Highlights from the Week of January 3, 2022
There's a lot going on in the City Different!
Inauguration Celebrates Leadership, Community Spirit
THE CITY OF SANTA FE FIRE HONOR GUARD posted the colors to commence the Inauguration on December 30, but otherwise, pomp and circumstance were kept to a minimum because of COVID-safety considerations. Nevertheless, there could hardly have been a more inspirational program that evoked Santa Fe's singular civic character.

Judges Michael Vigil, Donita Sena, Patricio Serna, and George Anaya Jr. administered the oaths of office to Mayor Webber and City Councilors Signe Lindell, Lee Garcia, and Amanda Chavez. (Councilor Carol Romero-Wirth had been sworn in previously.)

Celebrants included several of the city's prominent spiritual and cultural leaders. Rev. Timothy Martinez offered opening and closing prayers. Musical prodigy Theo Kutsko sang a pitch-perfect national anthem. Moving invocations were delivered by Tesuque Pueblo Governor Mark Mitchell and Rabbi Neil Amswych. Poet Laureate Darryl Lorenzo Washington recited a piece that evoked a spirit of reckoning with the sins of the past.

Tolerance, gratitude, compassion, and progress were the themes of the day. "We're all on the same team," said Councilor Lindell. "Everyone here wants the best for Santa Fe."

Father Tim's final blessing resounds not just for our elected officials, but for all Santa Feans: "May you find safety in the pandemic and may your work on behalf of others be fruitful."

MAYOR'S NOTE:
Welcome to the
New Year
Today marks the end of the first week of a new year. I know we’ll face continued challenges—it looks like Omicron will deliver another surge in cases. I also know it will be a year with great successes and opportunities. There’s every reason for all of us to feel a renewed sense of optimism as we begin 2022.

We’re going to complete some large and important projects—the downtown public bathroom, the streetlight conversion and solar installations, the BC Pool. We’re going to make great progress on other important projects – the Airport, the Teen Center, Mid-town. We’re going to commit ourselves to filling empty jobs in every department, to taking care of basic services better than ever, and to addressing our beloved City’s future needs in affordable housing, sustainability, and social services.

Next week we’re going to say goodbye to our outstanding City Manager, Jarel Lapan Hill – and with the consent of the Governing Body, we'll welcome a new enormously talented City Manager, John Blair.

Endings and beginnings. But one thing is constant: Our commitment to Santa Fe and to serving the people of this great city. Happy 2022!
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Greatest Hits of the Past Year
We compiled a list of just some of the outstanding accomplishments by City teams last year. Despite the challenges of COVID, the staff who work for you every day have delivered great results, working in every department and in every neighborhood, and they deserve our gratitude and appreciation. Our thanks extend as well to the members of the City Council for their hard work and public service. Let us celebrate the accomplishments of 2021 as we move into 2022 with hope, resilience, and optimism!
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Thursday Vaccinations Ongoing
Public health officials advise that full COVID vaccination, including booster shots, is a defense against severe illness. Santa Feans age 18 and older may receive Moderna vaccinations at the Midtown Public Safety building (Building #2, adjacent to the Garson Theater) on forthcoming Thursdays. Those who received their initial vaccinations with the other vaccines can take a Moderna booster. Find details here and consult the DOH website for testing and other vaccination information.
City Staff Steps Up On
Holiday Weekend
The storm over New Year's weekend brought much-needed precipitation to the city and surrounding mountains – but the snow-covered sidewalks and streets pose a hazard for residents and tourists alike. Our team showed up, even on the holiday weekend, and got right to work plowing streets and shoveling sidewalks around town. Kudos to the crews for their hard work keeping us all safe!
Christmas Tree Recycling
Ready to take down your Christmas tree? Did you know that you can recycle real Christmas trees for FREE during the month of January!? Remove all ornaments, stands, and other decorations, and bring your tree to Franklin Miles Park to be turned into mulch, any day from now until the end of the month (1027 Camino Carlos Rey, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.). You can also take your tree to BuRRT until Jan. 23 (trees only; loads with other green waste will be subject to fees).
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