A former Carlsbad resident has been in the national news for her efforts to help organize the COVID-19 vaccination process for the citizens of her community who want them. Dr. Keri Rath (formerly Keri Gard), who was the Carlsbad High School valedictorian in 1994, is now an OB/Gyn in Ruidoso. She was featured by CBS for recruiting her “Fabulous Ladies Book Club” to help with the vaccination process, and the Washington Post profiled the group in a Jan. 26 article. Rath’s husband, Dr. Stephen Rath, has had his clinic turned into a vaccination clinic. Medical professionals still administer the vaccines, but members of the book club have been assisting with the logistics and outreach related to the state’s tiered vaccination system. Thank you to Dr. Rath and her volunteers for doing their part to help New Mexicans, and for making Carlsbad proud. Reminder: the hotline for vaccination questions is 1-855-600-3453.
Carlsbad’s Faith Hope & Love Foundation is also stepping up to make sure our teachers and students are prepared for next week’s move into the hybrid mode. Anyone with needs for students and classrooms is asked to contact the Foundation at (575) 941-2022 or by email at fhlpfoundation@gmail.com. We had a great meeting with Dr. Washburn and Assistant Superintendent LaVern Shan early this week, and we believe our schools are doing a great job of addressing the wide variety of challenges taking place. There will certainly be many challenges, but we must stick together as a community and help move the process forward. Please call your child’s school directly if you have any questions related to next week’s schedule and policies.
The City of Carlsbad is pleased to be offering free income state tax preparation to seniors again this year. Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 10, and lasting through the tax deadline, seniors are able to receive this special tax assistance. Appointments this year will take place at the Carlsbad Museum, 418 W. Fox St. Please call 885-1402 to set up an appointment. You’ll have to follow all COVID-19 regulations and wear a face mask.
Dr. Ron Jarmin, Acting Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, sent out an update on Census efforts earlier this week. The Census had originally hoped to deliver the state population counts by the Dec. 31, 2020, statutory deadline. According to the most recent update, the current schedule now indicates a schedule of April 30, 2021 for the completion of the counts. We hope the Census Bureau will continue to consider Carlsbad’s unique situation and large number of temporary residents while evaluating its data.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway