Archive for April 29, 2011

Public Service Announcement: Mountainair Drug Take-Back Day

by John Weckerle

Checking in once again with our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that there will be a drug take-back day tomorrow, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mountainair and Moriarty.  This will provide an opportunity for people to drop off unused medications anonymously so that they can be disposed of properly.  Drop-offs are at May’s Pharmacy in Moriarty and the Salinas Pueblo Missions in Mountainair.  For more information, including drop-off addresses, see the Mountainair Announcements article.

Reminder: Fuelwood Permits This Tuesday Only

by John Weckerle

This is just a reminder that fuelwood permits for the Sandia Ranger District will be available next Tuesday ONLY.  For more information, see the original announcement.

Public Service Announcement – Mountainair Cancer Walk

by John Weckerle

Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that there will be a Cancer Walk in Mountainair tomorrow, April 30.  Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and is free; the walk starts at 9:30.  For more information, see the Mountainair Announcements Article.

Press Release: Open Burning Banned in Unincorporated Bernalillo County

April 26, 2011, Bernalillo County – Today the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a resolution banning and restricting smoking, campfires and open burning in the unincorporated areas of the county, outside the Albuquerque city limits.

“We encourage all residents and visitors to Bernalillo County to be aware of the fire danger we are experiencing this year. Report fires or suspicious activities in wildland areas to 9-1-1 before they are able to become large fires,” says Fire Chief John Garcia.

The resolution states that the commissioners recognize that severe drought conditions exist which affects the safety and welfare of Bernalillo County citizens and their property. The ban and restrictions are in effect throughout the following county fire districts:

  • Fire District 5: all of the wildland in the unincorporated areas east of Louisiana Boulevard to the west face of the Sandia Mountains and from San Antonio north to the Sandia Indian Reservation.
  • Fire Districts 6, 10, 11 and 13: East Mountain area, north, south, and east to the county line.
  • Fire Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9: portions of the unincorporated areas to include the RioGrande bosque and wildland areas extending 1000 feet from the outer edge of the bosque.

The bans and restrictions will be in effect for the next 180 days.

Press Release: Santa Fe County Assessor is Accepting Annual Property Valuation Freeze Applications

Santa Fe – April 26, 2011- Santa Fe County Assessor Domingo P. Martinez would like to remind residents that the Assessor’s Office is now accepting the annual valuation freeze application for property owners who qualify.  Certain Santa Fe County property owners who occupy single-family dwellings may be eligible for a freeze on their taxable value as determined by the Santa Fe County Assessor’s Office.  Freezing the property valuation will minimize future tax obligations for those who qualify.

The valuation freeze is available to property owners age 65 and older, those who are considered permanently disabled and whose total household modified gross income did not exceed $32,000 in 2010. All applicants must meet the income requirement.  To qualify for the valuation freeze, you must apply annually no later than 30 days after the official date of mailing of the Santa Fe County Assessor’s Official Notice of Value. This year the deadline is May 16, 2011.

  • Required supporting documentation when applying to qualify for the valuation freeze by age and income includes a completed application, proof of income (a copy of the property owner’s 2010 New Mexico income tax return and 2010 federal income tax return) and proof of age (a valid New Mexico driver’s license or birth certificate).
  • Required supporting documentation when applying to qualify due to disability and income include a completed application, proof of income (a copy of the property owner’s 2010 New Mexico income tax return and 2010 federal income tax return) and an award letter from either Social Security or Workers’ Compensation confirming the permanent disability.

“It is important that people who may qualify for this freeze are aware of it,” said County Assessor Domingo Martinez, “We encourage people to apply and take advantage of this benefit, especially in these tough economic times.”

Property Valuation Freeze applications and other exemption forms are available at the Santa Fe County Assessor’s Office at 102 Grant Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87501 or www.santafecounty.org/assessor/downloadable_forms.

For more information contact the Assessor’s Office, (505) 986-6300 or visit www.santafecounty.org/assessor.

Press Release: Bernalillo County Assessor’s Office to Mail Out 276,572 Notices of Value

from Francesca Stevens, Public Information Department Specialist, Bernalillo County

Bernalillo County Assessor Karen Montoya has announced that her office will mail out 276,572 Notices of Value on April 29, 2011. The Assessor’s Office will kick-off its annual protest period following the mail out date. The Assessor’s annual protest period will have appraisers available to meet with taxpayers throughout the month. Assessor Montoya urges taxpayers to review their Notices of Value and if there are any questions or concerns please bring them to our attention. Assessor Montoya would like to convey to the public that, “The Assessor’s Office is prepared and eager to work with taxpayers to address any issues they may have. Our general mission during this time is to help resolve any issues the public may have with their assessments.” Assessor Montoya goes on to express that, “We are here to serve the public and to facilitate the needs of all Bernalillo County property owners.”

For more information, contact Karen Montoya at (505) 222-3745

Public Service Announcement: Santa Fe County Open Space Public Meeting in Edgewood

by John Weckerle

Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails will hold a public meeting on May 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. to present the preliminary design for the 30 acres of County open space located adjacent to Wildlife West in Edgewood.  The meeting will be held at the Edgewood Community Center at 27 East Frontage Road.  For more information, contact Beth Mills of the Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails Program at (505) 992-9857 or by e-mail at bmills@santafecounty.org.