By Roger Lanse

Raul Turrieta, recently elected Grant County Treasurer, introduced himself to the council and reminded county residents of a couple of things. First, Turrieta said that veterans have a $4,000 dollar exemption on their property taxes. Second, a freeze on valuation for residents 65-years-of-age and older with an income of $32,000 or less is in effect for 2015. This exemption will need to be applied for each year, but after the third year, repeat applications will no longer be required. The freeze is only for the property's valuation, so if tax rates change, the tax owed will also change, Turietta stressed.

District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison encouraged residents to be part of the Neighborhood Watch Program, either by setting up a local group or joining one. For more information Silver City Police Department Chief Ed Reynolds should be contacted, she said.

Bettison said that on Jan. 22, from 6-8 p.m., at Western New Mexico University in the Student Memorial Building, she is going to have a "Conversation With A Councilor," focusing on recent burglaries, public safety, and other issues. Guests will include District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith, Town Manager Alex Brown, and Silver City Fire Department Chief Tim Heidrick.

Aiman-Smith encouraged residents to vote in the upcoming school board election for Districts 3 and 5, which will occur on Feb. 3, according to District 4 Councilor Guadalupe Cano, with early voting until Jan. 30, in the county clerk's office.

A Silver City Public Library spokesperson informed the council of a technology-training program at the library funded by Freeport-McMoRan through their Community Investment Fund. Thus far, training has been given in 56 individual sessions for adults and in nine workshops for youth. Training focuses on computer skills from basic to more advanced expertise. Those interested in receiving or instructing should contact the library.

City Clerk Ann Mackie reminded residents that March 3 is Election Day for District 1 and 3 councilors, with early voting from Feb. 11 through 27. Mackie also encouraged residents to apply for one of several vacancies on various town boards and commissions.

Reynolds told the council that a spate of recent burglaries has been centered in the 20th to 28th street area of Yucca, Cactus and Juniper streets. He said, in spite of the recent burglaries, the crime has seen a dramatic drop from 2013, which saw 201, to 2014 with 149. Reynolds also encouraged residents to become active in Neighborhood Watch Programs.

Reynolds stated that often, especially on Facebook, residents become alarmed over the number of "robberies" occurring in the area, when they are really "burglaries," a lesser crime. Robberies, Reynolds explained, are defined as a person taking something from another using some type of threat, weapon or force, while burglaries involve one person taking something of another through breaking and entering, by stealth, or some other nonthreatening means.

Assistant Town Manager James Marshall listed several New Mexico house and senate bills that need to be kept tabs on, as they could affect the economic well-being of the town.

Council approved a resolution regarding open meetings, which is the same as last year, Mackie said, except the council meeting dates are different.

Peter Peña, Public Works Director, told the council that the low bid for the Scott Park Concession had to be thrown out because of irregularities in the bid form and the other two bids received were outside the budget. Peña said a portable concession stand is there now along with portable restrooms. He stated he would like to rebid in July, with construction taking place after recreational use of the park is complete. Council rejected the low bid received with the proviso the project would be rebid in July.

The council approved the reappointment of two current members of the Historic Design Review Committee to that committee: Suzanne Gershenson and Steven Shelendich.