Mailer traced to museum director

An official with one of the local entities that could benefit financially if Ruidoso Downs voters next week approve a quality of life gross receipts tax was involved in the month ago mailing of a flyer urging voters to pass the tax.

[henrietta awry]

Something about this does not seem right.

[what Facts]

henrietta awry wrote:

Something about this does not seem right.

Yeah, it is horrible. Citizens coming together, with their own money, to encourage others to vote for something they believe in. Yeah, this is a bad thing.

Oh, by the way, you probably haven't noticed yet, there is another small election in November. People are spending their own money on that one too. Maybe you speak against that too

[Again]

Sounds like another Hubbard tax. Probably a few Councilors and even the Mayor of The City involved in this one too. But of course their elustrious City Attorney will defend it. He's a Hubbard man too.

[Dont be a Sucker]

what Facts wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah, it is horrible. Citizens coming together, with their own money, to encourage others to vote for something they believe in. Yeah, this is a bad thing.
Oh, by the way, you probably haven't noticed yet, there is another small election in November. People are spending their own money on that one too. Maybe you speak against that too

Here is another way to look at it. The postage was stolen then returned. Under that logic any thief can undo his crime by returning that which he stole. Of course this is not the case. RD funds were embezzled to promote the tax and this should be prosecuted just like any other embezzlement.

[River Tracker]

I believe the someone is on a WITCH HUNT! I seem to recall reading the exact same material that was mailed to RD patrons by the City of Ruidoso Downs in their very own newsletter, and materials passed out at a townhall meeting - using city time and tax dollars! So why the uproar? I do not believe anything illegal went on here and why would Mr. Hubbard have anything to do with this. It is not HIS museum any longer - IT IS THE CITIES!!! If the city loses the museum, what else do they have to attract tourists? Nothing!!!

[Gordo]

Apparently none of the comments here were written by residents of Ruidoso Downs. If they were residents and they had looked at their last water bill from the City of Ruidoso Downs, they would have been reading the exact same description of the tax that Kofakis and/or museum supporters sent out.

What's not "right" here is that the Ruidoso News seems hell bent on driving the Museum out of town because it has the name of their competition's owner on it. They really have nothing to fear from the so-called "Free Press."

[outsider]

i am an outsider and when i stay in a ruidoso downs motel, don't i pay lodgers tax used for advertising for the city? and what does the city have to advertise, but a wonderful museum? as a taxpayer, i would rather a very tiny tax go towards keeping a class act museum open than go to some "wasteful project" that does not affect anyone other than special groups. as for the director using his own time and his own dime to promote something he truly believes in - i applaud. we need more like him.

[Reality]

Again wrote:

Sounds like another Hubbard tax. Probably a few Councilors and even the Mayor of The City involved in this one too. But of course their elustrious City Attorney will defend it. He's a Hubbard man too.

Hubbard has nothing to do with the museum other than his name being on it as he donated it to the City of Ruidoso Downs. This tax would be paid mostly by those that live outside the City limits through the purchasing of goods at Walmart and other businesses. The benefit is to the City to support the museum (the need for that can be debated) and to provide other services for its citizens such as programs like the Boys & Girls Club, and others, which provides a positive place for the kids of teh City

[Again]

Reality wrote:

<quoted text>
Hubbard has nothing to do with the museum other than his name being on it as he donated it to the City of Ruidoso Downs. This tax would be paid mostly by those that live outside the City limits through the purchasing of goods at Walmart and other businesses. The benefit is to the City to support the museum (the need for that can be debated) and to provide other services for its citizens such as programs like the Boys & Girls Club, and others, which provides a positive place for the kids of teh City

His name is not allowed to be removed from the museum. He also still has many "perks" connected with it. We will tax ourselves right out of business. Each "small amount" adds up and together it becomes a large amount. The less fortunate should only eat and take their medicine, to be uneffected by all the "taxes".

[The Problem]

The problem stems from rules that do NOT allow municipalities and not-for-profits to campaign using taxpayer funds, property or paid time no matter the subject of the election. The most a municipality is allowed is to print a reminder to vote on utility bills.
There have been other violations in the area over the years resulting in comments from the public and press leading to action from the election board. Any employee can campaign on their own time and as long as they are not on government property. In fact, candidates are also not allowed to campaign on government property.

[Gordo]

Again wrote:

<quoted text>
His name is not allowed to be removed from the museum. He also still has many "perks" connected with it. We will tax ourselves right out of business. Each "small amount" adds up and together it becomes a large amount. The less fortunate should only eat and take their medicine, to be uneffected by all the "taxes".

From what I have heard, the Hubbard name can be removed after 2015.

What would those "many perks" be other than the annual fundraiser which brings the Hubbards and their friends together to raise money to support the museum? Does the City of Ruidoso Downs provide any money to operate the museum? I don't know.

[Again]

Gordo wrote:

<quoted text>
From what I have heard, the Hubbard name can be removed after 2015.
What would those "many perks" be other than the annual fundraiser which brings the Hubbards and their friends together to raise money to support the museum? Does the City of Ruidoso Downs provide any money to operate the museum? I don't know.

Read the contract (public information), the name will only change if all of his heirs agree to allow the name to be changed. The fund raiser money is controlled by Hubbard Foundation. The City foots the bill thru lodgers tax and general fund.

[Fundraiser]

Again wrote:

<quoted text>
Read the contract (public information), the name will only change if all of his heirs agree to allow the name to be changed. The fund raiser money is controlled by Hubbard Foundation. The City foots the bill thru lodgers tax and general fund.

The Fundraiser money is controlled by the Hubbard Museum Foundation not the Hubbard Foundation. Every penny goes and must go for the support of the Museum. The Foundation has spent almost $300,000 in the last 18 months on improvements and programming at the museum.

The city has been using the original 1.5 million dollar gift for the operations of the museum and now has spent it all. Like the VOR does with the Airport and the Convention center, the city must now pay for operations with their own funds. Lodgers Tax is use for the promotions of the Museum as it can only be use according to State Law. The Foundation raises funds for improvements, educational support and programming for the Museum.

[Roswell Shopper]

Why can't the users pay for the museum? Increase the admission fees if this is such a great draw for tourists. I don't like supporting tourists with my tax dollars. Aren't they supposed to be supporting us?

The mantra is always, "let's just screw the outsiders", not our own citizens. But, it does affect our citizens. Roswell is a great place to shop. Their WalMart is always better stocked, and they have a Sams right next door.

[Gordo]

"His name is not allowed to be removed from the museum. He also still has many "perks" connected with it."
"Read the contract (public information), the name will only change if all of his heirs agree to allow the name to be changed."
Tell us Mr. or Ms. "Again," what "perks" were you referring to....and where could ordinary folks find a copy of the contract between the City and R.D.Hubbard??

[wondering]

Is there still a Museum Foundation? No mention of it on the museum's website.

[Fundraiser]

wondering wrote:

Is there still a Museum Foundation? No mention of it on the museum's website.

Yes, it is a totally separate 501c3 organization.

[henrietta awry]

Dont be a Sucker wrote:

<quoted text>
Here is another way to look at it. The postage was stolen then returned. Under that logic any thief can undo his crime by returning that which he stole. Of course this is not the case. RD funds were embezzled to promote the tax and this should be prosecuted just like any other embezzlement.

It did seem as if the postage money was repaid 'after the fact'.

[wondering]

Who is the director of the Museum Foundation, the totally separate 501c3 organization?

[Jake]

Again wrote:

Sounds like another Hubbard tax. Probably a few Councilors and even the Mayor of The City involved in this one too. But of course their elustrious City Attorney will defend it. He's a Hubbard man too.

If the City offered you a $250,000 a year retainer, wouldn't you want to be a Hubbard man too?