NEWS Local news and entertainment since 1969 Home Improvement Home is where Guide the heart is Inside 2020 New city manager HOME IMPROVEMENT inks contract FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 I Volume 52, Number 34 I lascrucesbulletin.com page 3 NEWS 100 years of inspiration Tree-planting PHOTO COURTESY OF LESLIE time is near BERGLOFF, NEW MEXICO HISTORIC SITES In honor of J. Paul Taylor’s 100th birthday on Aug. 23, page 14 the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), in partnership with Friends of the Taylor Family Monument and New Mexico Historic Sites, will present a virtual celebration beginning at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, on A&E the DCA and Historic Sites Facebook pages or online at www.jpt100th.com. See the story on page 12. Local potter gives back to community page 21 SENIORS Las Cruces author publishes new book page 27 2 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 NEWS LAS CRUCES BULLETIN LAS CRUCES BULLETIN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 | 3 New city manager to start Sept. 8 By MIKE COOK city administrator in 2012 the Eagles’ 2004 National While serving as Eagle manager, Stuart Ed (who Las Cruces Bulletin and resigned that position Football Conference Mountain city adminis- resigned April 22, 2019), to accept the job in Las champion team, which trator, Pili also served as earned, the mayor said. Ifo Pili is expected to Cruces. lost Superbowl XXXIX to district administrator for The increase is necessary, begin his duties as the Eagle Mountain is the Patriots, 24-21. the Unified Fire Service Miyagishima said, “to get new Las Cruces city man- located about 800 miles Pili has earned both Area and was an adjunct what we feel is a highly ager on Tuesday, Sept. 8, northwest of Las Cruces. his bachelor’s degree in professor in BYU’s MPA qualified individual.” Mayor Ken Miyagishima With a population of political science and his program. Miyagishima said Fili said. The Las Cruces City about 42,000, Eagle Moun- masters of public admin- Pili’s annual salary asked only that he earn Council unanimously ap- tain is part of the Provo- istration (MPA) from BYU. and benefits as Las Cru- in Las Cruces what his proved Pili’s hiring at its Orem, Utah, Metropolitan He and his wife, Jenny ces city manager total total compensation was in Aug. 17 meeting. Statistical Area. Patterson Pili (who was $279,000, Miyagishima Engle Mountain. “I really am very, very Pili moved to Orem a member of the BYU said. That is more than 18 “I’m really excited excited to be part of the in 1994 and graduated track team), have eight percent above what the HTTPS://EAGLEMOUNTAINCITY. Las Cruces team and fam- COM/ PHOTO from high school there. children. previous permanent city SEE NEWS, PAGE 4 ily,” Pili said via Zoom at At six feet, three inches Ifo Pili the meeting. tall and 310 pounds, Pili WE’RE OPEN! COME SEE US! “I have already fallen going.” was a lineman with the in love with the city,” Pili Pili, a native of Ameri- Brigham Young Univer- said in an email to the can Samoa, has been with sity Cougars and the Bulletin. “It’s beautiful. the City of Eagle Moun- NFL’s Houston Texans, The people are beautiful. tain, Utah, since 2006, Philadelphia Eagles and I’m excited about where when he was hired as a New England Patriots. the city is and more ex- management analyst. He He has an NFL cham- cited about where we’re became Eagle Mountain pionship ring as part of See ad in FTP folder. Remove the "Now Open" on the left and lower the image in the middle and across the top, centered on the ad put a banner Plan a future tripwith "WE'RE to OPEN! ComeSilver See Us!" City Just about 100 minutes west of Las Cruces lies a getaway with When in Silver, visit these great businesses! way more than 100 things to see and do. Plan your trip today! Silver City, Grant County and surroundings offer wide varieties of fun, adventure and relaxation. Here’s just one example: Gila River The Gila River is one of the longest rivers in the West, originating HANDMADE, HOMEMADE, HOMEGROWN above 10,000 feet in the Mogollon Mountains of the Gila Maker's Market Wilderness and from the headwaters of the Black Range. At MainStreet Plaza The three forks of the Gila River headwaters are dotted with natural hot springs, and are the home of the endangered Gila Every Saturday Aug 1st - Oct 31st 8:30am to 12:00pm trout, loach minnow and the rare Mexican spotted owl. Sport fisherman, horse packers, hikers and boaters all enjoy the vast www.thefutureforge.org/makers-market canyon landscapes and lush river habitat. This year the annual 575-313-5665 [email protected] Gila River Festival, Sept. 18 and 19, will explore cultivating resilience in communities and ecological systems. The event takes place on a virtual conference platform that allows for multiple presentations to happen concurrently and provides opportunities for attendees to engage with others. 4 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 NEWS LAS CRUCES BULLETIN NEW come” in Las Cruces. “I’m excited to see what Councilor Johana Ben- expect great things.” diversity and culture, “I have the confidence we can do together with como. “Reducing that 24 Part of the reason he the way the city has been CONTINUED FROM 3 that Mr. Pili will do great Mr. Pili,” said Councilor percent (city) poverty rate chose to come to Las Cru- managed and built thus things for our city,” said Tessa Abeyta Stuve. “Mr. should be our top priority. ces, Pili said, is that he far, the elected officials about him,” Miyagishima Councilor Gabe Vasquez. Pili certainly has a heart I’m excited for Mr. Pili to and his family were look- and staff, were all factors said. “I think he’s going to “I look forward to work- for service. I think he’s get here.” ing for a change. I considered. As great of a bring so much to the city.” ing with him. It’s cer- going to be a very strong “I’m just thrilled to “The State of Utah and place as I thought it was, The mayor said Pili’s tainly a big number,” leader for our commu- move in this direction,” the City of Eagle Moun- I was even more excited focus will be “to reduce Vasquez said of Pili’s sal- nity.” said Mayor Pro Tem tain have definitely been about the potential and all the poverty rate and in- ary, “but we’re expecting “I’m excited for folks Kasandra Gandara. my home,” Pili said via the opportunities on the crease the per capita in- to do big things.” to get to know him,” said “There’s so much to do. email. “No matter where horizon for the city. I think we have incred- I go, this place will al- “When I asked the ibly high hopes for mov- ways have a piece of me. mayor and council what ing forward. One of the However, my family and I they loved most about Las Visit Desert Exposure Always at your fingertips! things I’d like to talk to were at a point where we Cruces, the one thing they Mr. Pili about is ensuring were looking for a new all mentioned was the No login. that we have equality in experience and a new set people,” Pili said. “Right terms of pay and that we of challenges and maybe then I knew for certain look at gender equality.” a new place to call home. that this would be a place LAS CRUCES BULLETIN No fees. “I’m anxious to get to The more I learned about that I could fall in love TOP STORIES work with him,” Coun- Las Cruces, the more with. I’m excited to call Stars, stripes and solidarity Check out the entire Bulletin cilor Gill Sorg said. “I intrigued I became. The Las Cruces home.” in our weekly e-edition. Check out the entire follow us on Bulletin in our For social media weekly e-edition. breaking www.lascrucesbulletin.com news www.lascrucesbulletin.com The New Mexico EnergySaver (Low Income) Program can help lower your monthly SAVINGS FOR electric bill while making your home more comfortable... all at no cost to you! YOUR HOME How Do I Qualify? 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