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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 25 January 2017 25 January 2017

By Mary Alice Murphy

During public input at the Jan. 24, 2017 Silver City Town Council meeting, the members heard from four people supporting trails efforts and seeking a Trails Coordinator.

Nancy Cliff, long involved with trails efforts, said: "We ask you to find funding for a trails and open space coordinator. The position has been unfilled for more than a decade."

She pointed out that trails in Silver City provide free and easy access to healthy activities. "It's unusual for a small town like Silver City to have a trails system, but Boston Hill and San Vicente Creek offer aspects of our history. When companies look at places to relocate, they look for amenities."

Cliff said a coordinator would be the one responsible for well-built, safe and accessible trails. Although the trails and open spaces have been unregulated, volunteers have taken up the slack. But splinter groups may create conflicts.

"I attended all the bridge meetings to make sure the San Vicente trailhead was restored," Cliff said. The New Mexico Department of Transportation) created problems and were not amendable to suggested solutions.

She said President Trump has promised funding for infrastructure and perhaps some could be used to restore the trailhead.

"We suggest a half-time coordinator in the Office of Sustainability, who would work with us and seek grants," Cliff continued. "One of the issues will be initiating easements. A coordinator would be a consistent, coherent point of contact."

She announced the Continental Divide Trail Greenways group would next meet at 3 p.m., Feb. 3, at the Western New Mexico University Student Memorial Building third floor.

Shelby Hallmark, Silver City resident, said he is a member of the CDT Greenways group. "To its credit, Silver City has approved a number of plans for linking trails from Boston Hill to the Big Ditch and created a Greenways plan. Silver City is also the first CDT Gateway."

He said the most difficult hurdle for linking the trails is getting the rights-of-way. The greenways run along the arroyos and go along land belonging to many property owners. "I encourage the town to get the rights-of way. If that is resolved, it greatly improves our chances of getting grants. We have the Big Ditch on one end and the Silver City Golf Course on the other end. Many of the properties in the historic district had their deeds set up during the 1800s. Property owners can help us, may be eligible for tax credits and will have helped the entire community. It would be good for the town and the property owners."

Hallmark noted tourism is the third leg of the economy, in addition to mining and agriculture. "It magnifies our existing attractions. Greenways make our town more livable."

"Despite efforts of enlightened owners and volunteers, the progress has been slow," he continued. "If you'll take up the challenge, our residents and visitors and those in the future will thank you."

A.J. Sandoval, who works with the Gila Resource Information Project and the Silver City Watershed Keepers, said the latter group creates quality data, and coordinates trail maintenance and trash pick ups. "We ask for continued trail maintenance. We see illegal dumping, which continues even after it is cleaned up. I met with the code enforcement officer and he said most problems are south of the Big Ditch. It diminishes the trails usage and impacts water quality. You have a disposing-of-solid-waste ordinance that prohibits trash dumping."

He said the watershed keepers are committed to work with the town addressing the dumping issue and to find solutions.

"A coordinator would be important to coordinate clean ups," Sandoval said. "Signs relating to the ordinance would help. The coordinator would work with the Office of Sustainability. It would be a great office to house a part-time trails coordinator."

Larry McLoud said he was there to support the previous three speakers. "Trails are important for the town and the county. A lot of trails are not complete. On Boston Hill, a big sign is in the middle of the trail. San Vicente Creek's riparian area was taken out by the bridge construction."

He continued on a different issue, asking Chief of Police Ed Reynolds to address speeding. "And I thought a decision was made to put in a four-way stop at Bullard and Broadway, but it's still a traffic signal."

During councilor comments, Lynda Aiman-Smith said it was encouraging to have community members at the meeting. "I encourage everyone to vote on the school board and for the bond issue. Early voting is through Feb. 3 at the County Clerk's office. For the municipal election for two town councilor positions, early voting begins Jan. 31."

She said the phrase "fake news" has been used a lot lately. "I want to publicly debunk some rumors. Yes, the town is continuing to recycle. The more you recycle the less material goes into the landfill."

"And the second rumor is that the debris from the Red Barn is hazardous," Aiman-Smith continued. "It is NOT hazardous. Some of it is being recycled and the rest of it will be put safely into a landfill. One hundred and six samples were taken from the demolition and none was hazardous. If you have any questions, talk to the building inspector."

Councilor Cynthia Bettison said she, too, was pleased with the great crowd. "Please come back. The Recycling Advisory Council is working with the Silver City Office of Sustainability. I am putting forward a notice of intent to add recycling to our ordinances."

Silver City Manager Alex Brown said the new recycling carts have arrived. "They are covered like the garbage receptacles. Everything's here. We will start delivering the recycling carts to commercial users first, and then to residential users."

Bettison said it was still too costly for the town to recycle glass. "We hope to change that for the future."

Councilor Guadalupe "Lupe" Cano said she had one quick announcement. "The newly named Copper Country Senior Olympics is gearing up for this year. The 2019 national games will be held in Albuquerque, so many of our competitors are aiming for that. I also encourage anyone to help with event management. We will hold our annual meeting at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, at the LULAC Hall."

Councilor Jos+