[Editor's Note: This was written by listening to recordings of the forum, which this author could not attend. These comments are snapshots of what each candidate said.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

A candidate forum, hosted by the Silver City Daily Press, took place on Tuesday, Feb. 20, to hear from the two candidates for Silver City Town Council District 2-incumbent Lynda Aiman-Smith and her challenger, Patricia "Elline" Kingsley.

Daily Press Publisher Nick Seibel served as moderator and reporter Ben Fisher provided questions from the Press, while Seibel read those from the audience.

Aiman-Smith gave the first opening statement. "I'm running for re-election because I love Silver City. I want to continue in my role as councilor working for us all. I'm a multi-generation New Mexican. I have a master's degree in organizational development and a doctorate in management. I have worked in the corporate world and have taught at a major university. While councilor I have learned how to get things done to keep Silver City economically and sustainably viable. Early voting is on now at City Hall during business hours."

Kingsley thanked the audience for opening their minds and hearts to what she had to say. "I came here first in 1990 as a visiting professor at Western New Mexico University. Besides being a teacher, I have worked in local governments and published a literary arts magazine. I put together a citizen access group for the museum and to get a franchise that regulated communications for those who charged for using the community rights-of-way. It was to allow cable access. I left Silver City, went to Saguaro National Monument and worked with Americorps with Northern Utes and DACA recipients. I have three master's degrees and have done a lot of volunteer work. I am committed to good local government and long-range planning for a sustainable Silver City." She said the key is environmental and green development.

The first audience question asked each candidate how she planned on improving the relationship between Silver City and the university.

"I was here as part of the 100th celebration of the university's founding," Kingsley said. "I was on the beautification committee. We bought fruit trees and planted them behind Light Hall. I've long been committed to developing a relationship between Silver City and Western New Mexico University. I can't say how things have improved. The relationship should continue to be equal partners. I would like to see a cultural arts festival covering the migration from Aztlan in Utah to Mexico City. I would love to see community theater groups doing plays on the migration trail."

Aiman-Smith noted that a lot of activities of collaboration between the town and the university have occurred and continue to happen. "I've worked a lot on projects with students. For a sociology project, students rode around on Corre Caminos to find out why people use the bus. It was to encourage people to ride the bus. We have short-term projects that benefit the university and the town. We are working on a corridor up and down College Avenue. The Light Hall Theater brings the community in. Building the relationships continues."

The next question asked: "What will you do that will encourage a large demographic, namely Hispanics and children, to feel they are part of the town. What specifically will you do to attract the alienated demographic?"

Aiman-Smith said: "Alienated? Hispanics and children? I go to quite a lot of events. I run into a lot of children and a lot of Hispanics. For children, we have Jump into Summer, the Red Hot Children's Fiesta, the recent Buddy Walk, and many of those children who attend these events are Hispanic. I would like to talk to the person who asked this question to know where the gaps are. Most of the town employees have Hispanic last names. It really makes me wonder why they feel alienated and disenfranchised."

Kingsley said: "Cultural diversity is the source of richness in a world without biological diversity." She promoted the creation of a Festival of Flowers before Day of the Dead. She described the festival as an Aztecan cultural festival. "I would suggest bringing a veil of marigolds from a small sister city. We need to promote appreciation among ourselves. I think a bilingual Big Read would be useful."

Fisher asked the first Daily Press question. The town has some small businesses that show success, such as Syzygy Tile, Power and Light Press and Little Toad. "What role do small manufacturers have in Silver City and how can the Town Council work to promote them?"

Kingsley said she believes "in the little guy. Seek out those who invest in themselves, whether through incentives or local support. Be green and sustainable. Successful sustainable agriculture could be bought here. Perhaps an organic fertilizer manufacturer or biochar. Showcase those types of business."

"Years ago, I was a manufacturer's manager," Aiman-Smith. "I appreciate Syzygy and Power and Light Press for their combination of art and manufacturing. I worked on the Green Jobs Task Force. We had lots of ideas. How can the town help out? The town can sow knowledge about biochar, for instance, and working on sustainable heating. We don't have the money for incentives, but we can talk to each other."

An audience question asked: "Some people want Silver City to expand and have chain stores? What is your stand on that?"

"The town does not deny nor woo businesses," Aiman-Smith said. "The members of the chambers of commerce can encourage growth. A town has to bring in new money to be sustainable. We have to have more coming in than going out. We want some growth, not explosive growth. In the last census, we had about 10,500 people. The latest estimate shows we are below 10,000. We have to have reasonable growth to be sustainable."

Kingsley answered: "There is a possibility of growth, but we have to be conscious of it. We have to establish criteria if we want to encourage businesses. Recyling is an example." She said it could go from being a utility to becoming a good business that would provide Silver City with a national reputation. It could be a public/private enterprise. The town used to pay to ship out recycling. Now they make $15 a ton instead. Look at the public utility and interface it with the private sector in ways that channels the needs into attractive business opportunities." She said the town could bring in national chains that have committed to being employee-owned chains."

In a related question, someone asked why the Sustainability Office is smaller than it was.

"I've asked the same question," Kingsley said. "I don't know, but my understanding is that even the directors are dismayed."

Aiman-Smith said the town is always happy to accept grants. "The town worked with the Recyling Committee to get a grant to expand the program by buying trucks and bins. The grants are used for the benefit of Silver City. For instance, right now YCC (Youth Conservation Corps) students are cleaning up the San Vicente Trail. The Office of Sustainability was created with a large grant, knowing the office would have to bring in more grants. The mission was to instill in the town a decision to create a sustainable town and make it systemic. It all got done, so the town doesn't feel as much need for it now."

A questioner asked about renewable energy. "There is a great deal of interest in having 100 percent renewable energy in the state. Does the city play a role in getting the state to 100 percent renewable energy?"

Aiman-Smith said: "Just today I requested a report on the feasibility study on sustainable renewable energy from the Santa Fe city manager. "For the town buildings, we hear requests for 100 percent renewable energy. We hope to get the report to see how feasible it is in Santa Fe. The Visitor Center and the wastewater treatment plan are now mostly run with renewable energy. Right now, we have a design for a photovoltaic carport at the Silver City Public Library, but we need money to implement it. Every year, our revenue decreases by $400,000 because of the phase out of hold harmless."

Kingsley said she agrees on renewable energy. "We can't get there by the government saying you have to be 100 percent renewable. We have to have citizen input to submit a plan. We are dependent on the utilities. There are alternatives. The county and WNM Communications, a local telephone co-op, which franchises its services, are working on alternative models. They need to ask the utilities to step up."

Fisher pointed out that one thing that Silver City lags behind in is high-speed broadband service.

"It takes looking at diversification and alternatives," Kingsley said. "I found out after I came back that after I helped create a plan to provide a high-speed network and internet service to all the local governments, schools and emergency services that the fiber was never installed. CenturyLink and Comcast never knew they were out of compliance with the franchise. I was told the wrong kind of fiber was pulled throughout town. I don't know, but I was told it was video-only fiber and was used for video conferencing between the Sheriff's Office and the jail, both of which, of course, have now moved out of where they were. Digital communications ought to be pushed along the same system. I was never consulted. I intended the entity to provide free public access in this community. I have been told the cable company in Portland, Ore., provides it, but not here."

Aiman-Smith said in 2013, she was volunteering as the primary researcher for the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments. "I talked to the hospital and to Western New Mexico University. No one government runs everything. Nothing is under the control of the town. Arraignments that were done over the video conferencing are now done by Skype. I wasn't here when the fiber was installed. I have knowledge that the project fell apart. There is some movement to get faster routing."

Seibel said: "The franchise agreement was not fully implemented, research was done by Lynda Aiman-Smith? It seems like missed opportunities. What can the town do to leverage things?

Aiman-Smith said the town is working with the schools, Cobre and Silver, which are working on networking opportunities. "The primary research I did, which was put into a report in 2014, showed two things keeping us behind. One, the local density of population and the geography and how to get the service to us. But the second one, was the actual scale of competent IT (information technology) network linkup talent. They are scarce skills. The town cannot make this happen. It has to be a community effort."

Kingsley agreed the town can't do it alone. "The franchise was a 20-year contract between CATS (Community Access Television Silver City) and Silver City and Grant County. There are shorter-time utility contracts where franchises are renewed. A lot of electrical utilities provide high-speed broadband. The university spent $100,000 for cameras for classrooms, but the transmission was not cost-effective. I advocated with WNM Communications to pull 400 miles of fiber. The university promised me they would provide public access, but they didn't."

Seibel asked if the town plays a role in influencing the state in transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy.

Kingsley said based on her working between the local community and the state, if Silver City can carve out $100,000 from the CAP Entity, which wants to take water out of the Gila, to convince the state to create a statewide water institute, connecting WNMU and New Mexico State University, Silver City could be the site for such a water institute. "I encourage New Mexico to value water."

Aiman-Smith said asking the state to take away the monopoly of the Public Regulations Commission might be a better avenue. "We don't get as much as Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We have a sparse population, and I'm not sure how much of a market there is to bring in renewable, because the transmission lines are paltry. Work on the Energy Transmission Alliance and see who would be interested in bringing in renewable energy."

Seibel asked if Comcast or PNM might be interested.

"In broadband, maybe," Aiman-Smith said. "Silver City is dependent on PNM, as is most of the state. We gotta have transmission line and have lines that get to houses. I got excited about the concept of micro-grids, but they haven't been deployed in municipalities. It depends on who owns the lines."

Kingsley said the town could use leverage of its contract with CATS to have CATS go out for grants. "Silver City has a lot of infrastructure issues. It's a matter of looking at alternatives and doing critical analysis of what is actually on the ground."

Seibel commented with some excitement: "When I was councilor, years ago, I represented District 2. This is the most District 2-forum I could have imagined. The district is made up of engaged people."

Fisher said it seems there is a huge impact form unfunded mandates, plus cuts from the state and federal governments. "How can the town reach a measure that will best benefit and best buffer itself from those that want to do it harm?"

Kingsley replied: "The funds from the CAP has to be spent by earmarking those funds and using those funds for beneficial water quality, instead of expending it on a not-well-researched project that we don't know the benefits of. We must be more self-sustaining in recycling and using the Office of Sustainability. State funds are the way to earmark them and apply for grants."

Aiman-Smith said things have happened at the federal level, with a budget that slashes out several projects and removes the Community Development Block grants. "Those CDBG funds are all we have along with some gross receipts taxes, some property taxes, and some franchise fees. The federal dollars come to us through the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, the Economic Development Department. It takes the state three years to get something done. HB (House Bill) 191 would have slowed down the hold harmless phase out. Thanks to Rep. Martinez for pushing it, but it got stuck in the Senate Finance Committee. Things out there can wreck municipalities. We have to reach out."

An audience question asked: "The town is dependent on federal funding for infrastructure. Should the town make changes to better utilize funding, by, for instance, creating areas of greater density, so the same lines serve more people?"

Aiman-Smith replied first. "The downtown plan already encourages infill. Downtown is already mixed use. We want to encourage people to live downtown. My fancy vision is people going to eat, going to the movies, then the bars and stumbling home downtown."

Kingsley said she didn't think that would solve the economic problems. "How about looking at annexation of those who are already provided town services? About revitalizing downtown," she said she wanted talk to the Werber kids, Ari and the others, about taking the Old Post Office building and turning it into a music venue. "We have to be looking at how areas in communities can hurt or help diversification of services. Residents do not cover the costs of public services."

The next question came in two parts, which were asked separately. The first part asked the difference between an ordinance and a resolution.

Kingsley said she wrote a thesis on the history of resolutions. She gave some of the history and then said. "It is a methodology for deliberative policy making and making a statement of opinion. A resolution has the power to endorse something. An ordinance is a formal legal statement of policy that requires compliance with the law."

Aiman-Smith said resolutions can be used in different organizations. The Municipal League issues resolutions of opinion that are non-binding. "In Silver City, what we do are binding resolutions that tell the town to do something. Most are intent and rarely opinion unless you're asking the state to do something. Ordinances are the law."

The second part of the question asked the process of developing an ordinance.

Aiman-Smith said it is a process of creating a law. "We have public input. An ordinance is usually considered when we notice something is not working. We always talk to our legal counsel and do our due diligence."

Kingsley said revising an ordinance is relatively easy, but it has to be in compliance with state law. "When I worked with Silver City, I wrote ordinances, but they had to be reviewed, and sometimes revisions were needed. The revision has to be done with analysis by the attorney. I think public sign placements is in error. But changes have to be approved by the attorney and the local governing body. Look at other ordinances in surrounding municipalities and the county to compare."

An audience question asked what the town would do about vacant, abandoned buildings.

Kingsley said she had not studied the issue, but she supports Lynda's plans. "I suggest maybe temporary galleries, as a way to make use of them."

Aiman-Smith said it is an issue she has been working on for three years. "There are no abandoned buildings. They all have owners and the property taxes are being paid. Several are neglected. The vacancy rate downtown is actually about 10 percent, but because they are big buildings and starting to deteriorate, it gives the wrong impression. Many are owned by out-of-town owners as a tax write-off. How do we motivate them to sell, use or donate the building? We are working on an ordinance and on stuff to influence ownership that thinks a building is worth $450,000, when it's not."

Kingsley suggested pulling the charter off the shelf to see what kind of alternatives they can place on the owners. "Maybe have them pay, instead of chip-sealing the streets, to use a road-based hardener to keep the streets up. The building could be sold to a non-profit. How about a not-for-profit campground run by homeless guys?"

Aiman-Smith said she would like to know how many are actually homeless and "how many will work for three years? There have been experiments with tiny houses, camping facilities and treatments to get them off drugs and into mental health treatment. Usually the only contribution by the town could be short-term leases with variable costs. New Mexico has a statute that says no government can give away anything to anybody. I think it would be good to do a feasibility study to determine how many homeless we do have and what the demographic is. What if a couple of non-profits draft an agreement to determine the need?"

Kingsley agreed that the scale of the problem needs to be known, as well as the boundaries of it. "There are a lot of alternatives, but it takes money to construct tiny houses and solar tents. Beside the anti-donation state statute, another option is in-kind services, where contributions can go toward the cost. We can use the homeless to do work. There could be a green space by the Gospel Mission. They could pick up litter, be a partner and pay rent. Look at Portland, Oregon. They have a constructive use of space using in-kind donations."

Fisher said town department heads can impact Silver City residents through policy. "Where should the balance be between convenience for town staff and services to residents? In policies and procedures, where do you step in?"

Kingsley said the Town Council can make recommendations on personnel in executive session. "It should be in the hands of the town manager. I have a high regard from my discussions with town officials."

"I'm in agreement with my opponent," Aiman-Smith said. "The Town Council does policy, but the scheduling and such are between the town manager and the department head. I might say: 'May I help in writing interview questions,' but Alex (Brown, town manager) is the boss. I don't stick my nose into individual issues."

Seibel said: "Let's say it's a poorly designed water bill. Stop spending money on calling people to remind them their bills are not paid. When does the council hear from those? When their water is turned off, of course. How do you remind people if they are used to getting calls from the town? Who is responsible? How much time are they wasting with the phone calls? Maybe encourage people to put a note on the date to pay their water bill?"

Kingsley said she doesn't have that issue, as her landlord pays her utility bills. "I'm not sure of the requirements, but I know there are standards for potable water. There are requirements not to turn off the electricity during certain months. The bill should probably specify that if the bill is not paid, the water will be turned off."

An audience question asked: "How can we enhance pedestrian safety?"

Kingsley said she thinks the four-way stop is an improvement at Bullard and Broadway. "People are sitting there for fewer seconds. For bicycle road races, we should help improve safety. If I see someone waiting to cross at any corner in town or a bicycle trying to cross, I stop. Maybe we need more education. Take a look at an ordinance and get input from frequent walkers and bicycle riders."

"We already have wonderful advocacy groups-WAG and BAG (Walkability Advocacy Group and Bicycling Advocacy Group)," Aiman-Smith said. "We did pass a master bicycle plan, and we are working on grants to implement what people will be doing. A grant on Swan Street will put in bicycle lanes from the highway to 12th Street. The town now has a trails coordinator. We are putting up fences to keep out ATVs. A lot is going on, and we have a lot of work to do. I look at the plan all the time and talk to the public and my colleagues."

The next audience question asked the two candidates: "Do you consider yourself a progressive and what does that mean?"

Aiman-Smith replied: "Yes, because I like to think of innovative solutions to problems and ways to include people in support of sustainability."

Kingsley said: "I've struggled with what I am. I have registered as Green Party. Democrat, Republican, Libertarian. I thought about Progressive, but I think I'm a progressive libertarian. I believe in the rights of citizens and the value of government. We have to have common space and rights-of-way. If all land were privately owned, how would we get from Point A to Point B? The word highway means the king's highway. We need governments and communities to work together for the benefit of everyone."

Another questioner posed: "What can Silver City do to be pollinator friendly, as in bees?"

Kingsley suggested people speak to the councilor to support a resolution for Silver City to be a Bee City and to support bee-keeping. "I look at bees the same way I do chickens. The town allows hens. We need an ordinance regarding the necessity of bees. We need to expand native plants in Silver City. There are things we can do."

Aiman-Smith noted that bees are important pollinators for local farms. "I'm interested in other things that the town can do for the issue. 'What's being sprayed?' I'm asking. Native plants with native pollinators, we've done. What do you do if bees swarm into your yard? We do have an ordinance that a family can have up to four laying hens, but no roosters, and there are set-backs away from property lines. I think a bee-keepers license might be better than an ordinance."

A question asked: "What key strategies do you have to promote economic development?"

Aiman-Smith said economic development is complex. "You have to have an entity that's bringing in money, whether non-profits, businesses and other ways. Keep the money inside the city and not so much going out. One of the strategies is to improve independent cyber-professionals. We have a large portion of them in town. We need to help more of them, but we want broadband to be good enough to bring them or encourage them. Infill builds economic development. The Silco has become an economic engine. The third thing is: 'Don't pooh-pooh tourism.' It's 12 percent of our economy here right now. It can be way bigger. The Tour of the Gila is coming up in April. This Tour of the Gila will be emphasizing and attracting amateur riders. Why? Because they will come back."

Kingsley said her perspective was similar to Aiman-Smith's. "We must do economic development in a sustainable way, using sun, land, temperate climate and water. I don't think there's a lot of reason to encourage growth, unless we do it wisely. Let's start with leveraging the CAP money for a water institute, using our pristine water without digging big holes and siphoning water off the Gila. We should seriously consider promoting a tourism cultural arts event. I suggest the Festival of Flowers, with native organic foods. We need a venue that is a major tourism draw, so they spend five days here. We could use recipes to celebrate the Celtic Festival of Enoch around Feb. 12."

Fisher asked the final Daily Press question. "It's about the homeless. With the government, it takes time. There is an urgency, if not an emergency. People are dying on our streets. Does the town have a role in prioritizing or making a decision immediately to work with organizations that help this demographic?"

Kingsley suggested looking at other communities to see what has been successful. "Portland has success. How can we assist the Gospel Mission to open the shelters? The town ought to address the use-of-public-property ordinance. Make sure the aggressive panhandling ordinance is consistent. Treat every person with respect for every individual."

Aiman-Smith said folks in the university social work department have done some research. "We are not sure how many people are truly homeless. We have a number of transients and a number with drug abuse and mental illness issues. When I looked at successes, it was not the town doing it, but a collaboration of non-profits doing it. It's worth a feasibility study. The town can't take the lead, but a dedicated non-profit can. Tu Casa is being built and is looking for advisory board members. Respond if you're willing to work."

Seible asked his customary Time Machine question. "You are elected and have served two years. You want to be re-elected for another two years. What single accomplishment are you most proud of?"

Aiman-Smith said: "I've worked with a group on the issue of absentee landlords and they decide the best write-off would be to donate them to some non-profit entity for its overall value and non-profits will take over at least two of them."

Kingsley said she would like to see this community having increased its "convergence of diversified culture in real ways and those kinds of events have put Silver City on the international scene. Plus, we have joined an international sister city. I believe in multi-culturalism."

For her closing statement, Kingsley said it is not a win-loss to share "what we have with others to make sure it is greater than the parts. Connect government and private entities to create a healthier community." She said in an applied communications course, she once taught, the students came up with projects on the curricula that turned into practical businesses.

Aiman-Smith said: "We are doing a whole lot in this city. I don't mean the town, I mean 'we.' We have huge tournaments at Scott Field. We have robotics at the library. We have a maker's place. Maybe people don't know what's happening with the youth, with diversity, with creating business plans. I would like to encourage us all to be more attuned to what is going on. Be proud and helpful of where we're going in this town. Come talk to me. Remember early voting is going on at the Town Hall through March 2, with election day on March 6 at the Woman's Club."