Article and photos by Mary Alice Murphy

During public input at the beginning of the Grant County Commission combined work and regular session held Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at the Grant County Administration Center, A. Genne Sharp-Torres said it had occurred to her that satellite dishes are often left all over the place after they are disconnected. "Is it possible to get companies to be responsible to collect them? It's an eyesore. The companies lease them, then lease them to the people and leave them to take care of it after they disconnect."

Cindy McClean, DWI Program coordinator, gave an update on recent activities. "We turned in our grant application for 2017. Because distributions are down, we are likely to lose 20 percent due to the state money situation. We are already down 16 percent from last year's budget. Other things are down, so it will work out."

"We did two proms the same night and did the Breathalyzer at both," McClean reported. "We are finishing up the eight-week evidence-based training. We held the Day in the Life of an Offender at Western New Mexico University. Commissioner (Ron) Hall served as the judge again. The evaluations said the judge was the best part."

She said she is evaluating the previous program and would like to do the Day in the Life of an Offender at the high schools again. "We had a great turnout at the university of 60 plus students. We are starting a new ad campaign. The high risk of drinking and driving is growing. We want to get more community awareness to see if we can do something about it. We have had three deaths so far this year. That's a lot. We had a focus group work on the radio ad." She played one of the ads for the commissioners.

James Baldwin, county resident, spoke. "In the past, issues of the January or February paper had a list of committees that the commissioners served on. I didn't see them this year. I would like to see the committee responsibility list published."

County Finance Officer Linda Vasquez presented the expenditure report, as of May 9, 2016. Total expenditures were $1,455,594.31. Accounts payable checks included $20,000 for advertising for the Tour of the Gila; $27,000 in fees for the Tri-City Landfill; $27,000 to Architectural Workshop for Tu Casa and the Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center, and a payment to Lenco Electric for work at the Grant County Courthouse. Payroll checks included one pay period for a total of $202,839.84.

The quarterly financial report, as of March 31, 2016, showed the county General Fund having received almost $6 million in revenue, and expenditures of almost $7 million. The Corrections Fund stood at a negative balance because the May transfers had not yet taken place. The Road Fund had a negative balance because transfers had not yet been added.

The first proclamation recognized the Cobre High School boys state champions wrestling team. Students were in testing, so the coach, Reyne Maynes, who was late, accepted the proclamation. He said, in 14 weight classes, the wrestlers placed in 12, with two losing in consolation bouts for third and fourth.

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos said he and Maynes had coached together when their kids were young. He asked to read the proclamation and did.

Maynes said he had coached his entire coaching staff as kids. "All the coaches are state champs as individuals and on teams."

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said the coach had foresight to begin the program in middle school, "which will only make you more solid."

The next proclamation recognized the Cobre High School Band for winning its 17th state championship. Long-time director Chuck Gerheart accepted for the students, and said: "We have kids doing good things. It's the first time we're co-champions, which is great for Grant County. We have great kids in both schools. I apologize that the kids can't be here because of testing."

Ramos noted the championships say great things about the programs. Hall said both programs receive support from families and the community.

The following proclamation recognized the Silver High School Band for tying with Cobre for the state championship G