Today, New Mexico's Congressional Delegation sponsored a forum to assist northern New Mexican's in our struggle to regain not only a warm functional home, but dignity. Representatives from the US Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Small Business Administration and Housing and Urban Development presented information to an overflowing crowd at the Española City Plaza's Misión Museum this morning. Information was made available on how to get assistance (both grants and loans) to repair the damages that were caused during the recent seven-day New Mexico Gas crisis. Information ranged from home repair to business assistance, farming/livestock issues to emergency housing. The presentations were brief. But, the crowd was not satisfied.
Northern New Mexicans who attended the forum wanted answers about why some of the coldest counties had had our gas turned off, while the southern counties continued to have service. Business owners wanted to know how they would make up for the loss. Most of all, the crowd wanted to know why the forum didn't include representatives from New Mexico Gas Company. The crowd was told only that the company had been invited.
A group of local activists who had held three days of protest across from NM Gas Company's Española office were in attendance with a rented bullhorn! From the back of the huge room, Luis Peña, Adan Baca, and Robert Chavez asked questions of whomever was at the podium; interrupting when needed and refusing to be silenced!!! The group allowed other audience members to use the bullhorn's mic to pose their questions. It was obvious that gas customers were deeply affected by the crisis.
Terribly, one man in the crowd broke down as he explained that his home had caught on fire after lighting the home's water heater. He had lost everything he owned. Compassionate listeners in the crowd offered to help him with whatever he needed - a place to stay, furniture, etc. The master of ceremonies, Terry Brunner, was compassionate and kept the meeting moving.
Taos Mayor, Darren Cordova; and former President of the National Congress of American Indians, and Ohkay Ohwingeh Governor (currently Head of the Council), Joe Garcia, gave the crowd satisfaction as they extolled the need for response by the New Mexico Gas Company to the northern communities affected by the crisis. Mayor Cordova said that "the Mayors [of the northern areas] must stand together to hold [NM Gas Company's] feet to the fire". The crowd exploded in cheers.
Julianna Barbee, of the Española SBDC, promised to put a forum together for the area's small business owners to find solutions to their needs caused by the New Mexico Gas Company outage. Anyone who has questions may reach her at: 505-747-2236 or 505-747-2240
I called for action from our Congressional Delegation to ensure that the New Mexico Public Regulations Commission would act on this matter. The Public Regulations Commission (PRC) regulates the New Mexico Gas Company. The commission was responsible for overseeing the sale of NM gas services between PNM and NM Gas Company. http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us/news/pdf/121208pnmsale08.pdf And, it is the PRC that northern New Mexico must look to for answers why New Mexico Gas Company failed us. To file a complaint with the PRC regarding the gas crisis: http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us/consumers/pdf/INFORMALCOMPLAINTFORM.pdf
Senators Richard Martinez and Carlos Sisneros will hold a forum on the NM State of Emergency caused by NM Gas Company tomorrow, Friday, 2/11/11, at the Roundhouse, at Noon. The Public Regulations Commission and representatives from NM Gas Company will be there. Please attend!
The USDA (US Department of Agriculture)will be at the local USDA office at 424 Riverside Drive, to help fill out forms for all their programs.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is in the area to determine whether the crisis should be declared a national disaster. If so, more federal funds will be made available.
Below is a list of information gathered at today's forum. More information should be published in local newspapers.
USDA (US Dept. of Agriculture)
504 Home Repair Grant or Loan
for Communities of 10k people or less
up to 20k per person may be available
Water/Utilities Assistance - Repairs, etc. 505-761-4950
Community Facilities for communities under 20k residents
Salomon Ramirez of Farm Services for loss to farms, ranches, livestock, etc.
General Phone Number for Assistance: 505-761-4900
HUD (Housing and Urban Development)
Housing funds available to communities in grant form 505-346-7361
DOE (Dept. of Energy) via NM Mortgage Finance Authority
Emergency Housing Available call Catherine at 505-843-6880
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