Raton, NM (Clayton, Crystal: how much, neighborhood, theatre)

[hopeful transplant]

Originally Posted by 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.

mcol - thanks for posting. It's interesting to read how I feel on so many different aspects. The hospital is really nice but doesn't have any doctors in the ER at night They are on call, but sometimes you just don't have 15 minutes it would take for them to get there. I hear that BlackJack's is good but again - money into Colorado. I really do like it here and am hoping that it will 'pick up it's pant's' and get it together.
No, there hasn't been any rain or snow to speak of so far this year, the wildfire season is a big reality. Keep your toes and fingers crossed that we get rain, I'd even do a dance.

[mortimer]

hopeful transplant pointed out:

> ... i'm not sure that a wind farm or such would employ too many people.

My point was that I like the idea of a non-gambling business over such.

> 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 ...

One problem with the gambling industry ( they prefer the term "gaming" )
is that they suck the life out of the local economy. Money that people
might otherwise spend on "services" get sucked down a rat-hole.

If the services in your area are sub-standard now, they'll get worse with
a casino in place.

[GregW]

I agree with Mortimer. The casino industry in the cash rich (relatively) northeast is going broke for want of gamblers. There just is not that much free money running around. Casinos transfer wealth, they do not create it.

Maybe somebody could open the old Dawson coal mine as an ugly but safer open pit and use the coal to make natural gas and associated products. Has anyone in the governments, state, county, town, ever done an inventory of resources in the Raton area and though about what can be done with these resources. Does Raton even have a city planner?

[mcol]

I wrote a big reply and as I was getting to the end the electricity
went off for a few seconds. I'll try this again.

Raton has a city planning and zoning department. I wouldn't know who
the city planner is, I assume there's one.

The problem is the city officials have done nothing but concentrate
on getting that racetrack back since it's closure in '92. The town was
booming when the track was successful and it seems that's all they
remember. I heard time and time again how the Texans and others
came to Raton to escape the heat. While that was true, there is no
guarantee that would happen now. There was no casino then, and times
have certainly changed - both with new generations and with the
economy. They've pretty much put all their eggs in that basket for years.
The town basically has nothing else to look forward to. While they were
trying to get the state to approve them for the track and casino last
year, that was the first time in probably ever I saw so many of them
work together for something. Many of the people there have fond fond
memories of the track in it's heyday, and I guess they think by
bringing it back it will return to that time.

City officials and other leaders there are not fond of suggestions or
even remote criticism or offers of helpful advice. They love being the
big fish in the little pond. Until that changes things will either stay
the same or get worse I'm afraid. I could go into great detail with
examples on this but won't at this time.

And it's sad. The condition that town is in now. I miss it but this
area where we moved to in Missouri is so much better, they pretty
much work together on things, and it has so much more to offer.

[hopeful transplant]

Like I said in my post, I think that the casino will be a thorn in our side - that is if it even gets to that point. If it does, I don't doubt it will employ a good number of people, but as I stated before - I'm not sure if this is the best way to excel or grow this area. I know from living in a casino town before that people just kinda lose their minds....they lose money, then spend and borrow more in hopes of recouping their losses and gaining some more back...it is a vicious circle and is not a profit for anybody but the industry. It's possible some of the services will grow but from what I've seen at the previous place (Mesquite NV) - restaurants not owned by the casino went out of business, even now one of the major casinos has closed down as well. It's just really a ugly situation all around. I would love to see a wind farm here, or refurbish one of the coal mines. In all honesty, they would do people more good than the casino. Mcol is right by stating that the town's people could be just wanting to bring back 'the good old days'....we all know that just doesn't happen.

[hopeful transplant]

well, today would be a perfect day for a wind farm up here in Raton. We have sustained winds at 50mph and gusts up to 67 mph so far. All that energy just blowing away.....

[mortimer]

The Albuquerque Journal reported today that a Daniel Guevara won $245,000 in the NM "Quick Pick" game, but almost didn't collect his winnings because he was so focused on "trying to win" the Powerball jackpot.

It seems that Mr. Guevara had a glove compartment full of Quick Pick tickets (*) and he scooped them up and gave them to the convenience store clerk to tell him if he had ever won anything in that contest.

He did. He's going to buy a house and a truck, but I predict that it will all be gone in a couple of years because he will have 'upped' his Powerball participation.

(*) Quick Pick Ticket == money down the drain.

Glove compartment full == lots of money down the drain.

[3didgets]

It,s sad to hear these downer opinions on Raton but then again I have thought about the same issues concerning the towns depressed state along with the issues with the racino and medical care and what its impact will be in the next 3 to 5 years. I lived there for over 12 years and I love the country . I remember when the downtown area was bustling, every building had a business going. I bought acreage with the intention of retireing there in a few years out towards Sugarite state park. I got one good shot at relocating in retirement and I dont want to screw it up. By the way hopefultransplant you mentioned strong wind. Last year me and the wife went to Raton to visit our land and it was like that. Is the wind strong like that quite often or once in awhile. I cant remember.

[mortimer]

3didgets worried:

> It's sad to hear these downer opinions on Raton ...

I read them more as warnings and not put-downs, at least.

It's just that someone looking to move there should know that
the rich choices of the "city" like Albuquerque will not be there.

For most, life is not defined by shopping.

For most, it's still necessary to bring home a paycheck.
If not for that, I'd be perfectly content in Raton.
Spousal-unit: not so much.

[mcol]

I was trying very hard not to paint the bleakest picture for Raton.
I've been away from it long enough I'm not caught up in the
emotional aspect of it anymore. I just wanted to give an honest opinion
of why we left even though we didn't have to. Because if we did then
other hard working Ratonians did too, for the same reasons. Raton is
in a beautiful area and there is so much potential there. Small towns
in general are not for everyone though. Our town here in Missouri is
around 11,000 in population and outsiders move here, hate it and leave.
When we moved here I thought it was a big city with all it has to offer
it's residents. Raton could learn so much from other small successful
towns. Heck we're excited to be getting a Lowe's this year - in today's
economy anytime businesses continue to move in that's a plus! I really
wish Raton well and hope it bounces back.

ps the wind blows there most of the spring.