City transit drivers continually deal with the craziness of traffic and the unpredictable nature of riders' moods and quirks.

One city of Santa Fe transit driver has been recognized for the opposite qualities. Orlando Valdez was named the city's August employee of the month for his consistently calm, cheerful, conscientious manner, which remains the same, day in and day out, his nominators say.

Valdez was nominated for the award by rider Bill Huey and others who cite the No. 4 bus afternoon driver's professionalism, respect for all riders and levelheaded approach to passenger safety. He was among the first drivers to begin blocking traffic at the South Capitol train station while bus passengers cross the crosswalk, Huey said, adding: "We choose to ride the Santa Fe city bus because of the excellent work of Orlando Valdez."


Cheri Vogel, senior water resources and conservation coordinator in the Water Use and Conservation Bureau of the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, has earned regional recognition for her conservation efforts in the state.

On Sept. 19 the American Water Works Association (Rocky Mountain Section) will present Vogel with the annual Alice Darilek Water Conservation Award. The award honors her "exceptional performance and commitment to water conservation in the region." Among her numerous accomplishments: delivering regional and national presentations and developing elementary and high school curriculum on water conservation, initiating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Fix-A-Leek campaign in New Mexico and developing a systematic methodology for calculating daily per capita water use. Vogel previously was named her agency's employee of the year, among other state and national awards.

Also with the Office of the State Engineer, Polly McCord has been elected to the board of directors for Amigos Library Services, a nonprofit membership organization for libraries in 15 states. McCord, the OSE's librarian, is the sole member of the 19-member board who represents a state agency library, and the only one representing a library devoted to a single subject matter. The OSE's library houses materials related to the history, science, law, use and management of the state's water resources.

More than a dozen Santa Fe Police officers took a step up the promotional ladder earlier this summer. Promoted from officer to sergeant were: Mario Salbidrez, Mark Barnett, Adam Gallegos, Robert Vasquez and Donald Duran. The department's four new lieutenants are Marvin Paulk, Alan Mascareñas, David Holliday and Louis Carlos. George Ortiz and John Schaerfl rose to the rank of captain, and Gillian Alessio and William Johnson now hold the position of deputy chief.

If you have news about a public employee, contact Gussie Fauntleroy at gussie7@fairpoint.net.