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County Connections  -  December 2023

Mr. Potato Head Returns to Bloomfield

Important Dates

• November 30 @ 5:30 pm - Farmington 'A New Mexico Christmas' Parade

• December 4 @ 6:30 - Bloomfield 'Wild West Christmas' Parade

• December 5 @ 4:00 pm - San Juan County Commission Meeting

• December 9 @ 6:00 - Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade

• December 10 - Property Taxes DUE

• December 19 @ 4:00 pm - San Juan County Commission Meeting

• December 25 & 26 - Christmas Eve and Day (observed, County offices closed)

• January 1, 2024 - New Year's Day (County Offices Closed)

Clean Up San Juan!

It has become somewhat of a Thursday-before-Thanksgiving tradition. The NMDOT sends crews out to clean up the highways in San Juan County. In the last few years, San Juan County crews have joined the effort. If you were traveling on NM 516 between Aztec and Farmington, or US 64 between Farmington and Bloomfield on November 16, you undoubtedly saw a lot of green vests along the side of the road. If you didn't see the people, you probably saw the multitude of FULL trash bags left behind. This year it was more than 75 people from NMDOT, City of Bloomfield, NM, City of Farmington, New Mexico, and San Juan County along the roads picking up trash, making our county more beautiful. The agencies all dedicated staff time (and by extension taxpayer dollars) to the cleanup effort. The trash bags they left behind will be picked up on Friday. First, we want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the people and agencies who were cleaning up the county in a tangible way. Second, we want to challenge you to help us keep it clean! It is probably harder to throw trash out the window than not. Tarping your load is easy. Maybe take a second when you fuel to throw away the litter from the back of your truck. Every little bit helps. Show some respect for your home, the land, and your fellow residents, and Clean Up San Juan!

Hot Topics

Deputy Chief Donovan Mack

Happy Holidays from San Juan County Fire and Rescue! As we embrace the holiday season, let's prioritize safety to ensure a joyful and accident-free celebration for you and your loved ones. Here are some essential safety tips: Heating Safety:  - If using space heaters, plug them directly into an outlet, not a power strip, and ensure they have a safety shutoff switch. - Keep space heaters at least three feet away from curtains, drapes, furniture, or any flammable materials. - For stoves and fireplaces, clean the flue, maintain a safe distance from flammables, and extinguish fires before going to bed. - Never use your oven or cooking stove as a heating source.   Decorating Safety:  - Inspect holiday lights for broken or frayed wires, and opt for LED lights, which generate less heat. - Avoid overloading outlets or power strips with too many lights, following the manufacturer's instructions and warnings. - If you have a fresh tree, make sure to water it regularly and keep it hydrated at all times. Dispose of dry trees promptly. - Candles should never be left burning unattended. Extinguish them before leaving the house and keep them away from other flammable decorations, with a minimum one-foot clearance. Consider battery-operated candles if you have children or pets at home.   Remember, safety is a gift you give to your entire family. Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday season! From all of us at San Juan County Fire and Rescue.

SJCSO Spot

On November 9th, 2023, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit took delivery of a new Bell 505 helicopter. The Bell 505 is a major upgrade from our current aircraft.  The 505 has improved performance to aid the Air support in their missions. The aircraft is equipped with upgraded avionics, radios and mission systems including mapping, loud hailer/public address and cameras.  The 505 comes with an upgraded, high-definition color/IR camera system.  It can operate in many different light levels and environmental situations. State of the art equipment provides air crews with outstanding resolution and picture quality. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is very proud of its ability to provide this regional asset to support public safety in the Four Corners area. Thank you to the County Commissioners for reprioritizing the helicopter to the top of their capital project list last year during their Support Law Enforcement initiative.  Also thank our local legislators for securing the funding in the capital outlay from the New Mexico legislature.

San Juan County is Hiring!

Are you looking for a fulfilling career where you can Build A Stronger Community? See our current openings at SJCounty.net/jobs

Holiday Mental Health

(Editors note: Thanks to NAMI for the following tips.)

The holidays can be a joy-filled season, but they can also be stressful and especially challenging for those impacted by mental illness. For individuals and families coping with mental health challenges, the holiday season can be a lonely or stressful time, filled with anxiety and/or depression. If you’re living with a mental health condition, stress can also contribute to worsening symptoms. 

Here are some suggestions for how you can reduce stress and maintain good mental health during the holiday season:

• Accept your needs. Be kind to yourself! Put your own mental and physical well-being first. Recognize what your triggers are to help you prepare for stressful situations. Is shopping for holiday gifts too stressful for you? What is making you feel physically and mentally agitated? Once you know this, you can take steps to avoid or cope with stress.
• Write a gratitude list and offer thanks. As we near the end of the year, it’s a good time to reflect back on what you are grateful for, then thank those who have supported you. 
• Manage your time and don’t try to do too much. Prioritizing your time and activities can help you use your time well. Making a day-to-day schedule helps ensure you don’t feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks and deadlines. It’s okay to say no to plans that don’t fit into your schedule or make you feel good.
• Be realistic. We all have struggles one time or another and it’s not realistic to expect otherwise. Sometimes, it’s simply not possible to find the perfect gift or have a peaceful time with family. 
• Set boundaries. Family dynamics can be complex. Acknowledge them and accept that you can only control your role. If you need to, find ways to limit your exposure.
• Practice relaxation. Deep breathing, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation are good ways to calm yourself. Taking a break to refocus can have benefits beyond the immediate moment.
• Exercise daily. Schedule time to walk outside, bike or join a dance class. Whatever you do, make sure it’s fun. Daily exercise naturally produces stress-relieving hormones in your body and improves your overall physical health. 
• Set aside time for yourself and prioritize self-care. Schedule time for activities that make you feel good. It might be reading a book, going to the movies, getting a massage, listening to music you love, or taking your dog for a walk. It’s okay to prioritize alone time you need to recharge. 
• Eat well. With dinners, parties, and cookie trays at every turn, our eating habits are challenged during the holiday season. Try to maintain a healthy diet through it all. Eating unprocessed foods, like whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruit is the foundation for a healthy body and mind. Eating well can also help stabilize your mood.
• Get enough sleep. Symptoms of some mental health conditions, like mania in bipolar disorder, can be triggered by getting too little sleep. 
• Avoid alcohol and drugs. They don’t actually reduce stress: in fact, they often worsen it. If you’re struggling with substance abuse, educate yourself and get help.
• Find support. Whether it’s with friends, family, a counselor or a support group, airing out and talking can help. 
• Keep up or seek therapy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to share with your mental health professional. They can help you pinpoint specific events that trigger you and help you create an action plan to change them. If you’re already seeing a therapist, keep it up.

Help is available by dialing or texting 988

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing or texting 988 from a smartphone. You can learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on their website.