Front Page News
Don't forget to set your clocks ahead Saturday night
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 10 March 2023 10 March 2023
Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m., you lose an hour so some people who want to golf later in the day can have an extra hour in the evening after work.
So Saturday night, before you go to bed set your clock ahead one hour to officially go on Daylight Saving Time, unless you're living in Arizona, where you don't have to.
Image by Freepik
Grant County Commission work session held March 7, 2023, part 2
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 08 March 2023 08 March 2023
[Editor's Note: This is part two of the Grant County Commission work session on March 7, 2023, and the regular meeting held March 9, 2023. This one begins with county reports at the work session.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
County reports at the Grant County Commission work session on March 7, 2023 began with Detention Center Administrator Joseph Andazola presenting his report.
"We have two new officers in training, and we have five openings, including one sergeant who left us," Andazola said. "Because of the bad weather last week, we rescheduled our job fair to this Thursday, although I did receive an application from the session I held with the Western New Mexico University Police Academy, and two applications were picked up. I completed and submitted the proposal to continue the RISE program for an additional three years. The state is pleased with what we have done so far."
He reported the jail had 69 inmates at the end of February, with an average for the month of 79 inmates. "Today, we have 71," he said. He also noted the detention center had a Covid outbreak, with inmates, officers and medical staff involved. Some are still in quarantine.
Fort Bayard annexation passes House Committee unanimously
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 08 March 2023 08 March 2023
[Editor's Note: This would usually go into 2023 New Mexico Legislative Session, but I believe it is so important for the county that I decided to post it to front page. It still has a way to go in the full House and Senate, without many days remaining, but hopefully, it will finally go through.]
Santa Fe – Today the NM House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee passed HJM 8, a measure that will annex Fort Bayard into the village of Santa Clara. HJM 8 is sponsored by Grant County Rep. Luis Terrazas, a long-time supporter of Fort Bayard and Grant County communities. Fort Bayard is the only historic fort in New Mexico that is registered as a national landmark.
"First, I want to thank the village of Santa Clara and its Mayor, Richard Bauch, our County Clerk Sheila Hudman, the town of Silver City, and Mayors of Bayard and Hurley and the many Fort Bayard volunteers for their support of this effort. Fort Bayard holds a special place in our community's heart. I think most of my neighbors have enjoyed using the public space and attended community events there," said State Rep. Luis Terrazas. "It is important for our community to have this historic venue stewarded by the Village of Santa Clara. This effort is something Santa Clara has long requested and will ensure that Fort Bayard is well maintained and remains open to our community for years to come."
Grant County Commission work session held March 7, 2023, part 1
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 07 March 2023 07 March 2023
[Editor's Note: This is part one of the Grant County Commission work session on March 7, 2023, and the regular meeting held March 9, 2023. This one begins with public input and gets into presentations.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
Grant County commissioners on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the first work session of the month, heard public input from a resident of Cliff.
Marilyn Rosenbauer said she is concerned about losing access to her home. "There is a cliff on one side of the only way into and out of my property and the Gila River on the other side. I have no other access to the home and the bank is caving in."
In a photo she showed to the Beat, it showed the riverbank eroding and the erosion-caused hole encroaching within inches of the roadway.
The first presentation from Hidalgo Medical Services Chief Executive Officer Dan Otero was tabled due to his being out of town.
Silver City residents oppose new bike trail
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 06 March 2023 06 March 2023
By Lynn Janes
Silver City held a regular meeting February 14, 2023. The meeting started with Mayor Ken Ladner calling the meeting to order and leading the Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico state flag. Council members attending the meeting included Lucian Farmer, Jose Ray, Nicholas Prince (phone), and Guadalupe Cano.
The council approved the agenda.
Ceremonies none currently.
Proclamations none currently.
Council comments
SC-GC Chamber of Commerce holds monthly luncheon 030223
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 05 March 2023 05 March 2023
By Mary Alice Murphy
Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce Director Romeo Cruz introduced the featured speaker.
"Our featured speaker today is someone I admire," Cruz said. "I admire her because she is an entrepreneur and also for all the other things she has supported. Welcome, Lee Gruber."
Gruber said: "I am delighted to be here. I was born an entrepreneur. When I was five years old, I created a summer camp. It made sense to me to be an entrepreneur. My parents were teachers, so, of course, I did report cards for the camp."
She came to Silver City from Florida, where she was involved in the boating industry. "It's a male-dominated industry, but I became a sail maker." She was offered a job, when a fellow asked her if she could sew. She replied yes. "I lied, but I learned how to sew. As a result, I traveled all over the world. I worked with Ted Turner on his America's Cup."
Jaybird Creek Asphalt Emulsion Spill Sampling Results and Updates
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 04 March 2023 04 March 2023
Soil and Water Sample Results
Soil and water samples were collected on October 19, 2022 and sent to a certified laboratory for analysis. NMED and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) representatives were on-site and witnessed the sampling. NMED received the sampling results and report on February 3, 2023. NMED reviewed the report, provided comments to R. Marley, LLC, and received a revised report on February 9, 2023 (attached) that addressed NMED’s comments. The sampling campaign aligns with R. Marley, LLC’s sampling and analysis plan. Below is a synopsis of the results:
The sampling campaign consisted of sampling a total of seven locations: one site just upstream of the spill origin in the headwaters of Jaybird Canyon that serves as a unaffected background sample, three sites within the direct impact zone of the spill at 50 feet, 320 feet, and 1900 feet downstream of the spill origin, one site 3200 feet downstream of the spill origin, and two sites in Meadow Creek immediately upstream and downstream of the confluence with Jaybird Canyon. The upstream sample location served as background for Meadow Creek water quality. Water and soil samples were analyzed for certain heavy metals and organic compounds associated with petroleum products.
Grant County Water Commission met Feb. 23, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 03 March 2023 03 March 2023
Seated are Hurley Mayor Ed Stevens and Santa Clara Mayor Richard Bauch; standing behind are Silver City Town Manager Alex Brown, USDA Rural Partners Network Community Liaison Kristina Ortiz, Grant County Commissioner Eloy Medina, Freeport-McMoRan Chino Mine General Manager Randy Ellison, Bayard Mayor Chon Fierro, Freeport-McMoRan Community Development Manager Laura Phelps, and Santa Clara Administrator Sheila Hudman, just after the signing of the approved JPA among the members.
Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy
The members of the Grant County Water Commission met in a regular monthly meeting on Feb. 23, 2023 to hear updates and consider a revised joint powers agreement.
The Commission consists of representatives from Silver City, Grant County, Santa Clara, Bayard and Hurley.
The first to speak was Ashley Beyer, southern New Mexico regional director from Sen. Martin Heinrich's office. "It is encouraging to see so much progress on this project. The senator regularly asks me where things stand. Our focus is to offer support to provide any federal assistance that we can. We want to be able to support through grants and congressionally directed funding, with a deadline of March 10, 2023. Our office, and, me in particular, can help you with funding requests to figure out where we can fulfill those requests. In terms of the senator's priorities this is one of his highest priorities. We are an ally and a resource."