By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
2021 featured many changes for Los Alamos County. COVID still had a significant presence, but the County staff was able to reopen facilities, return to their offices and resume services halted the previous year.
While COVID remains a major focus, there were many other changes celebratory and challenging that Los Alamos encountered in 2021.
Here are highlights:
Downtown Los Alamos and White Rock
What to do with the downtown areas in Los Alamos and White Rock was debated throughout 2021. It was generally agreed that the downtown area needs help but just what that help should be was discussed with no unified conclusion reached in 2021. Los Alamos County Council declined to purchase the CB FOX and Reel Deal buildings and an ordinance for a pedestrian retail overlay zone was proposed but ultimately withdrawn. However, Council did progress on its work to develop master plans for the two downtown areas. The plans were adopted in September and approved to be incorporated into the comprehensive plan in October.
Condemning the Hilltop House Hotel
The council also made progress in removing blight in the downtown by condemning the Hilltop House Hotel and ordering the building’s removal. The resolution that declared the building a menace to public comfort, health, peace and safety was upheld during a special meeting in December. The resolution requires the building be demolished by March 30. If the owners, New Mexico Innovation Triangle, LLC, fail to demolish the building then the County has the right to remove it and put a lien on the property.
Housing
More housing, affordable and market rate, came to Los Alamos. Los Alamos County officials toured in October the newly constructed Canyon Walk Apartments on DP Road, which are income restricted according to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program as administered by the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority.
Later in November, the County held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hill Apartments, which are market rate units, located near the Los Alamos Medical Center. The ceremony was a long time coming; the process began in 2018 when Los Alamos County Council awarded the contract to LAH Investors, Inc. to develop the land. Preleasing for the units will begin this year.
Recreation Capital Improvement Projects completed
Los Alamos County also snipped the ceremonial red ribbon on several completed capital improvement projects including the splash pad in August and the new locker rooms and restrooms at the ice rink in December. Additionally, construction continues for the Leisure Lagoon.
Retirements
Several longtime County employees concluded their time working for Los Alamos County. These retirees included:
- Los Alamos Fire Department Safety Division Chief Joseph Baca, 25 years
- Human Resources Manager Denise Cassel, 24 years
- Public Information Officer Julie Habiger, 21 years
- Deputy Police Chief Jason Wardlow-Herrera, 15 years
- County Budget and Performance Manager Karen Kendall, 13 years
- County Manager Harry Burgess, 10 years
New Hires
While the County said goodbye to longtime employees, it also said hello to new faces and promoted current employees to new positions:
- Julie Williams-Hill, County Public Information Officer
- Cathy D’Anna, Department of Public Utilities Public Relations Manager
- Linda Matteson and Anne Laurent, Deputy County Managers
- Steven Lynne, County Manager
- Ty Ryburn, Human Resources Manager
- Bryce Ternet, County Planner
The final personnel change happened in the last few moments of 2021; County Council Vice Chair James Robinson resigned effective Jan. 1.
Feral cows
Looking back at 2021, it seems the year’s main message was these unpredictable times are not going away. One piece of news that reinforces this message is the County having to respond to feral cows. Open Space Specialist Eric Peterson has headed the effort to find and capture these once domesticated now wild animals that are harming the environment and even people who have crossed their paths. In December, Peterson was honored for his work by the Los Alamos Public Safety Association (LAPSA).
LAPSA gave him the 2021 Outstanding Community Service and Public Safety Award during its annual banquet in December.