Breaking News: Terminix Man Charged with Second Degree Felony Involving Local Woman
Terminix truck seen driving along Diamond Drive recently. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Longtime Los Alamos Terminix man, Charles Herrera, has been charged with criminal sexual penetration.
The charge stems from an alleged incident that occurred inside the home of a local woman for whom he has provided pest control services for many years.
Read the full story in Thursday’s Los Alamos Monitor.
Last week began with large numbers of students out sick with the flu but Los Alamos Public Schools is reporting that the numbers have tapered off to more normal for this time of year.
Mountain and Aspen elementary schools showed the most absences, LAPS Business Services Manager John Wolfe said this morning.
Mountain began last week with 36 students out sick and was down to 21 by Friday, he said.
Aspen reported 60 children sick early in the week and that number had dropped to 36 Thursday, Wolfe said.
UNM-LA and LAPS to Partner in Mail Out Election Set for Feb. 2, 2010
UNM-Los Alamos Campus Resources Director Lisa Clough and Los Alamos Public Schools Busuness Services Manager John Wolfe during Monday's Advisory Board Meeting in the student center. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Early next year, UNM-Los Alamos will ask voters to approve a two mil levy.
It’s the first time in 29 years the college has asked the community for this kind of help and they need it desperately to augment reduced operational funding.
At the same time, Los Alamos Public Schools will seek voter approval for a much needed six-year extension of an existing bond.
Because the two entities are each feeling the economic pinch, they have agreed through their respective boards to join forces in order to save money in their election efforts.
A major savings will be realized in splitting the $25,000 county clerk fee. Additional money will be saved as well through the sharing of public education campaign costs.
“I think it will be a good partnership and we will save as least $12,500,” UNM-LA Advisory Board Chair Marie Chiravalle said during Monday’s board meeting at the student center.
UNM-LA Advisory Board members in foreground from left, Nelson Hoffman, Chair Marie Chiravalle and Ron Dolin review documents prior to Monday's meeting. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
LAPS Business Services Manager John Wolfe attended the meeting and explained that if the advisory board approved the motion, both the school bond question and the college mil levy question would appear on a single ballot.
“We’ve been working with Dr. Page (Cedric) and Lisa (Clough) since our school board approved the joint election at our Oct. 22 meeting.
The County Clerk’s Office will mail out the ballots Jan. 11, Wolfe said, and voters will have until Feb. 2 to return the ballots to the clerk’s office.
Advisory Board members approved the motion 4-0 to hold a joint election. Member Michael Wismer was absent.
A coin toss set to occur in the near future will determine which entity gets top billing on the ballot.
Read the full story in the Los Alamos Monitor.
Police Beat items are compiled from public information contained in Los Alamos Police Department Records.
Charges or citations listed in Police Beat do not imply innocence or guilt.
Oct. 29
9 p.m. – Jennifer Boyance, 42, of Los Alamos was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of prescription drugs.
Oct. 30
8:42 p.m. – Gerald Heck, 31, of Los Alamos was arrested on Deacon Street and charged with assault upon a peace officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct based on a call to the VFW of a possible domestic disturbance.
Oct. 31
9:40 p.m. – Ivan Vasin, 18, of Los Alamos was arrested in the form of a criminal citation and charged with Minor in Possession (MIP), as a result of an investigation of a complaint of suspicious activity at 2234 47th St.
10:30 p.m. – A 16-year-old Los Alamos boy was charged with possession of more than an ounce of marijuana as a result of a traffic stop on Trinity Drive. He was referred to the juvenile probation officer and released to her parents.
Nov. 1
4:59 p.m. – Joseph Fawcett, 28, of Los Alamos was arrested at 6 Laredo near Los Alamos National Laboratory and charged with DWI, possession of drug paraphernalia and other traffic offenses as a result of an investigation into a single vehicle rollover crash on East Jemez Road.
1:50 p.m. – Kelly Casados, 41, of Los Alamos was arrested on State Highway 502 and charged with DWI as a result of a traffic stop.
5 p.m. – Four juveniles were contacted and one admitted to vandalizing a building at 1075 Iris St. The case was referred to the juvenile probation officer and the juveniles released to their parents.
Nov. 2
9:22 a.m. – A 62-year-old Los Alamos man reported his wallet stolen from the self-checkout area of Smith’s at 535 Central Ave., while he was checking out.
4:35 p.m. – A 36-year-old Los Alamos woman reported damage to her property on Central Avenue. The estimated damage is less than $1,000.
4:53 p.m. – Randy Mock, 40, of Los Alamos was arrested at 1627 Central Ave., and charged with criminal damage to property of a household member following an investigation of an alleged domestic disturbance.
Nov. 3
9:38 a.m. – A business in Quemazon reported someone threw a rock through its window. The estimated loss is $200.
10:22 a.m. – A 69-year-old White Rock woman reported rocks were thrown through windows and the door of a building on Longview Drive. The estimated loss is $901.
Nov. 4
8:26 p.m. – Jedidiah Parkes, 26, of Los Alamos was arrested on West Road and charged with DWI based on an investigation of suspicious activity in the area of Camp May Road.
Tea World Expands Offerings to Include Freshly Baked Pastries Just in Time for Holiday Parties
Story by Katy Korkos/for the Monitor
Pastry Chef Daria Cuthbertson joins the culinary team at Tea World inside Cook'n in Style at 15th and Central Avenue. Photo by Katy Korkos/for the Monitor
Just in time for holiday entertaining, Tea World has expanded its bakery and pastry offerings to include freshly made pies, cakes, quiche, tortas and breads to take home.
With the addition of pastry chef Daria Cuthbertson to the staff of Tea World, the selection of baked goods at Tea World has expanded from the original choices of muffins, cookies and scones to now include pies, cakes, and bread to take home.
Tea World/Cook’n in Style owner Liz Thomson said that she had gotten many requests for baked goods to take out, but with the small bakery space available inside the shop and her limited staff, she had always had to say no to those requests in the past.
The space has not expanded, so advance notice will still be necessary in order to fulfill the requests. “We’re going to have pumpkin pies and apple pies for sure, and other baked goods with appropriate notice,” Thomson said.
Thompson hopes to save busy working families some time around the holidays, while still having the good flavor and quality of home-baked goods.
Cuthbertson is professionally trained as a pastry chef, and brings years of experience to her position, having most recently worked at Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe.
She has two young children at home, and prefers working in Los Alamos to save on the commute time and to be closer to her family.
Because of her experience, she is accustomed to creating recipes that cater to special diets and requests. A gluten-free, lactose-free Chocolate Almond Torte is on the menu, and has proven to be very popular.
“For any cakes, people are going to have to come in and talk to Daria as to exactly what they want,” Thomson said. “We look forward to helping you have a wonderful Thanksgiving without spending three days in the kitchen.
Thomson, with the help of chef David Korkos, has been quietly growing the menu of Tea World, inside the Cook’n in Style cookware shop, over the past year, beginning with the addition of sandwiches made with freshly baked bread and soups made daily.
The shop also offers quiche, calzones, tortas and salads as “savories.”
Within the confines of Cook’n in Style, Thomson has the cookware shop, cooking classes, lunch room, the bakery and tea shop.
The busy little shop has also welcomed the return of “Afternoon Teas by Dottie,” after Dottie Reilly’s summer hiatus.
The Afternoon Tea experience is unique, providing an elegant setting for a nearly-traditional English tea, complete with Devonshire cream.
Thomson and crew are stocking the shelves of Cook’n’ in Style with new products for the holidays.
To accommodate her customers holiday baking urges, Thomson is bringing in 300 new cookie cutters, every kind of cookie decorating sprinkle and icing, premium vanilla extract and a wide variety of fresh spices.
And for those who prefer a tamale extravaganza rather than the cookie production line, Thomson recommends a deep steamer to heat the tamales.
“I recommend a multi-pot,” Thomson said. “It’s an eight-quart pot with a pasta insert, so you can set the tamales upright to steam.”
The store also carries large roasting pans, oven thermometers and pie pans in both ceramic and metal versions.
Cook’n in Style and Tea World are located at 1631 Central, next door to Metzger’s Do-it-Best.
The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
For holiday orders, call 662-7890.
Life Is So Nice During the Pleasant Fall Season Currently Taking Place in Los Alamos
Sun rays shine down on the children's statue near Ashley Pond. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Kids making the most of the warm fall days having lots of fun at Torpy Park. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Despite warm days, patches of snow survive as shown here on the shady side of Central Avenue. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Los Alamos High School Football Team members during afternoon practice. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
A couple of bucks munch vegetation along Rose Street recently. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Tyrone, the small dog about town, keeps an eye on the Diamond Drive construction progress recently. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Chamber Executive Director Kevin Holsapple shows his Halloween spirit on Central Avenue. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Claire Roybal of the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce has a devilishly good time with her saintly husband Ross during Treak or Treat on MainStreet. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Tyrone the Yorkie often attends events about town and at Halloween he took time out from his socializing to plant several kisses on his favorite friend Katy Korkos of the Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Carol A. Clark/for the Monitor
Employees Nicole Evans and M J Oref staff the Monitor's booth during the big Halloween event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
New Mexico Dance Theater members perform a Pink Panther number as a large crowd looks on. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Dancer Kelly Dolejsie performs with the company. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
Hotel lobby. Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
General Manager Agatha Marquez. Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
Indoor pool. Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
Breakfast space. Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
Room with fireplace. Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
Room with kitchen. Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
Standard room. Photo by J. Bartram/Viewfinder
Max Baker displays his Nambe retirement gift on Oct. 21 as County Council Chair Michael Wheeler displays a hearty laugh at right. Photo by Shari Mills/for the Monitor
County Councilor Sharon Stover shares words of tribute with Max Baker on the eve of his retirement. Photo by Shari Mills/for the Monitor
Something clearly cracked up County Council Chair Michael Wheeler at right as Max Baker plays it a little cooler. Photo by Shari Mills/for the Monitor
This family embraced the Wizard of Oz for Halloween. Photo by Shari Mills/for the Monitor
Los Alamos Police Lt. Chuck Ney presents a badge to a smaller version of himself. Photo by Shari Mills/for the Monitor
Local Attorney Steve Laurent Settles Happily with his Family into Los Alamos Lifestyle
Local attorney Steve Laurent in his LA Mesa Law firm office inside the Community Bank Building at 15th and Central Avenue. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Steve Laurent took a calculated risk leaving the big city in search of a simpler life in Los Alamos.
He and wife Anne Laurent sought to calm their busy lives and place more focus on family.
Anne accepted a job as the county’s Capital Improvement Projects and Facilities director in 2008.
Steve partnered with local attorney Michael Lane to form LA Mesa Law Firm, P.C., attorneys and counselors at 1475 Central Avenue, Suite 125, in the Community Bank Building.
“I’m pleased as punch I decided to make this decision at this point in my life. I would have been up for partner right now and I don’t regret leaving and coming here because I really derive a lot of satisfaction out of our lifestyle here,” Steve said.
He held a Michigan law license for seven years before he arrived in town and has been practicing law for the last year under Lane’s license.
“I worked as a business transaction and real estate attorney for the Miller Johnson firm in Grand Rapids, which was comprised of 100 attorneys. I’m happy to move from a more corporate atmosphere to assisting people in Los Alamos with their daily needs, whether buying or selling homes, drafting wills, acquiring financing, starting businesses or finding creative ways to deal with the financial crisis and housing crunch,” Steve said. “For me it’s very rewarding and I value my role as an advisor and being trusted to help take care of the important details affecting their lives.”
Lane moved Steve’s admission to the bar before the New Mexico Supreme Court at a Sept. 21 swearing-in ceremony in Albuquerque.
Steve has found his niche in the local community, he said. He has joined the board of directors of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation.
“This affords me the opportunity to give back to the community. I have experience in economic development, financing and construction; some of the issues that are goals in our community such as how do you attract business, how does the county incentivize growth,” Steve said. “Because of having that experience, I feel and I can contribute something so I am happy to serve on the LACDC board.”
Steve explained that he has big corporation experience that he’s able to bring to this small community, which helps his clients deal with big banks.
“We try to find win-win solutions and preserve people’s peace of mind. It’s ironic that as lawyers, very little of what we do involves the law but rather helping people find that peace of mind,” he said.
Read the full story in the Los Alamos Monitor.
Story by Monitor Editor Roger Snodgrass
LANL Director Michael Anastasio
Nuclear watchdogs in New Mexico have seized on compensation data in federal recovery act records to call attention to the total compensation packages paid to top managers in the nuclear weapons complex.
“That LANS pays Michel Anastasio $800,000 a year, double President Obama’s salary and that two other LANS executives make more than $520,000 shows a priority for exorbitant salaries over good management and environmental cleanup,” said Don Hancock of Southwestern Research and Information Center in a press release Thursday.
Hancock first found the information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Web site, recovery.gov, which became available recently.
Jay Coghlan of Nuclear Watch New Mexico, which immediately followed up with further information, also comparing Anastasio’s salary with Obama’s.
“It is peculiar that the director of the laboratory who has supported new design nuclear weapons and resumed industrial-scale expanded nuclear weapons production is making twice as much as the man who won the Nobel Prize for trying to rid the world of them,” Coghlan said this morning.
The data, which shows Los Alamos National Security as having received 13 prime-recipient and subcontract awards that require quarterly reports under the ARRA, lists the top five officers for Los Alamos National Security and their “compensations.”
Speaking for the laboratory, Communications Director Jeff Berger said the on-line postings are not salary figures, but rather “total compensation, which includes salary and can include such things as bonuses, contributions to 401k, and allowances for housing and vehicle expenses.”
“It is also important to note that much of that compensation isn’t from taxpayers,” Berger said.
DOE limits the amount that can be reimbursed, to just under $400,000 per year and the contractor must pay any additional compensation from its own corporate funds.
Also, Berger added, compensation must be commensurate to the job at hand.
In Anastasio’s case, that includes managing, “Two billion dollars worth of budget, 10,000 employees, 40 square miles of facility; and not least, the nature of the work we do, which is national security science and weapons work,” he said.
*Michael Anastasio is listed at $800,348 per year;
*Jeffrey Blair of the University of California, $264,233;
*Glen McCoy Kizer, chief financial officer, $522,440;
*Roland B. Knapp, head of contractor assurance, $522,440; and
*Isaac E. Richardson III, deputy lab director, $555,515.
Read the full story at www.lamonitor@lamonitor.com.
Anthony Mortillaro
Hearty good wishes laced with ardent expectations that Anthony J. Mortillaro leads Los Alamos in the right direction filled two public receptions welcoming the new county administrator.
County staff, community leaders and members of the public turned out Wednesday at the White Rock Fire Station and Thursday at Fuller Lodge to shake Mortillaro’s hand.
“I’ve worked with Tony for the last five years and he knows the region well, which is important to Los Alamos County. He’ll run things in his own style and that’s as it should be,” Rep. Jeannette Wallace, R-Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Sandoval said. “He’s very experienced and very capable and I’ve no doubt he will do a good job.”
Mortillaro has more than 30 years of local government experience. Preceding this appointment, he served as assistant county administrator since Aug. 2004.
Prior to joining Los Alamos County, Mortillaro served as town manager of Prescott Valley, Ariz. and City Manager of Blaine, Wash.
Read the full story in the Los Alamos Monitor.
Local Business Leader Dave Fox as Never Before Seen and as Likely Never to be Seen Again
Dave Fox dons a frilly pink tutu in an act of solidarity with Dance Arts Los Alamos dancers and staff during their ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce this evening and held inside Trinity on the Hill Church. DALA Director Valerie Silks clearly enjoys the sight. Photo by Katy Korkos/for the Monitor
Ballerinas prepare to perform at DALA's ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the chamber. DALA's Katie Bridgewater addresses attendees. Photo by Katy Korkos/for the Monitor
LAHS Principal Grace Brown
Los Alamos High School Principal Grace Brown announced her retirement during a gathering of high school staff Tuesday after school.
“But don’t count me gone just yet, I will be working up to my last day,” Brown said.
This morning Brown explained that when she checked on her retirement status in July she discovered she was actually losing money every day that she worked and realized her income would be higher if she retired.
In sharing the news of her retirement, Brown said she’s really enjoyed her years here and that she is proud to have worked with such “top notch” people.
“I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead such a wonderful school,” she said.
Brown’s announcement was met with more than a few tears and the long, loud applause of an appreciative staff, according to a news release Wednesday. Many staff members lingered well after Tuesday’s announcement to share stories and good wishes with Brown.
Assistant Superintendent Kate Thomas spoke this morning about Brown and the outstanding job has done in her role as principal.
“I’ve learned a lot from Grace in the short time I’ve known her. I’ve really appreciated her leadership, especially her opening her door to everyone, that’s been a real gift to the high school,” Thomas said.
County Councilor and longtime youth advocate Sharon Stover has worked closely with Brown during the last couple of years and while she wished Brown well in her retirement, she said she hates to see her go.
“I’ve worked with Grace on lots of youth issues including Los Alamos Youth Leadership and the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board. She was always coming up with new programs to help kids succeed,” Stover said. “She works with kids on an individual basis and last year she helped five kids graduate. She really has the students’ best interest at heart. She has such a great smile that would make her eyes twinkle. While we’re sure going to miss her, we do hope she has a wonderful retirement.”
Stover spoke of how Brown embraced the community from the moment she arrived here on July 5, 2007. Brown rose from a pool of 10 applicants and three finalists to win the top position at LAHS when Lynne Saccaro retired.
Former Superintendent James Anderson described Brown at the time as having a great sense of humor. He said Brown was the overwhelming choice by everyone involved in the selection process, including himself.
Police Chief Wayne Torpy also is a strong youth advocate who was instrumental in bringing the skate park, dubbed “Torpy Park” to downtown Los Alamos. He has worked with Brown on a number of youth initiatives and during an interview Wednesday, he commended Brown for her contributions to Los Alamos youth.
“It’s been a real pleasure having her here at the high school and in the community. One of the things I liked most about Grace was that she was not just active at the high school but she was involved in other programs throughout the community that related to youth,” Torpy said. “Grace has always been willing to work through issues to find solutions and we’ve really appreciated her positive attitude.”
Read the full story at www.lamonitor.com.
New Mexico health officials say a 27-year-old woman from Doña Ana County is among the latest state residents to die in the last week after contracting the H1N1 virus.
The woman reportedly had no chronic medical conditions. The state also reports four other deaths from the H1N1 flu including a 51-year-old man from Valencia County, a 4-year-old boy from San Juan County, a 53-year-old man from McKinley County and a 53-year-old man from Bernalillo County.
These five deaths bring the state total to 26 deaths related to swine flu this year, according to New Mexico Health officials.
Officials say a 49-year-old man whose death was reported last week has been determined to be a resident of another state and is no longer included in the New Mexico death count.
Executive Director John Werenko, left, reports to board members during an Oct. 2o meeting at the Art Center at Fuller Lodge as Chairman Tom Alvarez looks on. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
The first rumblings of turmoil that bubbled to the surface last spring at the Art Center at Fuller Lodge has reached a boiling point with a growing number of board members and patrons cutting ties with the troubled organization.
Former Chairman Phil Kilgour resigned in June following a contentious board meeting the previous month at which he flipped a large table over screaming, “This is anarchy, anarchy, I’m the chairman, let me chair, this is anarchy.”
Police charged Kilgour with assault. In August, he pled guilty to disorderly conduct and the judge sentenced him to 180 days of unsupervised probation.
The judge also ordered Kilgour to have no contact whatsoever with board member Patty Kokesh whom he’d tangled with at the May board meeting.
Problems have continued at the art center and Kokesh resigned Oct. 20.
“I resigned because of the unprofessional manner the board has used regarding John Werenko (ACFL executive director), allowing him to make decisions the board should be making. John has used his position over and above that of an executive director,” Kokesh said Tuesday. “He is very demeaning to women, doesn’t consider us competent volunteers or employees.”
Board members interact during the October meeting held upstairs at the Art Center at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Kokesh referred to a letter Werenko apparently wrote to Kilgour late last year in which he insulted female employees working at the art center.
“Even after he admitted writing the letter to Stephani Johnson at the county, the board still didn’t sanction John. They were only concerned with how the letter was obtained, and who released it,” Kokesh said. “The content of that letter accurately illustrates my experience with John.”
Local blogger Greg Kendall posted the letter on his Los Alamos County Views blog Aug. 27.
“Since then people have contacted me saying John is telling them there is a police investigation underway about me and how I obtained the letter. I state on my blog I was given the letter by a member of the art center in my capacity as a member of the
media,” Kendall said.
Kendall resigned as ACFL communications coordinator in 2007 and has worked at PAC 8 and KRSN since.
Police Chief Wayne Torpy addressed the investigation allegation this morning.
“We have no investigation underway regarding Greg Kendall and a letter or for any other matter,” Torpy said.
Kendall described being “shocked” by the letter’s content.
“When faced with a bully, I had two options. I could run and hide in the corner or I could face the bully head on and that’s what I decided to do. Today (Tuesday) I received a letter from Santa Fe attorney Tracy Conner saying she was representing the ACFL board. She requested I take the letter down from my blog, which I don’t plan to do.”
Former board Secretary Maria Theye reported jumping out of the way of the table Kilgour flipped over at the May meeting. She spoke at length Tuesday about her reasons for parting ways with the art center.
“I was glad my term was up in June. I did not pursue serving further because of all the turmoil going on there,” she said. “When I was on the board and John Werenko decided to bring an attorney on (to attend the June meeting in which Kilgour resigned), I told him the art center is a nonprofit and we can’t afford it. We struggle to raise $100 or $200 and he spent $1,600 on the attorney and he never consulted one single board member. I also think Doris Jackson is a wonderful person and a priceless employee and I was very disgusted by the way John treated her.”
Jackson resigned Monday after more than four decades with the art center. She’s volunteered and served on the board since the 1960s and was paid staff the last eight years as artist gallery manager and volunteer manager.
“Since that letter by John was published in August I’ve been waiting to see what action the board would take against him. He mentioned a lot of us in that letter,” Jackson said. “I think it was three weeks ago that it became clear this board wasn’t going to do anything and that things were not going to change so I decided to resign and pursue other interests.”
Werenko referred to Jackson’s and another employee’s husbands in the letter saying, “As far as Doug’s (Coombs – former board member) comment about Doris (Jackson) and Becky (Hackenberry) seeing me as ‘hierarchical,’ that really goes to the heart of the matter!! Both women have such weak husbands that are under their thumbs they cannot stand to have a man tell them what to do or how to do it. It has nothing to do with my governance style it has to do with their relationship with men in the work place and their husbands.
“I orchestrated this entire thing because I had gotten sick and tired of the innuendos, back stabbing and closet female gossiping.
“I also wanted to re-establish your authority over the Board and this was the only way to do it, call out someone from the staff that had violated a major by-law of the organization and force the issue to a board meeting. I did this knowing full well that I would be hung out to dry. But that is the price that had to be paid. What we have demonstrated is not management but real LEADERSHIP.”
The art center is a nonprofit organization that receives a portion of its funding from the county. Los Alamos County Community Services Director Stephani Johnson addressed Werenko’s letter in a Sept. 14 correspondence to current ACFL Board Chair Tom Alvarez.
“I wanted to point out the clause regarding non-discrimination. I believe this issue is directly related to a couple of the comments made by Mr. Werenko in his letter to Mr. Kilgour where he writes that both women have such weak husbands and refers to their relationships with men in the workplace. I just wanted to make you aware of the requirement in the agreement and that I am concerned by those comments. The county does have an expectation that the board will follow up on any comments the public might have with the operation of the art center. You assured me the board is taking this matter very seriously and that if you feel the need for follow up, you will proceed in that direction.”
Board members take a vote at the Art Center at Fuller Lodge Oct. 20. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Alvarez said this morning, “There is a long history of evidence in e-mail form from Mr. Kendall in action and behavior that Mr. Kendall holds a great deal of animosity for Mr. Werenko and he seems intent on smearing Mr. Werenko in any way he can and getting him removed from the art center.”
Werenko refused to admit writing the offensive letter during a telephone interview with the Monitor Friday.
“I have no comment about the alleged letter … my names not on it. I’m not saying if I did or did not write the letter. I don’t want to continue this conversation,” Werenko said.
Werenko did respond regarding the assertion that people are resigning and citing him as the cause.
“I think the organization has changed dramatically and evolved to where the new board has a definite way of running things in a more professional and official manner. I’m hired at the pleasure of the board so if anyone has a problem with that then they have to
decide what they want to do,” he said.
Longtime art center artist and volunteer Susannah Smith completed eight years on the board serving most recently as vice chair and chair pro tem when Kilgour quit.
“When I finish my current show on Nov. 20, I’m severing all ties with the art center so long as John Werenko remains employed there. He’s caused too much division and strife and he’s been very vindictive and what’s left of the board is mainly unprofessional and dysfunctional and I don’t want any part of it.”
Another longtime artist and volunteer, Ken Neble, also intends to sever his ties with the art center.
“I was fairly insulted about how the new board was being put together and I resigned after the first meeting. I feel John has acted very unprofessionally and said some inappropriate things stating I was going to bring legal action against someone, which was not true,” Neble said.
“I asked him to remove those statements from some correspondence and he said he would but he didn’t – I can’t support that organization the way it’s being run. I was involved with the art center for so long but now I’ve removed all my art work from the front gallery and as soon as my Life Drawings Sketchbook show ends Nov. 21, I’ll end my association with the art center,” Neble said.
“John has really alienated a lot of people long before this current mess; there’s actually a ‘We hate the art center because of John Werenko club’ in town,” Neble said. “He’s been what I would consider abusive for a long time and it’s just gotten out in the news more lately because more people are less willing to put up with it.”
Read Werenko’s letter in it’s entirety at www.lamonitor.com.
Workers dig a trench on 9th Street near Central Avenue Monday afternoon. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Former Village Arts co-owner Marilyn Warren hands over the keys to the business to new co-owner Ken Nebel Saturday morning at the store in Central Park Square. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Friday marked a three-way win in a local business transaction.
Former owners, new owners and many loyal customers throughout the community all benefit from the sale, which keeps Village Arts by Marilyn operating in town.
Marilyn and Gary Warren officially sold their business to local businessman Jim O’Donnell and artist Ken Nebel.
The men are keeping the Village Arts name and framing portion of the business.
They also plan to expand the art supply section, eliminate gifts and add art classes.
They also intend to move the business to a building on DP Road.
Saturday marked the final order placed by Marilyn and the first order placed by Nebel.
“I’m just so excited; it’s going to be great. It’s a little bit scary but I’m too tired to think about it much,” Nebel said. “The other building is coming along fine and should be ready sometime later this month for us to move into.”
Marilyn and Gary spoke highly of Nebel and O’Donnell and their abilities and talents for continuing on with the business.
“I couldn’t be any happier with the people who bought Village Arts. Jim and Ken are just the perfect combination of a business person-photographer and an artist. Of all the people who looked at the business and talked about buying it, they are the best of all to take it into the future. Jim’s an experienced businessman and Ken is a fantastic artist and art teacher. He is very familiar with all of our customers because he’s worked at the store for three years,” Marilyn said Saturday morning as she and Gary prepared to head back to Denver.
Read the full story in Tuesday’s Los Alamos Monitor.
Police Beat items are compiled from public information contained in Los Alamos Police Department Records.
Charges or citations listed in Police Beat do not imply innocence or guilt.
Oct. 26
1:30 – A 25-year-old Rio Rancho man reported leaving his wallet at Smith’s on Central Avenue and later discovering charges had been made to his credit cards. This case is under investigation.
Oct. 27
1:55 a.m. – A 31-year-old Los Alamos woman reported her residence burglarized of a variety of personal items.
3:32 a.m. – Ashley Hagermann, 21, of Los Alamos was arrested and charged with DWI and possession of drug paraphernalia on North Road as a result of a traffic stop.
1:26 p.m. – A 15-year-old Los Alamos boy was charged with possession of marijuana at 35th and Questa Dr. and referred to the juvenile probation officer.
1:26 p.m. – A 15-year-old Los Alamos boy was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia at 1300 Diamond Dr. and referred to the juvenile probation officer.
1:26 p.m. – A 14-year-old Los Alamos girl was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia at 1300 Diamond Dr. and referred to the juvenile probation officer.
9:27 p.m. – A 12-year-old Los Alamos boy is charged with burglarizing a home on Walnut Street. The boy was referred to the juvenile probation officer and released to his parents.
Oct. 28
11:44 a.m. – A 31-year-old Española man reported the theft of his vehicle while loaned to a family member. The theft was allegedly discovered after the vehicle was involved in a hit and run traffic crash. The estimated damage is $1,500.
Read Police Beat archives at www.lamonitor.com.
