CDBG APPLICATIONS DUE BY DECEMBER 19, 2008 TO DFA/LGD.

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1 Volume 1, Issue 1 Fall 2008 Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments Quarterly Mentor Dates & Deadlines Safe Routes to School applications due at SWNMCOG Dec. 15, 2008 CDBG applications due to DFA/LGD Dec. 19, 2008 Legislative session opens Jan. 20, 2009 NM Association of Counties conference, Santa Fe Jan , 2009 Deadline for introductrion of bills and capital outlay requests Feb. 19, 2009 Legislative session ends at noon March 21, 2009 CDBG application hearings March 24-25, 2009 Issue Highlights Bayard Honored 2 State of New Mexico Seeking Grant Cut-Backs In the wake of the financial upsets facing Wall Street and the United States, the State of New Mexico is taking steps to recall unused or inefficient capital outlay grants. On October 22, 2008, Robert M. Apodaca, director of the local government division of the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA/ LGD) notified local governments that Governor Richardson has called for a comprehensive review of all capital outlay projects as part of his plan to deauthorize $200- $300 million in capital outlay projects statewide. The Governor s plan targets stalled, inefficient, under-funded, unproductive, or legally deficient projects. Funding that is currently going unused will be reappropriated and put back into the economy, wrote Mr. Apodaca. DFA/LGD is working with local governments to review the progress made on outstanding capital projects and to recommend projects for potential deauthorization dur- ing the 2009 legislative session. Local governments that do not recommend capital appropriations for potential deauthorization will lose the opportunity to indicate which priority projects need to reach completion. Priscilla C. Lucero, executive director of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments ( SWNMCOG ), met with State officials along with directors of the other regional COGs in November to gather more information on these potential disappropriations. CDBG APPLICATIONS DUE BY DECEMBER 19, 2008 TO DFA/LGD. Priscilla C. Lucero Honored at State Event Silver City wins HUD grant 2 Colonias Awards 3, 5 Anti-Donation Clause 3 Safe Routes to School 3 Ft. Bayard seeking board 5 Priscilla C. Lucero, SWNMCOG executive director, was honored at the New Mexico Infrastructure Finance Conference in Albuquerque on October 29th. She was presented with the State of New Mexico s Award for Outstanding Community Development Service. Named for Joe Guillen, the award is made to an individual whose work has been dedicated to the service of New Mexico communities, and whose efforts have provided for the long-term health and sustainability of the community. Ms. Lucero has worked with SWNMCOG for more than 21 years. Statistical Abstract Quiz 4

2 Quarterly Mentor City of Bayard and Mayor Martinez Honored Priscilla C. Lucero and Jovita G. Gonzales with awards. The City of Bayard and Mayor Rodolpho Rudy Martinez were honored at the New Mexico Infrastructure Finance Conference for their regional wastewater system improvements projects. The Catalina Muniz Best Practices Award in the category of Public Utilities Infrastructure Project was presented to Jovita G. Gonzales and Bayard council members on behalf of the City of Bayard. The late Catalina Muniz was with the Rural Commu- nity Assistance Corporation and worked throughout her life to improve drinking water and establish pollution controls by providing training and technical assistance and assisting communities to acquire federal and state funding. HUD Approves $1 million to Town of Silver City The Town of Silver City was recently awarded $1 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development towards the development of an affordable housing development. SWNMCOG staff were instrumental in assisting with the grant application with the im- portant assistance of Annette Morales of Medius, Inc. SWNMCOG and the Town of Silver City are organizing a team of professionals architect, engineer and others to lay the foundation for this much needed affordable housing project. Contact: Pam Eley. A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul. Phillip Moffitt Lt. Governor Diane Denish met with Alex Brown, Priscilla Lucero, Pam Eley and Mike Eley in Silver City on her Round the Roundhouse Tour. COG Staff attends 7th Biennial Governor s Housing Summit Pam Eley, SWNMCOG office manager and planner, attended the Governor s Housing Summit in Albuquerque, November 5-7, The summit, entitled Building Communities was hosted by New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. This year s summit had sessions that addressed the current national housing crisis. Speakers and panelists brought updates from Washington and Wall Street. The sessions covered green building, energy efficiency, understanding credit, housing counseling, affordable housing developments, relationships with Tribal governments, and information on the Neighborhood Stabilization Funding Program. Pam reports that green building is the wave of the future and is necessary for environmental protection. The session on building green was very interesting and included such topics as site improvement, water conservation methods, energy efficiency methods, and use of materials that are beneficial to the environment. For more information, contact Pam Eley. Page 2

3 USDA Colonias Awards Made in Fiscal Year 2008 The following USDA Colonias Awards were made in SWNMCOG s region for FY 2008: Catron County Coyote Creek MDWUA for $133,712 for a well and fill station. Grant County Hanover MDWCA for $122,772 for water system. Village of Santa Clara for $1,035,170 for water and wastewa- ter improvements. City of Bayard for $87, for Water/Wastewater Phases II and III. Hidalgo County Rodeo MDWC & MSWA for $345,974 for water projects. Glen Acres Water Cooperative for $751,040 for water system. City of Lordsburg for $1,264,000 for wastewater. City of Lordsburg for $220,000 for water fluoride project. Many thanks to Sandra Alarcon, USDA, and Olga Sanchez, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, for their assistance in making these grants a reality The Anti-Donation Clause of the New Mexico Constitution (ADC) is a statute that governs all public entities, such as counties, municipalities, and probably special water districts, among others. These public agencies may not donate, lend, or pledge credit to any private entities without receiving an equal corresponding benefit to the agency or the public in exchange. Such a What is the Anti-Donation Clause? benefit may be direct or indirect. Private entities include persons, associations, and public or private corporations. There are exceptions to the ADC and its prohibition on donations to private entities. These exceptions include but are not limited to care for sick and indigent people, Vietnam veterans, and for affordable housing. Any questions regarding the ADC may be directed to the State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, Local Government Division ( For a copy of the statute, contact Maureen Craig at SWNMCOG. Bayard Celebrates Safe Routes to School Bayard elementary school students pose with their helmets with State Representative Rodolpho Martinez and Senator Howie Morales. Picture taken by Cynthia Stoehner. International Walk to School Day was celebrated in Bayard by children who walked, rode bicycles, and rode scooters to school as part of their Safe Routes to School Grant. The October event was sponsored in part by the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the City of Bayard. Senator Howie Morales and some 30 sponsors distributed helmets to about 450 students. Fire and police departments ensured safety for the Walk and Roll Parade. Children in lower grades were paired with upper grade classmates to walk together. Children were given gift bags with sunscreen, flashlights, pencils, and water bottles. The bags were donated by the Health Council and the SW NM Council of Governments. Also, four bicycles were raffled off. Other sponsors were Pizza Hut, Burger King, Arby s, McDonalds, and Sonic. For information on how to organize International Walk and Roll to School Day, contact Cynthia Stoehner. Page 3

4 2008 Statistical Abstract The following facts are taken from the 2008 Statistical Abstract. See the full Abstract at click on Publications. Test your knowledge of Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties. (Answers below.) 1. Which county has the largest amount of irrigated cropland? A. Catron B. Grant C. Hidalgo D. Luna 2. How many cattle are estimated to be in New Mexico? A. 5 million B. 2.5 million C. 1.5 million D..5 million 3. Which school district has the lowest drop-out rate? A. Cobre B. Deming C. Lordsburg D. Silver City 4. What was the reported unemployment rate for the State of New Mexico in 2007? A. 2.5% B. 3.5% C. 4.5% D. 7.5% 5. What was the reported unemployment rate for the United States in 2007? A. 2.6% B. 3.6% C. 4.6% D. 7.6% Match the average weekly earnings in private industry to the correct county: 6. $ $ $ $485 A. Catron B. Grant C. Hidalgo D. Luna 10. Which industry is the biggest employer in Catron County? A. Retail B. Accommodation & food C. Health & Social assistance D. Construction For more interesting facts, check out the Statistical Abstract on publications. 11. Which industry is the biggest employer in Grant County? A. Mining B. Retail C. Accommodation & food D. Health care & assistance 12. Which industry is the biggest employer in New Mexico? A. Mining B. Retail C. Health & social assistance D. Accommodation & food service Answers 1. (D) 2. (C) 3. (A) 4. (B) 5. (C) 6. (B) 7. (A) 8. (D) 9. (C) 10. (C) 11. (B) 12. (B) Page 4

5 Volume 1, Issue 1 Governor s Colonias Grant Awards Made Governor Bill Richardson announced a $4 million investment of state dollars for 12 separate Colonias projects on September 11, Counties served by the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments received close to $1.6 million of these funds. They are: Catron County $227,000 for solid waste transfer stations. Grant County $303,000 for the Santa Clara Housing Authority for public housing roof repair. Hidalgo County $500,000 for the Playas Training and Research Center for rehabilitating a septic lagoon. $100,000 for the Glen Acres Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association for water system improvements. $43,000 for the Rodeo Mutual Domestic Water Consumers for water treatment. $143,000 for the City of Lordsburg for waste water reclamation. Luna County $283,000 for road improvements in the Keeler Farms colonia. We Have a New Website! Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments is pleased to announce its new web site at The web site offers information about grants, training, and opportunities for community and economic development for COG members, county and local governments, special water districts and other groups. We invite members to explore the web site and to offer any input on items that will be useful to your community. Please note that we are in the process of entering a list of all current CDBG, Colonias Initiative, and other grants on the site. We also welcome pictures that you may wish to send of facilities or developments that SWNMCOG may have helped to facilitate. Contact: Maureen Craig. Failing to plan is planning to fail. Alan Lakein Historic Fort Bayard is seeking board members Historic Fort Bayard. Photo taken by Mary Alice Murphy. The Fort Bayard Steering Committee is seeking nominations for the Fort Bayard National Landmark Trust Board. Letters of interest with resume should be sent to the Ft. Bayard Steering Committee, c/o PO Box 2157, Silver City, NM The purpose of the Fort Bayard National Landmark Trust is to preserve, enhance and promote the natural, historical, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources of Fort Bayard for public use in perpetuity, and to achieve long-term sustainability through public and private partnerships. Contact: Gloria Terrazas- Barnes. Page 5

6 Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments P.O. Box 2157 Silver City, New Mexico Phone: Fax: We re on the Web! Newsletter Editor, Maureen Craig SWNMCOG Staff Priscilla C. Lucero, executive director, Pam Eley, office manager/planner, Gloria Terrazas-Barnes, economic/community development planner, Cynthia Stoehner, transportation planner, Maureen Craig, administrative assistant, Statistical Abstract Available Now! Each year, the SW NM Council of Governments publishes a Statistical Abstract for use by counties, municipalities, water districts, schools and other organizations. The 2008 edition is now available. The Abstract contains data about Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties, with information in a wide range of areas population, health, finance, housing, natality trends, employment and more. For the first time, the Abstract is also available on the internet. Go to swnmcog.org and click on Publications. If a hard copy is needed, contact Maureen Craig. SWNMCOG P.O. Box 2157 Silver City, NM SWNMCOG serves Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties.