Los Alamos County Named Healthiest In State
Ashley Pond. File photo
COMMUNITY News:
Washington, D.C. – Los Alamos County ranks healthiest in New Mexico, according to the 2017 County Health Rankings, released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The full list of rankings is available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
“Los Alamos County is a great place – a community that offers something for everyone – from young families to retirees,” said U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District.
The County Health Rankings, a collaborative effort Read More
Woman From Operation Spring Cleaning Back In Jail
Amanda Osborne
Staff Report
Amanda Osborne of Los Alamos, one of seven people arrested March 20 during Operation Spring Cleaning, is back in jail for allegedly violating one of the conditions of her pre-trial release.
Probation Ofc. Linda Pena confirmed that Osborne is incarcerated at the Los Alamos Detention Center but could not confirm the cause of the revocation of her conditions of release, however, a police incident report indicates that Osborne tested positive for methamphetamines.
Osborne, 32, was originally charged during the March 20 drug sting operation, conducted by the Los Read More
Letter To The Editor: Response To Splash Pad Debate
By LAUREN GRIFFITHI wanted to respond with a different perspective to the Splash Pad project proposal than that of the letter recently sent in by Martha Jones (link).
- While I do agree that as a taxpayer in town, it would be nice to have a say in how money is spent, I have to disagree with her assertions that this is a bad idea for the following reasons:
- Cost – the grand total for this project is $720,000 with a $36,000 per year maintenance cost ($3,000 per month). When compared with the other projects the County is looking at, this is extremely low.
- Ms. Jones stated that it would only
Letter To The Editor: Outreach, Not Ads
By DAVID NORTHAt first sight, the new sign and banner at the White Rock library provoked the thought “nice ads”. Bond supporters really upped their game!
Wrong.
Further inspection revealed no advocacy — just the county logo. Turns out they aren’t ads at all, but part of a $35,000 “outreach” campaign funded by the county. This is apparently normal, if a bit upscale.
The last time a similar election was held in 2011 — for a leisure pool — the county devoted $18,000 for outreach, though at that time it was dubbed “public information costs”. The idea? Publicize Read More
On The Job In Los Alamos: County HR Division Staff
On The Job In Los Alamos: Most of the Los Alamos County Human Resources staff Monday at their office inside the Municipal Building, from left, Elanda N. King, Ellen Skaggs, HR Deputy Manager Ed McDaris, Rosabella Romero, Kat Brophy and Valerie Aghaei Park. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
Letter To The Editor: Splash Pad Bad Idea
By MARTHA JONESI just read in the Los Alamos Daily Post (link) that the County Council is considering building a splash pad park in White Rock. My initial response was “Boy the County can’t wait to spend our tax dollars on nonsense once again.” The worse part of it is that they want to borrow more money to get this project and others done. It seems to me that we haven’t learned anything from watching our national government take us the citizens into debt that could possibly collapse our economy.
Do you realize that the splash pad area is such a bad idea and let me share the reasons why I think it Read More
P&Z To Hear Subdivision Plat Plan Wednesday
The Los Alamos Public Schools Administrative Office is to the west of the proposed subdivision. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com
The Smart House is located on one of the lots in the proposed subdivision. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.comStaff Report
Los Alamos County is asking the Planning and Zoning Commission to approve a preliminary subdivision plat to divide two existing lots on 20th Street south of Trinity Drive into six new lots. A public hearing on the plat is slated for 5:30 p.m., Wednesday in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at
County Installs Safety Improvements At Rose/Nectar And Bathtub Row Intersection
In an effort to enhance safety, the Los Alamos County Traffic Division has installed new stop signs and guidance posts and devices at the intersection of Rose/Nectar and Bathtub Row. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
View of newly installed stop sign and safety devices at 22nd and Rose Street. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
View of newly installed stop sign at Peach Street and Rose Street. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
Public Works Director Philo Shelton Briefs Kiwanians On Upcoming Recreation Bond Election
Philo Shelton briefs Kiwanians on the upcoming bond election. Courtesy photoPuzzled by all the discussion and promotion about an upcoming Los Alamos County bond election on potential recreation projects? Signs are popping all over the County again. Los Alamos County Public Works Director Philo Shelton—who is also Second Vice President of the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos—gave the club a briefing early this year on an election that the County Council is planning in May. He provided Kiwanians with a one-page handout that listed five Read More
County Testing Parks And Golf Course Sprinklers
COUNTY News:
Over the next few weeks, the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division crews will be out and about testing the sprinkler systems at the athletic fields, parks and the Golf Course during daylight hours.
This is part of the PROS Division’s annual water audit to check for any sprinkler head adjustments, broken sprinklers or lines needing repairs/replacement. Once the systems are checked out, staff will place the sprinklers on a timed system for early or evening irrigation.
Direct questions to the Parks Administrative Office at 505.662.8159 or the Golf Course Pro Shop at 505.662.8139. Read More
14th Annual Clean Up Los Alamos Day: Register Now!
COUNTY News:
Let’s keep Los Alamos litter free. Join the fun and help tidy up the community by collecting trash and recyclables from your neighborhoods and public places.
Free gloves and bags will be provided upon registration. The Eco Station will allow free trash disposal to all Los Alamos County residents. An appreciation lunch will be provided to volunteers noon–1 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at Ashley Pond Park.
Los Alamos Library Manager Accepts Job In Seattle
Los Alamos County Library System Manager Steven Thomas is leaving Los Alamos to work as the Regional Manager at the King County Library System in Seattle, Wash. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
After serving five years as Los Alamos County Library System Manager, Steven Thomas is taking the next step in his career. Thomas is leaving the County to accept a position as Regional Library Manager at the King County Library System in Seattle, Wash. His last day was Friday.
“It’s been a great five years,” Thomas said in Read More
Letter To The Editor: Truthiness, Or Fun With Election Hype
By DAVID NORTH
Los Alamos
Brace yourself. Here comes the media storm of exaggerations, illogics, sentimentalism, tirades and irrelevancies about the looming bond measure.
But coping with it can be fun when you play “The Truthiness Game”.
The idea? Spot a statement that seems to make sense but just might not be true. It’s easier if you already know it’s fishy. Then try to determine just how true or false it is.
Assign a percentage value to how true it sounds (truthiness) and then another value for how accurate it really is (truth). Subtract the truth from the truthiness and you have your score. A perfect Read More
County Hosts Community Brainstorming Session
Members of the public give input on how to lower driving speeds by Mountain Elementary School during a public meeting hosted by the County Public Works Traffic and Street Division Wednesday night at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Traffic and Streets Division Manager Daniel Erickson leads the public meeting on traffic calming Wednesday night at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
The Los Alamos County Public Works’ Traffic and Streets Division and members of the public brainstormed Read More
County Says Goodbye To Deputy Manager Bosshardt
Los Alamos County hosted a reception Friday afternoon to say farewell to Deputy County Manager Brian Bosshardt. After almost seven years working at Los Alamos County, Bosshardt will be moving to Bedford, Texas, to work as its city manager. He starts his new position in April. His final day with the County is March 31. From left: Brian Bosshardt’s wife, Marie Levie, Brian Bosshardt, Legal Assistant Melissa Salmon and Assistant to the County Manager Linda Matteson take part in the reception. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
County’s Matthew Valdez Retires After 21 Years
Los Alamos County Technical Support Specialist Matthew Valdez, center, celebrates his retirement with Nina Fresquez, Wayne Kohlrust and many other friends and colleagus at his farewell party Thursday afternoon at the Municipal Building. Valdez celebrates 21 years working for Los Alamos County and most recently worked in the County’s records department. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com
Matthew Valdez and his father, Ruben Valdez who retired from Los Alamos County 25 years ago. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com
Matthew Valdez’ mother Juanita Read More
Demand For Local Recreation Facilities Reaches Limit
Los Alamos Futures Co-Chairs Tony Fox, left, and Darren Meadows promote the $20 million bond that, if passed, would help fund five recreation capital improvement projects. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Proposed White Rock Splash Pad. Courtesy photoBy KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
Demand for recreation facilities has reached its limit in Los Alamos County, according to Los Alamos Futures Recreation Bond Advocacy Group, a recently formed Political Action Committee (PAC).
“We’re busting at the seams with what we’ve got,” PAC Co-Chair Tony Fox said.
As a result, Read More
Los Alamos DPU Launches New App
COUNTY News:
An improved way for customers to access their DPU utility accounts
The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) today announced the launch of its free Los Alamos DPU App by Smart Energy Systems. According to DPU officials it’s a new cloud-based platform with a friendly interface for DPU customers to access their account, track consumption, and pay utility bills from their computer or mobile device.
In 2015, a DPU customer satisfaction survey revealed that a segment of customers wanted more online functions.
“Customers under the age of 45 told us that Read More
Utilities Board Approves 2018 Proposed Budget
DPU Deputy Manager Bob Westervelt
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
The Board of Public Utilities unanimously agreed to bring its Fiscal Year 2018 proposed budget to County Council for approval.
The DPU Board approved the budget during its regular meeting March 15 in Council Chambers. The proposed budget will be presented to the Council during the County budget hearings April 17-18 and April 24-25.
The utilities budget provides for $72,375,881 in total expenditures.
If Council approves the budget, DPU Deputy Manager Bob Westervelt said utility customers may see changes in their rates Read More
Scenes From Friday’s Leadership Los Alamos Economic Development Session
Participants in the 2016-17 Leadership Los Alamos class learn about local economic development during an all-day session Friday. Photo by Martha Katko
LLA participants learn about local economic development. Photo by Martha Katko
COMMUNITY News:
Participants in the 2016-17 class of Leadership Los Alamos participated in an economic development session Friday.
Leadership Los Alamos was founded to identify current and emerging leaders in the Los Alamos community, enhance their leadership skills, and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the area.
Each class Read More
