Walsenburg seeking volunteers for historic preservation board
WALSENBURG — The City of Walsenburg is seeking two additional volunteers to serve on a Historical Preservation Board authorized with the approval of Ordinance 1067 establishing a Certified Local Government. The five member board is charged with developing criteria for the review and designation of historic resources, review and determine qualifications for properties for designation as either an historic structure, site, or districts, conduct surveys of potential historic sites or properties and the develop and assist with public education programs that relates specifically to historical preservation.
The two board positions will serve a two year term. Meetings are conducted a minimum of four times a year but may meet more frequently to fulfill the responsibilities of the board.
Some specific requirements that individuals must meet to be considered for appointment by City Council include professional background and or property/business ownership. Two of the five members shall be professionals in preservation related disciplines such as, architecture, landscape architecture, architectural history, archaeology, history, planning, American studies, American civilization, cultural geography or cultural anthropology. Two members will be “stakeholders”. A “stakeholder” is a person who owns property or a business within the municipal limits of the City of Walsenburg. There is an opportunity for an interested person to serve in an at large capacity if they do not meet “stakeholder” or professional requirements. Members do not have to live within the City limits.
Citizens interested in serving on the Historic Preservation Board can pick up applications and an outline of board responsibilities and requirements from the City Clerk. Applications with a letter of interest must be returned to City Hall by Tues, April 10th. Applicants will be reviewed with recommendations on membership submitted to the City Council for approval at the council meeting scheduled for late April.
USDA seeking rural NM sites to provide meals to hungry children this summer
by Arthur A. Garcia
USDA Rural Development
State Director for New Mexico
NEW MEXICO — As we near the end of another winter, many parents and children are already beginning to think about summer. Sadly, though, the thought for some parents is: “How will I feed my children?”
Childhood hunger is a persistent problem in many parts of rural America. This especially so during the summer when school is out and many poor kids do not have enough to eat. My agency, USDA Rural Development, is working closely with our sister agency, the Food and Nutrition Service, in an innovative partnership to help alleviate hunger by providing nutritious meals to children during the summer. Together, we are working to implement Secretary Perdue’s vision to “Do right and feed everyone.”
This year we’re expanding our reach into rural communities. The summer meals collaboration provides a great opportunity to build innovative partnerships and leverage our collective resources to feed rural children during the summer.
To be successful in our efforts, we need your help. If you know of a great location to host meals this summer, please contact me at Arthur A. Garcia at 505-761-4951. My staff and I will be reaching out to schools, libraries, community centers and other locations throughout the state during the next several weeks. We will invite them to host a summer meals site.
Please know we’ve had successful food distribution sites located at the Franklin Vista Apartment Complex in Anthony, NM, Cliffside I, Sun Valley and Pinon Hills Apartments in Gallup, NM and Kristin Park Apartments in Las Vegas, NM. Since these meals sites were established we’ve seen hundreds of children eat healthy, nutritious lunches Monday through Friday throughout the summer.
Let’s work together like never before to establish more summer feeding sites in New Mexico this year! For additional information about the Summer Food Service Program, go to: www.summerfood.usda.gov. Together we can make a difference! For more information about how to sign up to host summer meals, go to www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/how-become-sponsor.
