It's "Enchanted Circle Day" at the Roundhouse, which means folks from Taos, Moreno and Colfax counties have set up tables in the hallways to either side of the rotunda. They are hawking all manner of budget requests and handing out buttons, candy, tote bags and Mardi Gras necklaces in return for your attention.
Here's one that caught my eye: a single sheet, on cream colored paper, from the office of the mayor of Eagle Nest, New Mexico, titled "CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW LAGOON."
"Situated on the north shore of majestic Eagle Nest Lake State Park,"
needs
$650,000 for Phase 3 of its new lagoon project:
"In 2007, the Village began a much need 8-phased improvement plan to the wastewater system. The lagoon system almost breached during the summers of 2007 & 2008 due to inadequate evaporation and storage space. Emergency measures had to be taken. The Village recognizes capital outlay funds are limited this year, however, a breach could potentially contaminate the nearby Lake and streams, impacting a valuable resource to New Mexico."
The appropriation they'd like for this year is $650,000. They've already been given about $1.7 million for Phase 1 and 2 (New lift station and pumps, sewer lines, manholes, fences, disposal of sludge....and by the time they finish Phase 8 it will have cost more than $4.9 million
Eagle Nest's population, according to the 2000 US Census is...... 306 people.
Eagle Nest is the location of an infamous annual "Fish Fest" (see photo), scheduled this year for Sept. 19-27. Itsis $20 to enter, with "Daily door prizes, 4 jackpot drawings, prizes for tagged fish caught, casting & worm-eating contests!"
Capital Outlay requesters: Rep. Thomas Garcia and Sen. Clinton Harden Jr