Memorial Svc. for NM Rep. Max Coll, True Friend of C&TSRR

[Dick Cowles]

One of the railroad's most influential supporters over the years, former state Representative Max Coll died March 27. A public memorial service is being held in his honor at the Capitol Rotunda this Monday April 7 at 2 pm. We hope you can attend.

Since Max for many years was Chairman of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and rotating Chairman of the Joint Legislative Finance Committee he had great influence over the state's purse-strings. A fiscal conservative and dedicated environmentalist, highly respected for his ability to achieve compromise for the good of the state and its citizens, he also had a special place in his heart for the C&TS. Without his continuing support the railroad might not have survived.

For instance, during the three years from fiscal 2004 to 2006, under his leadership the NM Legislature appropriated $3,415,000 in capital and operating funds for the C&TS. No small feat when one considers that budget woes in Colorado during those years limited that state's contributions to less than 25% as much as NM. Furthermore, in prior years the accepted practice had been for neither state to contribute more that half of the total. All that changed under Max's tenure.

We owe a great debt of thanks to Max Coll, who along with Governor Cargo and Carl Turner were the ones in New Mexico political circles that really made a difference in the fortunes of the C&TSRR.

[Roger Hogan]

RIP Max.