Los Alamos County Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
2020 was a tumultuous year and when it ends at midnight today, a loud sigh of relief may very well be heard throughout Los Alamos County.
Despite all the challenges the pandemic threw at the County, there were numerous accomplishments and highlights experienced in 2020.
“As 2020 comes to a close, I would like to thank all of our residents for their support, patience and understanding as the County worked through the challenges and adaptations needed because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” County Manager Harry Burgess said. “I would also like to send a big thank you to our employees for their resiliency, creativity, hard work and dedication to continuing to provide day-to-day services that our community has come to expect from Los Alamos County government.”
Council Bids Farewell To Three Members, Welcomes New Members
In December, Los Alamos County Council bid farewell to three Councilors: Antonio Maggiore, Katrina Martin and Pete Sheehey. https://ladailypost.comcounty-council-approves-citizens-request-to-work-toward-net-zero-greenhouse-emission-in-los-alamos/. It also welcomed three new Councilors: Sean Williams, Denise Derkacs and David Reagor. https://ladailypost.com/winning-candidates-in-local-races-share-comments/
Longest Serving County Employee Retires
Shirley Huber Huber, an Office Specialist in the Information Management Division, retired in September from Los Alamos County after 55 years. She is the longest serving County employee. The County marked the occasion with a special proclamation, which formally recognized Huber and her “55 Incredible Years of service.” County staff also threw her a happy retirement parade. https://ladailypost.comlos-alamos-county-employee-shirley-huber-retires-after-55-years/
County Awards $1.7 million in CARES Act grants to businesses, individuals
Los Alamos County was able to assist local businesses and individuals struggling due to the pandemic through grants totaling more than $1.7 million.
In September, the state awarded the County $656,250 under a COVID-19 Emergency Grant to Local Governments and $1,065,000 under the Small Business Grants in Partnership with Local Governments, according to a County press release. Another round of grants was awarded to individuals for childcare assistance, temporary emergency rental, utilities and mortgage assistance. Local businesses could apply for grants for continuity of operations and business redesign. https://ladailypost.comlocal-businesses-receive-helping-hand-from-county/
Board of Appeals Denies Appeal To Remove Stop Work Order At UnQuarked
After three days of hearing testimonies, evidence and arguments for a stop work order that placed on 813 Central Ave., the Los Alamos County Board of Appeals unanimously agreed in July to deny Sirphey LLC’s, the parent company of UnQuarked, request to have the stop work order removed. The reason that was cited was Sirphey’s representatives failed to prove that the stop work order or red tag was “unlawful, arbitrary and capricious.” https://ladailypost.comfuture-of-unquarked-remains-uncertain/
The fight to have the red tag removed, which began in November 2019, may continue. Shirphey LLC owner Prashant Jain and his Communications Director Cortni Nucklos said in September that they intended to take their case to First Judicial District Court. https://ladailypost.comsirphey-intends-to-take-stop-work-order-case-to-district-court/
County Council Commits To Anti-Racist Work
Police shootings of unarmed black individuals at the national level ignited protests across the country this summer and motivated Los Alamos County look at its own policies and practices regarding racial equity. In September, the council pledged to do more.
Council voted unanimously to formally condemn the shootings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others killed by police across the country, call for a national change in how police interact with people of color, declare Black Lives Matter and commit to anti-racist work moving forward. https://ladailypost.comcouncil-moves-to-improve-racial-equity-in-los-alamos/ In November, Councilor Katrina Martin presented recommendations for next steps the County could take. These recommendations, included, among other things, contracting a trainer to help implement implicit bias training for County staff and elected officials, directing the County Manager to discuss best practices for diversity and inclusion in recruitment and hiring with the new human resources manager and create a Council liaison/position to continue engagement with the Racial Justice Action Advisory Council, Los Alamos Public Schools and the state. https://ladailypost.comcouncil-discusses-racial-equity-and-inclusion/
