Photo and article by Roger Lanse

Dr. Derrick Nelson, Hidalgo Medical Services Chief Medical Officer, accept proclamation from Mayor Ken Ladner. The proclamation declare Aug. 13-19, 2017 as National Health Center Week. 

At its Tuesday, Aug. 8 meeting, the Silver City Town Council approved a notice of intent amending existing sections of the Silver City Municipal Code as they relate to the restraint and confinement of animals.

Sponsored by District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison, the NOI would allow an animal control officer to enter an unattended and parked vehicle where an animal is confined and in need of rescue under the following circumstances: the owner is not immediately available; the vehicle’s windows are partially or completely closed; there exists weather conditions creating a likelihood that the interior temperature of the vehicle constitutes an immediate danger of severe harm or death to the animal so confined; and, the animal control officer views the animal in distress and in need of rescue.

The NOI would also make it illegal to confine an animal in an unattended vehicle where conditions of extreme heat within the vehicle is likely to cause serious harm to the animal.

Bettison clarified that the proposed regulation would only permit an ACO to enter the vehicle. Citizens observing such a violation should call Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority, she said.

Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds supported the measure.

District 3 Councilor Jose Ray Jr. spoke to the disrespecting of councilors by residents, which has happened to him more than he would like.

Ray also made reference to remarks made at a recent council meeting, saying, “Some of the comments that (District 4) Councilor (Guadalupe) Cano made a while back -- a couple of meetings – does have some truth to it,” Ray said, referring to Cano’s displeasure with the Silver City Arts Council’s advertising which in her view did not include all cultures in Grant County. Ray continued, “it was just in the way we present ourselves, kind of not nice. I think we can do things in a little bit better way and in expressing ourselves.”

Mayor Ken Ladner reported that the four town mayors in Grant County have begun meeting to talk about issues common to all of them. Their next meeting is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Bayard Town Hall. Topics of discussion include a mining museum and Hurley’s water project.

Ladner advised that the town is still accepting designs for a “Welcome to Silver City” sign and has extended the deadline for submissions to Aug. 31. Ray suggested using some Spanish language on the sign, which might cause people to slow down to read it.

Silver City Museum Director Carmen Vendelin introduced her staff, and Ladner expressed the desire that the community would take part in the activities planned for the 50th anniversary of the Silver City Museum, beginning this Thursday at the museum annex, with a program on pop culture.

Town Manager Alex Brown stated the Assistant Public Library Director Ken Dyer was promoted to director today.

Silver City Fire Chief Milo Lambert reported the department participated in 74 EMS calls since the last council meeting, and none of the calls required transportation to Gila Regional Medical Center by SCFD personnel, “a sharp contrast from the last report on the 28th.”

District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith asked Brown when the blinking red lights would be installed at the intersection of Bullard and Broadway. Brown answered they are planned to be put up the end of this month.

Council approved an agreement regarding town membership in the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments. Brown recommended the agreement stating, “We get a lot of services from them.”

Another NOI was approved by council which would amend the town’s municipal code regarding business registration fees to clarify that any fees charged would be in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by the town’s fire chief.

Council approved a memorandum of understanding having to do with leasing the Office of Sustainability building to the Grant County Community Foundation. Brown said that GCCF is going to allow other nonprofits to share space in the building, “kind of like a nonprofit incubator.”

Peggy Hutchinson, GCCF Vice President, told the council United Way of New Mexico and Community Partnership for Children have already signed up to be in the building and others have expressed interest.

Ladner reappointed two members whose terms were expiring, Sherry Clements and Robert Donelly, to the Incentive Review Committee.