I remember my first Voting experience.

It was in High School, Fall of 1966, 9th Grade Freshman; Voting for our High School Student Council Representatives. I was not quite 14 years old, facing the weighty decisions of : "Do I Do It?". "Who do I Pick?" "Who do I Give Myself to this First time?" "Who is worthy of my First Vote???" "Will they remember that I voted for them Forever?" (Hey, People, Keep your minds Focused! I said VOTING, not VIRGINITY!).

Of course; I ended up voting for the "Cutest, Most Popular" kids running for the positions, because I, like every other insecure Teenager in the world, thought that by giving my support to the "Cutest, Most Popular" kids; Somehow they would Accept ME into their wonderful "Cutest, Most Popular I'm In with the In Crowd World" and that their "Cute & Popular" Qualities would rub off on Me!!!!

And life would be wonderful. They would love me forever after I told them that I had "Given Myself" to them with my cherished Vote.

Did I care about who would represent my or the Student Body's desires & interests to the School's Board? Did I care anything about what kind of qualities they had as human beings or how much time they would dedicate to the Student Council position?

Not a Bit!!!!

Just throw that Connecticut Country Club smile my way and a "How ya doin' Kaylee?" in hopes of a future date & romance, and YOU had my vote!!!

Oh to be young and ignorant again, "... Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end, we'd sing & dance forever & a day..." Maybe we would even end up being Prom King & Queen at a later time. WE would Be Cute & Popular TOGETHER!

Two years later, In the second half of 1968, I was still too young to vote in the National Election that fall, but my social & political Awareness was JOLTED from being totally in the dark to wanting to learn all that I could.

I began to leave the "It's All About Me", egocentric, juvenile mind-set of youth and entered the beginnings of developing a Social Consciousness at this time;  The start of thinking about & caring for others; HUMANITY, and their Welfare. "Welfare" meaning their overall "well being"; not a check in the mail.

The "Cute & Popular" factor took a hike, I started to listen and learn about the issues facing our country & the world.

For the first time, I became aware of how important our Election Process, our Right to Vote is in our country. It literally changes the course of history by whom "We The People" end up choosing to represent us.

1968 was an Age of EXTREME turmoil & discovery for the USA, defining what was Important to us as a Nation.

We had been in the War in Vietnam for much too long, greatly escalated by the then president, LBJ.
My high school senior male friends were being designated Draft Numbers based upon a "Birth Date Bingo" type of lottery drawing. Afro-Americans were being humiliated & tortured; treated worse than pets & livestock; with less protection & rights.

And worst of all, Two of the world's Greatest Civil Rights Leaders & Humanitarians,
Martin Luther King & Robert "Bobby" Kennedy, were assassinated that year, 1968, prior to the November elections; by parties too threatened by their Messages of Equality, Justice and Opportunity FOR ALL AMERICANS.

Thus, in the late summer through November 1968, I campaigned heartily & attended many protests.

I focused my energies AGAINST the Independent Party's Candidate, Governor George Wallace; a well known racist from Alabama who's platform included the continuation of the States rights to allow segregation.

In 1968, I was not politically enlightened enough to be "FOR" either of the other 2 Party's candidates; Hubert H. Humphrey or Richard Nixon.

But by age 15 turning 16; I knew how to recognize Evil in individuals; and Governor Wallace reeked of both.

I dedicated my energies going to many rallies & protests & by going door to door on weekends with other High School Students talking about Civil Rights to ask others to Think & Recognize that "Negroes" (that was the politically correct term back then; "Black" was just coming into use; and "Afro-American" wasn't recognized yet) were "Just Like You & Me, only with darker skin". Human Beings with the same feelings & desires as Whites.

What a Radical Thought that was back then in the 60's. Especially in my 101% White End of Town.
My whole high school only had 4 Blacks in an enrollment of over 1600 students, that's less than 0.0025 %. But I cared about those 4 and their people. I truly cared.

A bit later on; in the fall of 1972, I got to vote in my first National Election.
The Age of Majority had been lowered from 21 to 18 years of age. Now I was just turning 20,and I was finally eligible to vote. Many former High School friends continued to be slaughtered or maimed for life physically and/or emotionally while serving in the never ending War in Vietnam.

So of course, I became a George McGovern supporter; who was running against our then incumbent President; Richard M. Nixon. Nixon had promised the country for the past 4 years to "end the war" in Vietnam; but had not done so. McGovern was my man, "The Candidate of Hope for Change" at that time; who promised to bring our troops home.

Nixon won again, and resigned from office in disgrace in August 1974; Gerald Ford took over our country's position of leadership. He became the only President of the United States who was never elected President nor Vice-President by the Electoral College. An "Appointee" of sorts.

Subsequently, during President Ford's Bumbling Reign; In April 1975, The capture of Saigon by the Vietnam People's Army marked the end of the War in Vietnam.

We left Vietnam in a hurry & in disgrace; not by any planned withdrawal with a restoration plan for the war torn country.

The Communist Viet Cong had prevailed and all of our USA men & women who had served in that war had no victory to celebrate. I still recall vividly the nightly news of the massive evacuations of our people and Vietnamese citizens by boats & helicopters. Literally escaping with & for their lives.

It was so sad, for so many, especially for those who personally gave part or all of their lives to serve our country's "best interests" based upon decisions that our country's Leaders had made with our more than 25 years of our involvement in that war.

That era helped shape me into who I have become and am to this day. One who does NOT simply accept and "Trust Authority" based upon the Position or Title that they may hold. In public or private office.

I learned then, that Those in Control, Those "In Authority", who hold the Power over the regular folks, DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE OUR BEST INTERESTS at heart, or in their minds.

Many have their own personal agenda's of power, wealth & fame. "We the People' are simply Tools to manipulate to help them achieve their PERSONAL DESIRES; "By Hook or Crook", as they say.

In 4 short weeks, on Tuesday March 6th, 2012 WE will be given that Wonderful "Made in America" Opportunity once again to cast our votes.

And this is Our LOCAL MUNICIPAL Voting Day of our Village Officials, who are (supposedly) elected TO REPRESENT US, not themselves.

As you can see by our country's history; WHO we vote for and support to represent us, "We the People";
can change the courses of our lives forever by the decisions that they make, once they are in office.

What a different country/world we could & would be living in now if Hubert H. Humphrey had been elected President in 1968, or George McGovern in 1972 over Richard M. Nixon.

Those of us that live in and are Registered Voters of Columbus, N.M. will be able to give their official support to one of the 14 Candidates running for 3 of The Village Council Trustee seats that are available this spring.

WE Can Change the Course of Our Future by Changing Who we have entrusted to Represent our little Village in the desert.

2 of the 3 Elected Incumbent Trustee and one currently filled by an Appointment Seat, are up for grabs.

2 of the 3 Trustee's sat in these seats for the past 4 years and claim that they knew nothing, thus they did nothing, to either report or intervene in the corruption of the previous Administration led by the now infamous former Mayor: "Gun Smuggling Budget Juggling Mayor Eddie Espinoza" during his reign of terror in which he was assisted by his henchman, "Chief of Corrupt Police, Angelo Vega.

Those two are Roberto Gutierrez & Arnoldo Rubio. More on them in a bit.

The 3rd Trustee seat is currently held by an appointee, Win Mott, who filled the seat this past summer; after the former Elected in 2008 Trustee, Blas "Woody" Gutierrez was also arrested for his involvement with the whole Gun Smuggling disgrace to our Village; along with our former Mayor Espinoza & Police Chief Vega back in March 2011

Mr. Mott has served with a limited degree of dedication since his appointment. He shows up for the meetings "most of the time". He speaks voluntarily now and then. His offers his Beliefs & Opinions.
I have never heard a word of either legal precedents or evidence based research on any issues uttered from his lips.

At the many public meetings that I have attended over the past 6 months since Mr. Mott has filled the appointed Trustee Seat, he has not impressed me as one who has either the desire or time needed to apply himself to learn about being a public governmental representative & the Multi Faceted Aspects of the running the Village as a "Thinking Business Professional".

He has not shown any legal or economical perspectives, knowledge, or evidence & data based research that we so badly need to get this Village back on track.

As nice of a person that he seems to be, he just hasn't impressed me with any of the qualities that I feel are important in a Village Trustee at this point.

So, Sorry, Trustee Mott, although I really have nothing against you, and I do thank you for your service to the Village, I also have nothing "for you" and have not seen anything extraordinary about your service to date that sways me to give you my precious vote.

Now; regarding the other two, Trustees Rubio & Gutierrez;

I don't know about you, but it seems to me that the "Abundantly Prosperous Lifestyles & Purchases" of Eddie, Woody & Angelo in this little community; where a new Pick'em Up Truck gathers great attention & gossip; SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTICED BY THOSE WORKING MOST CLOSELY WITH THEM ON A DAILY BASIS.

But these two Trustees claim to have "Seen No Evil; Heard No Evil"; and, especially by Trustee Rubio; to have "Spoken No Evil".

At least not in English; a language Trustee Rubio chooses to not ask to be interpreted for him fully
during Public Meetings & Hearings, which are conducted in English for the majority of all discussions; yet he proceeds to cast his votes based upon "his prior research" before the meetings.

Evidently "UNDERSTANDING" what is being said by the Governing Body & Persons Attending the Public Meetings is NOT A TRUSTEE JOB REQUIREMENT.

Wow... Try telling that to MY Employer; that I do not Understand anything that is being said around me or to me; and see how long I would remain in my position. I'd be Going, Going, Gone!!!!

Trustee Rubio has related (to ME in Spanish via an Interpreter at an Emergency Public Meeting on Sat. Jan 21, 2012) That IT (the issue, any issue) simply "... doesn't matter what is being said by anybody (in English) at the Meetings... that he has studied the Agenda and is so well informed about whatever is on the Agenda PRIOR TO the meetings... that he already knows how he will vote; no matter what is presented during a meeting ..."

WOW!!! Nothing like being open minded; receptive to your constituents, and considering all points of view of any issue BEFORE coming to conclusions.

I don't know of ANY SUCCESSFUL PERSON, not even the Pope or President of the United States, who doesn't take the time to LISTEN TO ALL SIDES & ARGUMENTS before making a final decision. Especially Decisions that AFFECT the Lives of Others.

People: The position of the Village Trustee is to represent us, the Citizens of the Village;
to Support or Oppose the Mayor's ideas & suggestions about what is Best for our community.

To be able to Support or Oppose the Mayor (i.e. to keep the Mayor "in check" for the People's best interests) is supposed to be based upon the Trustees researching issues & discovering legal precedents; Prior to the Public Meetings where they vote upon the various issues. Then, they may opt to listen to Public Input, and after that process; then decide if they have enough information to be able to vote "For or Against"; or, even use the Option to "TABLE the Issue" until further research and/or information is gathered.

They are supposed to find out information INDEPENDENT OF what is on the Mayor's Agenda;
because the Mayor can only PRESENT Resolutions & Ordinances;  The Mayor Can Not Vote; except in a "Tie-Breaker" situation.

The Trustees are entrusted to Present their independent findings and take a stand, for the Public,
as to "Why" they find in "For or Against" what is being proposed for our Village's current & future state of affairs.

The Trustee position is NOT simply to "Dress Up & Show Up" (sometimes) and just Vote by whatever they PERSONALLY Feel, Think or Believe at that fleeting moment in time just before they cast their votes.

So Tell Me Trustee Rubio; How many waivers, statutes, resolutions, ordinances and grants have YOU Researched to assist Nicole Lawson, since she became our Mayor in July 2011?

How many issues? How many hours? What information & recommendations have YOU made, to our current Mayor; in Spanish or Chinese for all I care; To show that YOU ARE DOING YOUR JOB in your Position as an Elected Village Trustee???

To Assist the Mayor in finding the information to Lead our Village by Doing the Right Thing for The Right Reasons????

If I were a gambling gal, which I am at times, I would bet zilch, nada, zip, zero.

Trustee Rubio, Thanks for all your sucking us dry of good Tax Paid Dollars for DOING NOTHING, at least what I have witnessed since July 2011.

Maybe Trustee Rubio, you were much more actively involved supporting Mayor Espinoza with his Agenda & Priorities before it all fell apart in March 2011. Maybe you "understood" everything that King Eddie wanted and were happy to be a pawn in his kingdom over we serfs of Columbus.

Maybe you gave the best that you could offer to him, and all I am seeing is that you have NOTHING TO OFFER Our Mayor Lawson in her Beyond Human Efforts to help this Village get back on track.

        So with that, Trustee Rubio, you can Definitely Count on NOT getting My Precious Vote.
                                YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB. IN ANY LANGUAGE.


I wasn't here for the Reign of Eddie; but evidently, Trustees Gutierrez & Rubio were; and evidently they voted enough times In Support of Mayor Espinoza's recommendations and decisions that have now left the Village on the brink of Financial Destitution and the Laughing Stock of Government Officials in America by the Arrests of Espinoza & Gutierrez in March 2011 for their Gun Smuggling to Mexican Drug Cartel extra curricular activities; presumably Using Village Funds & Property to carry out their illegal activities.

As one who has hired & fired employees in the past; When I am looking at a Job Candidate;
I am evaluating a person as an EMPLOYEE to do a JOB that they are being PAID GOOD, LEGAL MONEY to do.

In this case; $500 a Month of OUR Money for a Village Trustee position; a job which when elected; is entrusted to them by the People to Work FOR the People; PAID FOR by YOUR & MY Taxed Dollars; (I personally pay $50 A WEEK to the State of NM in state income taxes PLUS various NM Property & Sales Taxes), And I want my hard earned & your Money to be going to The BEST Person for the Job.


       BEING AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THEM is one of the qualities I look for.


As well as Dedication, Diligence, Integrity, Accountability, Commitment, Reliability, Showing Initiative, Having Ethics & Morals, Working Extra when needed, Researching Abilities, Listening to & Seeking Others Opinions & Insights, (i.e. The Public's & Appropriate Professionals), Caring about others, Team Consciousness ("Team" meaning The People of the Village here), and at times, To have the Courage to Take a Stand & Oppose what the Leadership is doing or recommending when they do not see or seem determined to be heading in the wrong direction;
That's Just to name a few qualities that I think are important when hiring somebody To Do A Job. Any Job.

With that Trustee Gutierrez, As Popular as you are in Columbus, You have failed the Citizens of this Community, by NOT BEING AWARE of what those Closest to you were doing; so You Too; DO NOT HAVE MY VOTE.

You have failed your constituents as a TRUSTED Trustee, to do the Right Thing for us by either turning your head or not opening your mouth to State Authorities with all the Espinoza-Vega-Gutierrez criminal activities that surrounded you before they were arrested.

And if you Trustee Gutierrez; were TRULY UNAWARE, which I DO give you as the benefit of my doubts; I DO NOT WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS SO OBLIVIOUS TO WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THEM TO BE MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE.

Personally, Trustee Gutierrez, I thank you for your accumulated knowledge & experience that you have gathered during your many years as a Village Trustee. You seem like a nice enough, caring & intelligent man; I can see why people voted for you. But this isn't about my personal feelings. It's about what is for the Good of The Village of Columbus.

To me, Your past silence, ignorance, and/or acquiescence to the Criminal Activities of Espinoza-Vega & Gutierrez means you simply weren't doing your job to look out for what is the best for our Village.

As I have long outgrown my values of how "Cute & Popular" somebody is; I do not base my vote upon: "He's lived here for a long time", or, "I may need a personal favor from him sometime... he's helped me out personally in the past... I owe him...", or, "He's a poor guy, let's help him out and give him some free money to do nothing of substance".

To tell you the truth, I wouldn't even vote for a Close Friend or Relative of Mine, no matter How Cute & Popular they are, (and I have several of those my life who have ALWAYS been those "Cute & Popular" types, dammit!!!) If they did not have the Qualities to Do the Job & Do it Well.

Citizens of Columbus, "My Fellow Columbians": YOU HAVE THE POWER IN YOUR HANDS TO HELP OUR VILLAGE.

Historically, there are only about 600 of us; 600 Registered Voters in The Village of Columbus;
with about half of those making the effort to show up to the polls to cast their votes on previous Election Days.

So that means in theory, that each of the 14 Candidates could gather an average of 21-22 votes each if the voting went in an equitable manner.


       Wow!!!! What an opportunity for YOUR VOTE TO REALLY COUNT!!!!


I hope to see you there, Tuesday March 6th, at the Polls. I hope You have the Courage & Desire to Vote for Change.

ANY of the 11 other Candidates for the 3 Trustee Seats Winning will make me Happy.

Having a Registered Voter Turn out closer to 600 than 300 will make me Absolutely JOYOUS,

Please, I beg of you, to take the time, a half hour or so of your day; Tuesday March 06th, 2012
To use and show your POWER OF CHOICE, It is IN YOUR Power To Hire the BEST PEOPLE FOR THESE THREE TRUSTEE JOBS.

And, It's Our Inalienable Right in our wonderful country, The United States of America.