Mayor's Message for December 23rd, 2022

The Village Clerk, Melanie Romero wants to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Bonnie Gonzales sent us the statistics for this past year's Corrales Growers’ Market. This annual report has been sent to the New Mexico State Farmers Market Association and it was a very successful season! Here are some highlights from her report:

Total visitors for 2022 was 119,544. Good increases due to having Wednesday and Winter markets available. There were 29 seasonal markets, 16 Wednesday markets and 7 winter markets for a total of 52 markets in 2022! As a result, the Growers’ Market was able to consistently provide productive marketing opportunities for our growers and healthy, fresh food and goods for our customers. Agricultural sales (fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, cheese, nuts & honey) were $955,875 and non-agricultural sales (processed foods, baked goods & crafts) were $106,987. Total estimated sales generated for the 2022 season was $1,062,862!

There was growth in processed foods as our growers are taking advantage of food-safety, processing and added value training to expand their product lines. There was also an increased vendor use of online ordering with pick up at the market and this generated more sales and brought more customers to the markets. There were new vendors this year like local wool, mushrooms, dehydrated produce, dried herbs, condiments, sauces, soups, jellies, jams and grains just to mention a few. Also, fresh pork, goat and lamb expanded the meat category.

The Village should be proud of our farming entrepreneurs who have persisted and succeeded in this time of drought. We look forward to many more years of success, even as food insecurity worldwide is a problem. Please continue to support our local farmers and growers!

The Village offices will be closed December 23^rd – December 26^th except for emergencies (please thank our Corrales Police and Fire staff who work holidays to keep us safe) so that our staff can celebrate the holidays with their families. The offices will re-open for regular business hours on Tuesday, December 27^th.

Stop by the Village Hall Administrative offices to see the Student Holiday Art Show. These artworks were done by students living here in Corrales and will be on display until January 23^rd, 2023.

CRIME AND SAFETY UPDATE

On Monday 12/12 a contractor reported that he accepted a cash payment from a Village resident a week earlier and discovered that one of the bills was bogus. The case is under investigation.

Also, on Monday 12/12 police were advised that an inflatable lawn decoration had been stolen from in front of a residence on the 200 block of E. Meadowlark. Patrols in the area have been increased.

At about 10:00PM on Friday 12/16 a 29-year-old North Carolina man lost control of his SUV and crashed into the ditch near Loma Larga and Sagebrush. The subject was transported to an area hospital for apparently minor injuries and is being summoned into court for Careless Driving and having an Open Container in a motor vehicle.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and regardless of which you celebrate CPD wishes you a peaceful holiday season.

Thank you, have a safe week and remember: SEE IT, HEAR IT, REPORT IT!

WEATHER ALERT

New Mexico State health officials are warning New Mexicans to protect themselves against extreme cold temperatures ahead of Christmas as a blast of arctic air moves across the state. Over the next few days, forecasts from KRQE News 13 and data from the National Weather Service indicate that several areas in New Mexico are expected to see frigid temperatures, with some areas seeing temps in the single digits and the teens. While the cold weather is expected to have impacts statewide, residents in eastern and northeastern New Mexico are expected to see the coldest weather through Saturday morning. Wind Chill Warnings, Advisories, and Watches are in effect all across the east as wind chill values may go down -15 to -30 below zero. Get weather updates at: https://www.weather.gov/abq/.

Please be safe this holiday season and consider taking a home Covid test before and after visiting friends and family. FREE test kits are still available at Village Hall, Corrales Fire Station, and the Corrales Library. Please remember to wear a mask while shopping (especially in crowds), social distance when possible, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you feel sick.

Many local residents have decorated their tractors and farm equipment with colorful lights for our community to enjoy during the holidays. While driving North through Corrales, many can be seen along Corrales Road. 

Have a happy holiday season. Look out for your neighbors, stay warm, drive safely, and have a designated driver or call an Uber to help get you home if needed.

Jim Fahey

Corrales Mayor