Archive for Bernalillo County
Announcement: Flood Maps Changing for East Mountains — Public Meeting Scheduled
by Catherine Lopez, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernalillo County – A couple of weeks ago, letters were mailed to approximately 730 East Mountain residents notifying them of the revised flood zone maps and the direct effect it will have upon them. As of August 11, the county entered the 90 day appeal period when residents can appeal the technical aspects of the new mapping or protest the information presented on the maps themselves.
“It’s very important that homeowner’s understand that if they have a mortgage, they may be required to purchase flood insurance. Doing so before the maps take effect will save them significant money,” states Commissioner Wayne Johnson.
A public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, August 31, at the Los Vecinos Community Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. Bernalillo County Public Works staff will talk about the flood zone changes, answer questions about the appeal process and insurance requirements; and discuss the next action steps for East Mountain residents.
For more information, residents can contact the Bernalillo County Floodplain Administrator, Don Briggs, at 848-1511 or visit our website at www.bernco.gov.
Announcement: Open Burning Ban Lifted in Unincorporated Bernalillo County
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Specialist
Bernalillo County – Today, Bernalillo County Fire Marshal Chris Gober lifted the last of the burn bans and restrictions that have been in place since June.
“We thank everyone for following the burn restrictions and making this a fire safe summer,” says Fire Chief John Garcia. “The recent rains have finally brought the fire danger down enough to lift the ban.”
Bernalillo County Fire Marshal Chris Gober reminds everyone that only tumbleweeds and dry weeds can be burned and only in piles of no more than three feet tall by three feet wide. Burning of tree limbs and branches, other wood products, leaves and trash is always prohibited.
County Commissioner: Major Problem with Ethics Board Process
by Wayne Johnson, Bernalillo County Commissioner
No one is perfect. The devil is in the details. No good deed goes unpunished… Every saying a cliché and every saying accurately describes Bernalillo County’s Ethics Ordinance. The ordinance was – I believe – an honest attempt to protect the public from both the perception and reality of misbehavior by county employees and elected officials. It created a set of standards and a process for enforcing those standards.
Allegations against any county employee or elected official can be made through a sworn complaint or anonymously. A web portal was set up to collect anonymous complaints and not surprisingly the county’s web portal quickly became the favorite way to file a complaint.
No one is perfect… In order to protect employees and officials from frivolous complaints, anonymous complaints are reviewed by an independent investigator to determine the validity of the allegation and the applicability of the ordinance. Should facts supporting a violation be found, the ordinance requires that the Internal Audit Contractor “prepare the sworn complaint and present its investigation to the Ethics Board.”
The ordinance clearly intends that a full board of five members be present to hear complaints – even providing for a replacement appointee where a member has a conflict of interest.
»» County Commissioner: Major Problem with Ethics Board Process
Press Release: Bernalillo County Commission Approves Fireworks Restrictions
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Tuesday, June 14, Bernalillo County – At tonight’s commission meeting, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners approved a ban on some fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the county.
“The severe drought conditions and the potential risk to life, property and the environment prompted the ban,” says Bernalillo County Fire Chief John Garcia. “The ban is effective immediately and will remain in force through July 14, 2011.”
The ban includes the sale and use of missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, stick-type rockets and ground audible devices within the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County.
The restrictions ban the use of all fireworks in wildland areas which include unincorporated areas east of Louisiana Boulevard to the west face of the Sandia Mountains and from San Antonio north to the Sandia Indian Reservation; all the East Mountain area, north, south and east to the county line and portions of the unincorporated areas to include the Rio Grande bosque and wildland areas extending 1000 feet from the outer edge of the bosque.
Also banned are the sale or use of display fireworks. The ban applies to the use of fireworks that shoot higher than 10 feet in the air, have a 6 foot or larger coverage area and fireworks that are louder than a cap gun.
The use of ground and hand-held sparkling and smoke device type fireworks are limited to areas that are paved or barren. There should also be a readily accessible source of water (a bucket of water or a hose) for use to extinguish the fireworks.
If an individual is caught with prohibited fireworks, a citation could be issued and the individual may have to appear in court. Violators could be fined up to $1000 and sentenced to less than one year in jail. If it is determined that the use of fireworks was the cause of a fire that damaged property, the responsible individual may be held liable for those damages.
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: 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
The “Master Naturalist Program” Sprouts For A Second Time
by Brianna Anderson, Bernalillo County Public Information Specialist
Bernalillo County – Bernalillo County Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping to conserve and manage natural resources on Open Space. The program, being spearheaded in New Mexico, is in its second pilot year and the County is offering training this summer for incoming volunteers. The program is ideal for individuals who love the outdoors and are interested in supporting land health conservation measures. This unique and free opportunity presents participants with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and an accreditation for their resumes.
“This program is an exciting venture for our state, focusing on natural resource management and the human relationship to our local environment,” says Open Space Coordinator Colleen McRoberts. “I believe this program will help to enlightening our community by connecting citizens to the natural world, which we are intrinsically part of, while improving the environment.”
The deadline for receiving applications has been extended to April 15th. People interested in applying should go to www.bernco.gov/openspace and click on the “Master Naturalist Program” link. Applicants must be adults; at least 18 years of age, preferable have some field experience, and live within Bernalillo County. The 55 hours of hands-on field experience will be offered from June through July.
Space is limited to only 25 applicants, so apply today!
Public Service Announcement: Bernalillo County Noise Ordinance Amendments Meeting
WHO: Commissioner Wayne Johnson and the Bernalillo County Environmental Health Office to host a public meeting in district five to discuss the proposed noise ordinance amendments with the community. Commissioner Wiener will be in attendance to introduce the proposed amendments.
WHEN: Monday, March 21st from 6:30p.m. to 9:00p.m.
WHERE: Los Vecinos Community Center
478 ½ Old Highway 66
Tijeras, NM 87059
For more information, contact:
Breanna Anderson
bcanderson@bernco.gov
O. 505.468.7344
C. 505.414.0485
Pull It Together, Bernco.
by John Weckerle
Last Thursday brought us some snow and the current sub-Arctic temperatures we’re experiencing. Today brought us a sight that was not, unfortunately, entirely a surprise – formerly packed snow that had turned to ice sheeting substantial parts of Mountain Valley Road, especially in the northbound lane, three days after the storm. There was no evidence that the road had ever been sanded. Mountain Valley Road is the only direct route from Route 66/NM 333 between Tijeras and Edgewood, and leaving it icy, holiday weekend or not, represents a danger to those who travel it. Some of the other roads for which the County is responsible were in similarly bad condition. We’d like to remind Bernalillo County’s road folks that the County’s eastern Boundary is not NM 14 or NM 337. Neither is waiting for nature to take its course a valid road maintenance strategy.
Bernalillo County Employees Crochet Hats for the Homeless
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Office
Hats crocheted by Bernalillo County employees
A small group of Bernalillo County employees have been very busy for the past year crocheting Hats for the Homeless. The members of the Lunchtime Crochet Club have carefully and lovingly created over 300 hats and scarves this year. Last year the group made 64 hats that were donated to Healthcare for the Homeless but this year they decided to ramp up their efforts and it paid off.
Members of the group will be delivering the hats and scarves to Joy Junction on Monday, December 20 at 4:30pm.
Press Release: Bernalillo County Gets New Type III Wildland Fire Truck
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernailillo County Type III Wildland Fire Truck
Through the efforts championed by Bernalillo County Commission Chair Art De La Cruz the Bernalillo County Fire Department will now be able to answer calls from residents of Pajarito Mesa in a new vehicle built to withstand rough terrain. The Type III Wildland Fire Truck is a 4 wheel drive vehicle that will travel where the full size pumper and ladder trucks cannot go easily and it is equipped with a 500-gallon water tank to help with fires in areas with limited water supply. Based at the BCFD Station 4 on Coors and Don Felipe SW, it will be the main first response vehicle for fire and rescue calls at the Pajarito Mesa and for wildland fires in the East Mountains and around the county, when the need arises.
“I am proud to be responsible for moving for the purchase of this state-of-the-art truck that will support the fire department’s response time to emergencies for the people in Pajarito Mesa. It is equipped to travel in rough terrains and save the taxpayers money as the County will no longer need to expend the dollars on maintenance and repair of the larger fire trucks used driving that same terrain” says Commissioner De La Cruz.”
Public Service Announcement: East Mountain Fire Prevention Meeting
Editor’s note: We just received the following press release from Larry Gallegos at the Bernalillo County Public Information Office.
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL BRASHER INVITES ALL EAST MOUNTAIN RESIDENTS TO THE FIRST
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FIRE PREVENTION MEETING OF 2010
Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher is calling on all East Mountain residents to attend the first Emergency Management Fire Prevention Meeting of the 2010 fire season. Representatives from the Bernalillo County Fire Department & Fire Marshall’s Office, the Office of Emergency Management, U.S Forest Service and others will be on hand. Topics will include: preparing for a fire, evacuation plans for humans and animals, weather patterns and fire behavior expected this year and how residents can get ready for the upcoming fire season. There will be a question and answer period after the presentations with all the panelists.
“I hope that East Mountain residents take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about preparing themselves for fire dangers and to see what Bernalillo County is proactively doing to help them in case of a fire,” said Commissioner Brasher.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 21st, from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Los Vecinos Community Center, 478 1/2 Old Hwy. 66, in Tijeras.
New Orleans Woman Wins NM HGTV Dream Home
by John Weckerle
A former science teacher and Peace Corps volunteer from New Orleans, whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, has won the HGTV Dream Home located at San Pedro Overlook near Cedar Crest. The winner, Myra Lewis, won a $2 million package which included the fully furnished home, a 2010 GMC Terrain, and $500,000.
Information from the press release includes: »» New Orleans Woman Wins NM HGTV Dream Home
Down At The Recycling Swamp
by John Weckerle
Your editor has been recycling and composting as long as the opportunity has been there to do it. While we now have “curbside” (there isn’t a curb within about five miles of this place) recycling pickup at New Mexico Central headquarters, we had a backlog that needed disposition, and given that we also had some plain old Spring cleaning trash to get rid of, we decided to take the whole kit and kaboodle off to the Bernalillo County transfer station between Zuzax and Tijeras. Our normal modus operandi has been to take it into Albuquerque, because the sorting requirements for the Bernco location are nothing short of absurd, but we figured one stop would be better than two, so we bit the bullet and went for it. As action hero Jack Slater would say, “big mistake.” »» Down At The Recycling Swamp
Oh, The Weather Outside…
by John Weckerle
Last night brought us some fairly intense weather here at NM-Central headquarters, with times of snow, freezing rain, thunder and lightning, and high winds. This morning seems dominated by the wind, although weather authorities warn of more potential precipitation before the system has passed. Local TV stations indicate that the Estancia Valley, including Estancia itself, will likely bear the brunt of the storm in our area. The northern part of the state has received substantial snowfall. Here at NM-Central, we’ve received a few inches or so.
NMRoads.com reports that road conditions in the area are (at best) snow-packed and icy. According to KOB.com, Moriarty-Edgewood schools and Estancia schools are closed, and East Mountain High School and APS schools are on a two-hour delay. We have not been able to find any information on Mountainair’s schools. We recommend that our readers stay home if they can, and to those who can’t, please be extra cautious.