Parks and Rec Director Lynn Siverts has a grip on the recent manganese problem at the pool. The water is clear and ready for the summer’s activities. It took some time, negatively impacted a few because of some safety concerns, but with a lot of work, the teams from Parks and Rec, Public Works, and the Fire Department cleaned it up. Thanks, guys and gals, good job!
At our next Village Council meeting on Tuesday, the Council members will be voting either for or against ‘opting in’ for a change of the timing of our local municipal elections. Opting in means the county will pay for and run the local elections in November of odd years (’23, ’25, etc.). The voters shouldn’t experience any great change in the mechanism of voting, just who is responsible for the equipment and who provides the manpower to run the election. This will be discussed at the June 13th meeting at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers. Interested parties can either ZOOM in to watch or come in person. If you would like to share your thoughts on how your council member should vote on this issue, please email him or her, or email the Village Clerk at mromero [at] corrales-nm.org, and she will pass it along.
What an absolutely great time of year for growing produce. Okra, beans, peas, lettuce, spinach tomatoes, peppers, and more are almost jumping out of the ground, even in containers! Anyone on the Corrales Garden Tour last week got to see evidence of this plant growth in abundance. There is still time to plant and participate in the growing season. If you are not up to it or don’t have quite the right situation with regard to soil, water, or time, then visit our Growers’ Market on Sundays, 9 AM until 12 Noon and also take the opportunity to talk to the Master Gardeners who may have ideas for you. Summer crops have begun to arrive at the Growers’ Market, including cherries, squash, root crops and more. Check out the Growers’ Market Facebook page or go to https://corralesgrowersmarket.com/ on Saturday to see the Market Map and a complete list of producer products for this weekend market.
Speaking of growing produce, our Children’s Storybook Garden next to the Corrales Library is growing and producing. Everything grown in the Storybook garden is NOT for public consumption. It is for the children only. Please be respectful of all of the hard work that has gone into this garden for the children in our community by not picking these items for yourself. Let our children have this unique and enriching experience with growing fresh fruit and vegetables for themselves.
Recent conversations make it appear that progress is being made on the purchase of the Gonzales Property in the commercial area next to the bank. The administration is optimistic. Speaking of the bank, Wells Fargo is closing this branch sometime in August. The administration has asked for more information but has heard nothing as of this writing.
Delivery of the new Animal Services building will take place at the end of August. We were all hoping for an earlier date because of the heat of summer, but it will be here finally. This structure will serve as a temporary home for the animals until their owners pick them up, they are adopted, or they are moved to a larger facility. As many who have lived in the Village for many years know, this has been an issue for the administration for some time. Our hope is that this facility will provide the humane treatment we all would like to provide our animal friends.
The preliminary budget has been finished and forwarded to Santa Fe for their approval for the next fiscal year. Let’s hope next year will be as good for the Village as this one. Proposals for preliminary engineering reports are being solicited so the Village can move forward on plans for sewer and fire suppression lines.
CRIME & SAFETY UPDATE:
Corrales Police Department has been advised that at an 11-year-old told his father that while he was riding his bicycle on Trujillo Lane at about 3:00PM on Tuesday 6/6 an unknown white male with a moustache, red baseball cap and navy-blue shirt tried to entice him into a white van by offering him candy. The unknown make or model van was described as being older, all white with black wheels, tinted windows and a metal ladder attached to the rear. Officers were unable to corroborate the allegations, however, patrols in the area have been increased and please remember to closely supervise your children.
Tuesday 5/30, a resident reported responding to an e-mail regarding her bank account being compromised, engaging in subsequent phone conversations and being instructed to purchase gift cards and provide the numbers to rectify the issue. The citizen advised that she realized something was wrong before sending the gift card numbers and figured out that it was a scam. Legitimate entities don’t require payment by gift cards. Carefully screen your e-mails / texts / phone calls and don’t provide personal or financial information to anyone unless you’re absolutely sure about who you’re dealing with. Information about gift card scams can be found at this link: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/gift-card-scams
Wednesday 5/31, two incidents of mail tampering were reported, one on Cadillo Lane involving an Oldsmobile sedan and the other on the 700 block of West Meadowlark where a 55-year-old Arlington, WA man was seen by residents going through mailboxes but was not found to have any stolen items in his possession. Please call Corrales Police Department at 505-891-7226 if you see this vehicle prowling around your neighborhood and remember to retrieve your mail promptly, take outgoing items directly to the Post Office, consider getting a P.O. Box or a locking mailbox and visit the USPIS website for more information concerning Mail Theft: https://www.uspis.gov/tips-prevention/mail-theft
-SEE IT, HEAR IT, REPORT IT!
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE:
It is recommended that you have the “what3words” app on your phone to help locate you if you run into an emergency while hiking, camping, or using the river. This is a new tool that many emergency responders use to help locate people in trouble. The system converts GPS coordinates into 3-word addresses. Please go to: https://what3words.com/how-to for more information.
The Corrales Fire Department is still holding vaccine drive-through clinics and registration is available by going to: https://goodtimes.vaccinenm.org/stay-ahead-nm/. Please call Fire Commander, Tanya Lattin at 505-702-4182 with any questions or if you need assistance with registration.
FREE Covid Home tests are still available at Village Hall, the Corrales Library, and the Fire Station. If you feel sick, please stay home, and wear a mask when traveling and in crowded areas.
There is no smoking of any kind, including electronic cigarettes, in the Bosque. Also, no campfires, lighters or barbeque grills. The Bosque is a FIRE-FREE environment. For information on all rules and information pertaining to the Bosque.
The Rio Grande River is moving very fast and there are trees and debris in the river that are causing serious hazards. You are required to wear a life jacket if you enter the river. It may help save your life and it is the law! Many people and canines have had to be rescued out of the river in the last couple of weeks. This is a very dangerous situation for everyone including our emergency personnel.
Citizens that need to burn in the Village for agricultural purposes, such as planting or harvesting of crops, for ceremonial, or recreational burning, should obtain a special permit by calling 505-898-7501. Burn hours on designated burn days can be 8am to 5pm and may be shortened or canceled based on weather conditions. Please call 505-899-9819 to verify that it is a “burn day” and to register your address. It is OK to burn dried vegetation but NEVER household trash, paper or manure. For more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday 6/10 – “Outdoor Adventure Day” sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at the Liam Knight Pond, 500 Jones Road from 7:30am-1:30pm. This is a FREE event that includes lots of fun activities and prizes!
Sunday 6/11 – “Corrales Growers’ Market” from 9am – 12pm.
Tuesday 6/13 – Regular Village Council Meeting at 6:30pm.
Thursday 6/15 – The Library Summer Movie Festival continues with a showing of the Oscar winning film “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” in the Teen Room from 1pm-3pm. All ages are welcome to this FREE event with popcorn & candy provided. For the schedule of upcoming movies.
Friday 6/16 – Ribbon Cutting for “Fancies Bakery & Modern Market” at 10:00am, sponsored by Corrales MainStreet.
Friday 6/16 – “Corrales Arts Center Salon Event Featuring Hanselmann Pottery” from 7pm-9pm. Head potter and designer James West will discuss the history of Hanselmann Pottery and demonstrate their unique process while Studio Manager, Jessi Penrod will explain glazing, firing, finishing and global outreach. This event is only for CAC members, but there is still space available. If you would like to become a member to have access to these fun and enriching creative art experiences, please visit: https://www.corralesartscenter.org/.
Mark your calendars! The Village will be hosting a vehicle and surplus equipment auction on July 7th from 10 AM to 2 PM. This will be a sealed bid auction, and forms can be picked up from the Village Administration office or downloaded from the website. Items must be picked up by July 10th at 2 PM.
There continue to be speeding issues throughout the Village. Please slow down and respect the safety of your neighbors and our community. Please help us and lead by example by following the posted speed limit signs. Remember “Drive slow, see our Village. Drive fast, see our Judge”.
If you know someone who would like to receive the weekly mayor’s message electronically, please email the Village Clerk, Melanie Romero at mromero [at] corrales-nm.org () or make a request by phone at 505-897-0502 ext. 208.
Stay healthy and stay safe and enjoy summer activities. Be wary of the river because hazards are still of great concern.
Jim Fahey
Corrales Mayor
