Mondays with the MOFO

03/06/2026

Yesterday I found myself sitting in a room with people a whole lot smarter than me and a hell of a lot more versed on the subject we were there to talk about. It was one of those golden opportunities to shut up and listen, I took advantage of it.

What I took from that meeting in a nutshell is this. The concerns about water in this community are very real. The lack of it is real. The fight over it has been going on for a long time but from what I heard yesterday it’s pretty clear the real fight has only just begun. There are also some common sense solutions out there that I believe could gain real traction if people are willing to pursue them the right way.

Water wasn’t the only thing discussed. The conversation also turned to spending and the continued lack of transparency in local government. Those two things seem to follow each other around more often than they should.

I’ll be honest, I was looking forward to the change in our local government. I could see the pros and the cons of shuffling the deck during what should be a pivotal moment for shaping the future of Ruidoso. I leaned heavily and still do, on the idea that sometimes you need new eyes on a situation.

When the results were in Tuesday I was honestly relieved. The whole thing had gotten exhausting and I was kind of looking forward to not feeling the need to be so damned objective about another man or another group of people. That feeling was short lived folks.

It’s becoming pretty clear that what we’re looking at now is only the beginning. What’s on the table isn’t about political seating anymore. It’s about right and wrong and whether a community is being steered by what’s best for everyone or by the agenda of one man or certain few. Some of what I heard yesterday will likely surface publicly in the near future.

There are things already in motion on both sides of that line and I expect quite a bit of it will see the light of day soon enough.

For now I’m paying attention, listening more than talking, and watching how this unfolds. One way or another the truth about a lot of this is going to come out.

02/26/2026

From the outside…. Eight years as mayor and a handful of time before that in local government, you’re going to build contacts. Nobody is going to argue that. Sit in that seat long enough and you’re going to know people, period. But knowing people cannot be the anchor of your campaign. Knowing people can’t be the anchor of your vote folks.

If Richardson is elected, there will be a learning curve…. True. But that hurdle exists either way. One candidate has had eight years inside the system. Eight years with the gavel. Eight years with relationships in place. And after that amount of time, it’s reasonable to expect measurable results.

When you look around honestly, where are they? We’ve heard the announcements. We’ve heard the plans. But measurable, lasting progress is hard to point out. After nearly a decade, little to no measurable results is not a small thing, It is literally the only thing.

Strip away local opinions and past disagreements. Just compare real-world experience.

One candidate’s background in New Mexico centers on restaurant ownership and management. The long-term success of those ventures is open to interpretation. Beyond that, there isn’t much that reflects large-scale operational turnaround.

The other built his career in blue-collar industries. Started at the bottom and didn’t leave there. He was brought into struggling operations to stabilize them, grow them, and then hand them off or position them for sale. That’s ex*****on. That’s stepping into problems and producing outcomes.

If the only thing you’re standing on is contacts, ask yourself something simple. Has that access translated into meaningful progress for this village? Has it delivered measurable improvement? Has it positioned us stronger than we were?

And for clarity, we are not starting from the ground floor with the state or the county if leadership changes. Those relationships do not belong to one man. They belong to this community. They belong to the people who live here, work here, and care about this place.

Support from the state does not disappear because a name changes on the door. That partnership is built on shared interest, not personal ownership.

Support from the county does not disappear because a name changes on the door. In fact, that relationship might improve if the tone in the last county commissioner’s meeting is any indication of that current climate

The state, the county and everyone of us want this village thriving. Equal to or better than it was before the fire. That is the common goal.

It might simply be time for new eyes and a different approach to getting it done.

02/26/2026

Mechem Corridor MRA ‘23

In 2023 the Village of Ruidoso designated the Mechem corridor as a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area. About 4.1 miles. Roughly 82 blocks. The language was ambitious: blight findings, mixed-income housing, infrastructure upgrades, tax increment financing, bonding authority, incentives, and property acquisition. Big toolbox. Big potential.

Fast forward to today.

What has the public actually seen? A draft designation report. Public meetings. Legal notices. Authority on paper.

What hasn’t materialized? A visible TIF structure. Published redevelopment phases with benchmarks. A corridor-wide infrastructure rollout under the MRA banner. A clear incentive program for existing businesses.

The most tangible activity tied to this authority has been land acquisition.

The inaugural housing project tied to this program has literally lasted the entire life of the program. From rollout in 2023 to now, it’s still the headline. Same project. Same talking point.

We will take the fires and flooding into consideration and we won’t ignore that reality. However, the completion date of the Mechem project near Michael J’s was June ’24. It is not completed to date. You can’t stand on disasters being the core issue here folks.

At the same time, let’s recognize the Village has “focused significant resources” on sustainability for future monsoon seasons. Focused those resources right at the source of the problem… to protect all downstream residents.

Except the focus landed downstream. In another community….. was absolutely wasted but the focus was there none the less.

We are establishing patterns folks.

Pipe dreams. Big talk. No results

02/25/2026

Im following up to the last post about the county commissioners meeting because im not sure I properly explained the magnitude of what we’re looking at, I’ll swing again.

Deadlines get pushed, projects evolve and sometimes things stall, that happens in construction. But when you’re talking about a $139 million industrial thermal conversion facility, you don’t move material at scale without having your regulatory path clearly defined. At that level of capital, you typically want the "all clear" before you start sequencing major components.

So what are we looking at? Lack of experience? Miscommunication? A sequencing issue? I’ve been able to find IPUSA activity in other renewable sectors, but not a visible operating footprint in a facility identical to the one proposed here. That doesn’t automatically mean incompetence. It does mean that we failed to do our proper due diligence. When you’re selecting a partner for a project of this size, experience in that exact industry matters. And if timelines are muddy, that’s not usually accidental.

The Village’s February 16, 2026 update is here:

https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/news-info/dx3m3nm5kx6lzmxjb6ykhs9b8fp2r2

That release confirms land use approvals, an FAA categorical exclusion, and local zoning clearance. What it does not publicly confirm is an NMED air permit number, a filed air permit application, a defined minor vs synthetic minor vs PSD pathway, or a construction authorization.

For a facility converting biomass into renewable diesel and biochar, THE AIR PERMIT IS THE GATEKEEPER. That process is public record. If it has been filed and is moving forward, it should appear in one of these locations:

https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/permitting-section-home-page/

https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/public-notices/

https://rsmt.air.net.env.nm.gov/ (https://rsmt.air.net.env.nm.gov/

https://airmap.env.nm.gov/

As of 2/24/26, the air permit does not appear publicly visible. That means either it has not been filed yet or it has not reached public notice stage. Even in a best case Minor Source scenario, permitting typically runs 6 to 12 months once a complete application is submitted. Synthetic Minor can run 9 to 15 months. PSD or Major Source review can take 12 to 24 months or longer with modeling and public comment. That is after engineering is finalized and the application is deemed complete.
At the same time, slash is being moved and stockpiled. The pile on 220 is already on move number two. That material was cut, loaded, hauled, dumped, and now sits. The two sites that host these stockpiles, one on Hwy 220 proposed as the final destination and owned by the Village or County, and the second on Hwy 70 which is privately owned, have effectively created two tinderboxes within close proximity to residents. Not within VOR boundaries, but close enough to homes and forests to pose an extreme risk. The second location more than likely was not borrowed for storage. It was more than likely leased or rented, and that price tag needs to be added to the overall dollar amount that was spent.

This next part is speculative in terms of exact totals, but the math framework is on point. Assuming a conservative 2 acre footprint at roughly 15 feet tall, you are likely looking at roughly 3,600 to 9,600 tons depending on density. At roughly 20 miles between sites and $5 per mile, that is about $100 per trip under a loaded mile contract. With pickups and dump trailers averaging 1 to 2 tons per load, that becomes hundreds of thousands of dollars in mileage alone just to move it once.

These by the mile hauling jobs are not supervised with even a basic load verification or any meaningful checks and balances. Full load, half load, light load, there is no receipt showing what was actually hauled if anything that has to accompany an invoice. No documented confirmation of what was dumped. Forget about a scale house folks.
When you pay by the mile without tonnage verification, scale tickets, or at a bare minimum a load verification the question isn’t if the system is getting hosed its how bad the system is getting hosed.

Now, we ad another layer on top of that…

Contracts and hauling structures were built around the assumption that a functioning green fuel plant would be the end destination. If that facility is not yet permitted or operational, we have effectively created a new scope of work. That means additional staging, additional hauling, and another RFP at the county level to address disposal or processing that the plant was supposed to handle. A new RFP means a new funding request. And that funding has to come from somewhere. Money that could be directed toward long term sustainability for the Village instead gets tied up in interim hauling and re-scoping because the final destination is not operational.

If the plant is imminent, the permitting trail should reflect that. If it is not, then the community deserves a clear explanation of the gap between promise and ex*****on and a clear accounting of what the interim decisions are costing.

I am not saying I have experience in this exact field or that we are intentionally being duped. But I will say this, no matter the project size you move in the same sequence, concept, prelim, regulatory, permitting, financing, final design, construction. That order does not change just because the dollar amount gets bigger.

And more times than not, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it ain’t a f**kin’ chicken, folks…..

Again for clarity the time to focus on within the link below is 2:40 and the curtain drop is at the 2:59 point. You come to your own conclusion but the tone of this discussion is very clear to me.

https://lincolnconm.suiteonemedia.com/event/?id=78

02/24/2026

Bio-Char or Bio Bull S**t?

I came across a link from the recent county commissioner meeting. It runs three hours and thirteen minutes. I’ll assume you don’t have the desire to sit through that so I’ll get you to the high points or at least what caught my attention.

At the 2:40 mark, the commission begins talking about the green fuel project at Sierra Blanca Regional. The “problem to profit” plan we’ve all heard is going to be up and running in no time.

Remember, there was a considerable amount of capital directed toward hauling and stockpiling for this plant. Around a million and a half or so was a grant that was funding it, was it used for just that I do not know.

Now pay close attention to the 2:59 mark.

That is the curtain drop.

Groundbreaking? July. August. Maybe later. And, as of last week, permits have not yet been applied for.

Let me be clear on something. We have not fact checked the timeline for permitting a plant of this nature. It is not a short process. You don’t just snap your fingers and break ground. There are layers. Reviews. Agencies. Environmental boxes to check.

But that’s exactly why wording matters.

Pay attention to how this is being framed. Listen closely to the phrasing. When something sounds imminent, but paperwork hasn’t even been submitted, might be smoke y’all.

I’d file this one in the smoke folder. Right next to the Fuller report. One existed for nearly six months before the public was fully looped in. The other may or may not exist in any meaningful, actionable form yet.

I’m not rooting against it. If it works, fantastic. We need wins

Link👇

In your browser: open Menu (three dots) → Settings → System → turn off “Use graphics acceleration when available.” Then restart the browser.

02/24/2026

02/12/2026

If you haven’t been to any of the events this week, this is the one you want to show up for.

This is a particularly important year to show up and vote folks. I’ve been vocal before, and after the last two forums my position is stronger, not softer.

Here’s why.

We keep hearing about GRT being up. It is referenced like proof that marketing is crushing it and that if you’re struggling, you must be doing something wrong. The tone has ranged from dismissive to flat out condescending.

Let’s clarify something that is public and easily verified. Gross Receipts Tax includes destination tax. That means goods shipped into our area count toward GRT. Amazon orders. Walmart.com. Anything delivered to a local address.

That revenue is real. It is not a bad thing. But when those numbers are presented as pure proof of tourism draw, and used to imply struggling businesses just are not doing it right, context matters. Tone matters. Respect for local operators matters.

Monday night there was discussion about exploring a “tube and tow” for Moon Mountain, along with snowmaking. The Village potentially entering business competition against local entrepreneurs deserves serious conversation.

We also still have the issue of resources being directed toward another “town” to support a private entity while our Village itself is working toward sustainability. That deserves clarity.

I am voting for the candidates I believe prioritize residents of Ruidoso first, not political goals and not career stepping stones.

I want leadership that uses the position to strengthen the community, not the résumé.

If you care about the direction of this place, show up. Listen. Ask questions.
Vote.

02/05/2026

There is a lot flying around on the socials tonight and the s**t is deep folks.
We are digging in, but this one gem crossed our path and it deserved a rebuttal.

Keep your eyes and ears open. There is going to be a lot of “truth and trash” floating around. It is worth remembering that the ones speaking the loudest are often the ones who know what risks being uncovered.

——————-

THE TEAM CAN CHECK THIS OFF THE PUNCH LIST WE RECEIVED LAST WEEK……..

https://electlynncrawford.com/about

——————-

Time in Office Is Responsibility

Eight years as mayor is not neutral. It means ownership.
If problems remain unresolved after nearly a decade, they do not belong to abstraction, complexity, or circumstance. They belong to leadership.

Longevity increases responsibility. It does not excuse outcomes.

Transparency That Requires Records Requests Is Not Transparency

Livestreamed meetings and radio updates are not disclosure.
Transparency means residents understand major decisions without filing IPRA requests to reconstruct timelines.

When land purchases, grant funding, contracts, and intergovernmental actions require formal records requests to explain, something is broken. That is not openness. That is controlled visibility.

Showing Up After Disaster Is Not the Same as Preparing Before It

Leadership during crisis matters. Preparation before crisis matters more.

Flood risk, infrastructure vulnerability, and engineering warnings were not sudden discoveries. They existed before fires and floods made them unavoidable.

Response does not erase responsibility for what was known and how it was handled.

Blurred Lines Create Weakened Accountability

Ruidoso operates with a mayor, a village manager, contractors, consultants, and recently a deputy manager who resigned.

When roles overlap and authority diffuses, accountability disappears.
Clear leadership simplifies responsibility. Complex structures protect decision makers when outcomes are questioned.

Relationships Are Not Results

Statewide titles and municipal league roles do not automatically benefit residents.
The measure is not access. The measure is delivery.

What resources were secured. What risks were reduced. What was prevented. What was explained clearly and early.

Continuity Must Be Earned

This election is not about intent, effort, or being present.
It is about judgment, transparency, and outcomes.

After eight years, voters are justified in asking:
Why do major decisions still require reconstruction through public records.
Why were known risks not mitigated sooner.
Why governance feels more opaque instead of clearer.
And whether continuity now serves the public or protects the status quo.

Experience alone is not a platform.
Results and accountability are.

Meet Lynn Crawford, Mayor of Ruidoso, and learn about his record of leadership and priorities as he seeks re-election.

02/02/2026

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Depending on the nature of the concern, review may fall under the authority of:
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01/31/2026

We’ve been getting our fair share of “mail” lately.
Seems there’s some chatter going on and a little movement inside the walls.

So let’s slow it down and look at the paper.

This document is a marketing status update produced by a private agency under contract with the Village of Ruidoso. The agency’s owner is also a Village employee.

There are some flags in here.

I’m sure
some items may have been combined to save paper.
Some entries may have been mistakenly included.
Some scopes of work may overlap on the page without overlapping in practice.

Happens all the time, right?

But one entry stands out and deserves direct attention:

“Creation of web landing page & Facebook ads for Lynn Crawford re-election.”

That line appears in the same document as municipal and tourism marketing work.

We are not alleging wrongdoing.
We are not assigning motive.
We are not drawing conclusions.

We are asking straightforward, reasonable questions:

• Why does campaign work appear in a Village-related marketing status update?
• How are political campaign services separated from municipal contracts?
• Were Village time, platforms, data, or resources used in any way?
• What disclosures or firewalls are in place when a contractor is also a Village employee?

If there is a clean explanation, it should be easy to show.

This page exists for documents, timelines, and records not rumor and not commentary.

So here’s the document.
Exactly as received.

We’ll let the paper do what paper does best.