By Charlie McKee

San Vicente Trail Use Survey Deadline - Nov. 30, 2012
Town Council Candidates' Declaration Deadline - Jan. 8, 2013

Throughout the Proclamation, Public Input, and Reports sections of the Silver City Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 27, it was clear that the Town needs more input and participation from the Town's residents on several current issues:

1)    The Grant County Trails Group, which supports interconnected trails throughout the County, has been conducting a web-based survey of residents' requirements and opinions regarding the San Vicente Trail in Silver City. This trail starts under the Route 90/Hudson Street Bridge and extends south to the golf course. The deadline for completion of the survey is Nov. 30, after which results will be compiled and reported to the Town Council. The survey is short and anonymous and can be found at www.research.net/s/sanvicentetrail.

2)    The Town of Silver City Municipal Election will be held Mar. 5, 2013, to elect Councilors for 2-year terms in Districts 1 and 3.  Candidate packets are available at City Hall, 101 W. Broadway or on the Town’s website at www.townofsilvercity.org, and candidate declaration must be made on Jan. 8, 2013.
3)    Precinct workers are needed for the Municipal Election on Mar. 5, 2013.  Interested residents may apply at City Hall at 101 W. Broadway.
4)    A new advisory group, the Grant County Disability Advisory Council, has been formed under a grant administered by The Wellness Coalition.  It is comprised of Susie Trujillo, Evangeline Zamora, Bonnie Zelinko, Karen Morant, Elaine Struthers, and Vicki Galindo, who appeared before the Town Council to introduce themselves and describe their mission.  They will be forming and polling focus groups of Silver City and Grant County residents to gather requirements for citizens with disabilities and will report back to the Council on an ongoing basis.
5)    Mayor James Marshall is looking for qualified volunteers to support the Town of Silver City a few hours per month in the following areas:
a.    Planning and Zoning Commission
b.    Incentive Review Committee
c.    Extra Territorial Subdivision Commission
d.    Lodgers' Tax Advisory Board
e.    Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement Citizens Advisory Committee
6)    Marshall proclaimed Dec. 1 to 15, 2012, as "Think Local, Buy Local, Invest Local, and Stay Local Days."  The proclamation includes the celebration of the Town's Hispanic culture on Dec. 8, 2012, with the second Annual Tamal y Mas Fiesta and supports sustainable local business.  The Southwest Chapter of the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce received the proclamation, and its 2012 President, Rich Bigelow, emphasized that it is their "number one priority to support local business" and to keep local spending circulating in local businesses.  The theme for this holiday season is "What and Where You Buy Matters!"; and local citizens can make a difference by choosing local entrepreneurial businesses over large national chains for their holiday purchases.

In the New Business portion of the meeting, the following items were approved:
•    Bid #12/13-5: Home Rehabilitation Project awarded to Fiesta Homes for $58,817.  The project is grant funded and requires no city expenditure.
•    Rejection of Bid #12/13-6: Home Rehabilitation Project.  The one bid received exceeded the budgeted amount for the project.  The project will be restructured and sent out for re-bid.
•    Appointment of Steven Shelendich to the Town's Historic Design Review Committee.

The Town Council Meeting was then adjourned.