By Roger Lanse

The Silver City Town Council at its Tuesday, Oct 24, meeting, approved the forwarding of two letters regarding Holloman Air Force Base’s proposed expansion of flyways. According to the two letters, signed by Mayor Ken Ladner, the town is questioning the “no impact” finding in the draft Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the Air Force. The letters were addressed to Holloman AFB Airspace EIS, Hampton, VA, and to Col. Houston R. Cantwell, 49th Wing Commander, Holloman AFB. Copies of the letters were sent to U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and to U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce.

Councilors and the mayor were “appalled” and “concerned” that while public hearings on Holloman’s proposal were held in other southern New Mexico communities like Truth or Consequences and Las Cruces, none were held in Silver City or Grant County “where significant impacts of the Holloman AFB proposal would most be felt.” Ladner wrote, “I am writing to express my concern about the proposed plan to create a new fly-over zone for F-16 training missions that would encompass all of the Gila National Forest and most of its wilderness areas. The proposed zone comes within several miles of the Town of Silver City.”

According to Ladner, the proposal would allow aircraft activity down to 500’ and supersonic activity to 30,000’ and above. The use of defensive flares and chaff within certain parameters would be permitted.

Ladner also requested “a public meeting in Silver City where we can discuss the many impacts that this activity could have on Silver City and the surrounding area.”

Recent resident George Carr spoke against the Holloman proposal.

A Lodgers tax update was given by Silver City Arts and Cultural District Executive Director Colleen S. Morton. Although no specifics were given she said some changes had to be made to the Lodgers Tax budget as $31,000 fewer dollars have come in from July through September, 2017, as compared to the same period last year. Morton also stated that broadband services have been approved which will result in faster speeds and a lower cost to the town.

Morton stated in answer to District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith’s question that a lodger’s tax coordinating council meets in the Visitor Center every third Thursday of the month from 9-11 a.m. and anyone who is interested may attend.

District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison said it would be a good idea to post a notice when tourist attractions such as the Catwalk and restaurants will be closed. Morton agreed.

Council approved a notice of intent ordinance amending the municipal code regarding the sale, lease, or exchange of town property. Town Attorney Robert Scavron said, “This hasn’t been updated in quite some time. Basically, it’s housekeeping. When this ordinance was originally passed, Mayor Marshall made it clear that we would look and see how it works and then tweak it to make it work better. And, this is a tweaking.”

Ladner appointed Garry Klassen to the Recycling Advisory Committee.