LOCAL HEROES
County Commission honors wounded army vet, cites RR’s undefeated football team
A wounded U.S. Army veteran was honored, and a proposal to develop a climate assessment form for county employees was discussed at Thursday’s Sandoval County Commission meeting.
Presentations began with Gordon Schei, veterans service officer, speaking of his role and the need to continue helping veterans in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. The father of Eric Schei, a wounded warrior and Purple Heart recipient from the Iraq War, told the commission he was in need of a permanent office to continue the services he provides to veterans.
“I am here to try to get some movement in the county to get me an office in the Sandoval County area,” Schei said. “I feel this area is very underserved for veterans and I would appreciate it if the commission would help with that.”
Commission Chairman Don Chapman said he would find someone to help Schei obtain an office.
Schei said he had been using a vacant office in the county administrative building on the first floor once a month, but was not given official access to the office permanently.
County Manager Phil Rios said he would have no problem setting him up in the vacant office on a permanent basis, given his request and nature of his work.
Chapman quickly replied, “Done,” to settle the matter and appease Schei’s request.
District 2 Commissioner Jay Block gave his appreciation to Eric Schei for his sacrifice and service by standing and saluting him. Block initiated a line of people to shake Eric Schei’s hand, which included members of the 2016 Rio Rancho Rams varsity football team.
Block went on to recognize the Rams for their perfect season by honoring them with a plaque and proclaiming Feb. 17 as “Rio Rancho Rams Day.”
Unanimous approvals were given to upgrade network storage, and to allow a professional alliance between Sandoval County and the Town of Bernalillo for ambulance service.
Chapman requested a motion to encourage state representatives to adopt House Bill 275, which in turn would promote public-private partnerships for governments to enter into with private-sector partners on longterm contracts.
According to the state Legislature’s website, HB 275 is waiting to be introduced to the House Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee.
During the commissioners’ comments segment, Block proposed the commission create a climate assessment form for employees to gauge their current working environments.
The assessments are proposed to be anonymous surveys for employees to take to express what improvement leaders can make to help the departments run smoothly, according to Block.
“When you receive as many complaints as I have lately, you start to look at them with a critical eye,” Block said. “The question I have is, do we have systemic workforce problems across the county? If it is systemic, I find it disturbing from the information I received.”
Although Block did not give any details on whom or what entity he received complaints from, he proposed the commission consider fast-tracking this initiative.
The next county commission meeting will be held on March 2 at 6 p.m. at 1500 Idalia Road, building D, in Bernalillo.