It's a delicate political balance between the state, the oil and gas industry and the need for protecting New Mexico's water. On the regulation and enforcement side, Mark Fesmire of the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department has earned hig h marks from at least one statewide organization, Conservation Voters New Mexico.

Fesmire, director of the Oil Conservation Division, was presented with the conservation group's 2010 Conservation Hero Award during a recent legislative reception.

The award recognizes Fesmire's efforts at groundwater protection, according to Sandy Buffett, executive director of Conservation Voters New Mexico. Buffett pointed to the division's implementation of the Pit Rule, which requires protective lining of all oil or gas pits in areas where surface or groundwater could be threatened.

Fesmire, a Cloudcroft native, is a licensed petroleum engineer and attorney. Department Secretary Jon Goldstein described him as a dedicated champion of protecting New Mexico's precious water."

Three state Department of Health employees recently were presented with commendations for their work performance by the agency's state epidemiologist, Mack Sewell, and Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Landen.

Dawn Keen, Cecelia Herrera and Hector Cruz are administrative support employees in the Epidemiology and Response Division. The three are "frequently asked to do extra assignments and do so without fail," their bosses said.

Keen was singled out for compiling distribution lists to help the division communicate information about the H1N1 flu in the early days of its appearance. A 12-year DOH employee, she handles countless phone inquiries related to infectious disease in New Mexico.

Herrera has been with the agency 11 years. In charge of coordinating the division's legislative bill analysis process, she is known among co-workers for remaining "unfailingly cheerful as she assists folks with whatever is needed from the division." Cruz, a three-year employee, is the staff's fix-it man, who "gets anything and everything done," his supervisors said.

A fresh batch of new commissioned New Mexico State Police officers has joined the agency's ranks after a 20-week period of intensive training. The group recently was honored during a ceremony at the James A. Little Theater, with congratulatory words from Department of Public Safety Secretary John Denko, State Police Chief Faron Segotta and Inspector Mike Valverde.

The new officers are: Gustavo Avina, Tayna A. Benally, Christopher J. Blea, Ryan N. Boone, Rodger W. Brunson, Brent A. Ellington, Tony J. Fetty, Donn R. Herrera and Nicholas Levine. Also: Mark L. Lucero, Michael R. Mariscal, Adrian Nana, Michael John Nemitz and Richard H. Pries. Rounding out the group are Armando Reyes-Llamas, Chad D. Roberts, Gerald Todacheenie, Kevin C. Truesdale and Raymond J. White III.

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