Silver City Town Councilor Cynthia Ann Bettison is seeking reelection to the District 1 Council seat in the March 3 Municipal Election. Bettison has served on the Town Council for three consecutive two-year terms beginning in 2009. She has been a resident of District 1 for over 16 years.

"I am very passionate and committed in my service as the District 1 Councilor. I am running for reelection as District 1 Councilor to continue to work with Town Councilors, the Mayor, town staff, and residents to make a difference in our lives and our community while conveying the concerns of the citizens of District 1 and advocating for their needs," said Bettison.

During her 6 years as District 1 Councilor, Bettison said she is honored to serve on Town Councils that have rebuilt Penny Park after two devastating fires, completely overhauled the Land Use Code, created the Vistas de Plata Affordable Housing Development, installed a solar array at the wastewater treatment plant, saving an estimated $6 million over 20 years, secured a $6 million bond without a tax increase for quality of life projects, and prohibited texting while driving before the State of New Mexico did. She has co-sponsored or sponsored legislation including, the Reduction of Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bags, prohibit Aggressive Begging, restricting firework purchase and use to specific holiday periods, permitting backyard chickens, and a resolution requesting State Legislators retain the Hold Harmless Gross Receipts Tax distribution.

Her passion and commitment extends to taking advantage of every educational opportunity and training offered by the New Mexico Municipal League to increase her knowledge and understanding of the concerns and issues faced by municipalities, and knowledge of municipal governance and state statutes. In 2010, she received Certified Municipal Official status from the NM Municipal League and continues to attend advanced training annually to better serve Silver City residents.

An active member of the NM Municipal League, Bettison serves on the Tax Task Force, Community, Economic Development, Governmental Operations & Human Resources Policy Committee, and on the Budget, Credentials, and Resolutions Committees. She is serving her second two-year term as a Director-at-Large of the New Mexico Municipal League Board of Directors, giving a much-needed voice to the unique needs of Silver City and the need to preserve municipal revenues.

Bettison moved to Silver City 24 years ago to become the director of Western New Mexico University Museum. She quickly became involved in local civic groups and non-profit organizations, carrying on a family tradition in volunteerism. She is a member of the Grant County Prospectors, the Silver City Rotary Club, the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce, and Chapter AG of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She is past president of the Silver City Rotary Club and Assistant District Governor of Rotary District 5520.

Bettison says her service on the Town Council and the NMML Board of Directors "flows naturally from the desire to serve my community, especially the residents of District 1, and advocate for the needs of New Mexico municipalities, especially Silver City, at the state level."

Her goals as District 1 Councilor "...include continuing the excellent collaborative work that the Council has been doing to ensure our town is sustainable into the future, and to continue to be a good financial steward of the town's budget, making certain, despite the significant reductions in municipal revenues our Town is facing due to the repeal of the Hold Harmless Gross Receipts Tax Distribution, that priority is placed on maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of all the Town's residents through essential services, and preserving quality of life services."

Bettison received her doctorate in anthropology with a specialization in archaeology of arid lands at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a registered professional archaeologist, and maintains professional affiliation with the Society of American Archaeology, the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, University Museums and Collections, Small Museum Administrators Committee, and the Register of Professional Archaeologists. She serves as member of the Society for American Archaeology's Committee on Museums, Collections and Curation, and as board member of the American Alliance of Museum's Small Museum Administrators Committee.