On April 18, 2024, RA County Commissioner Alex Naranjo presented to the community of Hernandez a proposal to bring broadband Internet access to our area. This is by way of a Broadband tower, about 70 feet tall in the immediate vicinity of the Hernandez Community Center. Also via a commercial enterprise company named Ethos Broadband; a division of a company named Sacred Wind Communications located in Yatahey (Gallup), New Mexico.
We were not presented with any historical business information regarding Ethos Broadband or its parent company Sacred Wind Communications. Who are its stakeholders? How long have they bee in business? What financial security do they present to our community that makes us secure in the belief that they will continue to provide services promised for years into the future? Will Ethos Broadband continue to provide any and all necessary maintenance and repairs or will that work be contracted out to a second level business?
Ethos Broadband and the RA County representative provided no visual aids or other informational materials with which they could enlighten our community; with who they are and what they would bring into our community; besides a very tall and unsightly tower.
Anecdotally, I (Jon) had broadband service a few years ago, operated by San Ildefonso Pueblo. Great service, fast internet through-put, line-of site transmission. Their transmission tower was atop Shadow Mountain. Reasonably priced. Then one day they announced they were quitting the business and pulled up stakes with a 30 day notice. Gone. Once burned, twice learned.
Public opposition to the proposed tower, as voiced by attendees at the meeting, is quite strong. Mr. Naranjo wishes to bring the issue to the full county commission for a vote. Not sure why. Was he not listening to the community members at the meeting?
A couple of persons in favor, shared personal stories of how lack of internet service access or phone service had negatively impacted their lives. In both of these situations, we’re not sure how this broadband tower would improve their situations. We’re guessing there are other issues in those two stories that we cannot know.
I (Jon) have internet access from my home in Hernandez and with a few occasional hiccups in service out internet service is adequate for our needs.
Cell phone or land-line phone service was not presented as a primary use option tied to this proposed broadband access tower. Internet service access is, of course.
Other suggestions were made as to where this proposed tower could be located within the area of desired coverage. But Mr. Naranjo and other county representatives did not agree with those options. It was even mentioned that the communication tower used by Agua Sana Water Association, situated on the same property, and at a higher elevation than the proposed site, might be a viable location.
A county rep stated that the Agua Sana Board was contacted and got no response from Agua Sana. However, a current Agua Sana board member was in the audience and refuted the remark telling the county reps that the Agua Sana Board had not, in fact, been contacted regarding the tower issue.
Assessing the property site of the Community Center, it appears that, with the elevation drop from Chama Highway to Prince Drive, it is not so beneficial for this proposed tower. A higher vantage point from the west side of Chama Highway would be much more practical.
It was also shared that having a Broadband Tower in the area could expand “business opportunities” in the community.
Most of Hernandez/El Guache is zoned, we believe, either for residential or agricultural. There is not much area here future new “business opportunities,” as is being suggested.
Hernandez has seven commercial businesses. Lio’s (automotive) Shop; Dollar General; Family dollar; Socorro’s Restaurant; Romero’s Fruit Stand; Rio Chama Chevron: WH Moore Lumber. In addition, there is Hernandez Elementary School.
Since the elementary school is “government” property; and it sits at a fairly promontory point in the community; it is a secured location; it is centrally located in the area; and, according to Ethos Broadband reps, this tower is not a microwave tower but a radio wave tower, it should be safe to the surrounding community.
The subject of costs for this tower and future maintenance was never presented by Mr. Naranjo or the representatives from Ethos Broadband. There was no information regarding what in-home equipment or wiring might be required to establish connectivity. Or how much any of the in-home services might cost, either up-front or ongoing. There was no mention of how much this “benefit” of a Broadband Tower was going to cost. Costs to the county, costs to its users.
We haven’t seen any transparency with this project. “Just accept what good we are doing for you” seems to be the thinking from our county representative. “Go along to get along” is not in our vocabulary.
On other matters brought up by Mr. Naranjo and Ms. Christine Bustos, RA County economic development director, information was shared about funding for a “recreation center” near the campus of NNMC on Railroad Avenue. That is four miles away from the heart of Hernandez.
It is time that we remind our county representatives that when the Hernandez Community Center was in the planning stages, several items were shared as to the further development of the Center site. A recreation center, a running/walking track, basketball court(s), and possibly a baseball field were all proposed as next stage projects. Where did all those projects go?
Several times, Mr. Naranjo disingenuously told the community, that his broadband tower was “for the children,” “for the children’s future.” A recreational center, basketball courts, a running track are much more beneficial to our community and our children. Located in Hernandez, not on Railroad Avenue.
It is time to make good on all those promises.
It would also be beneficial for Hernandez, the county, and the Sheriff’s Department to build a Sheriff’s Substation in Hernandez. It would easily service Hernandez, Chamita, Rio Chama and other communities north and east. Another need for our community is an animal control substation. As Hernandez is historically a “farming” and “open range” community with grazing land and lots of animals, a staffed Animal Control Office in the area might keep so many loose animals from running on the highway, causing havoc, auto accidents and other tragedies.
As I (Jon) asked (with no answer) why some of the project mentioned by Mr. Naranjo were allocated funding years ago and never developed and now the proposed costs have increased exponentially; why? Why were these projects delayed?
The time for words and flapping jaws is over. The time for action is now. Right now.
Jon Petersen
Theresa Compton
Guadalupe Martinez
Hernandez