It's just a little pocket park, not big enough, really, to count as an actual park. Which is why the area in front of the Washington Street entrance to the Santa Fe Public Library's Main Branch fell through the upkeep cracks a few years ago — that is, until Margarita Valdez-Stehle got involved.

Valdez-Stehle, a library technician at the facility, noticed that the entryway was looking unkempt and asked if she could do something about it. She did. She donated her time pulling weeds, planting flowers, and trimming shrubs and trees. The result is an attractive area that is enjoyed by the scores of people who pass through it every day as they enter the building. She also weeds and trims plants around the entire library periphery.

For her ongoing efforts, Valdez-Stehle was honored as the city's top employee for October. "The library staff agrees that this special volunteer effort makes a difference" by improving the image of the building, said Library Services Director Tim Greer, who, along with Director of Libraries Patricia Hodapp, nominated Valdez-
Stehle for the award.


The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer recently welcomed Joel Nudi as program administrator for the Water Resources Allocation Program. Nudi worked for the state of New York for 13 years and spent 11 years in Dublin, Ireland, before settling in Santa Fe. His position with the State Engineer's Office became available last year upon the retirement of Sharon Pearce.


Also at the State Engineer's Office, longtime employee John Romero has taken on the role of interim Water Rights Division director, as well as interim director of the Water Resources Allocation Program. For nine of his 18 years with the agency, Romero served as WRAP director, managing the seven Water Rights Districts around the state. Former State Engineer John D'Antonio praised Romero's "experience, technical proficiencies and thorough understanding and knowledge" of the water rights field."


As the season's good boating weather bids adieu, a New Mexico State Parks employee has received a national award for keeping New Mexico boaters safe. Marine Officer Stephen Verchinski, the division's boat program coordinator, earned a Boating Safety Award from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

The award recognizes Verchinski's 13 years of marine patrols and educational outreach efforts. He is also the State Parks' lead boating educator, holding safety classes throughout New Mexico, and tracking boat registrations, accident reports and other relevant data.

"We are fortunate to have a professional on staff with his boating background, institutional knowledge and law enforcement certification," said New Mexico State Parks Director Tommy Mutz.

If you have news about a public employee, contact Fauntleroy at gussie7@fairpoint.net.