Posted 5/1/2012

Columbus Performance Center
of Southern New Mexico?

As many of you know, Barbara Agte and I have produced a bunch of plays here in Columbus at the Tumbleweed Theatre. And the history of Tumbleweed dinner theatre goes back to Jerry Poteet's melodramas in Martha Skinner's back yard. My point is that successful (profitable) and entertaining live theatre has been a part of life in Columbus for many years.

It happens that right now Columbus is in difficult times. The search for grants and funding and loans strikes us as similar to praying to the tooth fairy and so Barbara and I, with the consent of the mayor and trustees, have decided to raise some money with a show that has been successfully presented before...at Tumbleweed, at the Adobe Deli and at the Depot in Deming. We're are staging it at the Community Center because the space can accommodate a large number of customers.

One show might be a lot of fun but it won't do much for Columbus's predicament. On the other hand it could be the beginning of an era of prosperity for Columbus. I would like to point out that when Tumbleweed was operating as a dinner/theatre it pulled an audience from T or C, Las Cruces, El Paso , Silver City and more. The revenues were only limited by the size of the theatre. I would like to point out one more thing. There is a town in Missouri called Branson that no one ever heard of until Andy Williams, the singer, opened a dinner/theatre and then someone else opened a theatre and then someone else. Today, Branson is a major stop on any music tour and there is no reason that Columbus can't be a performance center for Southern New Mexico like Branson is for Missouri. Other stars like Mickey Roomey, Jackie Gleason and Burt Reynolds have also done very well in second careers as dinner/theatre impresarios. Think about it. Be a part of it. - Timothy McAndrews

Southern Luna County Economic & Community Development Corporation Report
by: Philip Skinner
Chairman SLCECDC

Posted 4/10/2012 - We are moving forward on several projects here in Southern Luna County. We had a work day last Saturday where 8 of us turned out to paint the old jail in Columbus. The men worked from 9-noon, and it will probably take 2 more Saturday's to finish it. If you would like to join us for work and social time please send me an email and I will be sure and invite you. We do 3 hours every 3 weeks. The next workday will the 28th of April. We purchase the paint and supplies only out of donations that the community provides. We thank those who give.

I spoke to Professor Rios today from Dona Ana Comm. College and they are going to take the design of our rammed earth house on as a class project in the fall. We are very excited to be moving forward on this. The idea would be to have drawings so we can pull a permit to build a model home for the community to see. I want to recognize Jerry Welch, Southwest Housing and Comm. Dev. Corp., located in Deming, NM. and Al Vickers from Las Cruces for making this possible.

Jack Long and I continue our training and working on the application for the Charter School here in Columbus. The application is due by the end of June. We are looking for people who are interested in serving on the Governing Board, which for a Charter School acts as the School Board, but is appointed not elected. If you have an interest please contact me.

Regards.......Philip Skinner
915-526-2307 cell

Posted 2/29/2012 - Hello, I wanted to thank all those who participated in our first fundraiser for the Columbus Community School. We had a good turn out for our first event and we raised $220. For those of you out of town, we had an enchilada lunch in the Columbus Plaza on Saturday the 18th of Feb. Again, thank you all very much, without all your support it would not be possible.

Jack Long and I were out of town for the event, as we were attending training in Albuquerque for 3 days. The training was really good and we returned with lots of ideas on how to create an innovative and exciting new high school.

We are really in need of a person to step up and volunteer to be our Community Coordinator. That person would be in charge of fundraising and reaching out to the parents in our Community who will soon have children attending Columbus Community School. Any ideas on who could do this job, let me now.

Posted 1/14/2012 -Wow, we have been busy! Jack Long and others are working hard on the Charter School. Last years application was denied and the Notice of Intent has been filed with the State to file again this year. The application has to be submitted by the first of June. Be looking for some upcoming fund raisers and networking opportunities for our "Columbus Community School".

We are working with the "Friends of Pancho Villa State Park" to create increased visitation to the Park. Visitation is way down which impacts our economy here in the Village. We have started a "Welcome Bag" that is given to each camper and has coupons from merchants as well as information about our local area. We had a well attended meeting last Wednesday where a lot of ideas were generated to increase visitation. I am going to list them below and if any are interesting to you and you would like to tackle them please send me an email.
 

Our save the "Historic Old Jail" project is coming along, even though it has been very slow. Blame that pesky old nemesis "MONEY"

Our last project that we are working on is "Affordable and Sustainable" housing. We have Habitat for Humanity" coming on Tuesday the 17th at 6:00 pm., Village Library, to educate us on how their program works. The Vision is to begin an Adobe Home building project where we can use volunteer help. People that apply need to qualify for a mortgage or have cash to be able to buy the materials, but the community will provide a lot of the labor. This project is just in its infancy, so we can use all the ideas that you can generate. "Santa Fe South" here we come.


Regards.......Philip Skinner
915-526-2307 cell
Southern Luna County Economic & Community Development Corp.

Posted 11/11/2011 - Hello, we are still working on the "Save the Jail" project and are needing about $500 more to finish the painting inside and out, general cleaning and repairs. We are still looking and thinking how this Historic building can be used to attract tourists here.

We will soon be filing our "New Mexico Non-Profit Corporation" papers and then begin working on our by-laws. Our name in the future will be "SOUTHERN LUNA COUNTY ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION' This does not give us tax exempt status, but does allows us to open a bank account

We are supporting Jack Long and his effort to establish a Charter School here in our community. He is in need of some volunteers to help on this project. He can be reached at jacklong42235@yahoo.com if you have some time to donate. I think a Charter School in our community will go a long way in creating Economic Development here.

Regards.......Philip Skinner
915-526-2307 cell

Challenge Question: What can you as a Village or Luna County citizen do to help develop economic growth? Hint: Sometimes it's as simple of just thinking "out-of-the-box" for solutions. Example: Philip Skinner recognized that the 25 mile travel limitation to non-residents crossing our border from Mexico was making it illegal for them to visit or shop in Deming by 5 miles. Mr. Skinner contacted County Commissioner Jay Spivey and proposed the law should be changed to 75 miles, as this precedent was set in Arizona. Spivey takes the idea to our Congressman, and the next thing you know.....read below!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 18, 2011

N.M. SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO INCREASE BORDER COMMERCE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today introduced legislation to expand to 75 miles the zone in which certain Mexican nationals can travel into New Mexico to shop, conduct business, and/or visit family.

Currently, Mexican nationals holding Border Crossing Cards, also known as Laser Visas, are permitted to travel 25 miles into the United States for a period of 30 days without obtaining additional permits. The initiative was created with the purpose of enhancing the ability of frequent, low-risk visitors to visit border communities and engage in economic activity. While this has had a positive impact on many border cities and towns in other states, in New Mexico the 25-mile limit keeps the state’s three largest border cities -- Las Cruces, Lordsburg and Deming -- from receiving the same economic benefits.

In 1999 the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) issued a rule that allowed individuals to travel up to 75 miles into the state of Arizona to visit Tucson. The Senators’ legislation, the Southern New Mexico Economic Development Act of 2011, would expand the geographical limit for Border Crossing Cards for Mexican nationals traveling within the State of New Mexico to 75 miles – the same as in Arizona.
“This legislation would encourage lawful border commerce, boosting economic activity in New Mexico border communities hit hard by the economic downturn and in a manner consistent with our border security needs,” Bingaman said.

“In these tough economic times, it is critical that we do all we can to help New Mexico businesses in our border communities. Currently, Border Crossing Card holders can travel to cities like El Paso, but not nearby Las Cruces, Deming or Lordsburg. This legislation makes a simple modification to boost commerce in important New Mexico communities with respect to our border security,” Udall said.

Bingaman and Udall have also written to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano asking that the Department revise its regulations to extend the geographical zone in New Mexico.

Biometric Border Crossing Cards are only issued to those individuals who have undergone background, fingerprint and security checks.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Sens. Propose Extending Visa Distance
By Diana M. Alba / Las Cruces Sun-News on Tue, Nov 8, 2011

LAS CRUCES — A proposal that proponents say would boost the number of visits by Mexican nationals to Las Cruces, Lordsburg and Deming, and spur economic activity in the state is again on the table.

U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, both D-N.M., recently introduced a bill into Congress seeking to expand the distance limits Mexican nationals can travel into New Mexico for tourism, business and to visit family.

Now, Mexican citizens with a certain permit, called a Laser visa, can travel up to 25 miles into the United States for short-term stays. But several southern New Mexico municipalities are located beyond that distance, Bingaman and Udall noted.

“While this has had a positive impact on many border cities and towns in other states, in New Mexico, the 25-mile limit keeps the state’s three largest border cities — Las Cruces, Lordsburg and Deming — from receiving the same economic benefits,” according to Bingaman’s office.

Las Cruces is about 40 miles from the Mexican border.

The senators’ proposal would expand the allowed travel distance to 75 miles in New Mexico.

Mesquite resident Norma Hartell, 23, a Mexican citizen and legal U.S. resident, said her father lives in Durango, Mexico, and has been hampered in visiting her because of the 25-mile rule. “It’s a great idea,” she said of the proposed law change.

Similar legislation has been introduced in years past, but hasn’t passed.