Howdy Folks,

We’ve started another year with prayers that 2011 will be better for our state and nation. A new governor, some new legislators, a new state land commissioner, and many new faces in the different agencies should spark some anticipation for this legislative session…

I  hope as many as possible can and will be active in Santa Fe this year.

I start purt near every morning with a pot of coffee, some bible reading, and a visit to Frank DuBois’ blog. If ya’ll don’t  read his blog, you need to check it out. It is thewesterner.blogspot.com. Frank has done a great job of searching the media to find so many different subjects that not only affect New Mexico, but the entire West. A majority of the nation feels that we have righted a wrong when we went to the polls in November. I also have hope that we can raise the American dream to bygone days, but I see a government that does not listen and cannot hear the voice of the people. Our national agencies are prime examples. The USDA, the Interior Department, Treasury Department, EPA, FDA, DHS, IRS, and others are running amuck with new rules and regulations that are not only crippling the small businesses of America, but are on the verge of destroying the natural resource industries in the U.S. These agencies have turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to America and we need to put some stimulus in their hip pocket ( I don’t mean money in their billfold). We have millions of acres of forests, monuments, wildernesses, parks, and other governmental areas. We don’t need to be crippled with more takeovers of public lands. These agencies cannot care for the lands they are responsible for now, why do they want more except to have more control of the people. I know I have written about this before, so I’ll quit harping on it, but I don’t think we need to let our guard down. The agencies just put a new spin on things and try new and different ideas to gain control.

The Legislature is now in full swing and, as always, the NMCGA crew is on top of all the issues affecting our industry. Rex will give us all good insight of the goings on at the board meeting. Let’s all be thankful we have him walking the halls. He has done a great job. Michelle is becoming a dominant force and I am glad she is on our team. Of course Caren still knows where and how to get the job done. Again, if you can spare a few days, go to Santa Fe and help the Ag team work the committees. Remember the Roundhouse Feed is on March 17 and we need plenty of help then, too.

I pray that everyone is having a good winter. I know it’s a little on the dry side and a shade cooler than it was last year, but this is just the start of a new year. Better days are coming and I’m looking forward to them. Just seeing the new dawn every morning puts that spark of hope for a glorious day. Let’s not waste it.

May God Bless Us All,
Bert Ancell

 

PS:  I knew I would leave a legislator out last month and sure enough I did. I don’t know how any of us could overlook President-Pro Tem Tim Jennings.  Sorry Senator!

 

 

Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

– Proverbs 3:6 NLT

 

“Every step we take towards making the State our Caretaker of our lives, by that much we move toward making the State our Master.”

– Dwight D. Eisenhower