The end of a decade

Wow, can it be almost 10 years ago that people were fretting about the Y2K Bug? Where were you when we rang in 2000? Well, here we are closing out that "old" decade and about to christen a new one. Do we call it twenty-ten or two thousand-ten? I like twenty-ten better. Seems like everytime you say two thousand-something the "Also Sprach Zarathustra" theme (music to "2001" movie) should be playing. Regardless, Happy New Year!

Presidio is always a nice place to be during the holidays. Being a teacher, I run into former students going back 20+ years. Hopefully the Presidio they come back to is a better place than when they left years ago. I hope so. My motto is "be a good person and leave the earth a better place than you found it."

OK, so let's take a look at our dreamworld, Presidio, and see how we fared over the past decade:

• Built a new elementary school
• Built a new middle school
• New track at the football field
• Two new clinics
• Alco, Subway, Payless Shoes, DY Store, Melrose
  
• Mariscos Las Palapas de Aldama, La Pasadita, The Enlightened Bean
  
• Street paving underway
• New community center
• Community internet
• The Resonators formed (personal plug)
  

I'm probably leaving out some really important things, but what do ya' want for nuthin'? 2010 will bring numerous positive additions to town, but I'll list them as they come online. Right now let's be thankful that things are as good as they are here, while being willing to work for things to get even better.

The challenges facing Presidio are pretty much ones which most small towns face. Fortunately we have in place outstanding local leadership at city hall, the school board, county commissioners, state rep and senator, as well as federal rep. With all these entities working together, there are going to be some important developments around town, but I'll brag on them--once again--as they occur.

I'm hoping that Presidio and Ojinaga will continue to be strong friends of one another in the coming decade. Ojinaga faces some pretty tough challenges, as they have for quite some time. In spite of difficulties face on many fronts in Ojinaga, there are numerous citizens there who have much to contribute. We should always look for ways to facilitate their efforts and work in tandem to continue making La Junta a special place.

Happy New Year! Feliz ano nuevo!

The beginning of the Christmas holidays in Presidio

Today (Saturday) we had our annual Christmas Parade in Presidio. It was pretty small, but counted with the participation of the Franco Middle School Band--all 100 of them. Good job, kids! At the parade's conclusion, the Ft. Davis State Bank (Presidio branch), hosted a community Christmas party, and it was very well done. Providing music entertainment were the Presidio Elementary Honor Choir and La Rondalla de CeTIS 98. Magical!

It's been unseasonably cold here for the past few days, with temps falling into the 20's at night and daytime highs in the 40's. We've even had snow, with the surrounding mountains really showing off what winter can be with a beautiful dusting. This will all be a fond memory come May.