Letters to the Editor
Annual ritual bigger and better
Editor:
You may have noticed that the old “M” looks a bit straighter and brighter after its 100-year birthday party. Giving the “M” a facelift and a new coat of paint is no small effort. This year nearly 600 people participated in the annual ritual and they all deserve a big “thank you!”
Of course the vast majority of the participants every year are the students. The project began a few weeks ago, when students taking Mineral Engineering 220, Surveying and Map Preparation, re-surveyed the “M.” They staked out the corners of the big block letter so the edges would be well defined. The Physics, Sorority and Fraternity clubs helped with the organizing and execution of the event.
This year, 405 students and 41 local residents, alumni and staff members made the 2.5-mile climb. They delivered 50 sacks of lime to the base of the “M.” “Painting the M” is a lot like going to school at New Mexico Tech; it’s challenging and takes a lot of hard work, but well worth the effort.
As always, the first 20 students to reach the top with lime won cash prizes. Thanks to a generous donation from Tech graduate Jerry Miracle, we were able to increase the prizes this year.
In addition to the students, an additional 75 faculty, staff and community members helped plan, organize, execute and clean-up the event. For the most part these folks were elbow-to-elbow with the students, making the effort to “get ‘er done.”
As always, the unsung heroes of the outing are the men and women of the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center. For weeks in advance of the event supplies are ordered, safety is organized, registration is organized and, most importantly, transportation is orchestrated.
Finally, we would like to recognize our staff, Student and University Relations (SUR) and Research and Economic Development, for the ongoing effort to keep the “M” healthy. Planning and preparation for the annual event is a 12-month process. Our collective staffs take great pride improving the operations every year.
All of this activity, however, requires resources. Without the contributions of the following organizations the “M” would soon fade on the top of the mountain: city of Socorro, RAKS, Presbyterian – Socorro General Hospital, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Sofia’s Kitchen, El Camino Restaurant, Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, Socorro County, The Capital Bar, Ace Hardware, Jaramillo’s Plumbing, SAIC, Judge Edmund Kase, El Defensor Chieftain, New Mexico Tech Research Foundation, Office of the President, New Mexico Tech, SUR, NMT and R&ED, NMT.
A great big “thank you” to the above for making the 100-year anniversary a great success.
Melissa Jaramillo-Fleming
Van Romero, Vice-Presidents, New Mexico Tech
Hats off to co-op’s new manager
Editor:
The Socorro Electric Co-op’s board of trustees meeting on Oct. 12 was the first I have been allowed to attend in two years. The board, in all their wisdom, leveled a restraining order prohibiting me from attending. They claimed I posed a threat. The only threat I posed was daring to ask questions and then demanding answers. I was a little saddened to find after all that has happened over the past four years that not much has changed.
I can’t say it was a surprise. I have been following the website informed cynic.com.
The order of business was to discuss the hiring of a new attorney, preferably one that knows what he is doing and doesn’t have to hire another attorney to help him. The last two lawyers had to do just that. They hired the law firm of Kennedy & Han. This has been ongoing for at least three years.
Mr. Francish, who helped the board sue all 10,000 members, is bailing. He won’t even see the lawsuit to completion. He figures, “I got my money. You figure it out.” But then again, he was hired kind of under-the-table. The board hired him at the eleventh hour. You see, the old guard hired him before the new trustees were sworn in. It makes you wonder what that was all about. We got three new trustees but only one is really trying to move forward. The other two just jumped into the ditch and started shoveling.
I will say the board tried to conduct a real meeting, but there was too much animosity; they just fight on every point.
My suggestion is hand the gavel to the lady. I believe she could bring order to the situation. Demand that each board member weigh in but limit their response to a minute and if they start spouting Shakespeare, shut them down. Also, if they belong to a committee, require them to give written and verbal reports.
This is a million dollar corporation they are responsible for. Treat it as such.
The other thing on the agenda was the review about the general manager (Joseph Herrera). That was in executive session. I would just like to weigh in on his performance. I was a bit skeptical at first, but I will say he has not only proven he is his own man, but he has done it in a very hostile environment.
My hat is off to you Mr. GM. Welcome to Socorro. We are happy to have you. Good job. In closing, I just want to say the co-op’s board violated my civil rights by keeping me out of the meetings. The scary part was this was done with advice of a lawyer. I do hope that the new year will finally bring change.
Charlene West
Chairperson, Socorro Electric Cooperative Reform Committee