The Aztec Local News

February 1-15, 2010

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Aztec City Manager Josh Ray
- two weeks on the job
By Katee McClure
The most important task for a city manager, according to Aztec's new City Manager Josh Ray, is... everything.
Mr. Ray started his new position on January 11th of this year. Within the first week he had met and spoke personally with fifteen city employees, department heads, and commissioners. He started up a management team consisting of Ken George, head of the Electric Department, Police Chief Heal, Steve Christensen who heads up the Public Works, Ed Kotyk from Information and Planning, and Kathy Lamb from the Finance Dept. It is in these management team meetings that Josh, as he likes to be called, will get a firm idea of what the city needs and what the city wants.
Ray says the biggest challenge is focus. He wants to insure that "all city employees and Aztec citizens are taken care of and listened to." Becoming complacent is not an option for Josh Ray.
Josh has been very impressed with the well thought out ideas of not just the commissioners and department heads, but also with citizens that are active on the various boards. He specifically mentioned Russ Allen and Randy Hodge who both sit on the Lodgers tax board and their ideas to help make Aztec a destination spot.
Josh thinks it is important that Aztec not try to be like Farmington or Durango. He thinks that the local culture of this area is enough to build on and it makes Aztec unique on its own.
He has visions of how to develop the land that the City of Aztec already owns, like the prime property on the 550, the beautiful Townsend property that runs along the river right in the heart of town and the new reservoir. He said that all of this is contingent on what the city wants whether it be big business or little business. Once the needs are known, then the plans can begin.
I asked Josh about how the city might help promote the fact that we have a national treasure right in here in town... the Aztec Ruins. He wants to work with the Chamber regarding the ruins. Again, he reiterated that people should not just happen upon Aztec by accident, but that our city should be a focal point.
Josh will have an open door policy as City Manager. He would like to encourage the citizens of Aztec to be active within the community and to use the City Manager's office for input. If they can't attend commission meetings, they can either email, call or meet in person with him and he will pass on their concerns and ideas to the city commissioners.
Josh's goal is to offer the city a management style that is "efficient and affective," and "one that offers the most services with the least expenses." He said, "I want to be aggressive about getting projects going and not just stand around with a shovel in my hand."
Josh has also made it a point to visit local restaurants and the VFW to connect with the local citizens and get a feeling for what’s important to them. He’s also interested in local volunteer projects like Open Trails and Spaces.
During the week of the heavy show, when city offices closed early, Josh thought it would be fun if management all got together to play football in the snow just outside the city offices. Nobody took him up on his offer so he went out and played football by himself.
In closing, Josh said, "I want management to have more fun. I want them to be excited about coming to work on Monday and excited about what they can accomplish during the week."
If Josh ever does convince management to play in the snow, or swim in the reservoir, or climb trees, I hope he calls TALON so we can get that photo!

The first “BELCH” of water reached Number 3 at 11:18 am
Thursday, January 14, 2010.
Photo by Warren J. McNall.
The future is here
By Warren J. McNall
The long awaited Aztec City Water Reservoir Number 3 is HERE!
The 8 (plus or minus) surface acre dugout type reservoir containing 180 acre feet of pumped Animas River water will soon be ready for summer use. The reservoir construction began over a year ago with the Aztec School District stripping the top soils over the reservoir site for the Tiger Sports Complex fields.
The lake basin was carved out by Williams Construction from Norwood, Colorado. The removed soils were placed in three locations including filling in the first proposed reservoir number 3, located just south of the two water plant ponds on Navajo Dam Road, to the east of the reservoir and along phase one of the East Arterial road leading to the Sports Complex and in the future, south and west of the Aztec Well yard south of Aztec where it will join US 550.
The reservoir pit was lined with 60 mil plastic for assuring water containment. Accompanying the project are the “veins of life,” the water line to bring the pumped water from the lower holding ponds and a line delivering gravity flowed water to the drinking water treatment plant.
Most of the reservoir costs have been funded through NM legislative appropriations and grants. Parts of the city’s loan remain available for recreational development surrounding the reservoir. The total costs will be about $4 million.
An initial management plan for the recreational use of the reservoir began discussion at the Aztec City Commission Workshop on January 26th, 2010, which is past the TALON publish deadline (more details to come soon). Initial thoughts include a walking trail around the lake’s one half mile service road, picnic and parking areas and FISHING. Swimming, wading, ice use and boating are not expected to be approved uses.
The reservoir will not only produce a better water quality for treatment but also a much greater reserve for our growing community. I am proud of this new facility in East Aztec. The Aztec City Commission and city staff have done well for the City by building this much needed project. Thanks!

Aztec Chamber of Commerce
Winter Events
Candidates Forum
On Thursday, February 18, 7-8:30pm the Aztec Chamber will host a Candidates’ Forum at the Aztec Community/Senior Center. The candidates for Aztec City Commission seats will explain their qualifications for the positions and answer your questions. If you are interested in submitting questions, please contact the Chamber at 334 9551, send your question to clerk@aztecchamber.com, or fax to 334-7648. Questions must be received by (date) in order to be included in the forum.
Date Change for Ladies Night Out:
On Monday, March 1, the Chamber will host its annual Ladies’ Night Out. The dinner will be held at Rubio’s Restaurant in Aztec from 6:30 to 8:30, and will feature prizes and surprises. Tickets are available from the Chamber office (334 9551, clerk@aztecchamber.com) for $15.

Aztec Trails & Open Space
website – www.aztectrails.com
Aztec Trails & Open Space needs help with trail reviews and write-ups for their website. We need people who are willing to visit one or many local trails and send in a write up about the trail.

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The Farmington Red Apple Transit
now has service to Bloomfield,
Aztec, Kirtland and Flora Vista
Red Apple Transit Dispatch 325-3409

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Note: TALON e-mail: aztecnews@sisna.com

© Copyright 1993-2010 by The Aztec Local News. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor.
Printed by The Gallup Independent.

The Aztec Local News (TALON) is published semimonthly, on the 1st and middle of each month. As a community-input newspaper, serving the Aztec, Bloomfield, Cedar Hill, Center Point, Flora Vista, Navajo Dam, and Blanco areas, we welcome stories, news, events, poetry, photos, etc. from area residents. Please call 334-1039, fax 334-1551, or e-mail us at aztecnews@sisna.com, to give us your input.

6500-7000 copies of The Aztec Local News are delivered to over 150 locations in the area for free pickup and mailed to those who prefer the convenience of a subscription.

Editor & Publisher: Candy Frizzell, 505-334-1039
Writers: Katee McClure, 330-4616

Ad Sales: Candy Frizzell, 334-1039
Ad Rep: Debbie Koster, 970-764-8108
horseloverdebbie@hotmail.com
Photographer: Katee McClure
Distribution:
Proofreaders: Gina Martinez, Linda Lawson, Debbie Israel
Subscriptions: Debbie Israel

PO Box 275 • Aztec, NM 87410
505-334-1039 • fax/voice 334-1551
e-mail: aztecnews@sisna.com

The Aztec Local News is a compilation of
articles, poems, stories, etc. written by area residents. The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the individual authors, and do not
necessarily reflect those of The Aztec Local News.
If information is presented as fact and it is relevant to you, verify it. Although we strive for correctness and honesty, this community paper does not have the resources to check all incoming info.

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