Report: Vigil-Giron losing state job

Former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron is reportedly among exempt state employees being laid off as the governor's office eliminates 59 politically appointed positions to help deal with a state budget shortfall.

KRQE, Channel 13, reported that Vigil-Giron will lose her $60,000-a-year job as a constituent liaison with Department of Workforce Solutions as of Jan. 8.

When reached by The New Mexican on Thursday, Vigil-Giron said she couldn't comment.

Vigil-Giron, secretary of state from 1999 to 2006, was indicted in August on 50 felony counts of fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, making or permitting false documents, and soliciting or receiving kickbacks in a case involving millions of dollars in federal election funds.

Gov. Bill Richardson's office has refused to comment on which employees serving at his pleasure will lose their jobs. The only other confirmed exempt employee who will be laid off is the director of the Securities Division at the state's Regulation and Licensing Department, Bruce Kohl.

Other agencies said to be affected are the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Jobs forum set for today

City leaders gather this morning for a Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.

People who attend the forum, which runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., will be granted three hours of free parking in the convention center parking garage.

The forum will be carried live on Comcast Cable Channel 28 and online at www.santafenm.gov.

Mayor David Coss will open the forum with a short address, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Santa Fe Reporter columnist Zane Fischer.

Others participants are Councilor Rebecca Wurzburger, economist Michael Halsey, Santa Fe Business Incubator President Marie Longserre, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Business Agent John Hendry, Los Alamos National Bank Senior Vice President Fidel Gutierrez and Santa Fe Community College Sustainable Technologies Center Interim Director Randy Grissom.

Menorah lighting scheduled for Sunday

Santa Fe will celebrate its annual lighting of the Menorah on the Plaza, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Greetings will be offered by Mayor David Coss, followed by entertainment, music, singing and dancing.

Kosher refreshments will be served during a performance by Hebrew school students.

Cantor Michael Linder to will sing Hanukkah songs and Jewish Super Bowl ring holder Alan "Shlomo" Veingrad will speak at the free event.

Pools closed for swim meet

Some of the pools at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center will be closed today and Saturday to accommodate a Santa Fe High School swim meet.

The deep end of the 50-meter pool will be closed from 5 to 9:45 p.m. today. The entire pool area (including the 50-meter lap pool, the therapy pool and the sauna) will be closed all day Saturday.

City board seeks teen advisers

The city of Santa Fe is seeking two teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 to fill positions on the Mayor's Youth Advisory Board.

The 10-member board provides input to the mayor and City Council on youth-related policies and works to get other youth involved in the community.

Young people who are active and committed to their community and want to have a voice in city government should apply no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 8 to be considered for the board, a city news release said.

Application forms can be found by searching for MYAB on the city's Web site, www.santafenm.gov. Completed applications should be e-mailed to myabapplications@gmail.com.

For more information, call Gordon Betancourt at 955-6860.

Holiday events light state parks

New Mexico's state parks offer a variety of special holiday events through December.

Cerrillos Hills State Park south of Santa Fe will host a sidewalk astronomy program from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16. Winter night skies boast spectacular star viewing, and park staff will serve coffee, hot chocolate and cookies to keep visitors warm. For more information, call 505-474-0196.

Villanueva State Park and the village of Villanueva will host the fourth annual Las Luces de Villanueva from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 19. The park is off Interstate 25 between Santa Fe and Las Vegas, N.M. Luminarias and holiday decorations will light up the riverside park through the winding canyon. Refreshments will be available at the park. For more information, call 575-421-2957.

A beachfront luminaria walk, fireworks and floating lights parade will mark Elephant Butte Lake State Park's annual Weekend of Lights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. The event benefits the Make a Wish Foundation of New Mexico. For more information, contact the Elephant Butte Chamber of Commerce at 575-744-4708.