Youth Conservation Corps members, from left are Kaleb Lambert, Nathaniel Woodruff, Supervisor Jon Bjornstad, and Coordinator Dave Chandler. Interim Coordinator Deb Preusch not pictured.

Photo and article by Roger Lanse

Lee Gruber, from the Silver City Arts and Cultural District, spoke before the Silver City Town Council at its Tuesday, June 27, meeting, about “the problems that we encounter in the Big Ditch. That should be our glowing attraction here in our historic downtown,” she said. “We have to figure out a way together to make that a safe, inviting place for people to be. We have to take back the Ditch, just take it back as a community.”

Faye McCalmont, also of SCACD, said, “We’re all putting a lot of effort and funds to bring people to town, but if they have an unpleasant experience in the Ditch, being accosted, panhandling, that kind of thing, it kind of puts a damper on the good experiences.”

District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison stated that aggressive panhandling is not new to town. She said in 2010 she co-sponsored an ordinance with then Mayor James Marshall prohibiting aggressive begging. The ordinance provided for an officer to remove a person who does not take a polite “No” for an answer and cite them. “But, it does not, however, change the behavior of the person who is aggressively begging. It just doesn’t. There’s no way to change their behavior.

“The real problem is the increasing incidence of these occurrences, not only in our town and across town, but across New Mexico because of the dismantling of our state’s mental health system by our governor,” Bettison said.

Bettison continued that people who are bothered by aggressive begging should call Central Dispatch and report it.

District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith suggested that even if the town or volunteers clean up the Ditch one day, overnight will see a new crop of broken bottles and other trash, “so we have an issue of, really, taking back the Ditch and keeping it clean.” She offered to make a card that she has used before to give to residents and visitors containing information on what panhandlers can and cannot do.

Silver City Police Officer Efren Canas informed council that he and one other officer are on bicycle patrol downtown, and in other areas as well, if the crime rate warrants it. He said they try to be visible and to talk with community residents and business people.

SCPD Chief Ed Reynolds explained to council that if a person is panhandling while sitting on a bench or standing, that person has a constitutional right to do that. However, following a person after being refused, or blocking another’s way, or yelling is a citable offense, and Dispatch should be called for an officer to respond.

Reynolds stated that people need to understand what is a panhandling violation, and what is not, and suggested this information be on the town’s website where it can be read. “Let’s be more congenial,” Reynolds said, “Not everybody is like us. What is the community doing to deal with mental illness in the homeless?”

Mayor Ken Ladner contributed to the Big Ditch discussion by pointing out that after every rain debris is collected from three upstream feeders and deposited in the Big Ditch.

Town Manager Alex Brown reported that the town is going to end fiscal year 2016-2017 in good financial shape. He also reported that a 30’x30’ tent loaned to a church event in Georgetown was stolen.

Silver City Fire Chief Milo Lambert informed council that the department will set up a 30’x30’ tent for the Fourth of July parade in front of the fire department to provide shade for parade watchers. He also reminded residents to be careful with fireworks.

A Youth Conservation Corps contingent reported to council on rebuilding, and building new, trails from the Visitor Center, under the Hwy 90 Bridge, and back to Market Street. Supervisor Jon Bjornstad said the 28 high school-member team also moved 100 tons of rock building a retaining wall.

Assistant Town Manager James Marshall stated that suggestions for welcome signage to Silver City are due July 31.

Council approved a pawnbroker bond of $5,000 for DK’s Gun and Pawn, 1800 E. Highway 180, Suite C. and a public celebration permit for the Clay festival’s Farm to Table fundraiser to be held July 22,at the Volunteer Center, 501 E. 13th Street.

In a final action, council approved a bid of $2,000 per month from Complete Care Cleaners from Albuquerque to clean the Visitor Center, Municipal Court, City Annex, and City Annex II, and a bid of $1,500 per month from New Mexico Cleaning and Janitorial Services from Hurley to clean City Hall, Police Department, and Hub Plaza restrooms.