Positive Events _Celebrating the Present, Honoring the Past, Ensuring the Future

I participated in four back-to-back, wonderfully positive events over the course of two days - positive for our economy and for the quality of life in our city. The first event was the significant ribbon-cutting event cutting for the opening of Fidelity Investments workspace at Mesa del Sol, the master-planned community that promises o be the city's poster child for green. Fidelityarrived in Albuquerque less than 1 year ago with a promise of creation jobs just at the time when fear of job losses began to creep across the country. The firm has been occupying temporary quarters while awaiting the completion of its building at Mesa del Sol. Completed in record time, all the company has to do now is move into its new space and and complete its hiring of the 300 workers they anticipated they would need.

Then the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce organized a luncheon to celebrate the Rodey Law Firm's 125th birthday. The speeches and reminiscences were inspirational. One speaker reflected on the possibilities of a combination of vision and values to contribute to the success and sustainability of institutions like the Rodey Law Firm, and I couldn't help thinking that Albuquerque, recently identified as an ideal place to work and raise a family, has enjoyed that status for much longer. Law firm founder, Rodey recognized that quality 125 years ago ever since he set up practice in Albuquerque.

The luncheon followed an early morning tour of the best water treatment facility in the whole nation. Four hundred fourth graders visited last year to see a room-size diorama that shows the course of the water we use, from its source at the continental divide to its delivery into our homes. The tour made me a believer out of me. I left the water treatment facility convinced I will no longer need bottled water. Expert and dedicated workers are hard at work every day at the facility, overseeing and treating the water supply to ensure its purity and safety.

At the end of the day, I had the opportunity to attend the celebration of the completion of the refurbishing of areas of Cibola, the first high school built on the Westside of Albuquerque. The makeover with a state-of-the-art, green, energy- efficient cafeteria and other spaces was impressive. Community leaders, legislators, and administrators reiterated their commitment to preserving the institution, and student musicians and dancers performed surrounded by student art in the new open space provided by the enovation.

If we are able to create jobs, we take care of today's needs. As we continue to protect our environment and non-renewable resources and prepare our children to love responsible and consequential lives, we take care of the future.