My friends, we are almost done with January. On Tuesday, February 2nd, Groundhog Day, we will learn whether Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow and sees his shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of winter or does not, predicting an early spring. Sadly, Phil’s accuracy rate is just 39%, but he has spawned an industry (https://www.groundhog.org/).
We currently have two projects that highlight the importance of our good relationships with partners such as South Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority (SSCAFCA), the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD), Nature Conservancy and the Army Corps of Engineers. MRGCD Corrales Siphon project. Between now and early March, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District will be making safety improvements to watercraft access over the previously installed weir. This will entail the regrading of the area south of the gates on the south side of the parking lot, pre-staging of rock and other materials and removal of some trees and woody vegetation.
The Nature Conservancy Harvey Jones Canal improvement project seeks your feedback. You have likely received a postcard inviting you to public meetings on February 2, 3 and 4th. Learn more at: https://www.nmconservation.org/hjc.
A new Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) grant to Los Poblanos in Los Ranchos will benefit Corrales farmers. The grant will allow Los Poblanos to increase processing of agricultural products. Farmer Elan Silverblatt Buser of Silverleaf Farms has been selling his organic hot peppers to Los Poblanos for years. Silverleaf also grows squash, tomatoes, lettuce, water cress and sweet potatoes on 20 acres in Corrales. As Elan said, if Los Poblanos “can buy more, we can definitely grow a lot more.”
Consideration is being given to issuing Chupacabra viewing permits in the Bosque. Stay tuned for details (https://corralescomment.com/2020/12/09/2020-dec-5-issue-benjamin-radford-podcast-now-accessible-through-comment-website/).
NM DOH has said that metrics in Sandoval County have “improved dramatically.” Our county’s positivity rate is 6.1%, tantalizingly close to the 5% or less we need to go yellow. When we go to yellow, our recreational facilities will open. The next data update is February 10th. Here’s hoping. Meanwhile 225,000 New Mexicans have been vaccinated and more vaccine and vaccination pods are coming soon. We must still wear a mask. Why? 1) No vaccine is 100%, 2) No vaccine works right away, 3) You can still spread the virus, 4) It protects those with cancer and other immune problems and 5) It protects against COVID mutations.
Last Tuesday, the Governing Body passed a 180-day moratorium on new permits for accessory dwelling structures. The moratorium gives the Village a chance to reformulate regulations surrounding these structures, due to long-standing concerns about our well and septic infrastructure and our density requirements. We are addressing these items now because we are working with MRCOG to produce a new Zoning Ordinance by the end of 2021. Any moratorium is difficult but is necessary due to soaring requests for accessory dwelling units. The Village needs a short pause for sensible and predictable regulations to be formulated and put into place. I have asked the Village and MRCOG to make this a priority to make sure we lift the moratorium as soon as possible.
It’s the last weekend in January. Here’s to February and Punxsutawney Phil, the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day. This weekend, bundle up and go outdoors or stay in and maybe watch Groundhog Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GncQtURdcE4&feature=em-uploademail) No matter what you do, please stay safe and enjoy yourselves, Corrales-style.
Jo Anne Roake
Mayor of Corrales