Newly appointed Los Alamos County Councilor Melanee Hand and her husband David. Courtesy photo
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Melanee Hand, Los Alamos County Council’s newest member, is experienced in working to create progress in the County.
Before being nominated to the Council Jan. 25, Hand served on numerous boards and commissions. She was a member of the Landscape Review Committee in the 1990s, was a part of the Open Space Advisory Committee and the Fuller Lodge Historical Advisory Committee.
County Councilor Melanee Hand
Additionally, Hand was a member of the Environmental Sustainability Board from 2012-2014 and a member of the Parks and Recreation Board from 2014-2016. She served as board Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board from 2016-2018 as well.
At the recommendation of a former councilor, Hand said she considered running for County Council after her term on the Parks and Recreation Board ended but her plate was already full with her job at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
However, Hand retired in September and when she saw a vacancy appear on Council, it seemed the right time to try to earn the seat.
“I saw an ad in the Los Alamos Daily Post that talked about the vacancy,” she said. “I thought this would be a really good opportunity to serve on the County Council, if I was appointed.”
“I also thought it was a very good opportunity to gain experience on County Council and get more exposure to the public and be receptive to the … direction I hope to go,” Hand added.
This direction includes supporting the priorities in the council’s 2021 strategic leadership plan.
“I support all the priority areas and I am excited to contribute to progress in all these areas,” she said.
Hand added she wants to make “positive and educated decisions for things that impact small businesses, environmental sustainability, and master plan development and execution … I have experience in all these areas …”
Hand explained part of her background is in long-range city planning and she has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the School of Architecture and Planning from the University of New Mexico. She has done master planning for the laboratory.
As a result, Hand said she is eager to tackle plans for housing, broadband, infrastructure and other issues.
“I’m truly here to do good things for the community,” she said; adding, “Council’s role is an important part of the community and I hope I do a good job. It is a lot of responsibility.”
Hand said she has some ties with local business, too. Her husband owns Jona Manufacturing and her daughter created her own start-up food truck business in Albuquerque a few years ago, which led to a brick and mortar establishment in Old Town in Albuquerque.
However, her daughter no longer works in the restuarant industry.
One thing she quickly learned is that being on council is a lot of work. Hand said she doesn’t know how her fellow councilors, who still work full-time jobs, do it.
“I’m getting up to speed and getting organized to support the County and the community the best way I can,” Hand said. “I understand the big responsibility I have filling this role.”
She added that as she continues her time on council, she hopes it will be in a positive direction. Ideally, council and the public will find common ground and make progress.
“The goal is we all work together … on what the major needs are in our community,” Hand said.
Hand and her husband, David, are long-time residents of Los Alamos. Hand said she moved to town in 1984.
Besides being a part of County boards and commissions, Hand was active in Family Strengths Network and has been a part of the Los Alamos Mountaineers since 2005.
She is involved in helping the Mountaineers celebrate its 70th anniversary.
“I try to do my best and serve the community as best I can,” Hand said.