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Luis Sanchez-Saturno/The New Mexican
Photo: A cement pumping crane involved in the construction of the New Mexico
History Museum in downtown Santa Fe fell over on its side on Lincoln
Avenue Saturday morning, crushing the rear of a car and damaging a
tree. No one was injured.
Rick Hernandez of Hernandez Concrete Pumping said the company was supposed to pump 100 yards of concrete for the floor of the second story. But the operator of the truck was not able to fully extend the outriggers because of the tightness of the job site. "They won't let us have the whole street to set up," Hernandez said. The boom, which was extended about 80 feet, became imbalanced and tipped over, hitting the back of a car owned by Rodger Montoya, a jewelry vendor at the Palace of the Governors.
Hernandez said he hired a crane to pick up the boom. His operator was able to start the truck and fold up the boom. But the truck's transmission was damaged and the vehicle will be towed to a yard in Albuquerque. Another truck will be brought in this week to finish the work.
"I'm just so glad there wasn't a pedestrian walking by," Hernandez said.
Rick Hernandez of Hernandez Concrete Pumping said the company was supposed to pump 100 yards of concrete for the floor of the second story. But the operator of the truck was not able to fully extend the outriggers because of the tightness of the job site. "They won't let us have the whole street to set up," Hernandez said. The boom, which was extended about 80 feet, became imbalanced and tipped over, hitting the back of a car owned by Rodger Montoya, a jewelry vendor at the Palace of the Governors.
Hernandez said he hired a crane to pick up the boom. His operator was able to start the truck and fold up the boom. But the truck's transmission was damaged and the vehicle will be towed to a yard in Albuquerque. Another truck will be brought in this week to finish the work.
"I'm just so glad there wasn't a pedestrian walking by," Hernandez said.
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1/26/2008 - 1/27/08
Former governor backs ClintonALBUQUERQUE — Former Gov. Bruce King and his wife, Alice, have endorsed New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, praising her experience and long public service.
The three-time New Mexico governor said he has known the former first lady since the late '70s. "She was always very interested in uplifting everyone," the 84-year-old King said in a telephone conference call Saturday.
Alice King said Clinton has worked for many years to better the lives of children, seniors and disabled people, and has a "great deal" of experience.
Clinton has also picked up endorsements from John Wertheim, former chairman of New Mexico Democratic Party, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has been endorsed by state Treasurer James Lewis, former Democratic National Committee chairman Fred Harris, former Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca and state House Majority Leader Ken Martinez of Grants.
Union chief enters commission race
Elizabeth "Dolly" Lujan, district president for the 1199 Hospital Employees and Nurses Union in New Mexico, announced Saturday that she is running for the District 4 Santa Fe County Commission seat being vacated by Paul Campos.
Lujan, a Santa Fe native and lifelong Democrat, has been a registered nurse at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for 41 years. Her No. 1 concern, she said in her announcement, is the drilling proposed in the Galisteo Basin.
"I feel the environmental impact the drilling will have on the area overshadows the economic impact the drilling will bring," she said. Lujan is also in favor of higher salaries for sheriff's deputies and more affordable housing throughout the county, not just on the south side.
Lujan and her husband Tobias, or "Toby," have lived for 30 years of their 39-year marriage on Galisteo Street, where they raised their three children, Thea, Eric and Tara.
Unitarians to pray at the Roundhouse
"Love makes a family," is the theme of the Rev. Stephen Furrer's sermon this morning. But instead of preaching at the Unitarian church on Barcelona Road, Furrer will be delivering his remarks from the steps of the Roundhouse at an 11:30 a.m. service. He will stress, as a welcoming congregation, the church should do all it can to support the governor's domestic partnership legislation that extends spousal benefits to domestic partners.
Richardson makes appointments
Gary Bland has been reappointed as New Mexico's state investment officer.
Gov. Bill Richardson said in announcing the appointment last week that under Bland's leadership, the state's permanent funds have grown at a rate once thought unimaginable.
The investment officer, working with the state Investment Council, has seen state permanent funds increase from $9.4 billion to $15.3 million since 2003. With legislative approval, the council has modernized the permanent fund portfolio and diversified investments.
Richardson also reappointed a University of New Mexico vice president, David Harris, and a Santa Fe-based portfolio manager, Andrew Davis, to the council.