Letters to the Editor
Audit trail is missing
Editor:
When we attended the informational meeting in Quemado on April 8, we were told that voting at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 17, could not be done by machine. It appears that the machines cannot handle the multiple options for many of the proposed resolutions.
It is also our understanding that the most important vote of the co-op in many years might be done by voice or a show of hands instead of a paper ballot.
This is a concern for a couple of reasons.
First, it means that all attendees must remain until the voting is complete and verified. This could place an undue hardship on those attending from outlying areas. Second, there will be no audit trail in case any of the results are contested.
Even if the ballots must be counted by hand, we feel that a paper ballot is absolutely necessary.
Ann and Jim Dorough
Pie Town
Vote for the needed changes
Editor:
To all Socorro Electric Co-op member-owners: If you want to see our co-op board become the functional and frugal body that we hope for, please do two things:
1- Come to this Saturday’s (April 17) meeting before 7 p.m. and plan to stay until all the proposals are voted on.
2- Vote for the member-proposed options, most especially the proposal to reduce the size of the board to five members.
Let’s put an end to the old board once and for all.
Bob Merkel
Socorro
Still waiting on study info
Editor:
In reference to the article “Residents Protest Trailer Park” (El Defensor Chieftain, April 14) — quoting the Defensor Chieftain article: “Among the complaints outlined in the letter were that adequate public notice was not given and that nearby residents were not notified of the proposed development by certified letter prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing as is required by city regulations.”
I had a similar experience several years ago.
When I owned property north of Socorro, inside city limits, I was informed only by reading the City Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Agenda, published in the newspaper one day, that the property owner next to me was asking that his property be re-zoned commercial.
I had received no letter from the city and no contact was made to me by my neighbor.
You should have seen the surprised looks on my neighbor’s face and that of (the city zoning official) when I walked into the zoning meeting! I believe I made myself clear at that meeting, that I was not informed of any zoning changes wanting to be made and that the city was out of legal compliance with their own regulations by not doing so.
Again, to quote the Defensor Cheiftain from April 14: “ (Zoning officer Mike) Czosnek was not able to definitively answer the question of whether the certified letters had been sent as required to all residents within 100 feet of the proposed trailer park, as of Friday, April 9, but said he was confident he would be able to provide proof that it had been done”.
I say lots of luck with that … I’m still waiting after several years of being told that myself. That statement is getting a little old, isn’t it?
Bessie R. Tudor
Socorro
Thanks for making a difference
Editor:
As a representative of Probation Parole and Community Supervision Officers, of the 7th Judicial District, I would like to take advantage of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 11-17, to say thank you to the professionals whose decision-making and communications skills often make a lifesaving difference in an emergency situation.
Probation Parole and Community Supervision Officers, along with various agencies within the City and County of Socorro, recognize the hardworking, dedicated individuals who perform the job duties of the telecommunicator — the voice on the 911 telephone line and the radio that provides guidance, comfort and instructions to those in need.
We thank you for the hard work, the long hours, weekends and holidays you work to ensure police, fire and medical assistance can be provided to the citizens you serve.
On behalf of a grateful community, I thank you for helping to make the community a better place to live and work. As we honor you during this ‘National Public Safety Telecommunications Week,” I wish each and every one of you the very best.
Hilario J. Bernal
Juvenile Probation Parole Officer
Socorro