Rep. Valdez honors first responders

State Representative Donald Valdez, center, pays tribute to the first responders of Alamosa during the Alamosa city council’s May 16th meeting. Valdez specifically commended the first responders for their actions and efforts on April 17 when Alamosa was struck with multiple fires including a wind-whipped brush fire that evacuated a portion of southern Alamosa as well as structure fires. Many area fire departments lent mutual aid as well as city and county departments. From left are Alamosa City Councilors Jan Vigil and Liz Thomas Hensley, Alamosa Fire Chief Don Chapman, Councilman Michael Carson, Representative Valdez, City Public Works Director Mark Wright, Alamosa Police Chief Duane Oakes, Alamosa Councilors Charles Griego and David Broyles and Mayor Ty Coleman.