After living in the Village for almost 26 years, I think it is important for Corraleños to know who leads our various departments and what they do every day. What is their background and who is the person behind the name and actions they perform daily for the Village? We will answer those questions in the coming weeks.
Melanie Romero, our Village Clerk, has been in her position for over two years. While she may not have known she would grow up to be a municipal clerk, she loved to play both “school” and “office” when she was little – pretending to stamp papers and sign her name and trying to teach her stuffed animals how to read. She took a detour from that path, studying broadcast journalism at New Mexico State University and then becoming a certified early childhood Montessori teacher. She helped her mom run a preschool in Los Alamos, NM for 20 years. Melanie has discovered there are many skills that transfer from teaching and running a business to that of clerk, but the thing she loves most about her job is helping people. Being able to be a part of a team of people who love the Village is extremely rewarding. When not at work, Melanie enjoys crafting, playing video games with her husband, reading, and playing bass guitar.
Chief Victor Mangiacapra brings over three decades of experience at the Municipal, County and State levels to the Corrales Police Department, having started his law enforcement career on the East Coast in 1988. He joined the Corrales Police Department in 2000 and served as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain before being confirmed as the Chief of Police on February 10th, 2015. Vic is a strong advocate of Community-Oriented-Policing practices and believes that trusting relationships between the police and those they serve are paramount to public safety. Vic and his wonderful wife of 26 years have raised two terrific kids—a son who works in the NM Film Industry and a daughter currently studying Biochemistry and Forensics—and in their spare time they enjoy camping and kayaking anywhere they can find a lake in New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. You’ll rarely see Vic without his faithful dog, Blue (and some say there’s a slight resemblance).
Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Siverts was born and raised near Boulder, Colorado. He attended UNM starting in 1989 and got his degree in Parks and Recreation in 1994. After receiving his degree, he began working for the Rio Rancho Parks and Recreation Department as a program specialist. During a sports camp registration, he met Scott Sibbet, a Corrales resident on the Parks and Rec Commission at that time. He asked Lynn to apply for the Director job in Corrales. Now, 26 years later, Lynn continues to serve the Village as the exemplary Parks and Recreation Director. He manages all the facilities that make up the Rec Center and La Entrada Park. He will probably take the lead in developing the property formerly known as the Hector Gonzales land and the Corrales Interior Drain.
It may be hard to believe but apparently there are those who feed the wild animals in our Village. That would include the coyotes and road runners. These are wild animals. A coyote management plan was implemented a few years ago and is available on the Village web site. Just do a search for the plan. Do Not Feed The Coyotes! They are already too comfortable around us and seem to fear us less each year. You don’t want them hanging out at your house and aggressively searching for food. Our Bosque Advisory Committee recommends staying some distance away from the wild animals, leash your dog when you’re out and about, clean up any trash around your house, and scoop the poop when you walk your dog.
Sandoval and Bernalillo County invite residents to “Take a Ride On Us” this holiday season. Residents can receive a credit of up to $10 off two trips through Uber by using code ABQMERRY2. The code is valid from noon December 22nd through 2 AM December 26th. The credit can only be used for rides, not Uber Eats, and the discount does not cover tips for the driver. Discounts will be given on a first come, first served basis. Be safe and don’t drink and drive this holiday season!
CRIME AND SAFETY UPDATE
On 12/12 Corrales Police and Corrales Fire were dispatched to a home fire, nobody was hurt, but unfortunately the home and all the homeowner’s (who is a life-long resident of Corrales) belongings were a complete loss. Donations are being accepted by the Village of Corrales Fire Department; please contact Fire Commander Tanya Lattin at 505-898-7501.
With Christmas around the corner, please remember to stay alert of your surroundings and take extra precautions with your mail and any packages that you are receiving. Let’s have a safe and warm week!
Remember, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
Don’t give the gift of illness to your loved ones this holiday season. Respiratory illness rates are high right now, including both flu and COVID. Make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations (influenza, COVID, RSV, and pneumonia) and test for COVID before getting together with family and friends. If you feel sick, stay home. Wear a mask in crowded places. There are still free test kits in the foyer at Village Hall and at the Corrales Library. You can also call the fire department and they will place test kits out in front of the fire station for pickup. If you are sick, please do not pick up tests at the library.
If you need information on isolation for COVID the CDC has a helpful Isolation and Exposure Calculator https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TODAY – Las Posadas at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church 7 PM. This event is FREE. Come early and dress warmly!
TODAY thru JANUARY 9 Winter break for APS schools, including Corrales Elementary
SATURDAY – Library is closed
MONDAY – Village offices, including the library, will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY – The library closes early at 5 PM
WEDNESDAY Award-winning Story Time at the Library, 10 AM
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
- Village offices, including the library, will be closed Monday, January 1st in observance of New Years and Monday January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Adult Winter Reading Challenge registration begins online January 1st at www.beanstack.com. The challenge runs January 1st through February 29th. A drawing will be held March 1st for some great prizes from local businesses.
- Arts in the Village - Sunday, January 7th 10 AM – 4 PM. This monthly event happens on the first Sunday of the month. Don’t miss the Grower’s Market from 11 AM – 1 PM.
Stay safe and enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Jim Fahey
Mayor
Village Clerk Melanie Romero
Police Chief Victor Mangiacapra and his dog Blue
Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Siverts