People will have two opportunities this weekend in Mescalero and Ruidoso to speak with New Mexico cabinet secretaries, or their representatives, about topics like workforce assistance, child care, water well testing, broadband access or help with Medicare benefits.

The events called “Cabinet in Your Community” are hosted by the governor’s office as a way for New Mexicans to connect with state government representatives. 

On Sept. 20, cabinet officials and others from New Mexico departments responsible for public health, the environment, public education and information technology will hold an expo and town hall at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. 

Similar events will be hosted at Ruidoso High School the next day, Sept. 21.

According to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office, the expo is a space where residents can meet directly with secretaries and state government officials to discuss issues they are having, or give direct feedback on ways state government officials can better serve New Mexicans.

People can learn about state programs to help with a job search, enrollment in Medicaid, help with child care, food or cash assistance, or unemployment benefits.

The town halls later in the day are another opportunity for residents to share issues with cabinet officials.

The Office of Broadband Access & Expansion is a state Information Technology department agency that will be in Mescalero and Ruidoso this weekend. 

Acting director for the office Drew Lovelace said he and representatives will be at both events to discuss issues with broadband communication systems.

Some infrastructure that provided internet access and cell towers were damaged by the South Fork and Salt fires. This left emergency responders and residents without cell service and access to other ways to communicate at pivotal times during the disaster.

The nonprofit Digitunity will also be at the community events in Mescalero and Ruidoso to take applications from residents who want to receive a donated refurbished desktop computer.

The New Mexico Environment Department said it will offer information and collect samples for free well water testing at both events over the weekend. 

Mescalero and Ruidoso residents can bring a water sample to deliver directly to a representative from the environment department. Tests will be free to the first 100 residents or while supplies last.

Results from that sample will be mailed to the resident within three weeks, according to the environment department.

Environment department officials outlined directions for people who want to take advantage of the free water well testing.

First, people should bring dimensions for well and water depth. State officials need the latitude, longitude and distance from the well where the sample is collected to the nearest septic tank or leach field system. People are also requested to bring any information on the casing material along the well.

New Mexico environment officials also gave directions on how to collect the water sample for anyone who wants it tested.

Anyone who wants to bring a sample should allow their water to run for at least three minutes. Then, state officials ask the person to fill at least a quart or liter of their well water into a clean, odorless glass or plastic container. Water samples should be collected before any filtration or softener system process. 

Water samples should be collected just before they are delivered to the state officials at the events in Mescalero or Ruidoso.