Celebrating the 19th Amendment, August 20, 2020
On August 26, 2020, our nation will celebrate Women’s Equality Day, which was first created by Congress in 1971. Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920. This is a very important centennial for our nation.
Earlier this week, we recognized the accomplishments of many of our local female leaders, including two city councilors, four judges, one county commissioner, one state representative and one state senator. The City of Carlsbad is proud to have such wonderful local leadership.
Our team of directors at City Hall includes Deputy City Administrator Wendy Austin, City Clerk Nadine Mireless, Director of Finance Melissa Salcido, City Attorney Eileen Riordan, Director of Municipal Services and Capital Angie Barrios-Testa and, of course, Municipal Judge Collis Gates Johnson. We are honored to have such a great team of capable, hard-working employees.
It took decades of fighting for women to get the vote in 1920, and it took another century of persistence to get us to where we are today. The fact that we have so many women active in local government here is a strong reminder of those efforts. Women’s Equality Day is well worthy of celebration.
Wednesday also marked a sad anniversary for many Carlsbad residents. On Aug. 19, 2000, a 30-inch diameter pipeline rupture near Malaga took the lives of 12 of our friends and neighbors who were camping in the area. We wish to offer our deepest sympathies to the family of Bobby Smith, Terry and Amanda Smith, children Kirsten and Dustin, Amy and, Roylee Heady, children Kelsey, Timber and Tamber, and Glenda & Don Sumler. Over the past two decades, their family members have responded to this terrible tragedy in a positive manner by helping provide resources to firefighters and first responders. Thank you to Martha Chapman and members of her family for doing so much to support our residents.
Artesia General Hospital updated its COVID-19 report on Wednesday evening. The hospital reports there have now been 394 total positive COVID-19 cases for Eddy County, including 119 recoveries. It can sometimes take several weeks for a patient to be officially designated as recovered. The hospital reports 10,052 total tests conducted in Eddy County and says there are zero COVID-related hospitalizations here. We are unaware of any Eddy County residents who are currently hospitalized outside of the county for COVID symptoms.
Closing on some positive news, the Carlsbad Community Foundation is implementing a special plan in celebration of Community Giving Week, Sept. 6-12. Donations made to one of the Foundation’s endowment funds that week will be matched at up to $100 for each gift. Additionally, new online recurring gifts to Foundation endowment funds that are made automatically by credit card will be matched up to $100 each gift for up to a year. For more information, please visit www.carlsbadfoundation.org.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway