Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA)
Signpost article, June 2021 Edition

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) Report
By Jean Roberts, ESCA Board of Directors

New Mexico has received national recognition as one most successful states in the country in responding to the COVID pandemic. We’re on the cusp of returning to normal, but we’re not there yet. The New Mexico Department of Health continues to detect cases of community spread, meaning that some residents have contracted the virus despite no known exposure. ESCA urges everyone to get vaccinated and stay safe, and the Department of Health supports businesses and workplaces that may continue to require masks for employees and/or customers, regardless of vaccination status. If we each do our part—for ourselves and for those around us—New Mexico residents and businesses can look forward to a healthier future. For details and updates, the New Mexico Department of Health website, www.nmhealth.org, offers a wealth of information.

ESCA also urges everyone in Congressional District 1 to vote in the special election on June 1.

This is your opportunity to select your representative to the US House of Representatives, replacing Deb Haaland, who was selected to serve as our nation’s Secretary of the Interior.

ESCA urges you to visit the New Mexico Secretary of State website, www.sos.state.nm.us, where you will find an array of election resources. Click on Voting and Elections to bring up instructions for registering to vote and finding a voting location near you.

ESCA and the Land Protection Trust are working to secure a meeting with Secretary Haaland to discuss a ban on gravel mining on the BLM land adjacent to Placitas. We have completed forms to provide details to support this action.

IF ANY ESCA MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING SEND YOUR REQUEST TO president@es-ca.org THE PRESIDENT OF ESCA WILL SEND YOU AN INVITATION VIA EMAIL

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Virtual Board Meeting Agenda

10 May 2021
4:00 PM
By a zoom invitation

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call

3. Acceptance of minutes

4. Introduction of Guests

5. MONTHLY REPORT

1. 1. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne
   2. IT Report – Jim
   3. LPT Report – George

6. OLD BUSINESS

Change By-Laws so ESCA can donate money – Board

7. NEW BUSINESS

Annual support for KUPR – Board

8. OPEN DISCUSSION

Article for June 2021 Signpost – Board

9. Adjournment

Next meeting 14 June 2021, Virtual zoom meeting, AT 4:00PM

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA)
Signpost article, May 2021 Edition

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) Report
By Jean Roberts, ESCA Board of Directors

Did you know we have an election coming up? If you live in Congressional District 1, you will have the opportunity to select your representative to the US House of Representatives in a special election on June 1. In Sandoval County, the district includes Placitas, Bernalillo, and Sandia Pueblo.

The winning candidate will take the seat vacated by Deb Haaland, when she was selected as our nation’s Interior Secretary. The six candidates for the position are Democrat Melanie Stansbury, Republican Mark Moores, Libertarian Christopher Manning, and three candidates who are Independents or declined to select a party, Aubrey Dunn, Laura Olivas, and Robert Ornelas.

ESCA urges you to visit the New Mexico Secretary of State website, www.sos.state.nm.us, where you will find an array of election resources. Click on Voting and Elections to bring up instructions for registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot, finding a voting location near you, and viewing deadlines for each item.

Residents who want to vote in the June 1 election and haven’t yet registered to vote can do so online or by mail by the May 4 deadline. If you miss the deadline, see the instructions on the website for same day registration.

Absentee ballots will be mailed out beginning May 4 for voters who have requested them. You can request an absentee ballot now through May 18.

May 4 is also the first day that you can vote in person at the Sandoval County Clerk’s Office on Idalia Road in Rio Rancho. Additional early voting locations will be open May 15 through May 29, and include the Presbyterian Church in Placitas and the Sandia Pueblo Community Center. More sites will open on the June 1 election day, including the Placitas Community Library, Bernalillo Middle School, Bernalillo High School. The Secretary of State website features a tool to locate a voting location near you.

ESCA urges you to vote in this very important election.

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA)
Signpost article
April 2021

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) Report
By Jean Roberts

ESCA has been urging action at the State and Federal level on issues that affect our community, but meanwhile, immediate action is needed right here in Placitas. The Casa Rosa Food Pantry has long served those in our community who need help with basic needs, and now Casa Rosa needs a little help from the community to pay for a new roof and to fix possible wood rot.

Casa Rosa has been a mainstay of the Placitas community during the pandemic when other area food pantries closed. Thanks to a team of volunteers, along with generous donations from the community, the Bezos Foundation, the Albuquerque Rotary Club, and the Albuquerque Rotary Charity Foundation, Casa Rosa not only remained open but kept pace with demand during a particularly difficult year. In 2020, the food pantry served 226 regular clients, plus another 70 families who required one-time assistance.

ESCA is urging members of the community to make even a small donation of $25—or more if you are able—to Casa Rosa to help cover the expense of the new roof. We can make a big difference when we all come together. To donate, go to casarosafoodpantry.org or mail your donation to PO Box 768, Placitas, NM. 87043.

IF ANY ESCA MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING SEND YOUR REQUEST TO president@es-ca.org THE PRESIDENT OF ESCA WILL SEND YOU AN INVITATION VIA EMAIL

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Virtual Board Meeting Agenda
8 March 2021
4:00 PM
By a zoom invitation

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call

3. Acceptance of minutes

4. Introduction of Guests 

5. MONTHLY REPORT

• A. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne
• B. IT Report – Jim
• C. LPT Report – George

 6. OLD BUSINESS

• A. Investment of ESCA funds – Wayne
• B. Put Gravel Mine information on ESCA-ORG – Jim
• C. Leg trapping Bill in State Legislature – George
• D. Contact key people concerning pickleball court – George

7. NEW BUSINESS

8. OPEN DISCUSSION

Article for April 2021 Signpost – Board

9. Adjournment

Next meeting 12 April 2021, Virtual zoom meeting, AT 4:00PM

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA)
Signpost article
March 2021

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) Report

By President of ESCA, George Franzen

In early February, Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan reintroduced legislation to prohibit gravel mining on the Buffalo Tract, which is adjacent to Placitas neighborhoods along our northern boundary. The legislation, Senate Bill 180, is with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for consideration. We anticipate that Representative Deb Haaland will reintroduce the bill in the House as well.

ESCA has worked closely with the Las Placitas Association and others to urge these actions, and Commissioner Katherine Bruch has also worked with the County Commission to write a letter in support of the legislation. Legislation does not carry over from one Congress to another, so reintroduction is necessary as the 117^th Congress begins its work.

We also plan to pursue additional avenues to prevent Buffalo Tract gravel mining. If Representative Haaland is confirmed as Interior Secretary, she may be able to assist in moving the Buffalo Tract Protection Act through Congress.

ESCA’s website home page at www.ES-CA.org, features a comprehensive, 18-page paper on the public health, environmental, economic, and cultural costs of current and potential gravel mining in the Placitas area. The paper, entitled “Land of Enchantment or Gravel,” is a collaborative effort of ESCA and the Las Placitas Association.

We continue to participate in annual meetings to discuss plans for completion and reclamation of the Vulcan gravel mine currently in Placitas, provided for in the settlement agreement between Sandoval County, ESCA, and the owners/operators of the mine, and a copy of the agreement is also posted on ESCA’s website home page. The most recent annual meeting was held virtually on February 12, 2021.

Ron Overley, the Sundance Mesa Subdivision coordinator with the Vulcan mine representatives, provided the following comments. “The meeting was attended by representatives of Sandoval County, Vulcan Materials, Mt. Adams Development (the landowner), ESCA, the Land Protection Trust, and homeowners’ associations adjoining the mine. There were three developments discussed.

1. Mining will continue south of the arroyo and to the west. That should be completed sometime in 2023, and reclamation should be completed late in 2023 and the land returned to Mt. Adams Development.

2. Mining in the north along the ridge will begin in either late 2021 or early 2022. Prior to that, ample notice will be given so residents know what is going on. The berm will be constructed before mining starts, potentially as early as the third quarter of 2021. If possible, an in-person meeting will be held before mining starts, and if not possible, we will meet by Zoom or another format.

3. At the conclusion of all mining, the property will be returned to Mt. Adams. Currently there are no developed plans for the land use.

ESCA also continues to monitor issues that come before the Sandoval County Commission, and we encourage area residents to check bimonthly meeting agendas posted on the County website at www.sandovalcountynm.gov. Links to the agendas and videos of the meetings are on the www.ES-CA.org home page.

IF ANY ESCA MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING SEND YOUR REQUEST TO president@es-ca.org THE PRESIDENT OF ESCA WILL SEND YOU AN INVITATION VIA EMAIL,

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Virtual Board Meeting Agenda
8 Feb 2021
4:00 PM
By a zoom invitation

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call

3. Acceptance of minutes

4. Introduction of Guests

5. MONTHLY REPORT

• • A. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne
  • B. IT Report – Jim
  • C. LPT Report – George

6. OLD BUSINESS

• • A. Investment of ESCA funds – Board
  • B. 501 C (4) information and survey results – George

7. NEW BUSINESS

8. OPEN DISCUSSION

Article for March 2021 Signpost – Board

9. Adjournment

Next meeting 8 March 2021, Virtual zoom meeting, AT 4:00PM

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA)
Signpost article
February 2021

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) Report
By President of ESCA, George Franzen

In early January, the Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) contacted Senator Martin Heinrich and Representative Debra Haaland to urge them to reintroduce the Buffalo Tract Protection Act. The legislation would prohibit gravel mining on the Buffalo Tract, adjacent to Placitas neighborhoods along our northern boundary. ESCA will also pursue additional avenues to prevent Buffalo Tract gravel mining now that Representative Haaland has been nominated as Interior Secretary.

Legislation does not carry over from one Congress to another, so reintroduction is necessary as the 117^th Congress begins this month. In the 116^th Congress, the Senate bill was S. 526, and in the House, H.R. 2640.

The State of New Mexico, Sandoval County, and the entire community are keenly aware that the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) draft resource plan proposes opening the Buffalo Tract and other nearby areas to gravel mining, even though BLM analysis has revealed an abundance of areas better suited for gravel mining. Moreover, Placitas already has four of New Mexico’s 13 largest gravel mines. Any new mining will deepen the negative impact on all Placitas home values and our air quality, as well as threaten cultural sites and a key wildlife corridor.

ESCA will also continue to work with local offices of our Congressional representatives and with Sandoval County officials to ensure early reintroduction of the Buffalo Tract Protection Act. In particular, Sandoval County continues to support passage. In a December 2019 letter, the Sandoval County Commission unanimously reaffirmed bipartisan support for this legislation and retransmitted the Commission’s unanimous August 2019 letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

ESCA is delighted to congratulate Representative Haaland for her nomination as Interior Secretary. Stewardship of federal lands across the country will benefit from her insights and leadership. We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.

IF ANY ESCA MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING SEND YOUR REQUEST TO president@es-ca.org THE PRESIDENT OF ESCA WILL SEND YOU AN INVITATION VIA EMAIL,

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Virtual Board Meeting Agenda
14 Dec 2020
4:00 PM
By a zoom invitation

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call

3. Acceptance of minutes

4. Introduction of Guests Speaker

5. MONTHLY REPORTS

A. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne
B. IT Report – Jim
C. ESCA Insurance Status – Peter
D. LPT Report and LPT Board for 2021- Bob

 6. OLD BUSINESS

 7. NEW BUSINESS

A. Survey Members for their thoughts for ESCA 2021 direction, the mission? – Board

8. OPEN DISCUSSION

• • How does the Library invest their extra capital? – Jean
  • Article for January 2021 Signpost – Board

9. Adjournment

Next meeting 11 January 2021, Virtual zoom meeting, AT 4:00PM

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA)
Signpost article
November 2020

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) Report
By President of ESCA, George Franzen

 Now that the election is over, the Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) is looking forward to 2021. We will be reaching out to newly elected officials at the State and Federal levels, as well as officials at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to ensure a strong working relationship and to press for issues that are important to our community.

 In particular, we will ask our Washington representatives to reintroduce legislation that would prohibit gravel mining on the BLM’s Buffalo Tract. This legislation affects the BLM land immediately north of Placitas neighborhoods, and it has consequences for the air quality and home values of all of Placitas. ESCA will also continue to monitor developments with the Vulcan gravel mine that adjoins several Placitas neighborhoods between Camino Barranca and the I-25 frontage road, including compliance with the 2017 agreement to complete mining and land reclamation no later than May 2027.

 ESCA is also looking at ways to work on behalf of our Eastern Sandoval communities as the COVID-19 pandemic extends into 2021. We plan to survey our members for their priorities for the community, and we welcome ideas from the community at large that are in keeping with our mission. ESCA is an all-volunteer, non-partisan watchdog group that works with all levels of government to protect your interests, and your support is critical to our efforts. We invite you to visit our website at www.es-ca.org.

 And speaking of elections, ESCA recently conducted an election for our board’s At-Large Directors. George Franzen, Wayne Gaede, Jacques Ramey, and Richard Reif were re-elected, and Jim Wiesner was newly elected. District Directors Peter Adang, Jim Harre, John McNerney, and Jean Roberts will continue on the board.

 As we move into the holiday season, all of us at ESCA urge everyone to stay safe and healthy while we work together to end this pandemic.