By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a public hearing October 29, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ken Ladner, Mayor Pro Tem Guadalupe Cano, Rudy Bencomo, Nicholas Prince and Stan Snider.

The council approved the restaurant beer and wine license for La Vie Est Un Bistro at 112 West Yankie Street. It will allow for on premises consumption only by the drink and patio service.

Ladner asked if anyone had any previous discussions with anyone regarding the subject matter of the hearing. Prince said he had an email from the applicant asking about the process and passed them to town management. He offered to recuse himself with a recommendation from the town attorney. The council did not see a reason for him to recuse himself.

Alfred Sedillo, town clerk, swore in the applicants. Ladner went over the reasons the application could be denied.

Jason C. Pierre, one of the applicants addressed the council. He said it would be a French bistro and would be the only one in town to do this kind of presentation. The restaurant will be a family restaurant. Pierre said he has flags from all over and people can talk about the history of the world we live in. He wants to make Silver City proud when tourists come in and enjoy a great restaurant venue. "We can service everyone."

Cano said she had heard great things about the restaurant and glad he will be downtown. She felt the license would add to downtown. However, the building is not handicap accessible. She let him know if he ever wanted to do an event it would not be permitted. She asked him to keep that in mind for future renovations.

Rosemary Ledger, the other applicant, spoke to the atmosphere being calm and a great place and didn't see it being anything but a plus and bonus to the downtown area. She spoke to the reason for Cano saying it would not be accessible. She asked if that had been because of the large step and sidewalk. Currently Pierre has been looking at two other locations to move the restaurant. Within six months that may not be an issue. Right now, she has been coming outside to help older people come in.

Prince spoke to the infrastructure improvements and what the appropriate communication would be from the council through city management to new property owners. He said he had seen other businesses build ramps even temporary.

Meeting adjourned