Carlsbad lost one of its World War II veterans this past week. Elmo Preston “Pat” Mitchell, 95, passed away last Friday. Graveside services are 10 a.m. Friday.
Mitchell enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on Oct. 13, 1943, when he was 17. He served as a Rifle Marksman as part of the Okinawa Operation and received an honorable discharge as Corporal. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and he married Nettie Mae Taylor in 1947. He worked at the IMC Potash Mine for nearly 38 years.
Mitchell was unable to attend our ceremony to honor World War II veterans this summer, but we were able to get him a plaque and spoke with his family on several occasions. We offer our condolences to Mitchell’s family and thank him for his honorable service to our nation.
Congratulations to school administrator Deborah Beard and everyone involved in setting up the new faith-based Carlsbad Prep Academy. The school, as reported by the Current Argus, is expected to open in 2022, and we know many families are excited about this opportunity. It’s going to be a K-6 school located at the former St. Edward Catholic School. Special thanks to the men and women who supported the creation of this school behind the scenes.
We are starting to receive questions from people interested in possible receiving a “booster” to their COVID-19 vaccines. As this discussion develops, it is important to recognize the distinction between a third dose and a booster. Third doses of mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) are being given to those who are immune-compromised or who are on certain medications which could make their immune response insufficient.
Booster doses would be applied because of a concern that, over time, the protection generated from the first two doses of vaccine may be wearing off. At this point, booster doses have been recommended by certain health agencies, but the DOH has not given approval for their use. Some of you may remember seeing a September 20 deadline related to booster shots. That is the deadline recommended by several health organizations as a possible date in which booster shots could begin being administered, but it is not official at this time.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park has asked us to help spread the word that, beginning Sept. 30, visitors will be able to book camping and RV reservations online at www.Recreation.Gov. Previously, campers would book an open campsite in person on a first come first served basis, but they will need to do it online in the future. Overnight reservations for tent camping and RV stays can now be made up to six months in advance.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway