Easter is coming, Summer will soon be here (in about 80 days), and it’s time to get your garden prepared if you haven’t already. The planting season is right around the corner, so please visit The Seed Library inside the Corrales Community Library for planting information and to pick up some seeds to try. What is a seed library you ask? It is a way to build the community with fellow gardeners and to support people who are new to the world of gardening. It also helps to preserve rare, heirloom, or open-pollinated seeds and encourages everyone in our community to save quality seeds that are suitable for our growing area for future generations to produce. More information is available.
One of the topics the administration has been discussing at length is grants for projects. We would like to get most of the money from outside sources as opposed to using the Village’s money. Grants often require the Village to contribute some sort of match of funds, and we can use our funds for those, because they are usually relatively small percentages of the total grant amount. However, all grants have hurdles to clear and take time to get, even when you have received approval. In the 2022 legislative session, we received a grant of $150,000 from Senator Brenda McKenna for development of the interior drain. We have just completed an agreement with the MRGCD to move forward, but still need approval from Santa Fe. In the summer of 2022, we were approved for Clean Water Trust Board Fund grant for fire suppression and sewer infrastructure totaling $2 million. However, we cannot access that money until a preliminary engineering report is done for each project. That Fund also provided the Village with a line of credit to access if we don’t get any other grants. That loan would be at 0.01% interest rate, available if the Village needs it. Any legislative funds we get this year may not be available until September or October, and they may have some more requirements before we can use the money.
Anyone who is interested in the comprehensive plan and but doesn’t get appointed to the committee, please know that you are still able to have input through the community survey (coming soon!), all the committee meetings will be open to the public, and, of course, emails can be sent to your councilor or to the assigned committee.
The Jones’ house demolition is almost finished, and the new gym is going up. The purchase of the Gonzales property next to Wells Fargo is proceeding slowly, but the administration and council remain optimistic of the ultimate purchase. Much of the road work planned for repair around the Village will probably start this summer and will be completed by the end of the year.
The Council will be discussing pay raises for elected officials and possibly changing the time and the management of our local election (Council members, the Mayor, and our Municipal Judge) in upcoming meetings. Pay raises, if approved, won’t take effect until a new council is elected and only for those elected. Joining the November election cycle will relieve our clerks from a very time-consuming job running an election, thus allowing them to do their usual time consuming job for the Village. The costs for the election would be borne by the state and county. The Village contests would be at the top of the ballot according to the county clerk. There would be more on the ballot, but we don’t believe it would be difficult or confusing, it would save the Village money, and, more importantly, would allow our employees to do their jobs without interruption. The election would be held in November of the odd years, 2023, 2025, etc. Elections would still be held in the usual places in the Village, but residents would also be able to vote at any voting center in the County if they choose.
Throughout my years of education, I have been very interested in history, especially, surprise, US History. I have been accused of not being interested in history. My interests over the years have been in medical history and the Civil War in this country. Heather Cox Richardson, a university history professor, writes “Letters from an American” daily. Her area of expertise is the Civil War era and Reconstruction. She compares much of what is happening today to those times. We have been hearing since grade school that it is important to understand history, so it does not repeat itself. If others have an interest, we have included this link: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/
Volunteers are needed to help with the Fine Arts Show and Winter Craft Show. Please come to the Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales on Thursday, April 6th, at 10:00 am to hear about the specific needs for each show and to sign up to help in whatever way is appealing to you. You do not need to be a member of Corrales Historical Society or Corrales Society of Artists to attend. All are welcome to share their abilities.
CRIME & SAFETY UPDATE:
Wednesday 3/22, a resident reported receiving information that funds had been fraudulently withdrawn from her Credit Union account. The complainant did not know how / when / where her data had been compromised. Stay vigilant about safeguarding your personal / financial information and view helpful information concerning Identity Theft at this link: https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft
With tax season in full swing, please be extra wary about scamsters posing as IRS officials and:
- Screen your calls / texts / e-mails.
- Do not give out personal / financial information.
- Verify who you’re dealing with.
- Don’t fall for a demand to purchase gift cards and provide the numbers; legitimate entities don’t require payment in this manner.
- Review the tax scam information at this link: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE:
If you haven’t received a Covid booster vaccine on or after September 4th of 2022 you should contact Fire Commander Tanya Lattin at 505-702-4182 to schedule a vaccine. Staying up to date on your vaccinations helps keep you and your loved ones safe.
As a reminder, FREE Covid home test kits are still available at Village Hall, Corrales Fire Station, and the Corrales Library. Please remember to wear a mask indoors (especially in crowds), social distance, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you feel sick.
Wildfire season is upon us and those lovely Spring winds this time of year do not help! Here is some information on ways to protect your home.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE VILLAGE:
Check out all the events going on at our amazing library here.
March 30th – April 6th – “Cirque Italia - Water Circus” will be performing at the Cottonwood Mall. Cirque Italia brings the appreciation of production and Italian circus arts together to create a custom designed night to be remembered. With unique high-energy acts, swinging from ropes, flipping over trapezes, and zipping by on BMX bikes and roller skates - pushing the boundaries of human ability without the use or exploitation of any animals. For tickets and information please visit: www.cirqueitalia.com
Friday, March 31st – “Monsoon Live!” at Casa Vieja, 4541 Corrales Road from 7:30pm - 9:30pm.
Saturday, April 1st – April Fool’s Day!
Saturday, April 1st - “Got Art!” presented by The Corrales Art Center. This Fundraiser will be at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. For information and tickets, please visit: https://corralesartscenter.org/
Sunday, April 2nd – “Corrales Growers’ Market” from 11:00am to 1:00pm will be the last market of the winter season. 18-20 producers will be participating in this final winter market. On Saturday customers can find a map of the market and a list of producers and their products at https://corralesgrowersmarket.com. The 2023 regular season will begin Sunday April 30th, 9am to noon and continuing through November 5th.
Sunday, April 2nd – “First Sunday in the Village” sponsored by Corrales MainStreet, throughout the business corridor. Come out and support our local artists, shop local!
Saturday, April 8th – “Kids Easter Egg Hunt” for children ages 8 and under. This event is sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Corrales. It will take place at La Entrada Park and begins at 10:00am sharp!
The Corrales Studio Tour has moved back to its original Spring Dates! Come join us May 6th and 7th on a tour of local artists’ studios and galleries! There will be 93 artists who will showcase their artwork throughout the Village. Whether you're a collector, an art lover, or simply looking for a fun weekend activity, the Corrales Art Studio Tour is the perfect opportunity to connect with local Corrales artists.
The Friends of the Corrales Library (FOCL) seeks book contributions for its Spring Book Sale. FOCL is a not-for-profit funding arm that provides financial support for so many wonderful library programs serving our Villagers. Besides a Spring-Cleaning aid, your contributions are tax deductible as well as the chief source of our great library programming, especially for kids. Drop books off at the Corrales Library during normal business hours! Thank you for your support!
It's business registration season here in the administration office. If you plan to do business of any kind in the Village of Corrales, as per our Village Ordinance 10-28, you must obtain a business license, and in most cases a fire inspection, prior to doing so. This also includes Short-Term Rentals & Food Trucks! Please contact Deputy Clerk, Skye Devivi at: sdevivi [at] corrales-nm.org () or by phone at 505-897-0502 ext 213 for more information or if you have any questions. Skye is here to help guide you through the process.
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 contact her by phone at: 505-897-0502 ext. 208.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and enjoy time spent with your family.
Jim Fahey
Corrales Mayor