On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to visit the Carlsbad Police Department to issue a proclamation honoring National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which is the week of April 12-17. Our police dispatchers are the first person residents speak to when they are dealing with emergencies. They have to remain calm when dealing with callers who may want to hurt themselves, or who are terrified for the safety of their family members, or who are at risk of being injured. They are also the front line of defense for our police officers and firefighters who are out in the field putting themselves in dangerous situations to protect our safety. Being a telecommunicator is an extremely difficult job. They have to make split second decisions that save lives on a daily basis while dealing with an incredible variety of volatile situations. Thank you to Commander Katey Prell and all of our dispatchers for their continual professionalism.
Now that Eddy County is Turquoise, the City of Carlsbad has begun expanding the hours of its facilities to close to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Riverwalk Recreation Center is now open from 8 a.m. to 6 pm. on Saturday and will also remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Our library is now open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hours at the North Mesa Senior Center are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the San Jose Senior Center. COVID-19 safe procedures remain in place at all City of Carlsbad facilities. We hope to remain Turquoise so that we can continue to expand our hours and services. We look forward to seeing some of you again in person.
The state of New Mexico is granting approximately $170 million of federal aid to New Mexicans for rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Please visit www.RentHelpNM.org or call 1-833-485-1334 to reach the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
You can also look for assistance by calling the NM Mortgage Finance Assistance number at 1-866 488-0498 or 1-505 308 4206.
As mentioned, we are putting together the details for our upcoming “Spirit of Carlsbad” ceremony on May 19. A recent generous donation by Carlsbad resident Brandon Chandler will help make this event very special, and support other projects around town. Thanks again to Brandon for his incredible support to this community.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway