County Dems to hold forum for sheriff candidates

The Democratic Party of Santa Fe County will host a forum for sheriff candidates 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the NEA Building, 2007 Botulph Road.

Four men are expected to seek the office and have been invited to attend, according to county party chairman Richard Ellenberg — Charlie Dalton, Robert A. Garcia, Rubel Tafoya and Rex Doerfer.

The primary is June 1. The county is largely Democratic, and the winner of the party primary would be a strong favorite to assume the office after the November general election.

KSFR transmitter down over weekend

KSFR radio station has been having transmitter problems throughout the weekend, according to a station news release.

Engineers turned the transmitter off Thursday night to begin work on repairs in hopes of having the signal restored by Friday evening. But additional problems turned up and attempts to get the replacement equipment to the site were delayed until late Saturday afternoon.

The 101.1 FM transmitter and tower are located just above the ski area on Pajarito Mountain, which is above Los Alamos. The site is difficult to reach with heavy electronics during the winter.

Realtors group seeks applications for awards

The Santa Fe Association of Realtors Community Services Committee is seeking applications from community groups for projects. SFAR's Community Services Committee will review the applications and present the awards in June. In 2008, SFAR awarded $22,500 to support local community services, affordable housing programs and one scholarship to an area high school graduate.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to give back to the community through these gifts," said J.C. Linson, chairman of the SFAR Community Services Committee. Over the past nine years, the association has donated more than $300,000 to local community groups and students for the betterment of Santa Fe.

The application deadline is April 30. Criteria and applications for the Community Service Program can be found at http://sfar.com/newsite/content/search/communityservices.asp.

Congressmen push uranium cleanup bill

ALBUQUERQUE — Cleanup of more than 130 old uranium mine and mill sites around New Mexico could be fast-tracked under federal legislation introduced by New Mexico's three congressmen.

Reps. Harry Teague, Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich have proposed legislation that would make funds available under the Surface Mine and Reclamation Act for the remediation of uranium sites.

If the bill passes, it would make more than $14 million available for cleaning up the New Mexico sites.

The U.S. Department of Interior says a state currently cannot use certain SMCRA funds for uranium site remediation until the state has certified that all coal remediation has been completed.

The congressmen say uranium cleanup is a bigger need in the state.




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