By Roger Lanse

Mary Ellen Marquez, the owner of the Country Kitchen, 1700 Mountain View Road, which sits astride a boundary separating Rural and Commercial zoning districts, requested a change in zoning to Commercial. Assistant Town Manager James Marshall, representing the Planning and Zoning Commission, recommended at the Silver City Town Council's Tuesday, Oct. 27 meeting, that they approve the amendment to the official zoning map, which council did.

During the public input phase of its meeting, council heard from three individuals urging them to pass a resolution opposing PNM's plan for operating the San Juan Generating Station in the Four Corners area. One speaker introduced a draft resolution for council's perusal requesting the town to urge the Public Regulatory Commission to make a transparent, prudent and thorough analysis of PNM's plan.

Another speaker asked residents to vote as often as possible at superiortrails.michelobultra.com for the Continental Divide Trail. At stake is a $25,000 award.

District 1, 2, and 3 councilors, Cynthia Bettison, Lynda Aiman-Smith, and Jose Ray Jr. expressed concern that traffic on Broadway is too fast, and Ray asked Town Manager Alex Brown to request Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds to bring a report at the next council meeting.

Lee Gruber, Interim Director of the Silver City Arts and Cultural District, reported that True West Magazine would feature Silver City in its March issue. She also stated that full and half-page ads would soon appear in Sunset Magazine and the New Mexico Magazine. Visitation was up 33 percent over last quarter, Gruber told the council.

Executive Director of Silver City MainStreet, Lucy Whitmarsh, said that during the quarter four businesses opened in town and three closed. She also reported that 243 volunteer hours were given in the quarter ending in September. Of note, she said, was that New Mexico MainStreet evaluated Silver City's program and found it superb.

Eileen Sullivan, Director of the Public Library, reported on a recent survey of 700 respondents. She said that most wanted more ‘mortar and books,' expanded weekend and evening hours, increased children's programming, more free concerts, tutoring and training in computer and digital skills, and an expanded fiction category. She recommended, among other things, two plans to gain additional funding to achieve these goals.

Three witnesses, two customers and a co-owner, spoke in favor of approving an application for a restaurant liquor license with patio service, to Three B's Foods, DBA Burgers, Brownies & Beers Oh My! At 619 N. Bullard Street, and a waiver received from The Church of The Good Shepherd. Council approved the application and the waiver.

Council approved two public celebration permit applications for the El Sol Soiree event to be held Nov. 14, from 4-8 p.m. at 405 N. Bullard Street. The liquor license holders are Little Toad Creek Brewery and Little Toad Creek Distillery.

Council approved cancelling the meeting dates of Nov. 24 and Dec. 22, staff citing no pressing business.