Editor's Note: This is part 11 of a multi-part series. This article features the Fort Bayard Historic Landmark and a proposed tavern license.

By Mary Alice Murphy

Cecilia Bell represented the Fort Bayard Historic Landmark.

"We need your support," Bell said. "Being a national historic landmark and a New Mexico historic district has its problems. One person says to you, go to the federal government, and the federal government says, go to your state government. Neither does anything.

"The fort served as a military establishment from 1866-1899," she said. "On the 100th year after it became a medical facility, we formed the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society. We held our 15th annual Fort Bayard Days this year with a $4,000 budget. We hosted 500 students on the Friday. We have tours almost every Saturday and on special occasions.

"Many families in the area and the country have connections to Fort Bayard," Bell continued. "For the first time, we have real names of real people, not just the names of the officers who served here. These important things keep us going.

In July 2001, Fort Bayard was named a New Mexico Historic District and in 2004, a National Historic Landmark. In 2010, the buildings were vacated to move everyone to the new Fort Bayard Medical Center.

"The landscaping is done by us, leaving it as a fire hazard," Bell noted. "The New Deal Theater, in 2000, received a state appropriation of $395,000 to fix the interior and the stage. But now, the doorframes are broken, so we can't lock the doors.

"Fort Bayard maintenance says it's up to Historic Preservation to fix them," Bell said. "But there is no dialogue between state agencies. At the gate, the rock walls are falling apart. If we don't take care of it now, there won't be anything to take care of."

"I have a relative who is buried at Fort Bayard National Cemetery," Representative-elect John Zimmerman said. "So I have a vested interest in its preservation.

"I hear a lot of buck passing," Zimmerman confirmed. "We need to find out whose responsibility it is, and I will be an advocate."

"Have you filled out any capital outlay forms?" Rep. Dianne Hamilton asked.

"Because it's state property, we can't ask for capital outlay," Bell said.

"We can do the capital outlay form," Morales said. "It should be done by state government. Put it forward, so maybe we can get it from the Human Services Department.

"Grant County Day is important. Let's schedule a time to meet with DOH and HSD. It's relatively simple to get a doorframe fixed," he said.

Hamilton said: "You did get capital outlay money. Rep. Herrera and I got the money for the theater."

"What is the possibility of Santa Clara annexing it?" Zimmerman asked.

"Mayor Bauch sent the paperwork to do that, but he was ignored," Bell replied. "Another issue is the water."

"We can address the water issue," Zimmerman said. "If we can, it will resolve part of Santa Clara's water issue, too. I see a problem with maintenance of the campus. I see Fort Bayard being a big tourist draw."

Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments executive director, said: "Feasibility studies need to be done on annexing or taking over the property, because whoever it is has to take on the finances to keep the lights on."

"Several responses to the state's RFP of expressions of interest to take over the site were not adequate," Lucero reported. "It's too much for Santa Clara to manage."

"For Silver City, Santa Clara, Bayard and Hurley, water is an issue," Zimmerman said. "It's not just an issue for Santa Clara. Everyone will benefit if the water is resolved. Fort Bayard will attract tourism. I'm looking at the worldview, looking at what's possible. It will take some work, but it's doable.

"An agreement is underway to reduce the historic district down to just the 20 acres with buildings," Bell said. "Sen. Morales, I would like to meet with you on Dec. 15 or 17."

"That will make Jan. 28 meetings more likely," Morales said.

Alex Ocheltree presented on a proposed New Mexico Tavern License.

"I'm not asking for money," Ocheltree said. "I'm asking for statutory change that will bring in money, especially to rural areas.

The tavern license will have zero-dollar equity, he explained, and would not be transferable. It's a license for rural area that can't afford the $800,000-$900,000 cost of liquor licenses. Downtown Silver City could be a large draw from Tucson and Phoenix for rural tourism, just for short weekends.

"I was on the legislative task force talking about this proposal, but our recommendations were shredded into confetti," Ocheltree reported. "We need to proceed with what we've worked on that will benefit rural New Mexico. The existing liquor license holders don't want this and they don't want change. What is detrimental to the people of New Mexico was that they have formed monopolies.

"We can sell New Mexico products through a structure of non-transferable licenses, while leaving the equity licenses untouched," Ocheltree said. "We have been working on drafting, with Sen. Griggs, a bill for him to carry. The trade-for-activity license is for things that promote activities."

"You addressed the roadblock of existing liquor licensing holders, who want to protect their investment and equity," Zimmerman said. "I see their side, and I understand what you're proposing. I think the state would have to offer protection for the existing license holders."

"We had a talk about new licenses, which for $75,000 would be in competition with those for sale for $750,000," Ocheltree said. "If the license has zero equity, it would have no value to anyone except the holder.

"Right now, licenses can only be afforded by corporations, like Walgreen's and CVS," he continued. "This type of tavern license is not attractive to them. Red Lobster doesn't want this license. The corporations go for the brand-name liquors. This tavern license is only for New Mexico products.

Downtown Silver City has only beer and wine licenses. They need something that includes spirits, he said. People could come from Tucson for solid weekends.

"Thank you for your persistence," Morales said. "You're right in looking at rural New Mexico. But we also have to look at public health. I will work with Sen. Griggs."

"After a game, after an event, there is no place to go, except to a bar or a fast food joint," Ocheltree said.

Note: This article is taken directly from a transcript this writer is paid to deliver to the Prospectors each year for them to put the differently formatted information into the legislators' notebooks to be used during the legislative session and throughout the year.