Northern New Mexico College’s Board of Regents now has five Senate-approved regents — and none of them is from El Rito.
Española City Councilor Alfred Herrera, retired educator Cecille Martinez-Wechsler and current Board President Michael Branch were all confirmed March 14 by the state Senate.
Herrera said when the group went before the Senate Rules Committee, Sen. Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque) emphasized the importance of communication between the Board and those they serve — students, faculty and the community at large.
“It actually went smoother than I anticipated,” Herrera said. “We just kind of got a little pep talk.”
Members of an El Rito citizen’s group did speak against the confirmations, but the committee vote was unanimous, Herrera said.
The El Rito Citizens’ Caucus has been petitioning Gov. Bill Richardson and key senators to replace either Herrera or Martinez-Wechsler with someone from El Rito, Northern’s original home and the location of its second campus.
Herrera attended his first Board meeting as a regent March 19. Branch has been on the Board since 2003, and Martinez-Wechsler began attending meetings immediately after she was appointed by the governor in January 2008.
All five of Northern’s regents are appointed by the governor to six-year terms.
From a press release
Contestants are being sought for the third annual Chili Cook-Off to benefit San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen in Española.
The event is scheduled for April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Big Rock Casino.
Participants can bring their best chili and salsa recipes and compete for prizes and trophies.
For attendees, tickets cost $10 for adults and $3 for children and include a Mexican buffet and chili tasting.
For more information, visit www.smdpsoupkitchen.com or call 367-4288.
The soup kitchen is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Apple Valley low-income housing neighborhood off of Railroad Avenue.