Good morning.
It has been a busy week for me, and I'm tossing this off on the fly to keep you updated.
Last week I mentioned an expectation of being elected to serve on the Commission of our local acequia (irrigation canal) that carries water to the fields of this rural agricultural community where I have lived for the past 20 years. But as it turned out, at the general meeting of the parciantes last Saturday I was asked to serve as the Majordomo, the "ditch boss", instead. Florencio, well into this 70s, was viewed as too old to manage the day-to-day affairs of distributing water to the 48 irrigators who cultivate 208 acres along the 4 mile length of the acequia, and he ran for the Commissioner's seat instead.
I ran unopposed for the Majordomo position and was elected unanimously by the quorum present, about 40% of the parciantes.
The Acequia de Tecolotito was dug by hand in 1835 by the ancestors of the parciantes, inhabitants of a Land Grant made by Mexico in 1821, one of nearly 1000 of the Land Grants, or "Merceds" given to settlers coming to northern New Mexico beginning in 1598.
New Mexico State law recognizes and protects these unique institutions under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848, wherein Mexico ceded what we call the American southwest to the United States. An acequia is a legally constituted governmental body, on a par with a village or town, and the Majordomo has the right to enter all lands along the acequia in order to assess problems, resolve disputes and ensure equable distribution of the precious water.
My work this week has been to inspect the ditch itself, walking the entire length of it to check for blockages and needed repairs while it is dry, before beginning the irrigation season. Despite having lived next to the acequia and used its water for almost 20 years, I have been getting a whole new perspective on what is entailed in a system like this. It needs a lot of work. Much regular maintenance has been put off for years, and a lot of catching up will be required.
I hope to be able to share this adventure with you as I proceed, because I have given a rare opportunity to participate in this ancient tradition. I feel deeply honored by my community to be given this position.
We will also continue to provide advice and encouragement here on Saturday Mornings for matters regard home repairs, as we have done for nearly five years. Those of you who have helped, the "ad hoc cadre of construction pros and gifted amateurs", are invited to join a SMHRB group I will be forming to continue this service. Speak up in the thread and I will send you invitations to join the group.