Taos needs power for the good
Pascual Maestas and I worked together at the DreamTree Project many years ago. He was well-liked by the youth and staff, handled himself admirably even in stressful situations and demonstrated his integrity and upright moral stature. I remember suggesting that he consider a career of service in politics because he is the kind of person we can trust to do the right thing. Knowing that his advanced degree in economics gives him insight and clarity, I follow his efforts at the town council, where he calls out unfairness and stands up for transparency. He is absolutely a resident of the town.
I believe that the current election for mayor and councilors is the most significant local election in recent memory. Some people may be concerned about making changes, and there are many reasons for that, as we are often afraid to lose what we know and are unsure of what will come.
Unfortunately, we are too late. Change has come but it hasn’t benefited us as a whole. As with the pandemic, some change is uninvited and unwanted. Much change has been without our local people’s say so or even without our prior knowledge. There are powerful people in organizations and businesses whose influence cannot be underestimated, and we are the hapless residents unable to know what that flow of money and influence is doing.
Repeatedly, the town administration made choices behind closed doors, resulting in shocking decisions for which they bear responsibility. Some plans were exposed and could be stopped. Others could not. A lack of transparency can easily lead us to think that these interests are using their influence without due process and for their own purposes. We are so busy with our own survival needs that we can’t keep up. Things are complex. We aren’t the experts. We have to be able to trust our local government at all times to keep us informed in simple and streamlined ways so they can know what we want and don’t want and why. Pascual fights for this transparency.
Think water, plans to extend terms of elected officials, airport, annexation, recycling, housing, hunger, detox, Couse pasture, four story hotels, Kit Carson rock concerts.
Where is the bold and committed leadership we need and deserve, that will be open and forthright?
It’s not an exaggeration to say that we have to correct things now, before they go too far. It is up to us to make a choice for the smartest, best prepared and equipped advocate for the people. Because of Pascual’s years of experience on the council and knowledge of how the town and government works (as well as its systemic dysfunction and antagonistic relationship with the county) he has creditable plans for tackling our big issues. He is ready today to lead and guide the change that will help this precious land endure the forces at large in this age. The complexities and difficulties of this time also mean we need to insist that a mayor works full time for us. We shouldn’t play second fiddle to someone’s business. We must have the full attention and effort of the person we elect.
Pascual’s website can give you clear information about what he stands for and his well-thoughtout ideas. It is par for the course that towns get grants and funding and this will not change. What matters is how that money is used.
It is inexcusable that COVID19 pandemic support funds were used for enhancements to the airport while families struggled with illness and death, food and housing insecurity, and school shutdowns. We never saw what that proposal was and what was funded.
It is inexcusable that the town leadership failed to rescue/safeguard the former detox center and has let years go by without re-establishing this life-saving facility.
Please don’t give up on politics. Politics is about who shows up, who gets power and how they use it. The town is small, but its decisions help or hurt the whole county and all the people in many ways.
There are four candidates for mayor, but a vote for Pascual Maestas in this election is the way your vote has power for the good.
Satrupa Kagel came to Taos in 1973 for the first time and moved here in 1989. She worked as the Taos County DWI Coordinator, Taos High School teacher, a youth care worker at DreamTree Project, and a recovery advocate at rehab facilities and the Battered Women’s Project.