Last week I spent three days in Santa Fe going over legislative issues with various State Cabinet Secretaries and other public officials. Since the 2017 session hasn't begun yet, it was a pleasant trip to Santa Fe. The hotels aren't full and bustling with political folks. The Roundhouse was actually quiet and it didn't take long to catch an elevator to the fourth floor. It was a nice visit.

Once I returned to Grant County, a few folks that knew I had been in Santa Fe asked me what was the best part of the trip. I have to admit, it was making a side trip into Rio Rancho for a meeting with a company located there. Because at the end of the meeting I cut through the North Valley area and spotted a Popeye's Chicken. Yep, my Ford Excursion suddenly veered to the right and there I was... sitting in the middle of a parking lot... staring through the windows at the order counter of Popeye's.

I know it sounds silly, but I like Popeye's Fried Chicken. I bought a box filled with spicy chicken strips and Cajun fried fish. That meal lasted almost to Socorro as I traveled home. Two days later, I could still smell the Cajun spices in my truck. Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm.

You have to understand, I got excited when I learned that Las Cruces was getting a second Church's. And as some people can attest, I'll leave the fine hotel in downtown Santa Fe to pick up Church's chicken and an order of fried okra on the outskirts of that city. Yep... I am definitely a product of the South.

While I was in Santa Fe, the Silver City Town Council decided to hold off on making a decision regarding new Welcome to Silver City signs. I know that for some people it is a matter of how does the City pay for the signs. Yet there are other folks who simply didn't like the designs. After returning home I saw a pretty neat looking picture of a Welcome Sign in the Silver City Daily Press. It would be nice to have eye-catching Welcome signs; however I am glad I don't have to choose which sign to build or where to get the money to pay for them. Good luck Town Councilors!

Bids to manage the Grant County Business & Conference Center must be filed in about a week. Hopefully the County administration will make a decision and they will host an Open House - Ribbon Cutting event to show off the remodeled facility. It looks really nice and offers the ability to host multiple events at the same time. I think it is a facility that everyone will be proud of. Once it is open, I hope everyone will tell their friends about the facility, and even share information with groups throughout New Mexico. This Conference Center will be a great place for events and conferences. We will simply need to get out the word about the availability of the building.

Our Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for business issues and local opportunities. And though we don't have a Popeye's, we have other restaurants that have great food and service. It's always nice to return home and enjoy our local surroundings and be with friends.