![]() A more than 20-year-old plan that could see the eventual construction of some 4,000 homes in a north central New Mexico town is seeing new life. The Albuquerque-based Campbell Farming Corporation is proposing a gradual, incremental development of roughly 8,000 acres in the town of Edgewood, 30 miles to the east of the Duke City. What is being called the Campbell Ranch could see the initial construction of up to 180 homes on lots ranging in size from less than an acre to around 1.5 acres. Due to ongoing concerns about water usage, the community project as now proposed will see the construction of only one golf course, instead of the two originally proposed. The updated proposal is also placing an emphasize on what is being called “sustainable water strategies,” which will include a minimal use of turf in public and private landscapes. The project, which has for years been opposed by area residents due primarily to water issues, has now been approved by the Edgewood Planning and Zoning Commission, but may still go before the town’s council. By Garry Boulard
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![]() Covid-related lawsuits specific to the workplace are continuing to rise, according to a new study, with expectations that the upward trendline will continue well into 2022. A study released by the Alexandria, Virginia-based Society for Resource Management shows that as of the end of last summer there had been more than 444 Covid 19 workplace lawsuits. During the same June to August time period this year, that number had increased to 715. The report additionally notes that “the first eight months of the year have averaged 253 new claims filed per month, compared to 159 new lawsuits filed in the final eight months of 2020.” Those new lawsuits represent a 59% increase in litigation activity. Where the lawsuits have been filed appear to generally track the nation’s demographic profile with California seeing 895 cases, followed by New Jersey at 416, and Florida at 232. States in the West have generally recorded a smaller amount of litigation, with 24 cases filed in Arizona, 43 in Colorado, and 25 in New Mexico. The lawsuits are specific to a broad swath of industries, with healthcare seeing by far the greatest number of cases at nearly 768, followed by retail at 334, and manufacturing at 285. The construction industry has been hit, too, but is still somewhat down the list with 177 cases. One of the smallest numbers has so far been recorded in the warehousing and storage industry with, to date, only seven lawsuits. The cases themselves revolve around everything from remote work and leave issues, to employment discrimination and whistleblower matters. The outlook for additional workplace Covid 19 lawsuits, according to a website maintained by the Atlanta-based law firm Fisher Philips, remains murky. Noting both the speed of law changes on the subject as well as an ongoing “ambiguity on how to manage certain situations,” the law firm predicts that employers “will continue to be a hot target for labor and employment litigation arising from Covid 19 in the coming months.” By Garry Boulard ![]() A school district based in Grand Junction may soon see the construction of a long-awaited new high school, depending upon the fortunes of a bond election in November. Members of the Mesa County Valley School District 51 have voted to put on the ballot a $115 million bond dedicated to the building of a new Grand Junction High School. The current two-story school, built in 1955 and located at 1400 N. 5th Street, has long been thought to be too small and not up to date for today’s school needs. The nearly 70-year-old structure has additionally been plagued by a number of structural issues, including the cracking and sinking of its foundation. Altogether, it is expected to cost around $144 million to build a new facility. Additional funding for the project to the tune of $10 million has been secured through Colorado’s Building Excellent Schools Today grant program. Another $19.5 million will come from funds originally approved in a 2017 bond measure. An addition built to the original structure housing a gymnasium, and determined to be in good condition, will be kept intact. The new three-story school will see construction on the northeast corner of the current Grand Junction High School campus. Once the new school is completed, plans call for the existing school to be demolished. The voter approval record for proposed bonds in the District 51 is uneven. In 2017, voters approved a $118 million bond, but two years later rejected a larger $179 million bond. By Garry Boulard |
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