Well, can you believe it! 2020 is over and we are ringing in the new year with cold but clear weather. Let’s hope for a year of better things, shall we?
Welcome January with programs from the Corrales Community Library. You can zoom into a music concert, join an Adult Reading Program or the Local Authors Series. Not to mention Stitch Club or Spanish Club. See what’s going on at: https://www.corraleslibrary.org/calendar/
From now until January 3rd, Music in Corrales is offering its first concert of the 34th season via online-video available any time, featuring Russian pianist/composer Arsentiy Kharitonov. Thank you Music in Corrales for this free gift to our community. Concert details at https://www.musicincorrales.org/concerts/
COVID update. Good news: New Mexico and Sandoval County have reduced the case counts and infection rates from the November highs. Bad news: we are still in the red and bracing for post-holiday surges. Corrales has 186 cases. To get to yellow, Sandoval must get to 5% or less (currently 10.5%) and less than 8 cases per 100,000 (currently 56.7 cases). What to do? Well, get tested. This is one way we can move to yellow and ultimately green. There are a lot of options, including a free, in-home saliva test. For details, check out: https://www.togethernm.org/. Realistically, the next month may be challenging. Please start 2021 by wearing a mask, staying socially distanced and avoiding groups of more than 5. Remember, your safety is our number one priority. When we get to yellow, the Village will be able to safely open up more recreational opportunities. The vaccination plan is still being worked out on a state level and how quickly we get it depends on how much vaccine the state receives. Please refer to the NMDOH New Mexico Department of Health site for updated information. I have great confidence in Commander Tanya Lattin, our Emergency Manager. She is persistent and a tremendous advocate for the people of Corrales. She already got our Police Department upgraded for earlier vaccinations!
2020 accomplishments and 2021 goals. Next week I will share more about what I am hoping for in the upcoming year and what we accomplished in 2020. Quick preview. In 2020, the Village, despite the pandemic, completed infrastructure improvements, among them the Salce Basin project, the new Planning and Zoning Building, upgrades for the Fire Department and Senior Center and the paving of Angel Road. I am so proud of the work of the Village staff in providing excellent service during these challenging times. Looking ahead to 2021, we intend to focus on the Thompson Fence Line Trail connection, our technology, the remodel of the Corrales Police Department and our fire suppression system, to name a few. Stay tuned for the full report
2020 has been a year full of challenges but also moments of grace. Many people have stepped up to provide needed help and services, either through their jobs or acts of compassion. We have saluted some of these Local Heroes, and we will continue to do so in the future. As we move into 2021, we can look forward to a time when life will be more normal. As we emerge from the depths of the pandemic, I know this wonderful community will continue to support each other, our culture, and our businesses. The Village pledges to do its part to make this a reality.
One thing is for sure. 2020 did not destroy the beauty of our Village. Please enjoy the photo display from this past year at the end of the message.
This is likely to be a quiet holiday weekend for most of us. Apparently, there will be college football galore. And the clear weather will allow us to get outside. But, whatever you do, enjoy the first weekend of 2021 and look forward with a little bit of joy and optimism, Corrales-style.
Jo Anne Roake
Mayor of Corrales
