In no particular order are Commissioners Brett Kasten and Ron Hall, D.A.R.E. Sgt. Frank Gomez, Deputies Bill Mize, Manny Maldonado, Cody Cooper and Regan Aguirre, Darren the Lion, D.A.R.E. graduates past and present, Felicia Dominguez, Aimee Ryan,Whitney Cuellar and Mia Angel of Bayard Elementary, Kaylee Chavez of San Lorenzo Elementary, and Theresa Arredondo and Angelina Sanchez from Central Elementary, at the D.A.R.E. presentation at the County Commission meeting.

By Mary Alice Murphy

Only two commissioners were present at the County Commission regular meeting for December held on Thursday, December 10, 2015, as Commissioner Gabriel Ramos had a family emergency.

During approval of the budget, Commissioner Ron Hall asked that the D.A.R.E. presentation be moved up following public input, so that the students could return to classes.

As there was no public input, Sheriff Raul Villanueva said he wanted to recognize the D.A.R.E. graduates from Cobre. "This is the sixth year Cobre has been in the program. We trained two more instructors to teach in the schools. We have a generous citizen who donates to D.A.R.E anonymously every year. Sgt. Frank Gomez has been with the program since the beginning, as has Deputy Cody Cooper. Deputy Bill Mize also helps out. The two new ones are Deputy Manuel 'Manny' Maldonado and Deputy Regan Aguirre."

"All the students are winners for taking the program, but each year we award those who write the best essays," Villanueva said.

Gomez said the program is going on seven years at Cobre, four years at Harrison Schmitt Elementary and this year started in Cliff and Calvary Chapel School.

Student read their essays. The first to read was Felicia Dominquez, a high school senior who continues to support the program. She said: "It teaches us how to say no to drugs and alcohol and how to say no to peer pressure. It has helped me keep my grades up. I'm fifth in my class."

Aimee Ryan, a junior, said in 5th grade she won the essay contest. "The D.A.R.E. program teaches the 5th graders good lessons for life. They learn how to say no. I know it has helped me."

Gomez said 97 students in Cobre 5th grade classes graduated from the program. "We had an awesome ceremony in November."

"It's a sacrifice for us," Gomez said, "but a rewarding one to see the rapport among the children. It's awesome teaching it. I enjoy it.

The sheriff, sergeant and deputies recognized five 5th-grade girls for their essays—Whitney Cuellar and Mia Angel of Bayard Elementary, Kaylee Chavez of San Lorenzo Elementary, and Theresa Arredondo and Angelina Sanchez from Central Elementary.

Chavez declared D.A.R.E. an amazing program. "It teaches us how to stay away from drugs and alcohol. I hope the program continues."

Another one of the students said they learn the bad things that drugs and alcohol can do to a person, such as dry skin, wrinkles, bad breath and loss of teeth. She said the program also teaches how to stop a bully and how to develop a help network.

A student said the D.A.R.E. initials stand for Defy, Assess, Respond and Evaluate.

Commissioner Ron Hall said he was involved with D.A.R.E. 30 years ago. "I'm glad it's still around. As a police officer, you deal with the worst of the worst, but this program makes it all worth it."

Financial Officer Linda Vasquez gave the financial report, which was the same one reported at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/25907-grant-county-commission-work-session-adds-items-to-regular-meeting-agenda-and-removes-one

In new business, commissioners approved:
• Rodolpho "Rudy" Martinez to the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees;
• Vehicle transfer of a 2010 Dodge RAM ST 4X4 from the Fire Management Office to Public Works Department;
• Santa Rita Volunteer Fire Department PERA adjusted qualification report and record form for four volunteer firefighters listed at the above link; and
• Pinos Altos VFD PERA adjusted qualification report and record form for 17 volunteer firefighters listed at the above link.

After a brief discussion, commissioners chose Option B for the once-a-month commission meetings for 2016. Option B puts the regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month, with the work session on the preceding Tuesday, except in January, when it would conflict with the New Mexico Association of Counties Winter Conference. The January work session will be on Jan. 12, with the regular meeting on Jan. 14.

Kasten noted that this option would prevent any meetings conflicting with election days.

Under contracts and agreements, commissioners approved a Department of Finance and Administration agreement for capital appropriation grant agreement for GRMC for a nuclear imaging gamma camera to replace the old one.

They also approved:
• A DFA agreement for an additional $115,000 to the Grant County DWI Program;
• An amendment to the juvenile detention center contract with McKinley County Juvenile Detention Center to house Grant County juveniles for $175 a day, an increase from $95 a day; and
• The NM Department of Transportation Aviation Grant Agreement for the Grant County Airport action plan, which is funded by an $81,000 grant, with a $9,000 county match.

Under bids, commissioners approved to Lynco Electric $118,000 for the Courthouse electrical upgrade.

Under resolutions, commissioners approved the 2016 NMAC legislative priorities, which are to restore Detention Center funding; fund a statewide emergency medical services assessment; funding for the New Mexico 3D elevation program and use of Light Detention and Ranging Technology (LiDAR) to map the counties; and gross receipts tax reform.

A resolution involved authorization of execution and delivery of a Colonias Infrastructure Fund loan/grant agreement and intercept agreement by and among Hurley and the New Mexico Colonias Infrastructure Board and the New Mexico Finance Authority and Grant County. This resolution was for a project in North Hurley.

A similar resolution authorized the execution of a Colonias Infrastructure Fund loan/grant agreement and intercept agreement for the community of Tyrone between the New Mexico Finance Authority and Grant County. This project will bring sidewalks in Tyrone to ADA compliance.

Commissioners adopted the Grant County Airport Action Plan, including the draft Airport Layout Plan to be submitted to the FAA. Kasten thanked County Manager Charlene Webb, General Services Director Randy Villa and Public Works Director Justin Reese for their at-least-a-year's-worth of planning and meetings. "I believe this 20-year plan will stand the test of time."

A notice of intent to consider an ordinance amending the dedication of a county local option gross receipts tax. This ordinance will reallocate one of the two 1/8 increments that go into the Indigent Fund. Because the fund has more money than it needs, the county wants to reallocate the funding to the General Fund for other uses. Webb explained at the work session that, if additional funding is needed for the Indigent Fund, it could be transferred to that use by budget adjustment. "We need to start taking care of ourselves."

Three approved resolutions authorized and approved submission of a completed application for financial assistance and project approval to the New Mexico Finance Authority. The first was with the Santa Rita VFD for a station in Hanover. The second resolution with similar language is for the Loma Verde Subdivision Assessment District. The third is for financial assistance for the purchase of a brush truck for the Fort Bayard Volunteer Fire Department.

The last resolution set the assessment roll hearing for the Loma Verde Subdivision for Jan. 14.

As the Grant County Indigent and Health Plan Claims Board, commissioners approved for October, 35 indigent claims for $29,943. Also approved were for November, 42 claims, including one for ambulance services, for a total of $46,613.15.

After reconvening as the Grant County Board of Commissioners, Hall said the treasurer had asked him to remind people that Thursday, Dec. 10, was the deadline for the first half of property taxes.

"We have finished the animal control ordinance, which is being reviewed by the county attorney," Hall said. "I want to thank the committee members, Gilbert Helton, Gigi Shoaf, Heidi Ogas, Marshall Moore and Buddy Howard and the review by Magistrate Judge Marine Laney. We will begin the process of amending and passing a new one after review. I also want to thank the other counties for their input, as well as that of the High Desert Humane Society."

He said he had attended the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce awards and wanted to congratulate the winners. "I thank the chamber for bringing back this event and recognizing citizens."

Hall said Tu Casa, the substance abuse treatment center, is awaiting state approval for use of four acres behind the Human Services Income Support building on 32nd Street. "Assistant Silver City Town Manager James Marshall has been working on the application for the land. We turned it into the state for review. We thank James and Silver City for being partners in this effort."

Kasten said he had met with Freeport McMoRan, Santa Clara and Bayard officials, along with Webb, about the mining company. "Freeport feels like it is sitting in a strong position, and does not foresee any more layoffs. The company is in the 50 percent range of worldwide copper production. I took it as positive, because they felt the production would go up at Chino to more than last year's Tyrone and Chino combined."

He said the Business and Conference Center was progressing. "And I will be happy to see a fire station in Hanover."

The January work session is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, with the regular meeting being held on Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Grant County Administration Center.