Homework Blog #8

In recent news, the New Mexico Environment Department has renewed the hazardous waste permit for the federal government's nuclear waste repository east of Carlsbad. The new permit for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant goes into effect Dec. 31. It is the first time the plant had received a permit renewal. The current permit was issued in 1999, the year it opened. The U.S. Department of Energy repository was excavated in salt beds 2,150 feet below the surface of the southeastern New Mexico desert. It buries waste such as gloves, tools, dried sludge and other debris contaminated, largely by plutonium, during weapons work. The material remains radioactive for tens of thousands of years.

The Environment Department's permit lets the plant dispose of mixed waste — items contaminated by chemicals as well as radioactivity. Such hazardous materials are regulated by the state, while the radioactive material is regulated by the federal government. The new permit makes a number of changes to the original one, including allowing higher levels of volatile organic compounds, said James Bearzi, chief of the Environment Department's Hazardous Waste Bureau. The new permit more than doubles the previous levels allowed, he said. It also expands public involvement and makes it easier for members of the public to stay informed about things at the plant as they happen, Bearzi said.

The plant is expected to receive about 28,000 shipments from DOE facilities around the nation through the year 2030.

What do you think about the Environment Department's permission to go through with this? Do you think there are any safety issues we should be concerned about? Do you think people will protest this renewel, like they did when the project was originally approved? What are your concerns regarding this?
-Noriega

Homework Blog #7

Community activists hope to bring awareness and change to a police department they believe is too violent. The leaders of Copwatch, Vecinos United and Albuquerque Answer Coalition said this year's 12 shootings involving Albuquerque Police Department officers is too much and might constitute police brutality. They plan to hold a rally outside police headquarters at 4th Street and Roma Avenue NW on Friday at 3:30 p.m. It's part of a nationwide awareness campaign called National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality.

They said they want to send a message to the police department, community leaders and the citizens of Albuquerque. "There are some APD folks who aren't necessarily safe and who the community is scared of and it needs to change," said Derek Minnobloom who heads up Copwatch, a group that videotapes officers at work. "Traditionally if someone's got a camera on and there's five people watching they're going to act a little differently."

APD Chief Ray Schultz said he has no plans to address the rally Friday. He said he respects the activists' right to protest but questions their tactics. "I think they're trying to play on people's emotions," Schultz said. He said he wants the community to keep in mind that his officers have to make a split-second decision about how they're going to defend themselves. And Schultz said that guns are not always the weapon of choice. "Last year in 2009 the Albuquerque Police Department utilized the Taser in 190 applications," he said.

The activists have invited families of the 12 people shot by APD this year to attend the hour-long rally. Some are expected to attend.Later that evening, the group will walk down Central Avenue with their signs. Then Copwatch will hit the streets with their video cameras in hand.

Do you think that APD is becoming too violent? Do you think we should provide police officers with more training? What are your general thoughts on the use of aggression by the police. Do you think that rally is necessary?
-Noriega

Homework Blog #6

In recent news, New Mexico gubernatorial candidates Diane Denish and Susana Martinez were no-shows at a higher-education forum at the University of New Mexico on Wednesday. UNM's student government said both were invited early this summer. Students and faculty said they feel like they were snubbed. "For the candidates not to show was kind of a slap in the face," said student Jakob Schiller."We were very disappointed," said undergraduate student and Associated Students of UNM chief of staff Michael Thorning.

It wasn't just the state legislators who attended or Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Brian Colon students had wanted to speak with.Professor Rich Wood said it was gubernatorial candidates Denish and Martinez who students, faculty, staff and even the UNM Board of Regents wanted to see at Wednesday's higher-education forum.
Wood is also the Faculty Senate President. He said he helped plan the event, along with students in the ASUNM and faculty council."To say to the students, (and) also the citizens of New Mexico, that higher education is not a priority for us to attend and talk about is the wrong message to send," Wood said.

UNM has undergone five budget cuts, a professor shortage, graduate students filling in the teaching gaps and an increase in tuition. With higher education being a large issue this political season, students were left scratching their heads and wondering why neither candidate attended. "For them to sort of shrug us off the way they did, it sort of makes me feel that neither candidate is paying attention to education they way they need to," Schiller said."I think both gubernatorial candidates owe the citizens of this state an explanation of what their real plans for higher education," Thorning said.

What are your thoughts on this situation? Being that in a couple of years, you will be in the same boat, what would you expect from these candidates? Remember that both candidates discussed how education is crucial to their campaign. Please write a short paragraph describing your view on this situation.
-Noriega

Homework Blog #5

In recent news, both candidates for governor have promised they will not raise taxes as they campaign across the state. Republican Susana Martinez was campaigning in Roswell Thursday with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. She cranked up her promise of no tax hikes from one year to all four years of a governor's term. Democrat Diane Denish says she doesn't see any tax hikes she would support over the next several years.

Both candidates have also promised not to cut state spending on public schools and Medicaid—60 percent of the budget. Money-minded state lawmakers say all those promises mean very deep cuts across the rest of state government as the state continues to see tax revenues plunging in the recession.

What do you think about these candidates promising "No new Taxes?" Do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think whomever wins will hold true to their statement?
-Noriega

Homework Blog #4

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- This year, the state fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays to save money during the state's budget crunch, but some vendors aren't too happy about it. Roy Messenger has been selling wands and princess hats at the fair for more than 15 years. He thinks the grounds should have only been closed on Mondays. "Being closed both days, you kind of lose out on a lot of money," said Messenger. But state fair staff said they had to cut the fair's costs, along with every other state agency.

Fair officials said they considered raising ticket prices and vendor fees but decided on closing Mondays and Tuesdays. Michael Henningsen with the New Mexico State Fair said most vendors didn't mind. "Some said it wasn't even worth their time to open on those days, so we thought by doing that, we would save them some overhead, but also save ourselves overhead," said Henningsen. On a normal fair day, about 1,200 people are working at the fairgrounds. When the gates are shut, less than 50 people are needed, officials said. The state fair is also running a $2 admission this Wednesday. Henningsen said the fair may take a hit at the front gate, but it's made up elsewhere.

Fair officials say they haven't tallied any attendance numbers or profit figures yet. They said they'll have to wait to see if the changes will help them stay on budget and boost numbers.

Do you think that closing on Mondays and Tuesdays is a good idea? Do you think that the fair goers would still attend, even if prices went up?
-Noriega

Homework Blog #3

New Mexico's largest city will receive $500,000 in federal money for a project using landfill gas to provide energy. The grant will fund a system that converts methane gas from Albuquerque's Cerro Colorado landfill into energy. The gas-to-energy system will collect the methane generated by decomposing landfill materials.

First, the project will use the gas to fire a new kiln at a glass recycling facility.
Then the program will pipe the gas to Bernalillo County's detention facility to fire heating and hot water boilers. The grant was announced by U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall.Funds come through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Showcase Communities initiative, designed to help cities increase energy efficiency, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What do you think about Albuquerque receiving this grant? Do you think this is a good way for New Mexico to continue leading the counrty as a GREEN flagship state?
-Noriega

Homework Blog #2

In recent news, a traffic stop may have prevented a school shooting at an Albuquerque school after A 15-year-old boy was pulled over on his way to Volcano Vista High School Tuesday morning.Turns out he had a gun hidden in the car and said he had plans to use it on some of his classmates. "It's just lucky we intervened when we did," said Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson, Officers Robert Gibbs.
An APD officer stopped the Cadillac the teen was driving near Rainbow and Paseo Del Norte." The young juvenile was not licensed to operate the vehicle," Gibbs said. "also the vehicle did not display a license plate and the vehicle was not currently registered as well." Police towed the car and gave the 15-year-old student a ride to school. A few hours later, police said he spontaneously admitted to authorities at school that there was a gun in his car when it was towed. Police searched the car and found a gun hidden under a floor board.

Investigators said the teen also admitted that when he was pulled over he was on his way to a friend's house to get bullets because he wanted to shoot three kids.
"Fellow students who had bullied him," Gibbs said. "or were picking on him."In a hand-written statement the teen gave police during questioning, he wrote "My intention was to go to school, find the kids and shoot them." Parents and students who spoke to News 13 on Thursday said they can only imagine the worst. "It's definitely is a concern, especially with the gun," parent Marty Dautenhahn said. "Obviously since columbine, it's definitely on parents minds." Student Ontario Oneka said he was shocked to hear about the teen's possible intentions. "A lot of kids go to school here and something could have happen," he said.

In an eerie statement to police, the teen said during questioning, if he had not been pulled over, he would be in jail by now. The teen is only facing traffic charges at this point. Officer Gibbs said it is to hard to prove intent because he never actually brought the gun to school. Police are still trying to figure out where the teen got the gun. APS officials would not comment on camera, but told News 13 the Volcano Vista student could be suspended or expelled. The boy is in Children Youth and Families Custody right now.

My question to you is: if there was a situtation like this at your school, would you feel safe being there? Do you feel that APS has provided you with a safe enough environment? Please answer in a short paragraph. Have a great weekend!
-Noriega

Homework Blog #1

In recent news, The Water Authority is trying to flush out a stinky situation in the North Valley.
The Water Authority described the smell. "It is a very unpleasant rotten egg smell," said David Morris, with the Water Authority. People who lived the odor explained it differently. "It should be condemned it smells so bad," one resident said. "It will start filling up this room just like I was in an outside toilet."On Tuesday, neighbors, including hospice patient Priscilla Chavez, said the summer has been a smelly one on Chavez Road."The sewage tends to flow a lot slower than it would elsewhere," Chavez said.

On Wednesday, the Water Authority said the flat sewer line causes the sewage to not move through the area as quickly, but right now workers are trying to change that.
"We are actually increasing the flow to this area to make it speed up to see if that would help the problem," Morris said. By turning some valves the Water Authority can do that. They also plan to pour in some hydrogen peroxide and that's not all. "The Water Authority is going to open up this manhole and put monitors inside to measure the gas levels to see if they are irregular. Also, they are going to rely on the residents in this area to tell them if the smell is going away," Morris said. "We would hope that they would see fairly immediate results from the things we are taking, say within a day or so." If not, the Water Authority said it has some other ideas and they won't stop till they fix this.

In a short paragraph describe the importance of this situation and whether you think the city should take care of immediately or is you think there are other things we should worry about.
-Mr. N

Homework Blog #6

The New Mexico State Legislature has adjourned after approving the final part of a budget-balancing plan that will provide more than $230 million from tax increases. The House and Senate agreed Thursday on a proposal increasing the cigarette tax by 75 cents a pack for four years. It will raise $33 million next year. A third of the money is earmarked for pre-kindergarten and other early childhood programs for one year. The special session lasted four days. Lawmakers have approved a $5.6 billion budget and tax increases to help pay for government operations next year. Included is an eighth-cent increase in the gross receipts tax on goods and services. A tax on food, averaging about 2 percent statewide, will be reinstated starting in July. Much of this money will go towards education. With that said, do you think that increasing taxes in our state is beneficial and needed during these times? Please answer in a short paragraph.
-Noriega

Homework Blog # 5

The Albuquerque convention center is bustling with athletes from across the country who have landed in Albuquerque. More than 400 men and women will compete in the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships this weekend.ESPN will cover the championships live. "Albuquerque is going to be on national TV this weekend and in a very positive way," said Mayor Richard Berry. "It's our chance to shine as a city and it's our chance to show the rest of the country and the world that Albuquerque is a great place for sports. We've got great sports fans here, and it's just a great place to be." City leaders said they hope to fill every seat inside the Convention Center this weekend and they tell us for as little as $12 spectators can check out all of the action on the track. Local downtown business owners hope this weekend's nationally televised Track and Field Indoor Championships will help vault their businesses. My question to you is, Do you think that having more high profile events in New Mexico like this would benefit the state? Please answer in a short paragraph.
-Noriega

Homework Blog #4

In Recent News, Gov. Bill Richardson was the topic of a Larry Barker(KRQE) investigation expose of The Governor's political job practices. Last week, the investigation chronicled how Richardson created high-paying appointed jobs, often for people with little or no qualifications. Barker also exposed how the governor hired, transferred or gave pay raises to 150 of his own exempt employees after a hiring freeze that he ordered to help address the state's budget crisis. During this time of economic crisis, the state of New Mexico is feeling it as well. Plans on cutting educational programs are being dicussed at the state capital as we speak. My question to you is, do you think that we should keep better track of how our politicians are spending our hard earned tax dollars? Please answer in a short thoughtful paragraph.
-Noriega

Homework Blog #3

In recent news, the Super Bowl is set for February 6th. People across the US are organizing Super Bowl parties, buying big screen TVs, and purchasing their favorite teams attire. With that said, the Super Bowl is a huge money maker. Not just for the players, coaches, and team owners but also for the television companies. Television companies like CBS use the Super Bowl a great source of economic profit. Companies like Coca Cola, Budweiser, and GoDaddy are forking over the big bucks to have a 30 second time slot in the broadcast. One might ask "How much does this 30 second slot cost?" It's reported that a commercial on CBS costs somewhere between $2.5 and $2.8 million! My question to you is, do you believe that this is a really affective advertising campaign? Do you think that these companies should be spending this amount of money during a time of economic crisis? Please answer in a short paragraph.
-Noriega

Homework Blog #2

In recent news, A former New Mexico Motor Vehicles Division employee has been indicted after being accused of issuing false driver's licenses. He is accused of issuing two false driver's licenses and tampering with a public record while employed at the MVD. The allegations arose from an internal investigation by the Taxation and Revenue Department's Tax Fraud Investigations Division into a questionable title transaction. The MVD is a division of the tax department. How do you think this person should be punished if he is found guilty? Also, do you think that the MVD should be better equipped to avoid situations like this from happening again? Please answer in a short paragraph.
-Mr. N

Homework Blog #1

In recent news, Bernalillo County Residents were asked to vote on a very interesting issue. The issue.....turning Albuquerque's South Valley into a separate city. This city would be called Valle De Atrisco. Residents voted on January 5th 2010. With all 44 precincts counted, unofficial results of Tuesday's election showed more than 93 percent of the voters rejected the idea of a new Bernalillo County community called Valle de Atrisco. Supporters argued that a separate community would give the area more control over its future. Opponents questioned how much revenue a new community could raise toward the cost of operating government services.
Valle de Atrisco would have been New Mexico's fifth-largest city, with a population of about 53,000. My question to you is: What do you think should have happened with this issue? Should we have created a new community? Or would this really affect people in the south valley in a major way? Please answer in a short paragraph.
-Mr. N