Happy New Year! We're kicking off 2025 with a packed edition of your City of Carlsbad newsletter. Inside, you’ll find activity calendars to help plan your month, along with a special message from Mayor Rick Lopez reflecting on our achievements and goals for the year ahead.
This month, our department spotlight highlights the Safety Department and their dedication to keeping our community secure. Plus, we’re excited to introduce you to the editor behind the newsletter. Here’s to staying connected and informed as we embrace the opportunities of the new year!
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DearNeighbors&Friends:
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Happy New Year! As we begin a new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all we’ve accomplished together as a community. This past year has been filled with progress, growth, and collaboration, and I couldn’t be prouder of whatwe’veachieved.Frominfrastructureimprovementstocommunityprograms andevents,we’velaidthefoundationforanevenbrighterfutureinCarlsbad.
For instance, the reopening of the Riverwalk Recreation Center, which underwent necessary upgrades, was an essential step towards improving the amenities for our residents. During the closure, the hardworking recreation center crew went above and beyond to make necessary improvements and ensure the facility was ready to welcome visitors before the new year. I want to thank them for their dedication. The center is now up and running with a full slate of exciting activities planned for January, which are detailed in this newsletter.
Looking ahead to 2025, there is still much to do, and I’m excited about the work ahead. We’re just getting started!
With the continued support of our dedicated city staff, councilors, and community members, I know we can accomplish even more in the coming year. I want to extend a special thanks toourcitycouncilorsfortheirhardwork and unwavering commitment to making Carlsbadabetterplaceforeveryone.
With a heavy heart, we also share the news of the passing of former Mayor DaleJanwayonDec.28,2024.Mayor
Janway was a Carlsbad native who dedicated decades of his life to serving our city and its citizens. He served three terms as mayor and was a former member of the city council. In addition to his public service, he worked in the potash and oil and gas industries, two key pillars of our local economy. We are deeply grateful for his many years of leadership and service, and we offer our most sincere condolences to his family and friends. Mayor Janway’s contributions to Carlsbadwillforeverberemembered.
As always, I want to thank you for your continued support and involvement in makingCarlsbadsuchaspecialplace.Here’stoagreatyearahead!
Sincerely,
CarlsbadMayorRickLopez
1st Place: Haley Bratcher
2nd Place: Jalynn Dominguez
3rd Place: Ayana Estrada
Hello,Carlsbad!
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
As the face behind the City of Carlsbad’s newsletter, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share a little about how this project began andhowithasevolvedoverthepastyear.
The idea for this newsletter was born from my desire to keep both our community and city employees informed and engaged through an interactive and accessible platform. In the nearly one year since its inception, the newsletterhasgrowntremendously,witharisingreadershipandtheadditionof new features like the Department Spotlight, Speaking of History with our city historian, and much more. It has become an invaluable tool for showcasing the many exciting things happening in Carlsbad—things that might otherwise go unnoticed.
While many city projects start behind closed doors, our goal has always been transparency and connection, ensuring you feel a part of the progress and initiativesshapingourcommunity.
A little about me: I’ve been honored to work for the city for almost six years, starting as a Business Professionals of America (BPA) intern with the Mayor's office during my junior and senior years of high school. That internship was a pivotal time in my life. Under the guidance of Mayor Janway, Cheyenne, and Kyle, I learnedsomuchaboutleadership, publicservice,andthe
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
importance of effective communication. Their mentorship gave me the skills and confidence I needed to pursue opportunities I never thought possible, and I remaindeeplygratefulfortheirsupportandencouragement.
In 2021, I graduated from Early College High School with two associate degrees, continuing my education online while working part-time as a receptionist for the city. Over the years, I advanced to roles like account clerk for the cashier's office and interim public information officer for the Mayor’s office. Today, I proudly serve as the Communications Specialist for the City of Carlsbad, working from the Mayor’s office to keep you informed about everythinghappeninginourcity.
My job brings its challenges, but it’s also a joy to experiment with new ways to share information and enhance communication. One of the most fulfilling parts of my role is organizing city events and assisting with community projects— seeingourcitycometogetherforacommoncauseisalwaysinspiring.
Thank you for your support over the past year. I look forward to continuing to share Carlsbad’s stories with you and helping our city stay connected and informed.
Sincerely,
ValeriaBannister CommunicationsSpecialist
1st Place: Jeff Patterson
2nd Place: Rosalyn Gonsalez
3rd Place: Mary Helen Valenzuela
Safety
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
When I started my career, I worked at WIPP but eventually wanted a job closer tohomeintown.ThatdesireledmetojointheCityofCarlsbad,whereI’venow worked for 13 years as the Director of Safety. My career spans decades of training and experience, including time with the County Safety Department, where I served for 22 years. Along the way, I’ve completed various safetyrelated trainings with organizations like OSHA, the National Safety Council, the AmericanHeartAssociation,andasafirefighterandEMT.
Over my career, I’ve learned that safety is about more than just rules—it’s a mindset, a culture. Changing how employees think about safety on the job takes effort, time, and daily reminders. Whether it’s ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), inspecting work areas, or keeping an openeyetopotentialhazards,safetymustcomefirsteveryday.
Recently, we’ve made significant strides in fostering this culture under the current administration, which has demonstrated a 100% commitment to safety. We’ve added a new member to our team who is eager to conduct inspections and training citywide. Teaching him to identify risks and hazards—beyond “tunnelvision”—iscriticaltocreatingasaferworkplaceforeveryone.
Sometimes, addressing hazards is as simple as stopping work to point something out. For example, employees were working near a dirt ledge recently, and I paused the job to discuss the risks. They saw the potential danger and agreed to adjust their approach. Small moments like this build the foundationofasaferworkenvironment.
related accident, despite working in high-risk environments like mines, WIPP, and the county. However, safety isn’t just about avoiding accidents—it’s about preparingfortheunexpected.
To that end, we’re launching a new online training program called “Vector Solution,” which will provide employees with convenient access to critical safety knowledge. This initiative will complement our existing classes, including CPR/FirstAid,DefensiveDriving,andOSHAtraining.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family—taking care of my grandchildren, hunting, and camping. Sharing these experiences and teaching my family the values of safety and preparedness is as important to me as the workIdofortheCity.
Building a safety culture takes dedication, teamwork, and constant vigilance. Together, with the City’s strong commitment, we’re making strides toward a saferfutureforallemployeesandthecommunityweserve.
Art & Financial Literacy Workshops: Investments & Your Future
Wed. January 15th:
Brews & Books at Milton’s Brewing
Sat. January 18th:
The Carlsbad Community Concert
Association presents Bachelors of Broadway at PR Leyva Auditorium
Mon. January 20th:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
City of Carlsbad CLOSED
Tue. January 21st:
Carlsbad Public Library Toddler Time
Carlsbad Public Library Stitcher’s
Anonymous
3D Mammogram On-Site Moblie Screening at SENMC
Wed. January 22nd:
Carlsbad Public Library Preschool Storytime
Carlsbad Public Library Lego Time
Thurs. January 23rd:
Carlsbad Public Library Baby Time
Fri. January 24th:
Carlsbad Public Library Toddler Time
Sat. January 25th:
Carlsbad Public Library Dungeons and Dragons
Tue. January 28th:
Carlsbad Public Library Toddler Time
Wed. January 29th:
Carlsbad Public Library Preschool Time
Carlsbad Public Library Lego Time
Thurs. January 30th:
Carlsbad Public Library Baby Time
Fri. January 31st:
Carlsbad Public Library Toddler Time
For more information regarding any of these events or others please visit the official City Events Calander.
New Online Utility Payment Portal
Effective January 1, 2025, the Online Utility Payment Portal will change. Customers registered with the current online system will be able to use the same email address to register with the new online system; however, customers will need to re-add their utility accounts to start using the new onlinesystem.
To get started, customers will need their “Customer No.” and “Account #” from their utility bill. There are many great features with the new online payment system. The new online payment system better integrates with the City’s utility billing software; therefore, payments will be posted in real time. In addition, customers will have options to pay online using either a credit/debit card or a checking account, and will have the ability to set up automaticpaymentsusingthesesameoptions.
In addition, customers may also submit their utility payments via an automated phone system by dialing 575-221-0772, where they will be guidedthroughtheprocessstepbystep.
Over the next few months, as the City continues to update water system technologies and software, enhanced features will become available to customers,suchasrealtimeaccesstowaterusage.
If you have any questions or concerns, or need assistance with setting up access,pleasecall: 575-887-1191.
Lake Carlsbad Golf Course
We appreciate the community’s patience as we work to improve the Lake CarlsbadGolfCourseforeveryonetoenjoy.
Here’sthelatesttimeline:
The Driving Range is anticipated to reopen by the end of February 2025.
The first playable 9 holes of the golf course are expected to be ready bymid-April2025.
In the meantime, the Par 3 course and the miniature golf course remain open and ready for play. We encourage golfers of all ages and skill levels to enjoytheseoptionswhilerenovationsareunderway.
Thank you for your continued support as we enhance one of Carlsbad’s favorite recreational amenities. Stay tuned for further updates! For any questions,pleasecallLakeCarlsbadGolfCourseat(575)885-5444.
HOLIDAY CLOSURES
New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Martin Luther King Day: Monday, January 20, 2025
HOLIDAY TRASH SCHEDULE
Wednesday, January 1st: Solid Waste & Sandpoint
Landfill will be CLOSED. The Convenience Station will be OPEN until 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 2nd: Wednesday and Thursday’s scheduled trash pick-up.
CITY COUNCIL
Rick Lopez, Mayor mayor.office@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ward 1
Edward Rodriguez | etrodriguez@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Lisa Anaya-Flores | laflores@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ward 2
JJ Chavez | jochavez@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Jeff Forrest | jjforrest@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ward 3
Karla Hamel Niemeier | kjniemeier@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Mary Garwood | msgarwood@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ward 4
Anthony Foreman | arforeman@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Mark Walterscheid | mewalterscheid@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
CITY ADMINISTRATION
Wendy Austin, City Administrator wdaustin@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ken Ahrens, Deputy City Administrator ksahrens@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
