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Friday, October 10, 2008
New Mexico Spaceport Authority Meeting (Corrected 10/10/08)
Just for openers someone please give this group a copy of Robert's Rules of Order. For awhile there it was a regular "Who's On First".
Chair: Daniela Glick, the spelling may not be correct as she had a magic marker, hand written name plate.
Members:
Eric Vasquez, Lt. govenor's office
Brad Westmoreland, Las Cruces contractor, former legislator
Jim Manett, Roswell real estate developer/oil man
Bill Loomis, Road contractor and he wants you to know he retired 4 years ago so there is no conflict of interest (Added to the list after first submission.)
Benjamin Woods, NMSU senior v.p.
Toots Green, Alamogordo self described "dabbler", retired credit union manager/legislator
Richard Holdridge, retired A.F., candidate for Luna County Commission
The members eventually voted to approve the language creating the Spaceport District. See previous posting. This is different from the Spaceport Authority. More later.
Mr. Landeene discussed State Legislation needed for Spaceport America:
(1) Name change from Southwest Regional Spaceport to Spaceport America. Spaceport America needs to register this name. So, is the name, Spaceport America, still up for grabs until then?
(2) Liability limitation legislation. Mr. Landeene claims VA and FL already have this and we need it. (Even though we do not have FAA approval at this point, why is this necessary if we get FAA approval?)
(3) Confidentiality legislation similar to Economic Development Department's confidentiality law. You know, proprietary info, etc.
(4) Appropriation - $$$$$$.
Mr. Landeene then launched into his selling points AGAIN. Once the start button is pushed you are in for the whole spiel and the three times that I have heard it he has yet to stay within the time limits, hint, hint.
Progress Report or Lack Thereof Report:
Mr. Landeene says he was gifted with a bunch of Loki rockets by the Missle Range and he doesn't know what to do with them but he is working on it, think "for the children". Think Liability Legislation.
No signed contract with multibillionaire (8 billion net) Richard Branson, yet. Working on it.
No Record of Decision for the Environment Impact Statement yet. "Expected in December" after the November 4th vote.
No FAA approval yet, no guestimation of date offered.
But, Elon Musk (plenty of info on the internet about him and it is my understanding he is not asking for taxpayer assistance) is full steam ahead with recent successes. Unfortunately, he is in competition with Richard Branson as I understand it.
Mr. Landeene doesn't show confidence in Spaceport America when he continues to reside in Arizona and has not put his house on the market. He has told many that he is moving to New Mexico. But, he also claims to be a tax hating Republican.........Spaceport TAX, hmmm.
The ADN reporter, Kandra Wells, requested copies of contracts, redacted if necessary. We will see if her request is honored in a timely manner.
Part Two of this post will include names of attendees, "public comment" and other observations.
JTW
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