by Edmond Temple, Mayor of Jemez Springs

"Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread.” -Thomas Jefferson

Village Librarian Eva Jacobson made a digital presentation of the recently installed new digital catalog system named Apollo. The system was paid for by the County Library Bond voters approved last year. Go online and check it out, you will be impressed. Thank you Eva and Greg Shores.

The Council discussed the possibility of a new part time Event Planner position to promote the Village and organize events such as Fire and Ice. The Lodger Tax Board has offered to contribute several thousand dollars towards funding this position. The Village Office will be bring a revised job description to the August Council meeting.

After a public hearing on the 11th, the Council passed Ordinance 176 allowing the Council to declaration a drought situation and then institute a ban on all fireworks within the Village limits. Given the Forest Service was reopening the forest Thursday morning, the ban was not put into effect but the Village now has a vehicle for banning fireworks on the books.

Mayor Temple reported on his meeting with Cabinet Secretary Padilla of Tax and Revenue regarding the tax payer overpayment. Representative Hall accompanied the Mayor and questioned the Secretary closely to how this could happen twice in two years to a small Village like Jemez Springs. This problem has recently occurred in six New Mexico municipalities including Santa Rosa for over $400,000! The Mayor negotiated a two year repayment plan, the department originally asked for a six month plan.

The Mayor reported on the status of the proposed Cell Phone tower by Commnet Wireless. Their site developed engineer meet with Chief Cart and the Mayor to confirm the feasibility of the Fire Station site — looks good. The Council will be studying the proposed contract from Commnet and discussing it at the next Council meeting, August 8th.

The August Council meeting will be the 8th. The public is welcome.