tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60518435179034716782024-03-12T16:03:12.608-06:00Green Chile ChatterA look at New Mexico news by reporter Kate Nash.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.comBlogger497125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-4561037712879468592012-03-08T16:16:00.004-07:002012-03-09T07:03:12.489-07:00Congressional delegation aims to fight rare genetic disease prevalent among HispanicsOne of the things I like about occasionally covering the state's Congressional delegation is looking at the issues Congress deals with that transcend politics. <br />
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After I got a press release recently on a move by all five members to fund a center in the Southwest to study Cerebral Cavernous Malformations, I started to learn about the rare disease, which is disproportionately prevalent in New Mexico Hispanics. Here are some of the people I met along the way.<br />
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<blockquote><br />
Bobbi and Henry Gallegos were startled when their oldest son, Greg, began having seizures while he was a junior at St. Michael's High School. <br />
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They were even more surprised when he first was diagnosed with epilepsy, and later with a rare genetic disease that causes brain and spinal cord lesions. <br />
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When the couple's youngest daughter started having seizures four years ago, they were amazed when she, too, was diagnosed with cerebral cavernous malformation, sometimes known as cavernous angiomas. <br />
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As extreme as the Gallegos' case seems -- another son has the gene for the disease but no symptoms, and one of their grandsons has had seizures as well -- it's almost a textbook case of one form of the illness that runs in Hispanic families who can trace their ancestry back to Spanish explorers. <br />
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People with the disease have capillaries in the brain that are irregularly shaped and have walls that are thinner than usual. Because they are not correctly formed, the capillaries are prone to bleeding. <br />
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The symptoms can mimic strokes and include headaches, seizures, vision or hearing trouble and cerebral hemorrhages. <br />
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Not everyone with the disease has symptoms, and not all doctors are familiar with the ailment. <br />
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"We didn't know anything about it," Bobbi Gallegos said. In her oldest son's case, "nobody ever said anything to us." <br />
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It was through research that Greg started to believe he had CCM. <br />
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When their daughter Paula was diagnosed as well, the Gallegos family, with five children, weren't sure what to think. <br />
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"Now we had two children with it," Bobbi Gallegos said. "At first it was very frightening because we just didn't know about the other children." <br />
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Two other children in the family have been tested, while one has decided against being checked for the malady. <br />
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There were others in the family, too, who likely had the disease but weren't correctly diagnosed, the couple said. Henry Gallegos' mom back in the 1960s had what doctors described as aneurysms. More recently, a cousin had a brain tumor, doctors said. But Bobbi Gallegos is urging his family to look into the possibility the cousin also has the disease. <br />
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The familial connection is a hallmark of one version of the disease, which has three variants. <br />
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New Mexico has the highest density of CCM cases in the world, said Leslie Morrison, a pediatric neurologist in the Department of Neurology at the University of New Mexico's School of Medicine. <br />
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The familial, or genetic version of the illness disproportionately affects Hispanics who researchers believe have passed the gene down from Spanish explorers who arrived here before 1600. A vast majority of the world's cases of that form are in and around New Mexico. <br />
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Possibly tens of thousands of patients have suffered from the disease in the state alone, Morrison said. <br />
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More have been stricken by the different forms of the disease across the world, numbering into the millions by some estimates. <br />
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Outside New Mexico, the disease is more rare in its genetic form, affecting between one in 200 and one in 700 people. <br />
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The number of patients with the disease being followed at UNM currently is more than 400, and Morrison is directing a study that is seeking 500 patients who have been diagnosed with the common Hispanic mutation of CCM1. <br />
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The study will follow the disease's natural progression, keeping track of the number of lesions in a patient's brain using MRIs over several years. The study aims to figure out why some people in the same family get more mild forms of the disease that present few or no symptoms, while others have severe lesions that can be more dangerous. Children of parents with the disease have a 50 percent chance of inheriting it. <br />
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Morrison also is working on a pilot project of other patients who use cholesterol-lowering statins to treat the disease. She also will study some patients with skin lesions caused by the disease. <br />
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As she goes about her work at UNM, members of the state's Congressional delegation are working on a measure that would create an education and care center for the disease. All five members support it. Sen. Tom Udall said he hopes the center would be at UNM. <br />
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"It would be a model for caring for patients around the United States," Morrison said. "It will help us learn the best clinical practices for patients and provide more information for this relatively common disease. Other countries may want to emulate such care centers." <br />
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The measure would allocate $2 million for a center and is currently pending in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. <br />
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Udall in 2008 carried a resolution to raise awareness about the disease, which lawmakers approved in 2009. <br />
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The current measure doesn't specify where the center will be, but Udall said UNM makes sense. <br />
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"The sad reality is that this disease is difficult to diagnose and today we have no cure. We need more research and a facility dedicated to giving patients the best care possible," Udall said in a statement. <br />
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"With a high population of patients with cavernous angioma and an excellent care facility at UNM, New Mexico is the clear choice for a care center like this." <br />
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One CCM1 patient at UNM is Candelaria Romero, whose father and uncle also were diagnosed with the disease, as were seven of her uncle's eight children. <br />
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Romero doesn't have the seizures or convulsions that are common among those with the disease. Instead, she has brain bleeding and migraines that can leave her exhausted. <br />
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She had her first brain surgery when she was 27, after a day in 1992 when she felt like she had a head cold. <br />
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She went into work but turned around and headed back home after she was feeling nauseous. At her house, she noticed her face felt tingly. She thought she had pinched a nerve in her neck but called a nurse anyway. The nurse told her to go to the hospital because she might be having a stroke. <br />
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"I said, 'I'm 27, I'm very healthy, I'm not having a stroke,' " Romero said. <br />
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By the time she got to the emergency room, the bleeding in Romero's brain was so intense she could barely walk. A young boy at the hospital and his mother mistook her for someone who was drunk. "I just staggered in," she said. <br />
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Romero was able to recuperate from the surgery, eventually going back to work. She started driving again and even returned to running. She felt "very, very normal." <br />
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By 2006, though, the bleeding was back and in 2008 she required another surgery. Since then, she has been partially paralyzed and has undergone procedures on her vocal chords to talk normally again. <br />
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Despite the setbacks and the challenges, Romero, who is part of the research study at UNM, said her life has some kind of normalcy. <br />
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"I eat, I talk, I work full time and go to school part time, I have two sons, I go to the gym and work out ... it's not going to slow me down." <br />
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She said she hopes money for more research is approved, so that those who have suffered can better understand why some with the gene have symptoms and others don't. <br />
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"I want answers and I'm sure other people want answers," she said. "I want a cure." <br />
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Along with treatment for the disease, there is support. Patients can get in touch over the Internet with others who also have the disease, said Amy Akers, chief scientific officer at the Angioma Alliance, a national group that encourages education and research. <br />
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"People just want to talk to others who have been through this," she said. <br />
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The group works to connect people in the same geographic location, if possible. <br />
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The quality of life for patients varies greatly, Akers said. Some people with the disease lead a symptom-free life, while others are greatly disabled -- something that intrigues researchers like Akers. <br />
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Greg Gallegos said having CCM has been tough on him, but he has been able to stay active, playing tennis and basketball and keeping up with home maintenance, something he thinks is key to warding off more seizures and staying healthy. <br />
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When he's more active in the summer, he said he has fewer seizures than in the winter months when he is indoors more. <br />
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Despite taking medication daily for his seizures, he averages between 10 and 12 episodes a year. <br />
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Having lived with the disease for 33 years, Gallegos said he has learned a lot about it -- and hopes more research can be done. <br />
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In his case, it took almost 20 years to correctly diagnose him, after doctors at first told him he had epilepsy. <br />
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"At that time it was still being misdiagnosed," he said. "They thought people who had seizures had epilepsy." <br />
</blockquote>Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-64677495763924594022012-03-01T15:18:00.001-07:002012-03-01T15:32:13.547-07:00Vietnam veterans still seeking photos of New Mexicans killed in warBack in 2010, I started writing about a local group of Vietnam veterans who sought to compile 397 photos of the New Mexicans killed in the Vietnam War. By June of last year, the group had 19 to go. As of today, it has just six left to complete its goal. The group is still looking for photos of the following men, according to Art Canales, one of the veterans involved in the project. The men are listed with their title and hometown.<br />
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CWO James Grady Bulloch, U.S. Army, Albuquerque<br />
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BM1 Robert Melvin Dow, U.S. Navy, Albuquerque<br />
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PFC Alvin James Munson, U.S. Army, Albuquerque<br />
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CPL Raymond Yazzie, U.S.Marine Corps, Church Rock<br />
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SGT Bobby Joe Martinez, U.S. Army, Fort Wingate<br />
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CPL Eddie Charles Begaye, U.S. Marine Corps, Ramah<br />
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The project is part of a national effort to find photos of and memorialize some 58,000 people who were killed in or went missing in action during the war. <br />
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Here is the original story I wrote, from Nov. 30 2010<br />
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FACES OF WAR: VETERANS SEEK HELP COLLECTING PHOTOS OF VIETNAM'S FALLEN<br />
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When Henry Urioste was asked to help with a project to locate photos of all New Mexicans killed in Vietnam, he quickly volunteered, thinking it would be a simple, quick task.<br />
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Instead, tracking down 400 photos of the fallen turned out to be very emotional work.<br />
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"We thought it was going to be easy, and it was hard -- the hardest, most heartbreaking and emotional thing, " he said.<br />
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A local group of Vietnam veterans, part of the Northern New Mexico chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, has collected about 350 of the veterans' photos since February. The group is assembling them to send to a veterans memorial in Washington, D.C., and to the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial in Angel Fire as well. Veterans in each state are working on the project, as a way to put a face with each name listed on the Vietnam Wall in Washington.<br />
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To collect the rest, the group is seeking the public's help.<br />
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Many of the missing photos are of soldiers from Southern and Western New Mexico. The group has found pictures of all 17 of the Santa Feans killed in the war and<br />
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of most others who were from Northern New Mexico.<br />
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One of the Santa Feans killed in the war was Joseph "Tudy" Jacques. He had just turned 21 when his aircraft went down in an accident as he was on his way home from Vietnam, said his brother, Mike.<br />
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During his time overseas, Joseph Jacques bought a camera and sent photos to his family. The one that will be sent to the memorial is a double exposure, with two images of Joseph.<br />
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"In half of the photo, he was sad. In the other part, he was really happy, " Mike Jacques said.<br />
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The family cut the photo in half and sent in the happy side. Joseph Jacques, in Army clothes, is leaning on a water tank.<br />
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To get the photo on its way to the memorial, Mike Jacques recently met with a member of the group to deliver a copy, something he called a "great honor for the families, and especially the parents."<br />
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The photo has served as a connection for the family to their son, one of two boys and six sisters.<br />
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It also will help those who visit the memorial to put a face on the war, in which more than 58,000 Americans died.<br />
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Another Santa Fean who was killed in action was Ray Griego, who went to Santa Fe High with Urioste.<br />
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Urioste, 65, was in Vietnam more than 40 years ago when he found out his friend had been killed. Seeing his photo again after all this time was tough.<br />
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"It's a hard process, but a healing process, " he said. "It's like putting a puzzle together. Every opportunity we get is another piece that fills our hearts."<br />
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The remaining missing photos are proving the most difficult, those involved in the project said. Many of the family members of those killed have moved away or have died. Photos of members of the state's tribal nations are especially difficult to locate, the veterans said. So far, the veterans have done Internet sleuthing, hours of phone-calling and some in-person visits to get the photos. Participants say they won't stop until they have all 400 photos. So far, New Mexico has the highest percent of located photos among all the states.<br />
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Being involved in the project is a source of pride, family members say.<br />
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Patty Anaya, whose brother-in-law Michael Anaya was killed in 1970, said she's glad to see the sacrifices of the fallen and their families acknowledged.<br />
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"It really is an honor, " she said.<br />
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"It's about time these boys came back and are honored the way they are now."<br />
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Michael Anaya, from Galisteo, was 18 when he died three months into his tour. In December, he will have a bridge in Galisteo named after him -- a place where he and his best friend would listen to an AM transistor radio. Local Vietnam veterans are also working on that project.<br />
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Veterans involved with the photo compilation said the work has a great deal of meaning for them.<br />
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Jerry L. Martinez, an Vietnam-era vet whose military service included time stationed off Vietnam, but not in the country itself, said the call for photos helped fill a personal void.<br />
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"When I came back, I had a lot of friends, brothers, (who were) killed or lost, who didn't come back ... I always felt something empty within me that I never got there. This is my way of remembering them and their families so that they will not be forgotten."Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-82258816788568068942012-01-08T11:16:00.006-07:002012-01-08T11:26:23.535-07:00Happy 100th, Nuevo MexicoSo I've been bad about blogging lately. Really bad. But I have been busy, and now you'll know why.<br />
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As part of our coverage of the state's 100th birthday, I wrote a nine-storie series on the Centennial. I went from PeNasco to Cedar Crest to Isleta Pueblo and back to Santa Fe to talk to folks who have lived a good chunk of the state's 100 years. Regular folks. Not politicians, not people who have really been in the news much at all. They all had fascinating stories to tell. Don't ask me which one was my favorite, but here are the four I liked best, in no particular order.<br />
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In PeNasco, I talked to Patty Sahd, a 97 year old woman who saw <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/97-year-old-has-watched-state-evolve-from-small-town-perspectiv">her town change</a> from her perch inside her family store.<br />
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In Cedar Crest, I talked to Mary Roeschke, who worked at Los Alamos <a href="
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Making-history-on-the-Hill">during its most interesting time.</a><br />
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At Isleta, I talked with the daughter of Miguel Trujillo, who is credited with <a href="
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Giving-Indians-a-voice-by-vote
">getting the right to vote</a> for Native Americans in the state.<br />
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And in Santa Fe, Ray Aranda of Aranda's Plumbing had some fascinating tales about the <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Shepherding-an-enterprise
">City Different back in the day</a>.<br />
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I've also enjoyed reading other papers' coverage of the events. I heard the Journal sold out of its Centennial special edition, and heck, anything that makes a newspaper sell out these days is good news to me.<br />
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Share links to your favorite Centennial coverage, too.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-92061995745957915982011-10-28T09:57:00.000-06:002011-10-28T09:57:37.614-06:00State questions tribal gaming revenuesIt's been a good while since I've written about tribal casinos and revenue sharing, but there's been an interesting development in that arena. The chairman of the state's Gaming Control Board, David Norvell, said many of the 14 gaming tribes in New Mexico <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/State-at-odds-with-tribes-over-slot-revenue">aren't paying their proper share</a>, accounting for underpayments of between $13 and $20 million.<br />
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At issue is how the tribes account for free play, and how they incorporate it into the formula that determines how much revenue they share with the state. In short, the state says the tribes are paying less than they owe.<br />
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The issue has the potential to drag on and involve costly arbitration. It will be interesting to see how the new administration deals with an issue that first surfaced during former Gov. Gary Johnson's term.<br />
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When I was writing the story, I called all 14 gaming pueblo governments for comment, but only Pojoaque responded. If anyone reading this is or knows a tribal official, please encourage them to call me, as I would like to add more of their perspective for my next piece.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-17515896602511298852011-10-14T12:10:00.001-06:002011-10-14T12:11:47.494-06:00New electronics company headed to NM borderTake that, Texas! Gov. Susana Martinez announced this morning that an electronic manufacturing company will move its El Paso office to Santa Teresa. <a href="http://www.te.com/smarter-faster-better/?s_cid=2590&s_kwcid=TC%7C23660%7Cte%20connectivity%7C%7CS%7Ce%7C7052187683">TE Connectivity</a> will move to New Mexico after discussions over the summer.<br />
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"As we work to encourage economic growth in and attract new businesses to our state, I’m pleased that TE Connectivity has decided to expand in Santa Teresa," Martinez said in a statement.<br />
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"Continuing to foster a friendlier environment that encourages growth and investment will send a signal that New Mexico is open for business. This announcement is an important development and I am committed to further encouraging growth and expansion as we work to turn New Mexico’s economy around," she said.<br />
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The company employs nearly 100,000 workers and manufactures more than 500,000 products, according to the Governor's Office. The press release didn't say how many jobs would move to New Mexico.<br />
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Guess the move puts an end to the questions of which state Martinez, who grew up in El Paso, likes better?Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-464585999812106032011-09-28T16:30:00.003-06:002011-09-28T16:33:39.902-06:00Block resigns and pleads guiltyThe New Mexican's Steve Terrell is in the courtroom for today's Jerome Block hearing, where he just tweeted that Block has plead guilty and will resign.<br />
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Follow the New Mexican on Twitter for updates.<br />
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And, here's the info just released by the Attorney General's Office.<br />
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<blockquote>Attorney General Gary King says Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr. has agreed to resign and plead guilty to multiple felonies involving two separate cases. <br />
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“Another important step was taken today in the prosecution of government corruption in New Mexico,” says AG King. “I congratulate my Government Accountability Division staffers for their good work and dedication in pursuing this matter.”<br />
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The PRC Commissioner agrees to plead guilty to two (2) separate embezzlement charges; fraudulent use of a credit card; theft of identity; violation of the state Election Code, Campaign Reporting Act, and Voter Action Act; and conspiracy to commit violation of the Election Code.<br />
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Block, Jr. has also agreed never to seek public office again and to repay the state for all improper charges involving state gasoline charge cards. The Attorney General adds that the state can likely save a million dollars in expected costs for impeachment proceedings in the legislature.<br />
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A sentencing agreement requires the defendant to successfully complete a drug court program and meet other requirements before final sentencing by the Court.<br />
...</blockquote>Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-74976005030690867612011-09-23T14:06:00.003-06:002011-09-23T14:10:06.549-06:00GQ's long but fascinating look at Gary JohnsonAfter last night's presidential debate, our former governor is starting to get a little traction, at least according to his campaign, which this morning said in a release that his name is now the number one search on Google.<br />
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Well because I already have a Google alert in my email for Gary Johnson, I just took a peek at the <a href="http://www.gq.com/news-politics/politics/201111/gary-johnson-republican-candidate-debate-interview?currentPage=1">GQ profile</a> of him. It's a fun read.<br />
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I like the description in the piece of him in a bike shop in Hooksett, New Hampshire, a state where all the contenders have been.<br />
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<blockquote>Gary? He's talking about bikes. Weight and tire pressure. He's telling the guys at the store that he needs to rent one for some race he's in. His two aides, Brinck and Matt—who constitute his entire paid New Hampshire staff—give him the look. The one that says: Maybe you should mention you're running for frickin president. But Gary's on to pedals now. He brought his own pedals with him from New Mexico. Would have taken the whole damn bike, but it would've cost too much to fly it here.<br />
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Classic Johnson. After being excluded from so many debates, maybe we'll start to see more of him in the upcoming ones.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-86697942814891079992011-09-23T09:23:00.001-06:002011-09-23T09:23:38.920-06:00Some tourism employees got canned, public gets ... a canThe Department of Tourism earlier this week had to <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/-New-Mexico-Magazine--chops-staff">lay off some folks</a> who worked for the New Mexico Magazine. The same department earlier this year got an eight-foot can to promote an anti-littering campaign. Although the two pots of money are separate, the purchase is raising some eyebrows.<br />
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Read my story about the $26,400, eight-foot can in today's paper <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/-26K-can-pushes-anti-littering-message">here.</a>Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-32451395643290073132011-09-08T14:40:00.002-06:002011-09-23T09:18:46.828-06:00Keep track of lawmakers votes, attendance recordThe New Mexico state Legislature is a lot to keep track of, what with 112 members, who knows how many bills and things happening at all hours.<br />
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But the folks at the conservative Rio Grande Foundation have <a href="http://www.newmexicovotes.org">a tool</a> they say will help average folks keep tabs on the happenings in the Roundhouse.<br />
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The group first launched the site in 2008, and I have used it from time to time to look up how a lawmaker voted on a specific issue. One handy feature allows you to look up votes a lawmaker cast that went against the majority of votes in his or her party. Users can also see how many votes a lawmaker has missed. The info is helpful now during the session and I'm guessing gets even more hits around election time.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-10483024792859958582011-09-06T10:41:00.003-06:002011-09-06T10:42:29.146-06:00Stay up to date on the goJust in the nick of time, the Legislature's <a href="http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/">web site</a> has a <a href="http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/mobile/">nifty app</a> to help you keep tabs on the lawmakers from your phone.<br />
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The lawmakers are back in town starting today to talk on meaty topics including redistricting. But don't expect much real work for a few days as they get organized again. Sources say this special session could take a month or more. . .Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-24916199832910167472011-09-01T14:33:00.000-06:002011-09-01T14:33:55.144-06:00A site for DIY redistrictersI know you are out there: people who want to know a little more about the state's redistricting effort than you will get from us media types during the upcoming special session. (Newspapers just don't have the space anymore to cover every machination of the debate.)<br />
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So check out the Legislature's <a href="http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/redcensus/">redistricting page</a> for more info on meetings, (done until the special session starts) maps and population information.<br />
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Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-7239750948595465892011-09-01T09:09:00.001-06:002011-09-01T09:10:27.243-06:00PRC employee says he was fired for reporting others' misuse of computersAfter so many years covering state government, I have lost track of how many of stories I have written about the PRC.<br />
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Here is <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Ex-PRC-worker--Porn-complaint-led-to-firing">my latest</a>, from today's paper. In short, a former employee says he was fired for reporting that other agency employees were looking up inappropriate information online. <br />
<br />
The kind of funny part is that while employees allegedly were looking up things they aren't supposed to, several employees have said that political blogs including this one are blocked from being viewed at the agency.<br />
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Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-27813035754660813022011-08-26T16:09:00.001-06:002011-08-26T16:09:52.268-06:00Get in your redistricting comments before it's too lateWant to comment on where the boundaries for political districts in New Mexico should be? Better hurry. The last meetings of the Legislature's redistricting committee are Aug. 30 and 31.<br />
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The first meeting is Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Kennedy Lounge at Highlands University in Vegas. <br />
On Wednesday, the meeting will be in room 307 of the Capitol.<br />
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Check out the agendas <a href="http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/committees_interim.aspx ">here.</a><br />
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The special session starts Sept. 6.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-83551989432402735932011-08-25T14:58:00.003-06:002011-08-25T15:01:22.302-06:00Buh bye, jetWhat once cost the state more <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/localnews/Martinez-may-shed-state-jet-at-a-loss">than $5.45 million</a> was sold for $2.5 million today to an Alaska couple, the Governor's Office announced.<br />
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"The state’s luxury jet was the ultimate symbol of waste and excess," Gov. Susana Martinez said in a statement.<br />
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"There is no reason that taxpayers should have been on the hook for the millions of dollars that it cost to purchase and maintain this plane. It was a purchase that was neither practical nor cost-effective, and I’m proud that we kept our promise to sell it." <br />
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The Cessna Citation Bravo was at the center of criticism of former Gov. Bill Richardson during the 2010 gubernatorial race. <br />
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Stay tuned for what else may be on the chopping block. At least <a href="http://www.riograndefoundation.org/downloads/rgf_10_reasons_rail_runner.pdf">one group</a> would like the state to get rid of its commuter train. . .<br />
Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-91205210869931754932011-08-12T09:08:00.002-06:002011-08-12T09:09:32.133-06:00More questions on PRC gas cardsAfter the news of PRC Commissioner Jerome Block Jr.'s questionable gas card spending, I looked at the spending of a few others in the regulatory agency.<br />
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Turns out there are questions about charges on other accounts, as well. And outside agencies are looking into several weekend charges, as well as back to back fill ups. Read my story <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/More-questions-on-PRC-gas-charges">here.</a>Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-11331509033535081192011-08-11T10:28:00.003-06:002011-08-11T11:29:50.578-06:00Block out as PRC vice chair; still on the commissionA vote this morning by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission means Jerome Block Jr. is no longer the vice chairman of the panel. He is, however, still a commissioner.<br />
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Commissioners chose Theresa Becenti-Aguilar as the new vice chair. Block wasn't present at the meeting.<br />
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Stay tuned for developments in the Block case, including whether he will heed calls for his resignation.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-18346047168270138142011-08-10T11:16:00.002-06:002011-08-10T11:19:43.355-06:00Block on PRC agenda ThursdayJerome Block Jr's removal as vice chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission will come up tomorrow, assuming Block <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/PRC-calls-for-Block-resignation">doesn't resign </a>before then, as many are calling on him to do. Stay tuned.<br />
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AMENDED AGENDA<br />
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1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE<br />
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2. INTRODUCTIONS<br />
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3. MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS<br />
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4. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA<br />
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5. PUBLIC COMMENT<br />
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6. REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONER JEROME D. BLOCK AS PRC VICE-CHAIR<br />
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7. ELECTION OF PRC VICE-CHAIR FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2011<br />
Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-32871742024490967922011-08-05T17:20:00.002-06:002011-08-05T17:22:53.986-06:00Democratic Party and Gov. Martinez call on Block to resignThis just in from Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales:<br />
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"Today I am asking PRC Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr. to step down from his position as PRC Commissioner in light of the newest allegations of misuse of public dollars. The constant controversy from the Commissioner has become a distraction for New Mexicans," he said.<br />
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"The Democratic Party strives to be a voice for transparency and integrity, and the resignation of Commissioner Block will help to usher in a way forward for New Mexico that is consistent with those ideals."<br />
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Gonzales also sent Block a letter asking him to step down.<br />
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Gov. Susana Martinez also has called on Block to resign, a spokesman said. She said Block "continues to exhibit what appears to be a serious pattern of misconduct. Abusing taxpayer money and betraying the public trust raises real questions about his ability to serve the people of New Mexico."Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-67845198652112239272011-08-05T14:37:00.003-06:002011-08-05T17:14:07.741-06:00Martinez: 'real questions' about Block's 'ability to serve'Gov. Susana Martinez today said PRC commissioner <a href="http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us/commissioner3.htm">Jerome Block Jr</a>. is exhibiting "what appears to be a serious pattern of misconduct" in light of allegations he misused a state-issued gas card.<br />
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Martinez made the comments after <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/PRC-member-Jerome-Block-Jr--s-car-searched">this news</a> today about charges made to the account assigned to him.<br />
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"Abusing taxpayer money and betraying the public trust raises real questions about his ability to serve the people of New Mexico," Martinez said in a statement. <br />
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More in tomorrow's paper on this developing story.<br />
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UPDATE: 5:13 p.m.<br />
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Martinez is now calling on Block to resign, a spokesman said.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-9268957594316980082011-08-04T15:16:00.002-06:002011-08-04T15:17:12.714-06:00More redistricting meetings setAs it continues its work redrawing the state's political lines, the Legislature's Redistricting Committee has set two more meeting times. It also expects to meet in Santa Fe and Las Vegas after these next two meetings, ahead of a September special session on the topic.<br />
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Here is the lowdown:<br />
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The committee will meet on Aug. 15 at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque and on Aug. 16 at Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-8812698988706686222011-07-27T10:39:00.001-06:002011-07-27T10:40:57.031-06:00Karl Rove to stump for WilsonFormer U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson says Karl Rove will appear at a fundraiser for her Senate campaign on Aug. 11 in Albuquerque.<br />
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"I am pleased to have Karl as a special guest for my Senate campaign," Wilson said in a statement. “Karl has one of best minds in modern politics and he continues to inform and influence American life as an author, columnist and commentator.”<br />
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Rove no doubt will be among many big wigs -- Republican and Democrat -- who will be in town for the various candidates this year and next. Stay tuned to see who else will be dropping in.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-37687496481846928482011-06-27T12:57:00.002-06:002011-06-27T12:57:39.801-06:00Follow our live blog for fire updatesStay up to date on the fires near Los Alamos and Santa Fe with our <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/New-forest-fire-burning-SW-of-Los-Alamos">live blog</a>. Have a question? Send it in.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-399840955960765282011-06-26T21:34:00.008-06:002011-06-26T21:50:29.651-06:00Las Conchas Fire near Los Alamos growing; see it liveThe Pajarito Mountain web cam has the best view I've seen today of <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/New-forest-fire-burning-SW-of-Los-Alamos">the fire</a> southwest of Los Alamos. Check it out <a href="http://www.skipajarito.com/webcamtop.php">here.</a><br />
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Meanwhile, LANL will be closed Monday, officials said. All non-essential employees should stay home, according to the lab's web site. At this hour, there is a voluntary evacuation in order for Los Alamos. Gov. Susana Martinez said she is sending the National Guard to the area to assist.<br />
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For fire updates, <a href="http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/las-conchas-wildfire-june-26-3-p-m/">this website</a> is pretty helpful. <a href="http://www.inciweb.org">Inciweb </a>is also usually useful, but there is nothing up right now about this fire.<br />
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At the same time, the Pacheco Fire near Santa Fe <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Wildfire-near-Santa-Fe-grows-due-to-high-winds">gained ground</a> today, due to high winds.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-52278213167979370032011-06-22T10:47:00.001-06:002011-06-22T10:48:13.487-06:00Gov. Martinez: no illegal fireworks, pleaseWith dangerous fire weather season upon us, Gov. Susana Martinez is asking -- make that pleading with -- residents to not use illegal fireworks this summer.<br />
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"With the 4th of July holiday approaching, we are urging New Mexicans to exercise caution and restraint when it comes to using fireworks," Martinez said in a statement. <br />
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"Across New Mexico, we have seen just how quickly fires can burn through our landscape and impact our communities. I am asking New Mexicans to follow all state and local fireworks bans and restrictions and pull together to ensure a safe and celebratory Independence Day weekend."<br />
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The Governor's Office is reminding residents of the statewide ban on "all fireworks, as well as on smoking, the use of campfires, open burning, and open fires" in all state and private wildlands. Many counties and cities have taken similar steps. <br />
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No word yet on where Martinez will take in her July 4th fireworks fix, although I have a feeling she will be busy monitoring any more fires that pop up next weekend.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051843517903471678.post-22395904643429652962011-06-17T15:42:00.004-06:002011-06-17T15:49:37.238-06:00Board votes to cut weekend Rail Runner serviceThe Rio Metro Board voted this afternoon to end weekend train service in mid-to late August. This as the train is facing cuts in federal funding. <br />
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"This was originally envisioned as a commuter service, and that’s the piece we want to maintain without affecting anybody," Steve Shaw, Chairman of the Rio Metro Board said in a statement. "While we recognize the weekend service from a tourism and convenience point of view, we think it’s more important to support the initial mission of the train without affecting the people who use it to get to and from work."<br />
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More details in tomorrow's paper.Kate Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940866762715539102noreply@blogger.com2