Raton, NM (Albuquerque, Mesquite: house, transfer, casinos)

[hopeful transplant]

The race track is the buzz around town. Everyone that I have spoken to is excited that racing is coming back. Some talk about the casino but the racing is the part that seems to have the community talking, especially the 'old timers'. They remember how this town flourished. I actually had a neighbor in CA that bought a few colts here, many years ago. They named one of them Raton. It was obviously an exciting time for people who lived here and again, hopefully that's just what is needed. I lived in a casino town, Mesquite NV for several years. It had it's pros and cons, but it was mostly a positive thing. The casinos/hotels employ most of the city. They bring in a incredible amount of revenue to the community, city and county. There are a few cons, one of course being the gambling addiction, another one is the impression that the youth receive. Addiction is rampant in our country, whether it be gambling, drugs, alcohol or a number of other things. That being said, I still think that it is a great boost to any economy. Sure, the wages won't be that great, but it sure beats collecting welfare or unemployment. We are a proud nation and if we can sing for our supper rather than just open our mouths, the majority of us relish in it. Oh, BTW I went to Trinidad today to spend some more $$$ at Wally World. Who knows, we may have one of our own someday..with any luck and a whole lotta good thoughts. I guess I'm just a positive thinker. What a beautiful day!

[DOUBLE H]

If more Raton people have an attitude you have, good things can happen. Speaking of which, I was just through there after visiting friends in the Roswell area. Met up with a fellow I know from that project I worked on, he decided to retire there and lives near Raton's municipal plant. Had lunch with him at Denny's near Motel 6. In your original post you mentioned the boot store. Solanos , on the main drag, is, IMHO,one of the top boot and cowboy clothing stores in the state. They have been there for over 50 years. I remember spending some good size coin in there when I lived there.Sadly, alot of the restaurants I ate at have closed and moved on. Two favorites of mine were the Sweet Shop and Conquistador restaurants.

[hopeful transplant]

Double H ..... Our first night in Raton we had the pleasure of having dinner at the Sweet Shop, it is still very much alive and outstanding. Just one of those great restaurants that some small towns are lucky to have.
My DH threw his good cowboy hat in the moving truck only to find it scrunched and dirty upon arrival...., someone said Solanos could fix it, sure enuf, it's just like new. Great people too. Yep, nice town.

[OleGrouch]

Hopeful Transplant, please keep posting an update on Raton, about everthing you discover there. I will be checking for all reports. My Lady just worked her last day and official retirement is coming the first of the month. After that, a trip to see the grandchildren in NY, maybe the winter in RGV Texas, and a trip to Raton on the way home in the spring. I keep a daily track of the temps and weather on Weather Underground but its not as good as someone there writing about whats happening. Bobby

[yellowroseoftexas03]

We have lived in Walsenburg, CO for 14 yrs now, which is about 60 miles north of Raton NM. You have to go thru here to get to Pueblo. I have been saying for years we need a Walmart, Sonic, etc. We have so much traffic thru here, people going all over, that this town could boom like crazy, if not for the old fuddy duddy City Council members not wanting change.

[GregW]

Casinos generally remove wealth from an area instead of increasing economic activity. The comment about the cansino/restruant/hotel complex is correct. People come to gamble and are heavily encouraged to stay within the facility until they are broke. Not a good deal for anyone but the casino owners (mob in higher quality suits).

IMHO - Raton has to get some people on the Economic Development Council that are ready to evaluate the Raton area for its proximity to transport (I-25 & BNSF) and natural resources (coal gasification, anyone?) and incredible scenery and climate. Anyone with the slightest ability to sell could really help Raton develop a rational and productive economy. As it is you really have to hunt to find anything about Raton anywhere.

[mortimer]

GregW stated:

> Casinos generally remove wealth from an area instead of increasing economic activity.

Having a healthy casino (industry) has about the same appeal to me as having a healthy porn industry in my community.

I think people should be able to start and work in those places and customers have the right to spend their money there, but somehow it has less cachet than a new semiconductor facility or wind farm.

It might just be me ...

[hopeful transplant]

Mortimer, I agree with you but i'm not sure that a wind farm or such would employ too many people. It would initially, during the construction phase, but after that, I think it would be fairly low maintenance?? The casino business will employ a fair amount of people here but it will be a thorn in our side as well. Yes, it will bring in alot of people and put money into our economy but I'm not sure if it is the right way to excel this area. It's really such a beautiful place to live but the services here are dreadful. There are a handful of good restaurants, but you really can't get a good steak to save your soul. There is pretty much 1 clothing store, 1 grocery store, 2 pharmacies, about 30 restaurants (or more) about 20 gas stations (or more), all of the amenities needed for a interstate stop over, but for the people that actually live here, it's really lacking in services. It's difficult to say if the casino/racetrack will make a difference. I would love to keep thinking that it will.

[mcol]

My husband was born and raised in Raton and still has family there.
He was self employed there for over 25 years. I lived there for 14 years.

I don't mean to be a downer, but with the economy being the way it is
I am going to be surprised if the racetrack still goes through as planned.
Heard it all before mind you, ever since the old track closed in '92.

I miss the mountains and bears there. I miss some of the people.
We moved in 2004, even though our business was very successful.
Why? Basically the way the town and county was being run - the leaders
cannot and never have learned to work together. They were doing
nothing to keep existing businesses there, but instead focusing all efforts
on bringing other businesses in - many of these businesses they brought
in employed less than 20 people and didn't stay longer than a couple of
years. Property taxes and gross receipts continue to climb high there,
at least compared to where we live now. The one supermarket that is
left (when I was there there were 3) overcharges for sub standard
merchandise, literally driving people out of town to buy their groceries
at Wal-Mart in neighboring Trinidad, Colorado.

Someone mentioned a place that retirees could go to? Forget it retirees
for the most part are not interested. Why? Because of the lack of
decent medical services. Last I knew Raton had about 5 doctors and
although a new hospital, the medical care is mediocre at best. Most
go out of town to see a doctor. That's another one of the reasons
we moved to Missouri - this town is about 11,000 and has at least
25 doctors (never counted) and a wonderful hospital.

The school system is sub standard. They once had a great Catholic
school that had smaller classes and great teachers...the kids were at
least a grade ahead of the public school system in math and science,
but that school closed a few years ago. Sad. Yet another reason
we moved.

The people's attitudes - ah. That bears addressing. Yes due to things
in the town they have a bit of an, uhm, 'attitude' shall we say? Don't
get me wrong I had one too when I lived there.

The restaurants - sub par in my honest opinion as well. I did like
The Sweete Shoppe but did have bad meals there, plus it's overpriced.
The Crystal was good but Julio was known to water down his drinks.
The El Matador is a local hangout (miss those sopapillas).

Anyway I wish Raton well. I hope they get their problems straightened
out and bounce back. I hope the racetrack is built and it is successful.
Good luck!

[mcol]

Oh I wanted to add:

I first saw this post and thought it was new. I was hoping it was raining
there! Raton has had no decent snowfall this year from what I
understand, and there isn't much of a snowpack on the mountains.
I hope wildfire season isn't too bad.

For a good steak, try BlackJack's on Main Street in Trinidad.