Loving the game of golf is one thing; loving the golf course itself is another, especially when prolonged drought requires extra effort and attention to keep a course in good shape. John Allen, golf course superintendent for Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe, "does whatever is needed to keep it in the best possible condition," said members of the Marty Sanchez Links Advisory Committee.

For his hard work and conscientiousness, Allen was named the city's January employee of the month. He was unanimously nominated by the Advisory Committee, whose members described him as "completely responsive" to the committee's guidance.

Committee member Signe Lindell mentioned seeing Allen watering a green late on a Friday night, concerned that strong winds had dried out the grass. Allen watered again the following morning, "just to be sure," Lindell said.

"Without [Allen's] caring, the city could have sustained significant [revenue] losses during this very, very dry year," his nominators said.


The state Tourism Department's New Mexico Clean & Beautiful program earned a Diamond Recognition Award during the recent 58th annual Keep America Beautiful conference. The award honors the state program for its support of local Keep American Beautiful affiliates and for its "outstanding promotion" of the national organization's mission.

Tourism Department Secretary Monique Jacobson called the award a tribute to New Mexico Clean & Beautiful Program Director Joseph Lobato and Assistant Director Marilyn Tubbs for their "efforts ... in encouraging all New Mexicans to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments."


The state's Capitol Buildings Planning Commission was recently presented with a 2011 Merit Award from the New Mexico Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The award, co-earned by the Santa Fe-based landscape architecture firm Surroundings, recognized the "superb planning and analysis" that went into the state's South Capitol Campus master plan.


Anna Villa and Mary Dubose have retired from 20-plus-year careers wtih the New Mexico State Land Office. Villa worked for the agency for 27 years, most recently as manager of the Right of Way Bureau. Dubose, who spent almost 25 years with the State Land Office, was most recently acting director of the Surface Resources Bureau.


In celebration of New Mexico's 2012 centennial, the state Corrections Department has organized a poster/photo contest honoring the prison's history. Visit www.corrections.state.nm.us/news/centennial.html for details. Deadline for entries is Jan. 20.

The Corrections Department will host guided tours of the penitentiary's Old Main prison, south of Santa Fe, beginning Feb. 2. Contact rosie.sais@state.nm.com for a schedule and to RSVP for a tour.

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