Well, the new sell tower is on line, and guess what? The cell coverage is WORSE, at least for verizon. This is not just El Picador's experience, no sir. Many others have noticed the same thing. Where once we had coverage throughout the village, we now are dropping calls left and right--especially around fourth street. New phones, re-programming, upgrades, calls to tech support, you name it---nothing seems to help. Guess some sort of electromagnetic karma is at work here.
Larry would do well to note this before he makes the same mistake as some of his colleagues in other towns and tries to set up the wi-fi service he has bragged about in the Vision as another putative benefit of the X-mas pole. Bad service, broken promises and massive cost overruns have plagued these systems despite all of the rosy rhetoric of the sell providers. Why he wants the headache is beyond me--unless he is taking a page out of his friend the Shrub's book and is planning to use the wi-fi to spy on the informal e-mail networks used by his opponents.
No need to fear there. Sellular incompetence and overreach will keep us safe for a long time.
Just don't ditch your land lines or cable hookups!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
"$ell Tower" Larry--Four More Years?!!?
Election time in LR is just around the corner. In fact, candidate filing will be in early January! And rumor has it that old $ell Tower is going for another term, which also means a well-financed slate of stooges for two trustee slots so that the mayor can continue in his despotic ways unchecked.
Our little burg can ill afford another four years of Larry Abraham, and all of you know it. So who will demonstrate the huevos to really get up and do something about it? Who will run for mayor, or trustee? Why not you, dear reader? Just think of yourself sitting up there on stage in village hall, glaring condescendingly toward the poor sap droning on at the podium! What prestige and respect will you command as you pummel the rug thug and his minions with nay votes! Why wait any longer--organize your campaign now!!! And remember, thanks to Larry LR is the only municipality in the state without ANY campaign finance regulations or reporting requirements whatsoever.
Our little burg can ill afford another four years of Larry Abraham, and all of you know it. So who will demonstrate the huevos to really get up and do something about it? Who will run for mayor, or trustee? Why not you, dear reader? Just think of yourself sitting up there on stage in village hall, glaring condescendingly toward the poor sap droning on at the podium! What prestige and respect will you command as you pummel the rug thug and his minions with nay votes! Why wait any longer--organize your campaign now!!! And remember, thanks to Larry LR is the only municipality in the state without ANY campaign finance regulations or reporting requirements whatsoever.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow?
Recently I drove through some towns in New Mexico I hadn't seen before. One set of advertising themes I saw was "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," or "The Past, The Present, and the Future" all with a hint of promise of what's to come.
The sad thing I saw was the Past was depicted by pictures of old, pretty buildings in town, and pastures and fields nearby, the Present was a bunch of words and statistics, and the Future was a grab bag of descriptions of Visions of Glory, Spaceports, new Tourist Attractions, Skiing, Recreational Opportunities and Better Shopping! God help me.
In no town did I see any pride that Today was prettier than Yesterday, that Tomorrow was going to be a nicer place to live than Yesterday ever was. It all reads like a race to WalMart. Why on Earth did I move to New Mexico? (well, the job pays really well, and New Mexico is a really pretty place once I get out of town, still.)
I really work in Rocket Science. We build better machines every day. They may not be prettier, but they work better than the previous versions. Why can't NM towns build better places every day they build at all? Why do these new neighborhoods look cheaper, fatter and crummier than the old blocks near downtown - in those towns that have downtowns? Is town building harder than rocket science?
Los Ranchos seems to have missed the boat. What is the history? What is worth remembering today? What does tomorrow look like? The Calico Cafe complex seems to work, but is that it for 4th Street - save for the proposed Starbuck drive-thru on Fecho Chavez's house site? It's all pretty crummy.
The great manufacturing complex of Albuquerque Tortilla Company is on the block, and they cut down all their trees. Does the Village care about the "quality of life" that trees and the Valley represent? Why did I buy a house here?
Mayor Abraham hosted a private fundraiser for Senator Domenici, complete with State, County and City police. Did the Village pay for this, or did Mr. Domenici? How does a small estate on Rio Grande Blvd help Los Ranchos grow into a town worth remembering? I just don't understand what this Village is about anymore.
I just don't know why I didn't listen to my Realtor and buy into North Albuquerque Acres instead.
The sad thing I saw was the Past was depicted by pictures of old, pretty buildings in town, and pastures and fields nearby, the Present was a bunch of words and statistics, and the Future was a grab bag of descriptions of Visions of Glory, Spaceports, new Tourist Attractions, Skiing, Recreational Opportunities and Better Shopping! God help me.
In no town did I see any pride that Today was prettier than Yesterday, that Tomorrow was going to be a nicer place to live than Yesterday ever was. It all reads like a race to WalMart. Why on Earth did I move to New Mexico? (well, the job pays really well, and New Mexico is a really pretty place once I get out of town, still.)
I really work in Rocket Science. We build better machines every day. They may not be prettier, but they work better than the previous versions. Why can't NM towns build better places every day they build at all? Why do these new neighborhoods look cheaper, fatter and crummier than the old blocks near downtown - in those towns that have downtowns? Is town building harder than rocket science?
Los Ranchos seems to have missed the boat. What is the history? What is worth remembering today? What does tomorrow look like? The Calico Cafe complex seems to work, but is that it for 4th Street - save for the proposed Starbuck drive-thru on Fecho Chavez's house site? It's all pretty crummy.
The great manufacturing complex of Albuquerque Tortilla Company is on the block, and they cut down all their trees. Does the Village care about the "quality of life" that trees and the Valley represent? Why did I buy a house here?
Mayor Abraham hosted a private fundraiser for Senator Domenici, complete with State, County and City police. Did the Village pay for this, or did Mr. Domenici? How does a small estate on Rio Grande Blvd help Los Ranchos grow into a town worth remembering? I just don't understand what this Village is about anymore.
I just don't know why I didn't listen to my Realtor and buy into North Albuquerque Acres instead.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Larry's Ship Adrift in Hot Water
Vigil's sudden departure seems to have come at a very inopportune time for hizzoner. What with a controversial (f)ire-station to build and a condemnation suit underway for private development at 4th and Osuna, Larry has got to be sweating at least a little. After all, Juan may have been a duplicitous hack, but at least he was a very seasoned pro. With many years in municipal government, he knew how to get things done and knew where all the bodies are buried. He was the real secret behind the effective unfolding of Larry's grand scheme for Los Ranchos, and without him EL Picador suspects most if not all of Abraham's agenda would have been left on the drawing board--where it belonged, but I digress. In short, Vigil was Cheney to Larry's Bush (That doesn't sound quite right, does it?)
The storm warnings are up for the remainder of hizzoner's term, and he has no qualified captain at the helm. Look for the big VC project to go belly up and for a lot more disorganization at village hall.
The jury is still out as to why Juan left so suddenly. Perhaps a problem with the current audit of village finances? That would be the sweetest irony! Whatever it was, it clearly took Juan by surprise. No political pro would ever be caught using the lame and suspicious excuse of "unforeseen circumstances" as the explanation for a resignation unless he had no time to spin something more polished. And Larry clearly wanted him gone ASAP, accepting his resignation effective immediately---and apparently without a successor ready to step in. It must be something fairly major. What do you think?
El Picador bets we have not heard the last of this.
The storm warnings are up for the remainder of hizzoner's term, and he has no qualified captain at the helm. Look for the big VC project to go belly up and for a lot more disorganization at village hall.
The jury is still out as to why Juan left so suddenly. Perhaps a problem with the current audit of village finances? That would be the sweetest irony! Whatever it was, it clearly took Juan by surprise. No political pro would ever be caught using the lame and suspicious excuse of "unforeseen circumstances" as the explanation for a resignation unless he had no time to spin something more polished. And Larry clearly wanted him gone ASAP, accepting his resignation effective immediately---and apparently without a successor ready to step in. It must be something fairly major. What do you think?
El Picador bets we have not heard the last of this.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Juan Gone!!
El Picador was nearly knocked clean out of the saddle when he saw a tiny paragraph in the Lange fish-wrap reporting that Juan Vigil had abruptly resigned his lofty position as Larry's side-kick and all-around hatchet-man. According to the article, he did this on Monday, which of course was Labor day. Now, that is a very old political trick. You put out the shocking news on a holiday or weekend, hoping no one will notice until you get a chance to get the spin going.
Why the sudden departure? Some speculate that the Shrub's recent invasion of our bucolic burg as the guest of hizzoner prompted Juan to ask for his walking papers. Juan is, of course, a long-time, old school democrat and may have taken offense at our self-proclaimed "independent"mayor's obsequious fawning over George the Tongue-Tied. El Picador does not subscribe to this theory. For starters, does Juan seem like the sort who would throw away an easy $90k per year on principle? Come on, people!! Also, one would think that a resignation based on such lofty moral grounds would have been milked for more golden pub---and would be accompanied by a 'heartfelt' statement at the least as well as an offer to stay on during a transition period. But what we got was a very quiet and very sudden departure announced while everyone who would care is drunk at the lake.
This smacks more of either a brewing scandal, or a sudden falling out with hizzoner. Favoring the former is the fact (see the Trib, June 11, 2006) that Vigil was interviewed extensively by the FBI in the course of the Manny Aragon court-house investigation. But my guess is that he and Larry had some big and very sudden disagreement. As anyone who has ever crossed swords with Larry can attest, hizzzoner can get pretty nasty when openly confronted.
Maybe Juan had finally had all he could take of Larry's BS. If so, El Picador tips his hat to Mr. Vigil. Better late than never!
On a related note, El Picador was sickened by the completely ridiculous coverage of the cell-tower--er, pine tree--unveiling in the latest issue of the Vision. Horrible, even by Vision standards. Take a look for yourselves--no further comment is necessary!!
Interestingly, El Picador's own cell, which once worked very well everywhere in Los Ranchos, is now cutting out frequently. This despite re-programming and upgrading to the latest digital technology. So will El Picador be safer and get good 911 coverage in the village? Yes he will, because his land-line is intact!
Why the sudden departure? Some speculate that the Shrub's recent invasion of our bucolic burg as the guest of hizzoner prompted Juan to ask for his walking papers. Juan is, of course, a long-time, old school democrat and may have taken offense at our self-proclaimed "independent"mayor's obsequious fawning over George the Tongue-Tied. El Picador does not subscribe to this theory. For starters, does Juan seem like the sort who would throw away an easy $90k per year on principle? Come on, people!! Also, one would think that a resignation based on such lofty moral grounds would have been milked for more golden pub---and would be accompanied by a 'heartfelt' statement at the least as well as an offer to stay on during a transition period. But what we got was a very quiet and very sudden departure announced while everyone who would care is drunk at the lake.
This smacks more of either a brewing scandal, or a sudden falling out with hizzoner. Favoring the former is the fact (see the Trib, June 11, 2006) that Vigil was interviewed extensively by the FBI in the course of the Manny Aragon court-house investigation. But my guess is that he and Larry had some big and very sudden disagreement. As anyone who has ever crossed swords with Larry can attest, hizzzoner can get pretty nasty when openly confronted.
Maybe Juan had finally had all he could take of Larry's BS. If so, El Picador tips his hat to Mr. Vigil. Better late than never!
On a related note, El Picador was sickened by the completely ridiculous coverage of the cell-tower--er, pine tree--unveiling in the latest issue of the Vision. Horrible, even by Vision standards. Take a look for yourselves--no further comment is necessary!!
Interestingly, El Picador's own cell, which once worked very well everywhere in Los Ranchos, is now cutting out frequently. This despite re-programming and upgrading to the latest digital technology. So will El Picador be safer and get good 911 coverage in the village? Yes he will, because his land-line is intact!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Loyal Liege Larry entertains King George II
El Picador greets you from the village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, amid the heavy security brought in to protect our callow commander-in-thief as he stops by Hizzoner's palatial estate to help half-senile St. Pete raise some campaign scratch from suckers willing to pay $5000 a pop for a photo shoot.
It seems quite fitting that Lord Larry is hosting this event. He and Bush have a lot in common, after all. Both were born to wealth, squandered it with poor business acumen, and were then either bailed out or lucked back into affluence. Both govern with hubris and with contempt for honest dissent, in direct conflict with the fundamental tenants of democracy. Both surround themselves with cronies selected for loyalty over competence. Both make free use of mendacity, subterfuge and intimidation as their political tools of choice. And both have the patrician's disregard for those below their lofty socioeconomic strata.
At least hizzoner is not as dumb as George the Lesser. We have not yet heard of an imminent invasion of Rio Rancho, after all.
And as for all of that nonsense about the president bringing good publicity to the village--El Picador argues that just the opposite effect will occur. Hundreds of well-heeled repubs lounging around Larry's 13 acre heavily watered estate (he is the largest private user of water in the county) only re-enforces the village's image as an insular, selfish and conservative enclave of the ultra-wealthy. The good news is that now there will be plenty of photos of hizzoner schmoozing with a political pariah, destined to go down in history as even a worse president that Warren Harding. Great fodder for the next mayoral campaign!!
It seems quite fitting that Lord Larry is hosting this event. He and Bush have a lot in common, after all. Both were born to wealth, squandered it with poor business acumen, and were then either bailed out or lucked back into affluence. Both govern with hubris and with contempt for honest dissent, in direct conflict with the fundamental tenants of democracy. Both surround themselves with cronies selected for loyalty over competence. Both make free use of mendacity, subterfuge and intimidation as their political tools of choice. And both have the patrician's disregard for those below their lofty socioeconomic strata.
At least hizzoner is not as dumb as George the Lesser. We have not yet heard of an imminent invasion of Rio Rancho, after all.
And as for all of that nonsense about the president bringing good publicity to the village--El Picador argues that just the opposite effect will occur. Hundreds of well-heeled repubs lounging around Larry's 13 acre heavily watered estate (he is the largest private user of water in the county) only re-enforces the village's image as an insular, selfish and conservative enclave of the ultra-wealthy. The good news is that now there will be plenty of photos of hizzoner schmoozing with a political pariah, destined to go down in history as even a worse president that Warren Harding. Great fodder for the next mayoral campaign!!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
El Picador Awakened
El Picador has been roused from his slumber by several noteworthy Los Ranchos news items:
At the top of the list is the recent Tribune announcement that hizzoner will be hosting the commander-and-thief himself for a Dommenici fundraiser at the palatial 13 acre mayoral manor later this month. That is quite interesting, in that Larry takes great pride in characterizing himself as an independent. With all of the prominent Repubs in this state, why would the RNC put the touch on the lowly mayor of a tiny bedroom community to host, at what will probably be some considerable expense and hassle, an event such as this? El Picador speculates that this may involve some sort of payback for previous favors rendered by the federal administration on Larry's behalf. You see, awhile back Larry had some problems with the IRS concerning a sizable amount of taxes due. He got a favorable settlement from the IRS. Who knows what sort on intercessions were made for him, and by whom? And now it is time to repay the favor by putting on a bash for Bush and one of his most loyal stooges, St Pete.
Moving on, El Picador congratulates all of those who spoke out against the Java Joint dive-though on their recent victory. It is a rare event indeed when the rubber-stamp BOT says no to a project that had been championed by hizzoner. El Picador himself hopes that Starbucks builds anyway, sans drive-through. He needs his morning fix.
And finally, there is the condemnation suit on the SE corner of Osuna. After promising and promising to use it as a "last resort", Larry has used the municipal powers of condemnation to obtain property not for the usual civic uses--parks, schools, etc--but rather for commercial development. This action is certain to be highly controversial and, if fought by the current property owner, could focus national attention on our sleepy little burg. El Picador opposes the use of emennent domain in this manner. Those powers are ment to be used rarely, and only for the public good. And what public good can come from another big-box strip mall, or worse, a Wal-Mart (they are looking for a presence in the area now that they ave lost out on their Los Alturas site)? Most of us moved here to get away from that sort of thing.
A little known fact aboout that SE corner. A previous development, consisting of small stores in the spirit of the old VC zone was approved by a previous board. It fell apart because some property owners--including current trustee Pablo Rael---wanted too much money for their property fronting Osuna. Will the new developer, picked by a vote of the board of trustees, pay Rael then money he wants? Sure, he has been recusing himself from the votes on this particular matter. But what sort of horse-trading is going on behind the scenes?
At the top of the list is the recent Tribune announcement that hizzoner will be hosting the commander-and-thief himself for a Dommenici fundraiser at the palatial 13 acre mayoral manor later this month. That is quite interesting, in that Larry takes great pride in characterizing himself as an independent. With all of the prominent Repubs in this state, why would the RNC put the touch on the lowly mayor of a tiny bedroom community to host, at what will probably be some considerable expense and hassle, an event such as this? El Picador speculates that this may involve some sort of payback for previous favors rendered by the federal administration on Larry's behalf. You see, awhile back Larry had some problems with the IRS concerning a sizable amount of taxes due. He got a favorable settlement from the IRS. Who knows what sort on intercessions were made for him, and by whom? And now it is time to repay the favor by putting on a bash for Bush and one of his most loyal stooges, St Pete.
Moving on, El Picador congratulates all of those who spoke out against the Java Joint dive-though on their recent victory. It is a rare event indeed when the rubber-stamp BOT says no to a project that had been championed by hizzoner. El Picador himself hopes that Starbucks builds anyway, sans drive-through. He needs his morning fix.
And finally, there is the condemnation suit on the SE corner of Osuna. After promising and promising to use it as a "last resort", Larry has used the municipal powers of condemnation to obtain property not for the usual civic uses--parks, schools, etc--but rather for commercial development. This action is certain to be highly controversial and, if fought by the current property owner, could focus national attention on our sleepy little burg. El Picador opposes the use of emennent domain in this manner. Those powers are ment to be used rarely, and only for the public good. And what public good can come from another big-box strip mall, or worse, a Wal-Mart (they are looking for a presence in the area now that they ave lost out on their Los Alturas site)? Most of us moved here to get away from that sort of thing.
A little known fact aboout that SE corner. A previous development, consisting of small stores in the spirit of the old VC zone was approved by a previous board. It fell apart because some property owners--including current trustee Pablo Rael---wanted too much money for their property fronting Osuna. Will the new developer, picked by a vote of the board of trustees, pay Rael then money he wants? Sure, he has been recusing himself from the votes on this particular matter. But what sort of horse-trading is going on behind the scenes?
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