Governor: State of elderly care facilities “unacceptable” |

Governor: Senior facilities ‘unacceptable’

More than 90 visits to nursing homes between May 17 and 19 revealed at least one violation in 88% of the places, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced yesterday. at a press conference accompanying a report of the findings of the visits. Of the 91 facilities reviewed in the report, 11 received a perfect score, 55 received a 90 percent rating, and four failed. Representatives from the health department, along with representatives from the Department of Aging and Long-Term Services, visited facilities in 13 counties, including Santa Fe, and evaluated the facility’s environment, staff behavior, and resident comfort. Among the violations noted were areas with strong odors, such as urine, feces, or disinfectants. “Our seniors deserve the highest standards of care and respect,” the report said. Governor says in a statement. “These findings are unacceptable. My administration is committed to working collaboratively across agencies to protect our most vulnerable residents and ensure that every resident receives quality care and lives with dignity.” The governor also encouraged members of the public to join the long-term care ombudsman program to help advocate for residents in long-term care facilities. “Our dedicated ombudsman volunteers tirelessly advocate for New Mexico’s seniors and adults with disabilities,” Jen Paul Schroer, cabinet secretary for the Aging and Long-Term Services Department, said in a statement. “By regularly visiting nursing homes and assisted living facilities, they protect residents’ rights, investigate complaints, find solutions and uphold the highest standards of care.”

Report: Methane emissions higher than reported

The national Yesterday the Environmental Defense Fund announced Airborne measurements show that oil and natural gas producers in the U.S. are emitting methane at a rate more than four times higher than estimated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The findings come via MethaneAIRwhich is described in an EDF press release as “a specially equipped jet aircraft that surveys areas representing 70% of contiguous US onshore oil and gas production.” Its technology, the group says, is similar to that used by its satellite MethaneSATlaunched in March and is scheduled to be fully operational early next year. “Information used to track methane emissions today is based on extrapolations from very limited measurements,” Ritesh Gautam, a senior scientist in charge of the MethaneSAT mission at EDF, said in a statement. “Now we can make robust, reliable measurements directly at an unprecedented scale.” The new measurements include data for New Mexico’s oil and gas operations. “EDF’s recently released MethaneAIR data suggests that methane pollution from the Permian Basin far exceeds all other basins in the country,” EDF Regulatory and Legislative Manager Nini Gu said in a statement to SFR. “New Mexico must continue to show leadership by developing a state plan to implement the EPA Methane Rule by early 2025. An effective state plan would include stricter venting restrictions, a complete phase-out of pneumatic devices that emit natural gas on an accelerated timeline, and a super emitter program to ensure that large emissions observed by third parties are addressed.”

Bond for city roads leads to disagreement

Attendees at last night’s city council meeting had mixed reactions to a resolution from Mayor Alan Webber and City Councilmembers Michael Garcia and Carol Romero-Wirth to place a $25 million road repair bond question on the Nov. 5 ballot. If approved by voters, the money would more than 50 road improvement projects in the city, including the repaving of Airport Road from Cerrillos to 599 and Cerrillos Road from Cielo Court to Airport Road.

a fiscal impact report The resolution states that, if approved, property taxes would increase by about $25 per year for 20 years for a home with a market value of $500,000. Rod Gould, president of the Los Cerros Colorados Homeowners Association, said the roads need maintenance and “the only way to catch up is to make a big investment … that means we as homeowners have to step in and help.” However, resident Jared O’Shell alleged that the city had neglected the roads, which is now leading to higher costs. “Why aren’t these people who haven’t done their job paying for the roads and the people who asked them to do their job paying for them?” he said. Public Works Director Regina Wheeler disputes that assessment, SFR tell “A good paving program involves preservation, repair and rehabilitation,” which her department does. “We do some of that preservation and some of that repair ourselves. These are potholes or sometimes we grind out a whole section of road,” Wheeler said. “With this bond, we’re saying of course that these improvements are 20-year investments that will last that long with maintenance. This is great for the city of Santa Fe.”

Election group launched in NM

An initiative designed to “build trust” in New Mexico will deploy independent election observers across the state, organizers have announced yesterday. Follow the elections in New Mexicofinanced by The Carter CenterObserve New Mexico Elections, a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, and founded by former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, has a five-member, cross-party advisory board, including former New Mexico Governor Garrey Carruthers, Judge Barbara J. Vigil, former state Republican Party Chairman Ryan Cangiolosi, Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission Executive Director Leonard Gorman and Maureen Sanders, who has led legal election protection efforts for the Democratic Party, according to a press release. “My longstanding interest in ethics and good government inspired me to answer the call to serve Observe New Mexico Elections,” Carruthers said in a statement. “As a former governor and university leader, I believe it is critical to uphold the highest standards of integrity in our public institutions, including our election processes.” After serving on the state Supreme Court, Vigil said in a statement, “I see my role on the Observe NM Elections advisory board as a natural extension of that commitment. Ensuring the integrity and transparency of our election process is critical to maintaining public confidence in our democracy.” As part of Observe New Mexico Elections’ work, voters selected from each county “will learn about relevant laws and procedures in New Mexico’s election process and will report on how those procedures are implemented.”

Listen

On the last episode of his podcast Talking Grammar, Albuquerque Journal Staffer Geoff Grammar speaks with Albuquerque resident, New Mexico State University alumnus and former KOB-TV reporter Gadi Schwartznow a national correspondent and anchor for NBC News, live from Paris, where Schwartz is covering the Olympics. His Albuquerque roots came to light during a hot air balloon ride in Paris, Schwartz tells Grammar. “They were telling me the history of ballooning … and I nodded,” he says, but when his hosts asked him if he had ever been in a balloon before, all he could say was, “I’m from Albuquerque.”

Campfire plus

Fashion magazine contains the Inn of the Five Graces in his summary of the 20 best glamping resorts in the US. No, Inn of the Five Graces itself is not a glamping experience, but it does offer its guests a Luxury glamping package in Chaco Canyon. “You’ll be treated to an array of seasonal, multi-course gourmet meals carefully prepared by our talented Executive Glamping Chef Josh Willette,” the promotional information reads. “Your accommodations will go far beyond the typical camping experience, with spacious canvas tents outfitted with luxury amenities including elevated wooden bed frames, memory foam mattresses, bedside tables, comfy butterfly canvas chairs, plush rugs, and enchanting Southwestern textiles. All the while, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking, remote landscapes, giving you the chance to explore a place steeped in prehistoric Puebloan mystery.” For those looking to upgrade their own camping desserts, author Lynn Cline offers some suggestions from local chefs in a story for New Mexico Magazine, and tips for taking s’mores to the next level: “Elevate the traditional fireside treat by replacing the graham crackers with Oreos, swapping the chocolate bar for peanut butter cups, or roasting artisanal marshmallows infused with salted caramel, lavender honey, or other delicious flavors,” Cline writes. Yum!

Fires 101

Andrew Lovato, Santa Fe City Historian offers the Zozobra low-down for Cowboys and Indians magazine prior to the Aug 30 100th fire. “The pomp and pageantry of Zozobra’s annual burning are etched in the memories of generations of Santa Feans and visitors who have experienced it, but this year’s edition is poised to take on a new grandeur,” Lovato writes. As for that first burning, which Zozobra creator Will Shuster staged at Old City Hall in 1926, “By all accounts, it was a scandalous affair. Copper sulfate was wrapped around burlap to create green flames, and according to Shuster, Zozobra’s head was too small for his body. Bonfires were lit around the puppet, and gaily dressed pranksters cavorted to the strains of ‘La Cucaracha,’ brandishing colorful whips as Zozobra went up in flames.” Zozobra fever will be in full swing over the next few weeks, with multiple events leading up to the burning, including an art exhibit Zozobra: A fire that never goes outopened August 23 at the New Mexico History Museum, with concurrent events at the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Children’s Museum; ZozoFest on August 24 and 25 at Santa Fe Place Mall; Zozobra: The Revengea musical fable with libretto by Doug Preston and music composed and orchestrated by Joe Illick (story by Shuster, of course) Aug. 29-31 at the Lensic Performing Arts Center. Also keep an eye out for Zozobra Appreciation Day on Aug. 31.

Summer’s lease has a much too short date

The National Weather Service predicts a 60% chance of precipitation today (and 50% tonight), with showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm and before midnight. Otherwise, today will be partly sunny, with a high of 34 degrees.

Thanks for reading! While generally meme-averse, The Word succumbed to TikTok and then read about the Kamala Harris meme machine.