Fall News from the Commish *2020

Thanks to all who have emailed, texted, called, or attended my monthly “Coffee with the Commish” (via WebEx) to give input or ask questions, especially during these strange times. I want this forum to help keep us all up-to-date on news, events, and developments around our district, but in addition, to keep me informed on anything from small questions to bigger issues that need to be investigated. I will publish my next district newsletter in winter to keep us all in touch.

You can participate by emailing me at athamilton@santafecountynm.gov or Constituent Services Liaison, Tina Salazar attsalazar@santafecountynm.gov.

Coffee with the Commish

We have continued to virtually host “Coffee with the Commish” throughout COVID-19. Thank you so much for your continued support and making it informative, fun, and a great success. Please join our next meeting on Saturday, November 7, 2020 from 9 to 11 AM via WebEx (platform and call-in number to follow at a later date). If you can’t make the one in November, remember that I am doing this the first Saturday of every month. So place it on your calendar – there will be a “Coffee with the Commish” on December 5, 2020 and January 2, 2021 (the meeting platform will go along with the Governor’s orders). Hope to see you there!

Voting Information

Please VOTE! You can vote now at any of several early voting ‘convenience centers’, by mail, or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

By mail: Tuesday October 20^th at 5 pm is the last day to submit an application to the County Clerk for an absentee ballot. Fill out the ballot and mail it EARLY, or you can drop off completed and sealed ballots at drop-off boxes downtown at the County office building or at any early voting convenience center.

Early voting locations and time:

The Santa Fe Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy Street, Santa Fe, open Monday through Fridayfrom 8 a.m. to 5 pm from now through October 31, 2020.

Additional Early Voting Sites are open October 17, 2020 through Saturday, October 31, 2020, Tuesday through Friday from 12 noon to 8 pm and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 pm.

• Santa Fe County Fair Building (3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe)
• Southside Library (6599 Jaguar Drive, Santa Fe)
• Christian Life Church (121 Siringo Road, Santa Fe)
• Abedon Lopez Community Center (155 A Camino De Quintana, Santa Cruz)
• Town of Edgewood Administrative Office (171 A State Road 344, Edgewood)
• Max Coll Corridor Community Center (16 Avenida Torreon, El Dorado)
• Pojoaque County Satellite Office (5 W. Gutierrez, Ste. 9, Pojoaque Pueblo Plaza)

On Election Day: Vote in-person at any of the usual polling places. Please go to the Santa Fe County Clerk’s website (https://www.santafecountynm.gov/clerk/elections_information) to see the list of voting places.

*Let’s get out there and use our voice

District Updates

Roads

Road improvements on a portion of Camino Pacifico, part of the Sunlit Hills Drainage and Road Improvements Project, began on October 13, 2020. Alternate access (a detour route) is available and posted in the area of the construction project. Daily road closures on Camino Pacifico commence at 7:00 am and are lifted at 5:00 pm.

If you require additional information about the construction project or road closures, please contact Russell Naranjo, Project Manager at the Santa Fe County Projects Office at 505-927-5390or at rnaranjo@santafecountynm.gov.

Canoncito – Eldorado Waterline Project

Efforts on the Canoncito Water System have continued during the pandemic. Here are a few highlights:

• Construction is approximately 50% complete
• Substantial completion target date is December 14, 2020
• Additional time will be necessary to complete final testing, project closeout, and make final transfer of services at each individual home
• Project Manager/ Design Engineer – Jonah Ruybalid has taken over managing the project and providing construction inspection, in coordination with the New Mexico Environment Department.

If you require additional information on this project, please contact our Public Works Department at (505) 992-3010.

Santa Fe Connect

Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe are partnering in a program called Santa FeCONNECT, to Connectlocal residents to services during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.CONNECT is a network of over 90 navigators at clinics, City and County programs, and community organizations linking people to services and resources in areas such as housing, utilities, reliable transportation, and nutritious food. Please spread the word about this wonderful program. To access CONNECT services or for more information, visit the Santa Fe County website at santafecountynm.gov or contact Rachel O’Connor at (505) 992-9842.

Fire Prevention Month

The week of October 4-10, 2020 was recognized by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico Counties, and the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office as National Fire Prevention Week, devoted to raising fire safety awareness and promoting fire safety practices in New Mexico communities. The 2020 National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) fire prevention theme for the week was “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” reminding us that fire prevention should be an ongoing practice to guard against devastating loss of life and property from fire.

Along with Fire Prevention Week, October has been declared Fire Prevention Month, to memorialize the Great Chicago Fire. Even with only a little bit of October left, it is a great opportunity to educate ourselves on best fire prevention practices and to take individual steps to increase our residential fire safety. Here are some ways to celebrate Fire Prevention Month:

• Develop a fire escape plan with everyone in your household and practice it at least twice a year
• Install smoke alarms in your home, on every level and outside each sleeping area
• Test smoke alarms once a month and replace the batteries twice a year if required
• Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do if they hear one
• Make sure all household members know two ways to escape from every room
• Establish a family meeting spot outside in case of a fire

A Fun Little Taste

 A fun addition to our newsletter – please feel free to contribute something for the next addition!

Along with each season there are unique elements that make you know when that season has arrived. For many of us that unique element is associated with a certain food that was only enjoyed during a certain season. For me the Fall season will always be ushered in with the smell of pumpkin cookies. If you don’t already have a certain food that reminds you of Fall, or if you already do have many reminders, this recipe for an easy to make pumpkin cookie will be sure to put the feeling of Fall in a taste that fills every bite. ~ Hvtce Miller, Santa Fe County, Intergovernmental Outreach Coordinator

LEVEL Easy      PREP 10 minutes        COOK 18 minutes       SERVINGS 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
• 1 cup LIBBY’S 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened

Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease baking sheets.

Step 2

Combine flour, baking soda powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and ½ cup (1 stick) butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

Step 3

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 4

Combine sifted powdered sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon butter and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over cookies.

VARIATIONS

If using 29 oz. Libby’s Pure Pumpkin – Double all Ingredients

*Please join in the fun and email our District 4 Office the next recipe for our winter newsletter.