Hard Work

Who ever thinks that working for government isn't hard work should meet this crew. I attended our twice a month cabinet meeting in Governor Richardson's office today. These meetings last about two hours with the cabinet and staff briefing the Governor and each other on issues everyone should know something about.

This picture is of Ned Farquhar, the Governor's Energy and Environment Policy assistant. Actually, I don't know if that is his real title, but it is close enough. Ned has an impressive background which includes heavy duties in Alaska with their Natural Resources Department. He then ran the Natural Resources Council in Vermont where he got to interact with Governor Howard Dean. He then travelled to New Mexico to head up 1000 Friends of New Mexico, a smart growth group. After he finished that job he went to work for the Packard Foundation in California before being lured back to take on his duties for Governor Richardson. Ned is helping the Governor take on a much needed role for a Western Governor, that being a conservationist and energy innovation activist. The Governor's stand on responsible public land use and protection of wilderness has gained him many friends in the environmental community around New Mexico and the Nation.

I have a good story about Ned. When I was Mayor I asked him to serve on the City's Environmental Planning Commission. He accepted, but the city council refused to approve him because he worked with an environmental group. It didn't matter that for many years the EPC had been packed with conflicted developers! This particular movida by the council was one of the most frustrating things that happened during my term in office. No, I don't know what that is on his chin.




This is Bianca Ortiz Wertheim, Director of Cabinet Affairs. She is the 'go to' person if you need to speak to the Governor or get some face time with him on official business. She is always extremely helpful and she herds us folks on the Cabinet in a manner that makes you feel good. This is another smart woman who should run for office one day. Yes, she is married to State Democratic Party Chairman John Wertheim. Hmm, a "Power Couple".

This is Marissa Gonzales, Bianca's assistant. She always has a smile and positive attitude. This young woman and all of the staff of the Governor's office work very hard. They rarely get time for lunch, they arrive to work early, leave late, and often work weekends. Most people don't know or recognize that people of this caliber are working for them.