballot will be a question asking voters to authorize $3 million of General Obligation (GO) bonds. All registered voters who reside within the boundaries of the Village of Ruidoso limits may vote on the bond question. The question will read as follows:

Shall the Village of Ruidoso issue up to $3,000,000 of General Obligation bonds to be repaid from property taxes, for the purpose of enlarging, improving, and/or extending the production and distribution components of the Village’s water system.

Will the New Bonds Increase My Taxes?

Residents of Ruidoso WILL NOT see an increase in taxes with the continuation of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Bond Program. This program was designed to set the mill levy rate (property tax rate) to ensure continual approval of $3 million at each election. By getting voter approval on a GO Bond every two years, the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program can continue without increasing property taxes.

What Improvements Has the Village Completed with Previous GO Bond Proceeds?

Ruidoso has utilized previous GO Bonds to complete several critical projects. These projects include replacement of approximately 6 miles of undersized and degraded waterlines. These replacement projects have decreased water loss by 50-100 million gallons each year and increased our preparedness for fire by upgrading waterline sizes and replacing fire hydrants. Additional distribution system improvements include the Country Club storage tank replacement and two distribution system interconnects which allows the Village to move water from our Alto Crest Treatment Plant on Eagle Creek to other areas of town. Eagle Creek is the Village’s primary source of water. By improving the distribution of water from this source, the Village has reduced the need to lease and/ or purchase additional water rights. To increase water supplied from Eagle Creek, the Village has utilized GO Bond funding to upgrade the Alto Crest Treatment Plant which will be completed in March 2022.

VOTE

UPCOMING EVENTS

As we move into the new year here are some upcoming events around town: January 1 New Year’s Day January 1 White Mountain Christmas at Flying J Ranch January 5 & 12 & 19: Youth Disc Golf Camp at Wingfield Park

January 15 Last day to vote on the Christmas Light Contest on the Discover Ruidoso mobile app January 16 Last day to see the lights at Wingfield Park January 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 21 Conjunto Primavera at the Inn of the Mountain Gods January 23 & 30 Smart Start Basketball at Horton Gym February 2 Lincoln County Day Reception in Santa Fe

Visit DiscoverRuidoso.com for a full list of events.

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CHAMBER CHAT from Executive Director Deb Douds We had a fantastic Festival of Lights Parade and After-party. We would like to thank all the businesses and individuals that participated in the parade. There were so many awesome floats, and everyone was very creative.

The judges for the 2021 Festival of Lights Parade had a very difficult time this year - but the results are in!

Aaaand the winners are…. » 1st Place Float – Canyon Hideaway & Escape » 2nd Place Float – Ruidoso Animal Clinic » 3rd Place Float Coalora Outlaws 4-H Club » 1st Place Decorated Vehicle Christmas with Eddie, WX Septic Services » 2nd Place Decorated Vehicle Downs Towing » 3rd Place Decorated Vehicle Hailey Bigmouth, Miss Mescalero Apache

Canyon Hideaway & Escape took home the 1st Place prize overall for the 2021 Festival of Lights Parade

I would also like to thank the Ruidoso Police Department and the Ruidoso Fire Department. Without their help, we would not be able to put this parade on.

One more thank you to the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department and the Village of Ruidoso. They went above and beyond with their help of the Parade After-Party and with all the beautiful lights and decorations in Wingfield Park and around the entire Village. It takes a Village, and we’re extremely fortunate that we have such an awesome Village!

REMINDER: Lincoln County Day in Santa Fe – February 2, 2022 We encourage all Chamber members and area businesses to join us in representing the voice of our community at the Chamber’s annual “Lincoln County Day in Santa Fe” on February 2, 2022. There will be a Chamber hosted reception with Legislators at 5:30 pm at the Drury Plaza Hotel. This is your opportunity to talk to our Legislators about any of your concerns. The reception is $40 in advance or $50 at the door. If you are interested in sponsoring a legislator or table or having an informational display, please contact the Chamber at 575-257-7395. The Chamber has a block of rooms reserved for February 1st and 2nd at the Drury Plaza Hotel. Contact the Chamber if you would like to reserve a room at the Drury Plaza Hotel for this event.

We would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. We will continue to work to make this a better place to live, work, and play in 2022!

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RUIDOSO MIDTOWN ASSOCIATION UPDATE from Director Kendra King What an exciting month it has been! Wingfield Park was packed with families and friends for the Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony, and Midtown was lined with smiling faces and giggling children for the Festival of Lights Parade. It is such a wonderful time of the year to be in Ruidoso!

We frequently get asked the question what is the Ruidoso Midtown Association (RMA)? RMA is a non-profit organization established in 2017, and our mission is to promote the economic, cultural and historic enhancement of the traditional commercial Midtown district in the Village of Ruidoso. Our goal is to undertake endeavors to maintain a livable, walkable and recreationally vibrant Midtown district. We are a fully accredited program backed by the National Main Street program. We follow a fourpoint targeted approach focused on design, organization, economic vitality and promotions.

I personally became involved with the Garrett Thompson and son Brett enjoy Christmas in the Park at Wingfield Park organization in 2018 as a volunteer. It has been an honor to work with people across the community on a large variety of projects including the giant murals and the commons plaza.

We worked with the Village to oversee the sidewalk improvements and work closely with the Parks & Recreation Department (they are the real MVPs!) to target areas that need improvements like remodeling old and building new bathrooms, updated seating benches, snow removal plans and new light poles being installed in January. That project will start mid-January and will be completed before Spring Break. No construction will take place on Fridays, through the weekends or on holiday weekends.

Please feel free to contact Kendra King (575-973-0967/kendraeking@gmail.com) or any board member with your ideas, questions or concerns. We appreciate any and all community involvement.

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

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Christmas in the Mountains Christmas in the mountains

Reminds us of a world together

What a sight to see

And of prayers on our minds

A feeling of Yuletide

The lights of luminaries

That’s the way it should be

That send us on our way

Celebrating the birth of Christ

Gives a message to everyone

Spread the message of cheer

To kneel down and pray

It’s the way we show our love

Hold in your heart this night

As we feel His presence near

And ask for His help

A single walk through Bethlehem

For all those less fortunate

Reminds us how often

That He grant them a stronger step

We should listen to His message

For Christmas in the pines

That is spoken so soften

Was put here for a reason

The sign of the manger

To strengthen one and another

Laying beneath the pines

Throughout the Holy season

By Frank Potter

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WITH THE

M AY O R

Every Monday nday ery Mo Ev m 10am 8am to 10a Tune-in to Mondays with the Mayor every Monday morning from 8:00 - 10:00 AM. Mayor Crawford is always full of information about the latest happenings in the Village, and he loves to take your calls and questions on-air! Give him a call at 575-258-5784!

A musical show highlighting local talent and a variety of genres.

Host: Tradd Tidwell

Get the most up-to-date local news in the Village of Ruidoso on 1490 KRUI - The Mountain!