Aug. 26--LAS CRUCES -- Tempers flared briefly Tuesday between some Picacho Hills residents and representatives for Stephen Blanco, owner of Picacho Hills Utility Co., during a public comment meeting called by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.

A small meeting room at the Do-a Ana County Government Center was filled with more than 50 people who came to hear and speak out about the utility's business and service practices. Those practices are being scrutinized by Picacho Hills residents who are dissatisfied with the way the utility company is being managed and operated.

"A lot of people in this room are angry," said Dick Johnston, a Picacho Hills resident. "...We want information, we want adequate water."

Several residents told stories of problems and hardships they've had because of a lack of water pressure. They also mentioned problems they have had in trying to contact Blanco or other company employees when service problems have occurred. And, they expressed concerns about the amount of effluent discharged from the utility's wastewater system and other problems that allegedly continue.

Barbara Thurman, who has lived in Picacho Hills a little more than a year, recalled one water outage when a neighbor came to her door begging

for water to dress a wound that her husband had suffered.

"I didn't have any water in my house, either. Not even a bottle of water," Thurman said. "I can only imagine where that woman had to go to get some bottled water for her husband."

The tone of the meeting took a nasty turn when a Picacho Hills resident suggested to PRC representatives, who conducted the meeting, that the company should be placed into receivership.

That's when Tony Schaefer, a Mesilla resident who is a former PRC commissioner, stood up and spoke on Blanco's behalf.

"All of those problems are real. They need to be done. The problem is it takes money," said Schaefer, who added that he recently began working for Blanco. "...If there's not enough money from rates, then those (problems) cannot be solved. You can't ask Mr. Blanco to spend money if he can't get it out of his utility."

From their chairs, several of the residents began chiding Schaefer, who briefly argued back with him.

"This is more of a discussion of Steve Blanco than the system itself," said Schaefer, as some of the residents began hooting at the statement.

"They want Mr. Blanco gone, that's the bottom line," Schaefer said.

"That's not the function of the Public Regulation Commission. That's not the way you go about your business," said Schaefer, as he turned to face the PRC representatives.

Ultimately, the mood cooled.

"I don't care who runs the utility," Johnston said. "All I want is reliable service. I just want water, dependable water."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at sramirez@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5452.

Picacho Hills Utility Co.

-- There are approximately 800 customers of the utility.

-- There are two pending cases before the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission regarding the utility.

-- Tuesday's public comment meeting was based on public concerns raised about the utility's business and service practices at an open office meeting in Las Cruces on July 29.

-- A report of Tuesday's meeting must be submitted to the Public Regulation Commission by Sept. 25.

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