GRIT Newsletter: November 2025

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Summary of November 2025 GRIT

The November 2025 GRIT President Message by Jim Stewart, began with another update on the PNM routing of high-voltage transmission lines stating that the Special Task Group has made several meetings with PNM representatives. They are working toward a compromise regarding the routing of the lines along Tramway Boulevard. He noted the large turnout of residents to our National Afternoon Out ice cream social thanking them for their participation and thanking the board members, the Community Service and Membership committee members, Environment and Safety Committee, and with special thanks to Greg Lobberegt for sponsoring the event.

The “Board Notes” article focused on the board’s continuing work on reviewing and revising policies. A new financial reserve policy has been adopted to ensure long-term financial stability. The policy includes explanations on how reserve funds are built, managed and reported, to include a capital reserve fund, an operating reserve fund, and an emergency reserve fund. The board will retain full authority over reserve funds and the board review and approves balances recommended by the Treasurer, at least once per year. It was noted that the board is considering adding a “Notice of Non-compliance” to the dispute resolution policy. This avoids fines or liens but allows the association to file documentation of a violation with the Bernalillo County Clerk. Resident feedback was requested. The article concluded with information on the functions of the Information Technology (IT) Committee which was disbanded in September. The former IT chair has become a liaison to the Communications and Publications (C&P) Committee to assist with webite updates, improvements and maintenance.

Another notice was included in this issue reminding residents that a GRIT newsletter editor is needed.

The GRIT editor, Claudia Mitchell, authored an article entitled, “ 1621: The Pilgrims were Jonnies-come-lately” with a Thanksgiving Holiday theme noting that the exploration of what is now New Mexico preceded the East Coast pilgrims and the traditional Thanksgiving by many years.

The Environmental and Safety (E&S) Committee offered an informative article “Composting and Wildlife: Finding the Right Balance” with advice on both hot composting and cold composting, and explaining the differences and advantages of both methods. It gave tips for safe and smart composting and how to avoid attracting wildlife.

The E&S Committee also reminded residents that with the end of Daylight Savings Time on November second, the Rules of the Road for pedestrians and drivers become more important, and posted the Rules of the Road Chart as illustration.

Merrilea Mayo, member of the C&P committee, wrote an article, “Not Everything is Dog Poop!”. She gave diagrams and explanations on how to identify the droppings of the animals common to Sandia Heights: black bear, coyote, bobcat and deer.

The notice of the 2026 Directory Changes deadline of November seventh was posted again.

The GRIT editor, Claudia Mitchell, wrote “Dream Made Reality”, a summary of the history of the building of the Sandia Tram, to accompany some black and white photographs of the construction of the Tram circa approximately 1965 that were found by office administrator, Anna Levchuk on Facebook. The photographs also included a Tram brochure from 1966.

An article accompanied by photographs reviewed the annual ice cream social on September 21, 2025, held at W.L. Jackson Park. It was noted that approximately 200 residents and their children attended, that Bernalillo County fire and rescue officials were there with a fire truck. Fire safety materials were handed out by the E&S Committee. Sandia Heights Services representatives were on hand to answer questions.

Elizabeth Edgren, member of the C&P committee submitted a retrospective article entitled, “Historical Flashback, October 1983, what would we say now?” that reviewed the contentious application for a liquor license by County Line restaurant at the intersection of Tramway Boulevard and Tramway Road. A survey was conducted by the then Board of Directors of the then-current 692 residents finding that 67% of residents were opposed to it. The 1983 Board of Directors followed the mandate of the residents and opposed the application.

The issue concluded with an article by the GRIT Editor, Claudia Mitchell: “The Nights Are Longer Now: Look Up!” which encouraged residents to get out to observe the night skies during the long nights and gave a website “Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets in Albuquerque” to enhance and inform the experience.