Belen supports veterans cemetery idea

Belen

The Belen City Council awarded two annual contracts at its regular meeting on June 3.

The Cleaning Company was awarded the contract for $2,375 for custodial services for the city buildings.

Castillo Ready Mix Inc. received the concrete contract. The contract is for $70 for 4,000 psi, $65 for 3,500 psi and $62 for 3,000 psi. The 3,000 psi concrete is used for curbs, gutters and sidewalks by the city.

In other action, Nick Romero spoke to the council about efforts to bring a national veterans cemetery to the county.

“There are several reasons Valencia County would be a good location for a Veterans Administration facility,” he said. “The VA has indicated it will build a cemetery somewhere in the middle Rio Grande area — why not Valencia County?”

He said a committee is working to selected three to five sites which will meet the VA’s criteria, plus be donated land.

“Having a National Cemetery will not just be an honor, but it will help our economy,” Romero said. “At the Santa Fe cemetery, they have eight to 10 burials per day. That is a lot of people coming to the area for the ceremonies.”

Romero asked the mayor and city council for its support, and all members gave their approval.

“I think this is a great thing you are doing,” Mayor Ronnie Torres said to Romero.

Six new city employees were introduced to the mayor and city council by their supervisors.

The employees are Lee Chavez and Joe Sais at the wastewater treatment plant, Nancy Morgan, municipal court clerk, Carleen Silva with the water department, Stephanie Wallace at the library and Rick Sanchez with the parks department.

In the council reports, all councilors commented on Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s visit to Belen on May 28.

“We were honored with a visit by Sen. Jeff Bingaman. He visited our newly renovated community center, the multi-purpose park and the Jude Court and Chavez-Perrizette projects, as well as Vivian Field,” said City Manager Sally Garley.

“I was amazed that Infinity High School got Sen. Bingaman as their keynote speaker,” Councilor Rudy Jaramillo said. “It was a great experience for those students.”

“It was great that he made time to come see our projects,” said Councilor Terese Ulivarri. “Sen. Bingaman was proud of Belen and how we are progressing.”

In the city manager’s report, Sally Garley:

• Commended Mildred Garley, her staff and all department heads for all their hard work and assistance in preparing the annual budget.

• Congratulated Ralph Jaramillo for his recent certification in Water Level III.