In last week’s message, we started introducing you to the people behind the title of our various departments in the Village. This week, we have a few more people we would like you to meet.
Public Works Director Michael Chavez was born and raised in Corrales, New Mexico 63 years ago. “My parents are Vivian and Lillian Chavez who owned and operated the Sandia Bar since the mid-40s. My Mother was a descendant of the Gonzales family. I attended Sandoval Elementary School (Corrales Elementary), Taylor Middle School and Graduated from Cibola High school. I was a member of the Cub Scouts of America, 4-H and The Future Farmers of America.” Once out of high school, he went to work for Los Patios in Corrales for about a year, then moved into the construction industry, mostly installing underground utilities and operating heavy equipment. “Over the years, I worked my way up from a laborer to general superintendent. I started Rocky Mountain Excavating Inc. in 2001 as a Utility and emergency on-call contractor. In 2015, I received a call from the Village Administrator looking for advice on a residence with wastewater issues. I found the problem and the resolution, so the Administrator offered me a position as the Village Water/Wastewater Operator. I took the position until 2018 when I was offered the Public Works Director position, which I happily accepted.” As Director, Michael has been working to improve the response time to issues that arise and to be more proactive rather than reactive. “One of my many goals is to alleviate the flooding problems we are constantly dealing with.”
“Some of my memories include working the drive-up window of the Sandia bar at 8 years old. I remember being in charge of the Cub Scouts bake sale because I was the only Scout that could count money. My Dad once stopped the truck in the middle of the Corrales Road to speak with my uncle for about twenty minutes and no other vehicle ever showed up. We used to herd the cows from one field to another down the road and along the ditch banks. I have raised livestock for as long as I can remember and will continue doing so.”
Accounts Specialist Cindy Gomez, and was born and raised in Santa Rosa NM. She works in the Finance Department, and has been the Accounts Specialist at the Village for ten years. Some of her duties as Accounts Specialist are payroll, payables, receivables, and purchasing. She says "the greatest joys in my life are my husband of 46 years and my adult children, granddaughter and my 87-year-old dad. My daughter is retired from the Air Force and my son is a correctional officer at the NM State Penitentiary. My granddaughter is living in Alaska and is in her 3rd year of college. As for my father, he says I am the greatest.” “Holidays and special occasions make me very happy. It gives me the opportunity to cook up some really good New Mexican food to share with Village employees.”
Generally, a person doesn't grow up wanting to be a Planning and Zoning Administrator, but Laurie Stout has worked for the Village since 2017, held the Administrator position since 2019, and claims to love it. Prior to that, she owned businesses in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho and thus has been on both sides of the permitting process. She obtained her broadcast Journalism degree from the University of Missouri "many years ago". She purchased her house in Corrales in 2002 and raised her daughter here. She and her husband (who has five children of his own) love to hike, garden, and escape to their mountain property along the Pecos River. She is an avid cyclist who can often be spotted along Loma Larga on the weekends.
CRIME AND SAFETY UPDATE:
Shortly after 1:00AM on Sun. 12/24 a vehicle was stopped for speeding on Corrales RD near E. La Entrada and the 17-year-old male driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested for DUI and his 17-year-old male passenger was cited for having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. If you or a loved one have a substance abuse problem, reach out for help before it’s too late: https://nmcrisisline.com/
Please ring in the new year responsibly and don’t drive under the influence or let someone you care about do so. Also, it’s just as illegal on New Years Eve as it is on the 4th of July to ignite fireworks (which travel more than ten feet or are louder than a cap gun) or to discharge a firearm within the Village limits, so don’t engage in reckless behavior which could result in you being responsible for property damage, injuries or death.
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 ABQNYE23. The code is valid from noon December 29th through 2 AM January 2nd. 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!
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE:
New Mexico is one of ten States that has VERY HIGH in Respiratory Illness Activity. With the recent holidays, respiratory illnesses may begin to increase. Stay home if you are sick, please protect others who may become very ill with a respiratory illness. COVID 19 cases and hospitalizations in New Mexico from 12/1/2023 – 12/25/2023 was 54.21 %. All lab confirmed COVID cases were in people 49 and younger. However, 62.66% of all hospitalizations during the same time were 65 and older. If you have not gotten your annual influenza vaccine or your 23-24 COVID booster you can still get them. Find a provider at: https://vaccine.doh.nm.gov/
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:
SUNDAY – The Historic LOBO Theater along with Albuquerque Film & Music Experience presents “Love Actually” back to the big screen! Showing Starts at 11:30 am and tickets are $10 for general admission. Please visit www.loboabq.com for more information and to reserve tickets.
MONDAY – Village offices, including the library, will be closed in observance of New Year’s Day.
MONDAY – Registration for the Adult Reading Challenge begins online at www.beanstack.com. The challenge runs from January 1 through February 29, 2024. A drawing will be held March 1st for some great prizes from local businesses.
WEDNESDAY – Award-winning Story Time at the Library 10 AM
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
- January 7th – Arts in the Village from 10 AM – 4 PM and Winter Grower’s Market 11 AM – 1 PM
- January 9th– Regular Council Meeting 6:30pm
- January 11th – Multi-Use Facility Public forum 5:30 PM at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. Come give your feedback on the design for a possible facility to be built on the old Jones house property.
- January 14th, Multi-Use Facility Public forum 2:30 PM at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. Come give your feedback on the design for a possible facility to be built on the old Jones house property.
- January 15th, Village offices, including the library, will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day.
Best wishes for a safe, healthy and happy new year!
Jim Fahey
Corrales Mayor
