Council Action Taken Nov. 15, 2022
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Council made significant investments in its County employees during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Council unanimously approved increases in wages as well as the County’s contributions to Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico (PERA) for union and non-union County employees.
The raises were supported by all on council, which, as Council Chair Randall Ryti said, “I think this will be key in retaining and employing employees.”
Councilor Sara Scott added that increases in wages as well as the County’s Read More
New Mexico Congressional Democrats Announce Beginning Of FEMA Claims Process, Public Comment For Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) announced that New Mexicans impacted by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire can now submit a Notice of Loss form to signal interest in beginning the claims process with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA expects to start contacting those who submitted Notice of Loss forms and begin paying claims in early 2023.
New Mexico’s Congressional Democrats successfully secured the Hermit’s Read More
State EDD Responds To Recent Reports On LEDA Funding
EDD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) released the following statement in response to recent reporting about the LEDA (Local Economic Development Act) funding:
The Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) reported that of the 101 LEDA projects under evaluation from 2016 through 2021, 33 of those projects did not meet the job requirements. This misled some readers to think that companies are holding onto taxpayer funding and did not create any jobs, and in fact one headline read “Some companies given LEDA funds failed to create jobs”. This interpretation is Read More
COVID Newsletter: CDC Elevates Los Alamos To HIGH Risk
Graph prepared by Will Athas. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
In this week’s Los Alamos County COVID-19 Newsletter, issued Nov. 14, William F. Athas, PhD and retired epidemiologist, writes in the “Epidemiology Corner” that the Omicron variants BQ.1 / BQ.1.1 dominate and other respiratory illnesses are rapidly rising.
Further, the CDC has elevated the community level in Los Alamos to HIGH Risk and there is a rising trend in reported cases accompanied by increasing emergency department visits.
Los Alamos County officials remind individuals that the CDC recommends wearing a high-quality Read More
New Mexico Secretary Of State And AG Issue Statement On Potential Disruptions To County-Level Election Certification Process
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Attorney General Hector Balderas issued the following joint statement today to warn the public about the potential for disruptions to the election certification process during county commission meetings this week:
“This week, New Mexico’s County Commissions are playing their vital role in the administration of our elections by performing their legal duties as the county canvassing boards in their respective counties. The “canvass” is the process of reconciling and confirming Read More
Ryti: Response To Questioning County’s Priorities
Chair Randall Ryti
Los Alamos County Council
Robin Gurule,
On behalf of Council, I thank you for sharing your letter on County priorities. I did check with the County Manager on the Overlook Park restrooms. He indicated this is a fairly recent issue and a solution was being developed last week.
I copied Mr. Lynne on this reply if he has any other information on that problem. I checked with the Utility Manager Mr. Shelton on the sewer backup. He indicated that the DPU was working with County Open Space on restoration plans.
One of your points relates to plans to build new facilities when existing facilities Read More
Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome $400K In Federal Tribal Transit Investments For Pueblos Of Tesuque, Santa Clara & Jicarilla Apache Nation
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) are welcoming $400,000 in federal investments from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Tribal Transit Program to improve transportation services for the Pueblos of Tesuque and Santa Clara and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
“I’m proud to see the Infrastructure Law infusing the Tribal Transit Program with the funding it needs to support transportation services on Tribal lands,” Heinrich said. “These federal investments will help Read More
CHI St. Joseph’s Children Is ‘Overjoyed’ By Passage Of Early Childhood Constitutional Amendment
CHI St. Joseph’s Children News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The staff at CHI St. Joseph’s Children ‘are overjoyed’ with the passage of Constitutional Amendment #1.
This historic event promises to deliver high-quality early childhood programs, preventing adverse childhood experiences, which have been keeping the children of New Mexico from reaching their full potential.
Voters have embraced the evidence that high-quality programs are part of the solution to changing children’s outcomes and to creating a path to a brighter future. The passage of Constitutional Amendment #1 is foundational to the Read More
Wallin: Voters Signal Support For More Than Investments In Early Childhood
By AMBER WALLIN
Executive Director
New Mexico Voices for Children
“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world,” author Sharon Salzberg said.
The recent election tells us a great deal about how committed New Mexicans are to our children and their families. New Mexico voters have spoken loud and clear– and they want the highest quality early care and education programs fully supported and available to all.
Beyond the passage of constitutional amendment #1, which directs the state to withdraw additional funding from our $24 billion Permanent Read More
Wardlow Herrera: Thank You Los Alamos Voters!
Jason Wardlow Herrera
By JASON WARDLOW HERRERA
Newly elected Los Alamos County Sheriff
I would like to thank everyone who helped me with my campaign and all of the residents who voted for me and placed their confidence in me to be their sheriff.
I want to especially thank Sheriff Joe Granville, Jennifer Bartram, the Democratic Party and Chair Catherine Ozment, Preston and Marisha Ballew and the Los Alamos Clerk’s Office for all their hard work!
I also would like to thank my opponent Chris Luchini for being courteous and professional throughout this election.
I am humbled and honored to be Los Alamos’ Read More
Governor Announces Broadband Expansion Funding For Initial Connect New Mexico Pilot Program Awardees
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Thursday announced the recipients of $38.6 million in funding through the Connect New Mexico Pilot Program, the state’s most ambitious broadband expansion effort in history.
The initial funding is being matched by $28.3 million in nonstate funding for a total investment of $66.9 million, with plans to expand access to more than 13,400 homes, businesses, farms, ranches and community institutions across New Mexico.
The funds are the first of $120 million delivered through the Connect New Mexico Pilot Program, Read More
EPA Releases Improved Safeguards To Ensure Oil & Gas Operators Monitor & Stop Climate-Warming Methane Leaks
Sierra Club News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Today, in advance of President Biden appearing on the world stage at the COP27 Climate Conference, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a supplemental rule proposal that would establish strong, commonsense protections against methane and other harmful pollution from the oil and gas industry.
This proposal improves upon a draft rule that EPA issued last November to curb methane from the oil and gas sector. A strong methane rule will help the United States meet its more ambitious emissions reduction commitments expected to be unveiled at COP27 Read More
Scenes Of 2022 Veterans Day At Ashley Pond Park
Members of the Los Alamos High School NJROTC presents the opening salute today at the 2022 Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8874 (VFW) at Ashley Pond Park in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
VFW Commander Roger Anaya addresses the crowd and introduces the speakers today at the Veterans Day Celebration at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Bill Gamman, USN shows his support for veterans and thanks them for their service. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
VFW Commander Roger Anaya presents Paul Elkins with Read More
DPNM: Happy Veterans Day To All Who Served
By CLAUDIA RISNER
CAPT (ret.) U.S. Navy
Chair, DPNM Veterans and Military Families Caucus
Today is Veterans Day and we are honored to recognize the veterans who have served our great nation, alongside their families. Their sacrifices, strength, bravery, and selflessness epitomize what America stands for and we are proud to salute them today and every day.
Know that our nation will always be indebted to you for who you are and for what you have done for America.
New Mexico is home to more than 142,000 military veterans, 4 military bases, 2 national laboratories, and critical infrastructure and Read More
RPNM Office Closed In Observance Of Veterans Day
In observance of Veterans Day today, the Republican Party of New Mexico’s (RPNM) office is closed. The office will reopen at 9 a.m., Monday, Nov. 14. RPNM wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday. Courtesy/RPNM Read More
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Appoints Shonetta Estrada To Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Wednesday announced the appointment of Shonetta Estrada to fill a judicial vacancy on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
Estrada currently serves as a senior trial attorney in the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting serious violent felony crimes, including homicides.
She previously worked for the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General, and the Law Offices of the Public Defender. Estrada is a graduate of both the University of New Mexico and the UNM Read More
New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Secretary Lynn Trujillo To Depart Administration
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Thursday announced that New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Secretary Lynn Trujillo will depart the administration at the end of the month.
“I am deeply grateful to Lynn for her years of dedicated service to New Mexico’s Indigenous nations and communities,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “Throughout her tenure at Indian Affairs, Lynn has been an essential part of our efforts to better support, partner with, and invest in tribal communities across the state. She has been a steadfast advocate for Indigenous New Mexicans, as I know Read More
Pearce: Post-Election Thank You From RPNM
By STEVE PEARCE
RPNM Chairman
RPNM would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers, Poll Challengers, county officers, candidates and others for their hard work during this past election.
Your tireless efforts showed great dedication and drive, and we thank you. Many worked countess hours around the clock throughout the state.
In the legislative races:
- Republicans gained two NM House seats;
- We won three new seats but lost one due to the malicious Democratic gerrymandering of that district, a seat held by Jane Powdrell-Culbert; and
- Republicans held on to all the other House
Los Alamos County Moves From Green To Red On CDC Map
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released today its weekly update to the COVID-19 community level map. The CDC framework designates community levels based on diagnoses and regional hospitalization levels (link). Masks are recommended for everybody in counties at the highest, red, risk level. Masks are recommended for at-risk individuals in counties at the intermediate, yellow, risk level. Los Alamos County leaped from green to red for the first time since the current CDC framework was introduced. Source: CDC. Map: mapchart.net. Created by Eli Ben-NaimLuján Statement On Democratic Victory In New Mexico
Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
SANTA FE — Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statement on the results of the 2022 New Mexico General Election in which Democrats won up and down the ballot:
“This election presented a clear contrast between Democratic candidates and their Republican opponents. New Mexicans voted for progress and results over division and conspiracies.
“New Mexicans once again rejected Trump-backed Mark Ronchetti and his right-wing allies and placed their continued trust in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham who crisscrossed the state to highlight historic Read More
