Rants and Raves


Published on Thursday, September 4, 2008 11:06 AM MDT

The Rio Rancho post office has really outdone itself. While I realize that most mail drop boxes, seemingly by design of the United States Postal Service, almost inevitably require one to drive to the left into oncoming traffic, the new drop box at the main post office is a real lollapalooza. As a driver pulls in, there is no longer a drop box opening on the driver’s side of the car. The driver must turn through the post office parking lot — incidentally, due to its poor design, a place with one of the highest incidence rates of fender benders in the city — circle the lot back to the north, then turn west to reach the drop box. Or, he or she must turn left into Ester Bone Library parking, circle, come back and attempt to position his or her car at the required quirky angle to reach the drop box, usually requiring one to back the car to attain the proper angle. Again, the main post office gets a D-minus in customer service. 

 


I had the opportunity to sit at the intersection of Meadowlark Lane and Highway 528 at 5 p.m. for a while on Friday, August, 22. I was amazed to see how many people ran the light. At least two cars in each lane going north went through the intersection after the light turned green for Meadowlark. Series after series — four and sometimes more cars ran that light. They were in the intersection long after the light was green for the opposing traffic (so their side had been red for some time). I thought about what a bonanza this could be for the Department of Public Safety. Put an officer at that intersection, make it safer, ticket bad buys and make some money. And low-and-behold — DPS patrol car #104 appeared. He shot through that light … the last car in a group of four going through on red. We’re doomed.

 


My son plays football for Rio Rancho High School. Why does the football program make our kids work a mandatory golf tournament fundraiser and then turn around and force our kids to raise $250 per kid selling gold cards a week later? The coach said it would affect his playing time if he did not do his fundraising ... signed Mad Mom.


 


I would like to make a comment about an observation I have made. This is in reference to the American flag and the New Mexico flag at Haynes Park. It is a disgrace and total lack of respect by our Rio Rancho Parks and Rec directors/employees. Have they not noticed how dirty and tattered these flags are? It's apparent that the poles these flags are flown from are too close together and the flags hit and rub the metal, therefore the flags are filthy and black. Can these flags be replaced or at least dry-cleaned? And why is the New Mexico flag still at half-mast … it's been that way for at least a month.


 


I sit here in my office trying to work and to no avail because the neighbors have left their three dogs penned up all day and they have been barking since 1 p.m., and it is now 5:45 p.m. This will most likely go on for a few more hours preventing us from enjoying dinner on the porch. A real estate broker told us that we will have trouble selling the house if the dogs are outside. We have attempted to speak with the neighbors over the years and they become defensive and threatening. We want to sell so we can get out of Rio Rancho. It does no use to go to the City of Rio Rancho as they obviously have no covenants about barking dogs. The animal control does nothing and on one occasion a policeman visited (someone on the other block apparently called him and it never occurred to us to call the police). He said he was going to order a court citation which I assume he did because the dogs were quiet for some time. He told us there had been many citations against this home and he would see to it that it stopped. Incidentally, the officer was Germane Casey, wonderful man. So for all of you out there with a barking dog problem I suppose we should either get over it or move. There will be no help in Rio Rancho. 


 


Wednesday, August 27, at 2 a.m., the contractors started working on Chessman Drive, repainting the new lane designations. It was noisy, like five jackhammers tearing up the street, men hollering “go back,” “forward,” etc. They came back that night at 9 p.m., and worked until 6 a.m. on Thursday. Then, they came back Thursday night at 10 p.m. and worked until 6:30 a.m., on Friday. We had company from California, as there was a death in the family. We all lost two nights sleep. It was most embarrassing for us. It sure put Rio Rancho in a bad light. Wish the city would have at least advertized this would happen. At least we could have made different arrangements.


 


I have three children in three different Rio Rancho schools. I have attended two open houses thus far and the same story I hear is “overcrowded and too many students”. Not only did these schools not plan in advance for the growth of this city, but the real problem lies beyond that. The alleged reputation that Rio Rancho schools are superior to Albuquerque schools has caused interest from Albuquerque parents to want their students in our schools. I know for a FACT, several kids in my kids’ schools who are Albuquerque residents, yet they are attending Rio Rancho schools. (Which also explains the long parent drop off lines. Obviously these kids don’t take the bus home. Our bus routes don’t go all the way to Abq.) How is this legal? What about our taxes to fund these “superior” schools? How is it fair for them to attend our schools when they don’t pay our city taxes? How is it fair that they get a PE uniform when other students who actually live in the boundaries do not? Some of the overcrowding problems could be solved merely by checking residency andenforcing it. If these families want to enjoy the schools in our city, they are welcome to move here. There are several houses on either side of me for sale. Come on over. And pick the weeds when you come in, would you?


 


You have got to be kidding me. I just read in the Observer that they are still trying to cram the UNIT 17 SAD down our throats again. How many times do we have to say no? I see that they have sent out surveys to 546 people to vote on it. What are they doing, manipulating the votes? Did they have 546 people they know on the records who agreed to it and are getting the surveys? The same way they manipulated the taxes for Central New Mexico by sending the majority or the surveys outside of the area of the actual residents who would pay the taxes so it could be approved? I am still waiting for my original letter of intent that was supposedly sent out by the city originally. What happened to it? Send me a survey to vote. I'll save you the time. I vote NO! Looks like I need to get back in contact with my lawyer again to start the ball rolling as far as filing as lawsuit against the city. Anyone else on board? You want to do a fair vote? Send the survey to every resident that is involved in Unit 17 and I bet you won't like the results you get. But then again it would be the honest way to do it and that isn't Rio Rancho's forte.  


 

Copyright © 2009 Rio Rancho Observer

Comments

26 comment(s)

    Can hear your dogs way over yonder wrote on May 23, 2009 9:43 AM:

    " I too have the horrible privelege of watching and listening to neighbor dogs being neglected and left to bark all day and night. These folks moved in, built a fence and tossed the 2 dogs out in the backyard and have NEVER interacted with them. They are left in the hot sun with no shade, cold winters with no protection and bark while they are home or not. Animal Control stops by, someone obviously cares, to no avail, they still bark well past midnight, all day long. someone should put these people in the back yard to see how itfeels! "

    Kevin McCormack wrote on Feb 17, 2009 2:10 PM:

    " I own a home in Vista Hills and have recently had to deal with a costly water leak within the home. Most of us know about the polybutylene piping problem and the ongoing lawsuits due to its failure to last.
    If you live in Rio Rancho and have had a leak attributable to this product and possibly to the City's Water Department high water line pressures, call me at 350-7624. We may have a legal remedy,
    Kevin McCormack "

    Paula Westbrook wrote on Dec 8, 2008 7:48 AM:

    " I hear Rio Rancho ISD has been holding their teacher's pay raises (which the state sent them back in August)in an account rather than pay the teachers what they are legally owed. I hear they are asking seasoned teachers to quit next semester because they can't pay them. I hear they are laying off ALL substitute teachers, which equals no restroom breaks for teachers.
    SHAME ON THEM. Where's the accountability? Where's the pride?
    I'm from Texas; here the STATE takes over the mismanaged school district, and the teachers still have a job WITH pay. "

    maria wrote on Dec 7, 2008 1:53 PM:

    " TO clarify educators contracts in RRPS: Teachers receive a Notice of Employment in April or May for the next school year. This notice DOES NOT state a salary or position.Actual contracts for the year with salary and position are not received until spring of that year. Example: 1) April 2007 Letter of Employment for school year 2007-08; Con-tract received March 2008 with salary & position named. 2) May 2008 letter received for 2008-09SY.We have been working under the 2007-08SY contract salary. No raises and NO stipends have been paid.We will not see our contract for this year 2008-09 until spring2009. "

    None wrote on Nov 28, 2008 7:55 PM:

    " On November 22 we took our children to Sabana Grande to visit with Santa Claus. We did get there a few minutes before 10 AM to look at the crafts there, but our main reason was to visit with Santa. He was arriving at 10 AM. At 11:30 we left, without seeing Santa! WHY? Because he never showed up! That was very upsetting for the little ones. "

    Anyonymous wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:50 AM:

    " Being a teacher with the RRPS, I would love to have the raise I was promised. However, I realize that I will, in all liklihood, never see a dime of it. My fellow staffers at Sandia Vista, however, feel that we would be getting a "lift" instead of a raise, if we could get a new principal. We would be quite satisfied with this. "

    I. B. Parent wrote on Nov 16, 2008 7:11 AM:

    " Sandia Vista Elementary School is brand new, however the staff seems to be getting newer every day. The principal, Dr. Patricia Cruz, needs to be replaced with someone that knows how to work with staff, teachers and children. This woman is totally inept at her job. How many more staffers will quit before Sue Cleveland takes notice and replaces her? Students are being disenrolled as well. All this has to do with this principal. WAKE UP RRPS and smell the bad principal! "

    Tony Largaespada wrote on Nov 1, 2008 3:55 AM:

    " I am tired of hearing we aren't better off now then eight or four years ago(depending on the day and candidate)and especially Obama's further statement that "we all know the answer to that." Eight years ago I was in debt, on foodstamps and eating government cheese, but in 2002 aquired a 50 grand a year job. In 2005 I was promoted to 65 grand a year and got to move to this beautiful city and state. So when that question is asked I always wonder why Obama is asking a question with an answer of definatly "yes." "

    mary wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:02 PM:

    " Fruta St. is 25 mph - really! Fruta runs between Northern & Broadmoore & it appears people use it for a short-cut. That's fine but let's remember Eagle Ridge Middle School is there & driving 25 mph down this road is not that hard to do. The other day I witnessed a police officer with his radar gun giving out tickets right at the corner of Fruta & 8th Ave., NE - right across the street from the school! A ticket can't possibly be worth the time spent speeding through there! 25 MPH! "

    Willit everend wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:57 AM:

    " Another summer season is ending ushering in the change of seasons. On LaPinta/El Granado Ct. that means another round of broken water mains on our block. Three within the last two weeks, bringing the total of over thirty water line breaks in three years.
    Come see our patchwork quilted street!
    The faulty polybutylene connections should have been replaced long ago!.I cordially invite Mayor Swisstack and Councilman Naranjo to come visit our street to see for themselves.Don't mind the five year do it yourself home remodel project or the gravel mound in the driveway! That is another story! "

    mk wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:02 PM:

    " Someone is going around stealing Obama yard signs. All the signs on our street have gone missing. Has anyone had this problem on their street? "

    Guess wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:06 PM:

    " I do not want to see my buisness name in "Rants and Raves" for asking people not to park in my lot and visit a neighboring buisness and drink beer for hours. Unfortunatly the Bank Of The West will have this problem again. Will anybody learn a lesson? "

    Fargo and Lady wrote on Sep 19, 2008 5:51 PM:

    " My owner has has a long talk with us in reference to our not barking. When we signed on to be their dogs, we opted to be territorial and bark at anything or person on our property. Having said that, could you please ask my neighbors to stop walking their 4 dogs after 10 pm at night as they always let them stop to pee in our yard which means we have to bark at them. Not to mention the person walking dogs at 4 AM every morning. Thanks the dogs "

    Ticked-Off wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:12 PM:

    " Teachers appreciate parent involvement and comittment to their students success. What they dread is the onslaught of angry phone calls, e-mails and nasty notes concerning their children's grades. "My child has never had anything lower than an A," has become the battle cry. The constant sheltering, protecting and just flat lying to teachers about assignments and absences shackles teachers, making their job nearly impossible. Wouldn't life be wonderful if we all got an A in everything we do (or pretend to have done)teachers certainly deserve one for putting up with all the whining! "

    I agree wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:58 PM:

    " Mad Mom is right. The boys and girls on the Rams teams are asked to fundraise when they SHOULD be focuing on being STUDENT ATHLETES. Our children are penalized, even forced to run stadiums for missing fundraising events or for not raising enough money. When will King Worley wake up and realize that football is a sport based on talent, stamina and comittment, not salesmanship? "

    John wrote on Sep 18, 2008 6:21 AM:

    " To the lady who's son had to fundraise, you are absolutley right. Do not listen to the person who said your son is probably missing practice or not good enough to play, the reason Rio Rancho makes these kids fundraise is because they are greedy. If you do not believe me explain why they let EVERYONE who comes out for the team make it. I'll tell you why $250 per kid minimum that's why. It's very unfair that 90% of the kids who come out will never see playing time, but who cares right we have their money.... "

    Sarge wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:23 PM:

    " To the mother of a Rio Rancho Football Player. Fund raisers are a needed avenue for additional funds to equip your son. People who attend these fundraisers like to meet the kids. Your assertion that a coach told a player that playing time depended on sales of fundraiser cards is completely ridiculous. If your son is not playing, he either is missing practices, or is just not good enough to break the starting line up. Maybe instead of whining you might encourage your son to attend all practices and work harder. "

    al wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:54 PM:

    " We know there is an ordinance about barking dogs in this town, also about
    leashing dogs,a nd a number of other things, but the problem is Rio Rancho does not enforce these ordinances. "

    Paul wrote on Sep 12, 2008 8:00 AM:

    " To all of you who are quick to point out the negative, deal with it!!! you do not know how lucky you are, the person with the problem of the road work, sure it is annoying but at least you have a government that repairs the roads, could be worse. Football Mom, here is a tissue, thank God your kid can run down a field, go to the hospital and look in the childrens ward, you don't have a clue how blessed you are. Take the time to think of the good and work on the "bad" "

    Upset Parent wrote on Sep 11, 2008 11:42 AM:

    " Where are the cops at the bus stops? For the past several months I have witnessed midhigh kids at the Zirconia/Amethyst bus stop buying drugs, fighting,trying to initiate elementary kids into their "club" and girls&boys doing who knows what in the ditch. When we call the cops they take their time to show up so after an hour or two the kids have dispersed and the drug deals have gone down. "

    Greg wrote on Sep 6, 2008 1:06 PM:

    " Dolores, I wouldn't judge any city just on the "Rants and Raves" column in the local paper. I've lived here 7 years and love it. "

    Dave wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:49 PM:

    " So, Mad Mom is peeved because her little darling football player had to do some fundraising? Did she ever think that it might build character for her son to pitch in and support the team? I'm appalled at her attitude - it's the core of what's wrong with this country.
    I bet she would like it so much better in California......

    I can't believe the way the "City of Vision" saw the future of our schools. To top it off, we name a school after the one who left the overcrowding mess.... "

    Bob Harpley wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:30 PM:

    " Delores Allen...There's a little over 70,000 people living in Rio Rancho. Rants and Raves is not a brush to paint them all. Visit a neighborhood and say "Hello" "

    Greg wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:33 PM:

    " There is a dog barking ordance: http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/index.asp?NID=220

    Barking- City of Rio Rancho has an animal disturbing the peace ordinance 90.21(A)(1), requiring all owners to control their animals from excessive noise, whether the owner is at home or not, at any time, which includes barking, squawking, or howling, Maintain the animals environment as not to create a noxious or offensive odor to the inhabitants of the City. "

    Robert wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:47 PM:

    " Just to add about the traffic laws not applying to the police force, almost on a daily basis, on western hills road, a RR police car will travel at a entirely unsafe rate of speed. Short of them chasing down Bin Laden, i see no reason to place innocent lives in danger, with this driving style. High speed chases should be left for the multi-lane roads. "

    Dolores Allen wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:48 AM:

    " I plan to move to New Mexico and have been considering areas near ABQ - namely, the Rio Rancho area. As I read the Rants and Raves, I see that Rio Rancho wouldn't be a very nice place to live. "

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