Town of Taos News Brief 1/12/09

Posted by Cathy Connelly • January 12, 2009 • Printer-friendly

1) State of New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome D. Block to hold open office hours Wednesday In Taos

New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome D. Block (Dist. 3) will hold “Open Office Hours” in Taos this Wednesday, January 14, from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., at the Town of Taos City Council Chambers, 120 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos. Commissioner Block will bring NMPRC staff to Taos to answer any questions on current issues and industries the NMPRC regulates, such as utilities, telecommunications, transportation, managed health care, consumer affairs and other regulatory concerns. Area residents and businesses are invited to discuss any issues or concerns with key NMPRC personnel and Commissioner Block.

About the NMPRC

The NMPRC regulates public utility and telecommunications companies, motor carriers and insurance companies operating in the State of New Mexico. It also administers the State Fire Marshal, the New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy, Pipeline Safety Bureau and the Corporations Bureau, which registers state corporations. The NMPRC is also responsible for the oversight of the New Mexico Insurance Division and the state’s superintendent of insurance.

Daniel Mayfield, Chief of Staff

Public Information Officer Paul Carbajal

Paul.Carbajal@state.nm.us

Office: 505.827.4446

Cell: 505.699.7991

Fax: 505.476.0324

2) Traffic Advisory from NMDOT:

· single lane closure on northbound NM 68 in the Rinconada area for rock removal behind the wall barrier

· starting Tuesday, Jan. 13 for the next two weeks

· approximately 15 minute delays between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm

For more information contact Karyn Lujan, District Five NMDOT PIO at 827-9567 or visit www.nmroads.com.

3) Town of Taos Calendar as of 1/12/09

Remaining in January --

Town offices closed Monday, January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Regular Council Meeting, Tuesday, January 20, 9:30 a.m., Council Chambers

No Taos Regional Landfill Meeting this Month

Intergovernmental Council Meeting of the Enchanted Circle (IGC) will be at approximately 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda in Santa Fe, Thursday, January 22 -- also Enchanted Circle Legislative Day -- with legislative outreach from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., booths by area representatives in the Rotunda area, and speeches/proclamations/events at approximately 12 noon.

State of the Town, Tuesday, January 27, 5:30 p.m. in Rio Grande Hall, with a community complimentary reception to follow

February –

Tuesday, February 17, 9:30 a.m., Regular Town Council Meeting, Council Chambers

Tuesday, February 24, 6 p.m., Municipal Day at the State Legislature, La Fonda Hotel, plus Wednesday, February 25, 10 a.m., La Fonda Hotel

4) Taos Marketing Reports – Updates. Go to http://www.taosgov.com/pr/news.php for recent updates on Griffin & Associates reports.

5) Town of Taos GRT and Lodgers Tax Update through October 2008

No need to emphasize that September/October of 2008 were hard nationally for everyone in the business of tourism – or selling anything that wasn’t an absolute necessity. Having said that, see the numbers year-over-year below through October, and factor in that Taos Ski Valley had the best New Year’s ever – record numbers. Also, www.TaosVacationGuide.com web site numbers/inquiries are hanging tough – and even up on the location’s new micro site, www.TaosSummerofLove --1,494 unique visitors just on January 1^st with the Tournament of Roses promotion. Taos Visitor Center walk-ins also held well for December, 2008 -- 5,288; compared to 5,218 in 2007, with ingoing/outgoing phone inquiries over the 3,000 level. Things are certainly down, but Northern New Mexico appears to be doing better than many other parts of the nation, particularly other art destinations, when it comes to holding down-trends to a minimum.

Town of Taos – percentages are on an approximate $11 million Town operating budget the majority of which is based on Town GRT --

· GRT for October 2008, compared to same month in 2007 = down 9.35% for the month.

· Year-over-year through October (10 months) comparing 2007 to 2008 = a positive 1.04%.

Town of Taos Lodgers Tax, through November 2008 (one month lag), which is based on approximately $1 million annually –

· Year-over-year is down 9.82%.

· It is down 7.45% for the month of November 2007 compared to 2008; $41,329 vs. $44,329.

6) Vote today for AmericanStyle’s 2009 Top Arts Destinations (Thank you Jan Mellor for sending another reminder):

Win national recognition for your city or region in AmericanStyle's Top 25 Arts Destinations readers’ poll.

Send out your member e-blasts and alert local media to encourage citizens in your community to vote!

Details: Cities and towns across the country are competing to be named the Top Arts Destinations by readers of AmericanStyle magazine. Voting is open now and continues through January 31, 2009. The annual readers’ poll showcases the nation’s small, medium and large cities that roll out the red carpet for art tourists and cultural travelers. Often, these destinations are in unexpected places. Many towns are recognizing that cultural and arts districts fuel economic development. Your favorite places to buy art, visit galleries and museums, and attend festivals can make the list: Write-in candidates are welcome. Seventy-five cities or towns will be chosen – 25 winners in each of three population-based categories. In addition, one lucky voter will be selected at random to receive a $500 travel gift certificate for participating in the poll.

Voting: Go directly to our official poll by clicking this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kB7RQbVr7KpjsXbIkvsqMQ_3d_3d, or visit www.AmericanStyle.com and click on the AmericanStyle Top 25 Arts Destinations icon to select your favorite arts destinations. A paper ballot is also available in AmericanStyle magazine, now on newsstands. Voting ends on January 31st.

About the magazine: AmericanStyle magazine is the nation’s premier arts lifestyle magazine for arts enthusiasts, collectors and travelers. Published bimonthly, AmericanStyle can be found online at www.AmericanStyle.com and on newsstands nationwide.

Lisa Fritsch, Circulation & Marketing Manager, AmericanStyle magazine
The Rosen Group, Inc., 3000 Chestnut Avenue Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21211
phone 410.889.3093 ext. 212 | fax 443.524.2644
www.AmericanStyle.com

www.AmericanCraft.com
www.NICHEmag.com