HOUSE MEMORIAL 41
56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023
INTRODUCED BY
Miguel P. Garcia and Susan K. Herrera
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF RIO ARRIBA COUNTY TRANSFER THE "ESCUELITA" BUILDING IN THE JUAN BAUTISTA BALDEZ LAND GRANT-MERCED TO THAT LAND GRANT-MERCED TO BE PART OF ITS COMMON LANDS AND USED AS A PUBLIC MEETING PLACE AND FOR OTHER SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, more than forty years ago, the elders of the Juan Bautista Baldez land grant-merced constructed two buildings for the children and youth of their community using locally made adobe bricks and other local materials; and
WHEREAS, one of these buildings was used as a preschool and the other as a recreation center; and
WHEREAS, it is unfortunate that only the preschool building, known locally as the "escuelita", remains standing as a cultural legacy from those community elders for the benefit of future generations; and
WHEREAS, the escuelita was operated for many years by the Jemez Mountain public school district; and
WHEREAS, more than twenty years ago, the escuelita building was transferred from the Jemez Mountain public school district to Rio Arriba county; and
WHEREAS, Rio Arriba county does not keep the escuelita building open on a daily, year-round basis, and the building is typically opened only at the specific request of someone from the community for a specific event; and
WHEREAS, there are very limited facilities in or near the Juan Bautista Baldez land grant-merced that are available as public meeting spaces; and
WHEREAS, there are several political subdivisions or special districts of the state and public service organizations within or that work in the Juan Bautista Baldez land grant-merced, including a mutual domestic water association, two acequias, the Canones early childhood center, two grazing associations and the land grant itself;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the board of county commissioners of Rio Arriba county be requested to transfer the escuelita building in the Juan Bautista Baldez land grant-merced to that land grant-merced to be part of its common lands and used as a public meeting place and for other services to the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the board of county commissioners of Rio Arriba county, the board of directors of the Juan Bautista Baldez land grant-merced and the land grant council.
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