BetterBelen.com

Village gives control of its public transit to state

January 14, 2010

The Los Lunas Village Council tonight voted unanimously to give its public transportation system to the state, part of a continued effort by the Mid-Region Council of Government’s Rio Metro Regional Transit District to regionalize public transportation. The village council took the action by approving a memorandum of understanding with Rio Metro. “The purpose of [...]

LLPD canine makes its first arrest

January 14, 2010

The Los Lunas Police Department’s new canine made its first arrest today, tracking down a suspected shoplifter. The alleged shoplifter fled Raks Building Supply on foot. When the K-9 unit got to the scene, Ricky Luna, the canine, found the suspect approximately a block and a half from the hardware store. “Today was his first [...]

Garley enters Belen City Council race

January 13, 2010

Randy J. Garley filed yesterday and was certified today as a write-in candidate for Belen City Council. There are two seat available with five candidates running. The other candidates are Mary Aragon, Jerah Cordova, incumbent David Lopez and incumbent Terese Ulivarri. Last week, declared city council candidate Steve Castillo dropped out.

Belen historic group to look at multiple districts

January 12, 2010

The City of Belen Historic Properties Review Board is considering designating multiple historic districts in Belen to begin preserving buildings and other landmarks. Last summer the board planned to move forward with a single district in the area around Becker and Dalies avenues. Since that time, the board has come think bigger about its role, [...]

Troops celebrated the holidays with tradition

January 12, 2010

Members of the New Mexico National Guard 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, who were station in Belen before deploying to Iraq, spent their holidays giving their temporary home at Camp Bucca, Iraq, a traditional feel. The soldiers ate beans, posole and chile for both holidays. They also decorated the camp with luminarias for Christmas and [...]

County to get proposals on solid waste pick-up

January 08, 2010

Valencia County has issued a request for proposals to see what companies can offer to help the county set up mandatory curbside garbage pick-up. “It is out on the street and by the end of this month we’ll be receiving proposals,” County Manager Eric Zamora said. The county has been exploring curbside pick-up for years [...]

Castillo drops out of Belen council race

January 08, 2010

Steve Castillo is no longer a candidate for the Belen City Council. City Manager Sally Garley announced last night that Castillo dropped out of the race. A reason wasn’t given. That leaves four candidates vying for two seats: Mary Aragon, Jerah Cordova, incumbent David Lopez and incumbent Terese Ulivarri.

Holliday takes over as commission’s new chair

January 07, 2010

Valencia County Commissioner Don Holiday was voted to be the commission’s chairman last night after a brief but tense vote. Commissioner Ron Gentry nominated Commissioner David Medina for the chairmanship. Outgoing Commission Chairman Pedro Rael nominated Holliday. The commission took up Medina first. He was voted down 3-2, with Gentry and Medina voting yes. As [...]

AG: Telephone participation violated OMA

January 07, 2010

New Mexico’s attorney general on Tuesday determined that the Valencia County Commission violated the New Mexico Open Meetings Act during three meetings last summer when three commissioners participated in those meetings by telephone. The attorney general’s office has ordered the commission to remedy the violations within 15 days from January 5, cautioning the commission that [...]

County unemployment rises in November

January 06, 2010

Valencia County’s unemployment rate rose during the month of November to 8.6 percent, according to numbers released yesterday from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate in the two previous months was 8.5 percent. The rate for November is the highest on record with the bureau. The county has witnessed a gradual [...]