The Sax Man

Gary is a very talented musician. His primary instruments are alto, soprano and tenor sax and if you keep your ears (and eyes) open this campaign season, you'll hear him playing a few bars with a group at a social or political function, in a parade, at his Church or just for pleasure with friends. Music is simply an important part of Gary's character and while some people never leave home without their laptops, Gary never does without his sax. He's the sax man.

What's remarkable about Gary is that he can play almost any type of music from jazz to rock to highbrow classical and he can do so with ease. Hence he's very comfortable stepping-in and playing with almost anyone, anywhere, even impromptu with musicians he's met while attending conferences in Europe. Perhaps I am so impressed because I've not only heard him play in varying venues, I've had the pleasure of being his accompanist on several occasions. Recently I queried Gary about his musical background so I could share it with all of you on this blog.

Like most kids when they are young, Gary played piano and guitar. When he was in the 6th grade, he went to Bob Farley at his music store and told him he wanted to take up the trombone, his inspiration being a good friend who played trombone. Much to Gary's disappointment, Mr. Farley told him his arms were just too short for the trombone and handed him a saxophone instead. It turned out to be a perfect fit and Gary became very proficient very quickly, playing in the All State Band while in high school. During his college years, he played in the marching and basketball pep bands, the symphonic wind ensemble and the jazz band.

Real life follows college and that's when most people are prone to put their musical instruments in a corner waiting for time, inclination or an opportunity to play but never finding same. Such was not the case for Gary. One of his pastimes even while serving in the New Mexico Legislature was playing blues and jazz in a classical rock 'n roll band. On one occasion his group had the special opportunity to play with Crosby Stills & Nash. (I wonder if they got that on tape?) I asked Gary if he has composed and he eagerly said , "Yes," while looking for a copy of his piece We Should Be Together which unfortunately was not in his folio that day. I'll have to urge him to play it at one of his functions.

Many of you know Gary long and well and are aware of his musical talent. For those of you who have never had the pleasure, I urge you to join the rest of us and watch for Gary on sax.

New look for the website

The website has undergone a face lift and we are starting to come up with some new ads for November.

A Growing Threat

We’ve all heard the discussion about methamphetamine and the threat it poses to our communities. We think the problem is elsewhere, never in “my” neighborhood, not with “my” children. But the facts speak for themselves; the problem is here, in our schools, in our communities. According to Koch Crime Institute, the “average meth cook” teaches 10 other people to make meth. If there is only one meth producer in the community it wouldn’t take long to have many different meth labs in the area.

According to the US Department of Justice, 15.3 percent of New Mexico high schoolers have reported using methamphetamine. That is three students in every twenty here in New Mexico who have used the drug. I don’t know about you, but that scares me.

I would venture to guess that many people don’t know much about meth, other than it’s a street drug that is ruining lives.

Methamphetamine is a compound made from inactive ingredients found in nature. However, these ingredients become dangerous when combined with certain chemicals to create a new product. Meth begins with an inactive or marginally-inactive compound such as ephedrine or pseudoephedrine and other chemicals are added to produce the drug. Anything from drain cleaner to battery acid is used in the production of meth.

So, does this have anything to do with the Attorney General’s race? Yes, the Attorney General (AG) helps fight meth by allocating resources to the fight. The AG also develops the attack plans and strategies for prosecuting those that bring meth into communities.

The Attorney General’s office is also responsible for allocating funds for the clean-up of meth labs that have been busted. Each pound of meth produced leaves behind five or six pounds of toxic waste, according to Koch Crime Institute. Leftover chemicals and byproducts are often dumped down residential plumbing, storm drains, or directly onto the ground. Chlorinated solvents and other toxic products used to make meth pose long-term hazards because they can persist in soil and groundwater for years. Clean-up costs are high and solvent contaminated soil usually must be incinerated.

With Gary’s experience in the state legislature, he has first hand knowledge of anti-methamphetamine law, having written the original New Mexico law attacking the manufacture of methamphetamines. He also hold’s a PhD in Chemistry, giving him unique knowledge and understanding of the chemical make-up of meth as well as the processes behind its production.
Experts in the field of chemistry say that “A candidate with a PhD in Chemistry would bring a different level of understanding to the Meth problem. He/she would understand the relative importance of the various reagents, such as pseudoephedrine, used to make meth, how hard they would be to get, what dangers they might impose to the individuals exposed to them and to the environment in which they are found.”

Gary King is also an expert in toxic waste cleanup. As United States Assistant Secretary of Energy he orchestrated the cleanup of toxic waste all over the United States. He understands the threat meth poses to our environment and how to counter that threat.

He is clearly the man we want to handle this growing deadly problem. Gary King has the knowledge and experience to make a difference.