JUNE 7, 2013
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED • SERVING THE SAN JUAN BASIN
T R I - C I T Y
MM TRIBUNE
Decorated gourds More than a dozen artists will participate in 2nd annual show
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MAJESTIC MEDIA
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VOL. 3 NO. 36
Fireworks restrictions
Severe drought brings early no-burn resolution DEBRA MAYEUX Tri-City Tribune
Advocates fireworks
Burnham: Fireworks relatively safe DEBRA MAYEUX Tri-City Tribune A family’s summer business has turned into a 35-year career for Jim Burnham and his brothers. They began selling fireworks during the Fourth of July and New Year’s Holidays as a way to make extra money. Today the Burnhams own a year-round fireworks store in Kirtland and they advocate for the fireworks industry in the state of New Mexico.
Each year, when the city of Farmington and San Juan County begin discussing the possibility of restricting fireworks because of arid conditions throughout the region, Jim Burnham is ready with a presentation about fireworks safety and fireworks-caused fires. “Fireworks are relatively safe,” Burnham said. “On average, they account for only 1 percent of all fires and 3/10 of 1 percent of all fire damage in the U.S.”
* fireworks A8
Christian Burnham watches his dad, Jim Burnham, as Mark Burnham stands by in the Burnham’s family fireworks store in Kirtland. – Josh Bishop photo
San Juan County and the cities of Aztec, Bloomfield and Farmington have been under severe drought conditions for several months, which has brought about a unique set of circumstances regarding fire, open burning and fireworks throughout the region. “Typically, this time of year, we are in the moderate stage with the ‘severe’ creeping toward us,” Farmington Fire Chief Terry Page said during the June 4 City Council work session. “We have seen no
* no-burn
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Homeless dilemma
Sustainable living hard to come by in city limits DEBRA MAYEUX Tri-City Tribune
homeless, transient and under-privileged populations within the city. The discussion turned into a fullfledged lesson in homelessness for the Council. Jonna Sharpe, executive director of People Assisting the Homeless, or PATH, spoke about the great need for emergency housing and transitional living space for homeless individuals and families. There are three families with eight children living at the PATH shelter, while four families with a total of 12 children were turned away because of a lack of space.
Substandard living conditions and predatory lending companies add to the problems many homeless people face when trying to transition into sustainable living. This is what the Farmington City Council heard during a June 4 public hearing concerning the spending of Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, funds. Several public service agencies requested funds totaling $60,135 to assist in their work with * homeless A8
Fischer: Justification unacceptable
Investigation creates tenuous situation for city, pet owners
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Inside Calendar.......................................A4 Editorial ........................................A6 PRCA Tracks ..............................A11 Pawsitively Pets .........................A12 Sports.........................................A13 Pets of the Week........................A15
Capital Development Projects Four Corners Foundation – A PATH home............................................$155,000 Masada House...................................................................................$77,000 Big Brothers Big Sisters new building .................................................$27,786
Proposed development code
LAUREN DUFF Tri-City Tribune
The family of a dog wrongly euthanized by Farmington Animal Control is once again feeling threatened by the city. Bear was removed from his South Farmington Bear, a beloved family dog, was removed from his family’s home home on April 14 and was euthanized less than four on April 14, after escaping from the yard. He was taken by Farmington Animal Control and euthanized less than four hours later. hours later by Julie Henrie –the same Animal Bear was taken away from his family County Control Officer that took him away from a after Henrie received a report of a dog shelter agreement loving family. running at large. She wrote on the report A7 Now, “Every pet owner in Farmington is that he was good with children, does not afraid at this point of what is going to hapbite, was a good watchdog, has his shots and pen,” City Councilor Mary Fischer said during the June 4 City Council work session. * Bear A7
Fundraiser tonight at St. Clairs
Public Service Projects PATH Transitional Housing Program....................................................$27,135 San Juan County Partnership Rental Assistance Program .....................$15,000 Masada House...................................................................................$10,000 San Juan College Child and Family Development Center .......................$8,000
County plan could create zoning, regulations in unincorporated areas
DEBRA MAYEUX Tri-City Tribune
Wine & Whiskers
Farmington’s Community Development Block Grant Funds allocations
San Juan County is developing in a “haphazard manner” because of land use conflicts. The adoption of a land development code would provide the county “orderly development” and maintain future growth, according to Richard Grice, Duncan Associates senior project manager. The land development code process began in 2009 in San Juan County. Since that time there have been more than 60 public meetings to receive input on the plan. “One reason why the project
started was to protect the quality of life and property values. The most valuable properties are those in which the future of surrounding areas are predictable.” Grice said during a June 4 county commission special meeting. “The feedback we are getting is that this ordinance is not tough enough so there is a lot of flexibility built into this,” County CEO Kim Carpenter said. “There is a low regulatory tolerance,” in the community, Grice added. “There are a large number of people who don’t want regulations of their land-use rights. No
* zoning A5
Incubator ribbon cutting Real Estate.................................A17 Bowl For Kids Sake....................A18 Business.....................................A19 Classifieds/Nosey Nellie.............A20 Games........................................A22 Movies........................................A23
Three businesses join Incubator Program
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