A meeting of New Mexico state officials at Questa’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) headquarters on Wednesday, March 30, entitled “Cabinet in Your Community” attracted about 30 locals: residents of Questa, Red River, and Taos. A total of 28 state officials were ready to help, set up at nine tables around the perimeter of the room.
The state agencies present included:
- Office of Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham
- Office of the State Engineer
- Higher Education Department
- Workforce Connection
- Human Services Department
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program
- Economic Development Department
- Department of Transportation
Mayor John Ortega stood up for Questa at the event. “One of the biggest issues I encountered while campaigning in Questa was the lack of law enforcement.” Mayor Linda Calhoun of Red River was in attendance and spoke of her interest in seeing the completion of new hiking trails between Red River and Questa to better connect the two communities. The Questa Independent School District Board President, Jason Rael, was also in attendance and spoke up about his interest in providing more vocational opportunities at our schools.
The main issues brought up by state officials and citizens alike were economic development, job creation, education recruitment, law enforcement recruitment, housing, addiction services, vocational training, water issues, and petty crime..
