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Published: 06 November 2012 06 November 2012

During the continuation of county reports at Tuesday's Commission work session, Gilbert Helton, code enforcement officer, said he had been asked by Commissioner Christy Miller about property maintenance issues, such as livestock on property in Indian Hills. "I looked and saw no livestock, but I can't do anything anyway. The county has no zoning, so livestock is allowed in the county. We have tried to put in zoning without a positive outcome. I use the solid waste and littering ordinance to address such things as junk vehicles. The Homeowners Associations should have covenants, which they can enforce."

County Manager Jon Paul Saari said some issues can be a violation of environmental laws, and the residents can go to the NMED to address them.

 


Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said it usually is a civil issue between neighbors.

Earl Moore, road superintendent, said his department is "mostly doing maintenance. Commissioner (Gabriel) Ramos and I looked at Camino Verde and got an estimate for $60,000 to bring the road up to standards. The residents are interested in an assessment district."

On Duck Creek Road, the Road Department has installed signs warning not to cross in case of flooding.

"It's so dry, it's hard to blade," Moore said, "but if I have a call, I have to do something."

"Then others complain about the dust," Saari added.

County Clerk Robert Zamarripa said all the voting centers were open. "We had a line outside the Woman's Club before we opened this morning. We are processing voters, and it takes about four minutes per voter to sign them in and get them a ballot. We set up the rural precincts yesterday (Monday), but had to wait until 5 a.m. this morning to set up the Woman's Club. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. With early and absentee, we already have 37 percent turnout. Last presidential election, we had 47 percent turnout. It would be nice to go over 50 percent."

He listed the voter convenience center locations, which can be found at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/7908-election-day-and-polling-places .

Zamarripa suggested avoiding long lines at the Woman's Club or Business and Conference Center by traveling other parts of the county, such as to Tyrone Community Center or Bayard or Hurley.

Detention Center Administrator Joseph Andazola said in early December, he will do an 11-month walk through of the detention center to make sure all issues are taken care over before the one-year warranty is up. He said he has hired three new staff members. "Silver City Police Department gave us a computer for the booking area. Gilbert (Garcia, deputy administrator) and I are working on policy, and we have a new mission statement," which he read.

Saari during his report said the work session today and the regular meeting on Thursday would be the only meetings of the month of November. He suggested that the votes be canvassed on Thursday. Zamarripa said: "Maybe."

The week after Thanksgiving, Saari, the newly elected county commissioner, Kasten and the county attorney would attend commissioner training.

Zamarripa said results of the early voting and absentee ballots should be available online at a link on www.grantcountynm.com by 7:30 p.m., and by 8 p.m. or so for the voter convenience center results, "so we can call the races."

Miller asked about the liquor sales issue and when it would go into effect, if passed. Saari said former contract attorney Dave Gorman had not gotten back with him yet.

Ramos said the reason why the commissioners decided to attend the event honoring veterans at José Barrios Elementary School on Thursday, be recessing and reconvening during their regular meeting was because one individual tried to disrupt the event by protesting it. "I think that's awful. We are going to support the honoring of veterans." He also requested to go on the jail walk-through. Ramos said he would ask Public Works Director Justin Reese about drainage and the batting cage at Bataan Memorial Park.

"The most important thing is that the 2010 audit is in to the state," Ramos said.

Saari said the 2011 should be in by next week, and the 2012, no later than the end of December, but at Department of Finance and Administration, one individual is making it difficult by requiring audits to be in by Dec. 1.

"The CDBG applications are not due until Feb. 15," Gutierrez said.

"We will be current before the applications are due," Saari said. "Last year's monies have not yet been awarded. There is no statute, just Mr. Gleason saying there is a requirement of Dec. 1."

Gutierrez commended the Assessor's Office staff for their help. "Villa's office is a great asset to the Planning Department."

Kasten's report was: "Go Vote."