Photos and article by Roger Lanse

Mayor Ken Ladner proclaimed April 2018 as Fair Housing Month. Left to right, Kim Clark, Executive Director Silver City Regional Association of Realtors; Ladner; Cissy McAndrew, President, SCRAR; and Priscilla Lucero, Executive Director Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments.

Jackie Blurton of the Southwest New Mexico Audubon Society, and residents Carol Fugagli, Indigo Quinn, and Chris Overlock encouraged council to add more protection to San Vicente Creek, especially the lower part, where open gates and ATV damage are evident. Citing the attractiveness of the trail system along the creek within the town limits as a draw for tourists and residents alike, the four speakers applauded what the town has done so far to protect the waterway. However, they said more work needs to be done.

Fugagli stated that the common blackhawk, while anything but common, is unique to San Vicente Creek, and home to a breeding pair for the past several years. These raptors feed on fish, amphibians, snakes and crayfish, and ATVs splashing through the creek roil and muddy the water making it less desirable for the animals the blackhawk feeds on, she said, while human activity may cause the bird to abandon its nest site.

A northern goshawk, uncommon in lower elevations of southwest New Mexico, has been sighted in San Vicente Creek in recent weeks, as have a pair of great horned owls, various warblers and other migratory songbirds, according to Fugagli, that will definitely be impacted with the ongoing ATV use.

Fugagli concluded by saying, ”I appreciate your consideration and action regarding the gate and fence repair to keep our creek beautiful and vigorous for the bird species that many of our residents value.”

Mayor Ken Ladner proclaimed April 27-28, 2018, Continental Divide Trail Days. Left to right; Ladner; Jenny Gaeng, Gateway Community Coordinator-Continental Divide Trail Coalition; Dan Roper, newly appointed GCC-CDTC; and Raul Turrieta.District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith explained why she does not introduce symbolic or ‘feel good’ resolutions as they are not “appropriate in the scope of binding resolutions” for the town.

District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison stated that the coming U.S. census will have the question, “Are you a U.S. citizen?” "This will result in an undercount of the people we serve in our state, in our county and in our municipalities and will affect funding for such programs as Medicaid and CHIP, and it could affect representation," she said.

Town Manager Alex Brown told council the town will soon have three major projects going which will affect traffic patterns in the town; College Avenue, the old hospital property and Highway 15. The one having the most impact on residential areas of the town, according to Brown, will be the Highway 15 project and associated detours. Both Brown and Bettison encouraged residents who have concerns with trucks and equipment in residential areas to go to ‘Report A Pothole’ for faster response, rather than call councilors.

Mayor Ken Ladner asked Brown if the state will help with street repair after heavy equipment from these three projects, especially the Highway 15 project, which is New Mexico Department of Transportation controlled. Brown answered, “No, any money from the state will have to come from grants.”

Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds reminded motorists to pay attention to new signs at the Highway 15 and Pine Street intersection and to slow down on Highway 15.

District 4 Councilor Guadalupe Cano reminded residents of two volunteer projects to take place at the park on the corner of Corbin and Yankie streets on April 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The projects will include playground cleanup and a gardening opportunity.

District 3 Councilor Jose Ray Jr. announced a flag ceremony for veterans to raise new flags on Wednesday, Mar. 28, at Gough Park at 10 a.m.

Mike Stone of Stone McGee Company reported that the town’s audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 received the highest rating. Council approved the report.

Cissy McAndrew, President of the Silver City Regional Association of Realtors reported they had their best year since 2007. She said the association has a new strategic plan to put out quarterly information out to the public. McAndrew said a Housing Expo will take place on Apr. 26 from 4-6 p.m. at the Business and Conference Center.

Council elected Bettison as Mayor Pro-Tempore.

Three public celebration permit applications were approved by council: for the Red Dot Studio Tour opening reception to be held at 209 W. Broadway on May 4, with alcohol service from 4-9 p.m.; for the Continental Divide Trail Day event at Seedboat gallery on Apr. 27, with alcohol service from 3:30 -11 p.m.; and for the Tour of the Gila VIP reception to be held at The Hub on Apr. 21, with alcohol service from 1-5 p.m. All were approved.

A request from Washington Federal Bank for direction on whether the town will renew its lease for its bank building at 1203 N. Hudson Street was discussed. Since the present lease has a few years to go, Brown said, council and staff decided the town needs to begin kicking around options for town use, particularly because the bank building sits across the street from Gough Park and houses the Community Development offices. All agreed the bank also needs sufficient lead time to develop moving plans should the town not renew the lease.