Letter to the Editor: Council Punishing Residents, Including Themselves, Seems Most Improbable
By EDWARD BIRNBAUMIt isn’t clear to me what action Gerald Antos (letter) expected Council to take with regard to the electric rates proposed by the Board of Public Utilities.
Council cannot make the projected DPU deficit disappear, so as far as I can see, it would appear that they had little choice but to approve the BPU rate increase designed to eliminate that deficit.
Remanding the rate increase back to the BPU would not solve the problem of paying for the infrastructure and maintenance improvements that BPU felt was necessary to provide more reliable electric service to the Read More
San Ildefonso Road Lane Drop On North Mesa Monday
DPU News:
In support of gas line work on San Ildefonso Road, Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will be dropping a driving lane on San Ildefonso Road just south of Diamond Drive on North Mesa.
Beginning Monday, Feb. 23 and continuing through Thursday, Feb. 26, traffic will be reduced to one lane from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A one-way flagging operation will alternate north and south bound vehicles through the construction zone.
The temporary lane reduction will allow the DPU contractor to trench across San Ildefonso Drive approximately 500 feet south of Diamond Drive.
DPU is Read More
Pet Of The Week: Eve The Dog
Eve is an 8-year-old spayed female Shar Pei. CourtesyFOS
Shelter News:
Eve is an 8-year-old spayed female Shar Pei who loves women and gentle children.
She is the perfect lady on walks with shelter volunteers. At the shelter, she has also been fine with men. Cats are not her thing, but being kenneled with just the right dog friend has made her very happy at the shelter.
Eve responds well to some obedience commands. Eve requires a gluten free diet, which is not difficult to obtain. She needs exercise, a sturdy fence and the right canine companion.
Above all, she needs the companionship of a human who Read More
Breaking News: Los Alamos Police Make Five Arrests Related To Possession Of Suspected Heroin
Breaking News:
Los Alamos Police Department patrol officers have arrested five people since Tuesday related to possession of suspected heroin.
Commander Oliver Morris said that two of the arrests occured in White Rock and three arrests were made in Los Alamos,
The following suspects have been arrested:
Monica Cooper, 48, of Los Alamos
Charges:
Shoplifting
2 counts possession of a controlled substance
1 count possession of drug paraphernalia
Celso Ramos, 35, of Santa Cruz
Charges:
Trafficking a controlled substance
Possession of a controlled substance
Possession of drug paraphernalia Read More
Los Alamos County Hires Beverley Simpson As New Emergency Manager
New Los Alamos County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson. Photo by Oliver Morris
Simpson brings to the job more than 20 years combined experience in Emergency Response and Homeland Security/Defense, WMD, Public Health, with specialized training in Emergency Response, Biological and Radiological Emergency Weapons of Mass Destruction and advanced knowledge of and experience in technologies
Letter to the Editor: Better Question Is Why Utilities Manager/Board Didn’t Recognize Need For Higher Rates Years Ago
By EDWARD BIRNBAUMGerald Antos (letter) has an interesting take on the recent electric rate increase, i.e., blaming Council for the increase.
Does he recognize that under the current Article V of the Charter that the Board of Public Utilities proposes electric rates to Council, and that Council can only approve or remand those rates back to the BPU for further consideration?
Had the proposed revisions to Article V passed, then Council actually might have the power to deal with utility rates. As it is now, they have very little control over rates.
The better question he should Read More
Newest Los Alamos Police Officer Sworn In Today
The newest police officer in Los Alamos County, Leandro Gallegos, is sworn in this morning at the Justice Center by Magistrate Court Judge Pat Casados. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com
Espanola Police Chief Richard Gallegos pins the badge on his nephew, newly sworn Ofc. Leandro Gallegos during this morning’s ceremony at the Justice Center. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com
Magistrate Court Judge Pat Casados congratulates new Ofc. Leandro Gallegos this morning at the Justice Center. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com
Ofc. Leandro Gallegos gathers with his family following Read More
Board Of Public Utilities Selects Future Energy Resources Committee Members
BPU News:
In accordance with an adopted motion last January to form a Future Energy Resources (FER) Ad Hoc Citizen Committee, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) appointed four individuals to serve on the seven member committee.
From a pool of 15 applications, the following individuals were appointed at last night’s Board meeting to serve on the FER Committee:
- Edward Birnbaum;
- Robert Gibson;
- Kathleen Taylor; and
- Craig Wehner.
Birnbaum and Gibson will represent citizens at large, Taylor will represent citizens with rooftop solar generation, and Wehner will represent Read More
Pile Burning Continues This Weekend
LAFD News:
Pile burning will continue this weekend on Los Alamos County lands.
Smoke from the pile burns will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are being met. Smoke will likely be visible from Espanola, Santa Clara and Santa Fe and from N.M. 502 and N.M. 285.
Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire Read More
Luján Delivers Address To NM Legislature
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
STATE News:
SANTA FE – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District addressed a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature this afternoon.
Below are his remarks as prepared.
“To the distinguished members of the New Mexico House of Representatives, the New Mexico Senate, Governor Martinez, Speaker Tripp, President Pro-Tem Papen, tribal leaders, honored guests, family, and friends, thank you for welcoming me here today to discuss our shared commitment to the people of New Mexico and our common goal of building a brighter future for the New Mexico families Read More
‘Dust, Drought and Dreams Gone Dry’ Exhibit Closes Friday
MPL News:
- Dust, Drought and Dreams Gone Dry Wrap-up
Friday is the final day to see the Dust, Drought and Dreams Gone Dry exhibit in Mesa Public Library’s Upstairs Gallery, before it is packed up and sent off to its next location.
The Dust Bowl and its human, economic, political and environmental impacts are the topics of the exhibit. More than 2,000 visitors have seen the exhibit in Los Alamos to date, and many of them have commented about the relevance of this historic environmental disaster to today’s situation.
Programs associated with the exhibit have included Read More
Library Staff Tour New White Rock Branch
Library Manager Steven Thomas and library staff tour the construction site today for the new White Rock Branch Library. The building is scheduled to be completed and open to the public in July. Photo by Katy Korkos
LAHS Students Propose Traffic Signal Control Program
Los Alamos County employee Alipio Mondragon works with Los Alamos High School students Gerald Collom, center, and Vincent Tang who are participating in the Supercomputing Challenge this spring. The students are proposing to write a traffic signal control program and requested a tour of the Traffic Operations Center at the Pajarito Cliffs Site. Courtesy/LAC Read More
Los Alamos County Nature Center Opens April 22
The Los Alamos County Nature Center is set to celebrate a community-wide grand opening on Earth Day, April 22. The new building on Canyon Road is essentially complete and the facility’s operator, Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), began installing exhibits Feb. 5. The substantial completion date was extended to today due to a delayed delivery of patio roofing materials and to allow the contractor to complete concrete work along Canyon Road. PEEC will hold its annual day-long Earth Day celebration for the community Saturday, April 25. Courtesy/LAC Read More
Regional Coalition Of LANL Communities Announces Successful Meetings Regarding Clean-up Initiatives And Funds
RCLC News:
SANTA FE—The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities (Coalition) announced successful meetings last week in Washington, D.C.
The group visited the Capitol to meet with the New Mexico Congressional Delegation members, House and Senate Armed Services, Appropriations and Department of Energy (DOE) officials regarding clean-up issues and funding for Los Alamos National Lab (LANL).
The Coalition believes that funding for FY16 environmental clean-up at LANL should be $255 million and stated that request in all meetings. The proposed budget for FY2016 is $189 million, which is Read More
Los Alamos Police Blotter: Feb. 12 To Feb. 18, 2015
LAPD News:
The following information is provided by the Los Alamos Police Department.
Neither arrests nor charges indicate a conviction, and neither means that a person is guilty of the charges filed against them.
Feb. 12 at 8:16 a.m. / Police charged a 13-year-old Los Alamos boy with the unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school property at 2102 Hawk Dr., and referred him to the juvenile probation officer.
Feb. 12 at 11:07 a.m. / A 46-year-old Los Alamos man reported that he is the victim of larceny on Eniwetok Drive. The estimated loss is less than $20,000.
Feb. 13 at 8:28 a.m. / Police charged Read More
Council Approves Electric Rate Increase
Utilities Manager Tim Glasco
STAFF REPORT
Following a presentation by Utilities Manager Tim Glasco Tuesday evening in Council Chambers, the Los Alamos County Council approved an electric rate increase.
The vote was 4-2 with Councilor Susan O’Leary and Councilor James Chrobocinski voting against the measure. Councilor David Izraelevitz was absent. During Council discussion, O’Leary and Chrobocinski called for a more “phased in” rate hike to allow residents an opportunity to adjust to the increase over time.
For residential customers, the average increase Read More
White Rock Senior Center Renovation Update
COUNTY News:
Are you interested in the design progress of the White Rock Senior Center Renovation Project?
Join County staff for a Progress Plan Review 3:30-5 p.m., Thursday at the White Rock Senior Center, 137 Longview Dr. The architect will begin with a presentation at 3:30 p.m., followed by open discussion.
For additional information, contact the Community and Economic Development Department at 505.662.8120 and ask for Project Manager Anthony Strain. Read More
House Republicans Pass Legislation To Reward New Mexico’s Best And Brightest Teachers
Rep. Dennis Roch
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Today, House Republicans united together to pass a bill allowing the state’s best teachers to advance through the ranks faster, rewarding outstanding educators with a higher salary much sooner.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Logan, will now head to the Senate. The vote was 37-0, with all Democrats walking out of the chamber.
“Today, we made a huge step toward rewarding New Mexico’s best and brightest teachers,” Roch said. “By allowing them to progress through the career pathway faster, we can reward them with higher pay and encourage them to Read More
LAFD: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Issues Fire Extinguisher Recall
Kidde Disposable Fire Extinguisher with plastic valve. Courtesy/USCPSC
LAFD News:
The Los Alamos Fire Department has announced that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall for a variety of fire extinguisher models that fail to discharge as expected.
Kidde has received 11 reports of the recalled fire extinguishers failing to discharge as expected. No injuries have been reported.
The fire extinguishers are sold at Home Depot, Menards, Walmart and other department, home and hardware stores nationwide, and online from August 2013 through November 2014 for between Read More
