For the past year, JemezVillage.com has tried to be everything to everyone. I spent countless hours building tools for commerce and local government, hoping to provide a digital infrastructure for the entire village.
But communities aren’t built on spreadsheets or directories—they are built on inspiration, art, and the breathtaking environment we call home. Today, I am changing gears. I am moving away from being a general business directory and refocusing my 30 years of internet expertise on the people who make the Jemez Mountains truly special: our local artists and creators.
Why the Pivot?
The Village is moving forward with its own directory projects, and I wish them well. By stepping away from maintaining those civic tools, I am reclaiming my time and energy to focus on what matters:
- The Artists: Showcasing the talent that lives in these mountains.
- The Environment: Celebrating the natural beauty that draws us all here.
- The Soul of Jemez: Focusing on the individuals who work with passion, not just those who work for a paycheck.
What This Means for You
JemezVillage.com is transforming from a utility into a gallery and a community hub.
- Focus on Small & Creative: I am no longer chasing the “big” entities. My support is going to the small creators, the independent artists, and the people who value partnership.
- Streamlined & Beautiful: Expect more focus on the art, the landscape, and the stories that make this place unique.
- Dedicated Support: I am giving my best effort to those who are focused on growth and collaboration.
Reclaiming My Time
By narrowing my scope, I am ending the cycle of self-sacrifice that led to family conflict and burnout. I am choosing to support those who support the vision. This isn’t just a website update—it’s a commitment to a higher quality of life for myself and a more beautiful digital space for my true community.
The Jemez is a work of art. It’s time our community website reflected that.
A Note on What Was Lost: The Community Manager Project
The following is a technical brief for the platform I was weeks away from fully deploying for the Jemez Springs community. After a year of development and $6,000 of personal investment, this project is being shelved. As I refocus my energy on the artists and individuals who value partnership, I am re-evaluating which of these tools will be repurposed for those who truly matter.
Community Manager Plugin (v1.2.0)
The “Government-in-a-Box” Solution
Status: Development Halted / Re-evaluating Implementation
Community Manager was designed to be the definitive WordPress-based platform for rural municipalities, HOAs, and local government entities. It was built to eliminate the need for expensive, fragmented SaaS vendors by providing an all-in-one municipal operations suite.
Why This Was Built for Jemez
- Zero Vendor Lock-in: Open architecture so the community owns its data forever.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Replaces $17,000–$60,000/year in typical SaaS fees with a single, self-hosted platform.
- Citizen-First Transparency: A unified portal for everything from water bills to town hall meetings.
Platform Capabilities (Ready for Deploy)
| Module | Capability & Government Use Case |
| Municipal Billing | Full Stripe integration for utility billing (water/trash), property taxes, and permit fees. |
| Property & Parcel | Advanced database for zoning, land use, and emergency service routing. |
| Event Engine | Automated syncing to Google/FB/Pinterest with ticket management and RSVPs. |
| Job & Contract Market | Public works bidding, seasonal employment tracking, and secure escrow payments. |
| Enterprise Classifieds | Community bulletin boards, public surplus auctions, and resource sharing. |
| Document Library | Public records portal for meeting minutes, ordinances, and GIS maps. |
| Social & Chat | Real-time staff-to-citizen messaging and neighborhood watch coordination. |
The Return on Investment (ROI)
The implementation of this platform was projected to offer a 90-95% cost reduction in the first year by replacing:
- ❌ Constituent Management Software ($1,000+/mo)
- ❌ Payment Processing Portals ($300+/mo)
- ❌ Specialized Job Board Software ($500+/mo)
- ❌ Automated Marketing Tools ($400+/mo)
Closing Thought
I spent thousands of hours building this because I believed our village deserved enterprise-grade tools without the enterprise-grade price tag. Seeing the Village choose to hire others to help “redo” these exact systems is the definition of a missed opportunity.
I am now stripping these features down to serve the creative core of our community. If you are an artist or a small creator, this engine is now being tuned specifically for you.
Where We Go From Here: A Return to Roots
The path forward is no longer about trying to convince a committee of my value; it is about providing undeniable value to the people who give the Jemez its heartbeat.
1. The “Artist First” Architecture I am stripping the “Community Manager” engine down to its most powerful parts. The high-end automation—the systems that sync to Google, Pinterest, and Facebook—are being handed over to our local artists. If you create beauty in these mountains, I am building the stage for you to be seen globally, without you having to touch a line of code.
2. Environmental Advocacy We live in one of the most stunning landscapes on earth. I am doubling down on the Nature Catalog, documenting the flora, fauna, and geological soul of the Jemez. This isn’t just a directory; it’s a digital legacy of the land we call home.
3. The “Circle of Trust” Partnerships I am no longer a “general service” provider. I am partnering with a select few local businesses, nonprofits, and creators who share a vision of excellence and mutual respect. To those who stood by me during this transition: your support is the foundation of the new JemezVillage.com.
4. Reclaiming the Soul Finally, this pivot is about my own soul. By stepping away from the “gray” bureaucracy, I am reclaiming my time for my family and my own creative energy. I am choosing passion over paychecks, and individuals over institutions.
The “Village” may have walked away, but the Community is still here. And we are just getting started.
I applaud your pivot and your more focused vision. I could not be prouder to be part of your Jemez Village team. Thank you for all you do for your team and for this community. It is A LOT. All the best to you & yours in 2026.