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