"Vultures and coyotes," - LASVEGASOPTIC.COM

"Vultures and coyotes," - LASVEGASOPTIC.COM:

"It was bound to happen. Change is inevitable and the vultures and coyotes are drooling on the doorstep of Mora County.

The “Gem of New Mexico”, as Sen. Phil Griego calls it, is facing two significant and simultaneous challenges: enforcement of a long ignored provision of state tax law; and potential development of oil and gas resources.

There is a real fear in the county that affluent vultures are looking east from Taos and Santa Fe counties, ready to soar over Mora and swoop and snatch away tax-delinquent land at a song, taking le gente’s rich culture with it. But vultures migrate too, so they’ll probably be flying over from San Bernadino, Marin, Travis, and Cook counties too.

So it’s understandable that backs are up all over the county in LeDoux, Chacon, Guadalupita, Holman etc. It’s kind of like a “Go ahead, make my day”, squinty-eyed, clenched fist, Clint Eastwood, attitude.

Besides the tax vultures, some coyotes are also on the prowl for fossil fuels. Folks in the Ocate area are becoming familiar with the good, the bad, and the ugly of oil and gas development. Companies have already managed to lease some private mineral rights for potential future development and want more. Where it will all go, and how it will affect the land and people is now being debated." (full article, click here)