Front Page News
Grant County Commission holds work session 050923 and regular meeting 051123, part 7
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 May 2023 24 May 2023
[Editor's Note: This is the seventh of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission's work session on May 9, 2023 and regular meeting on May 11, 2023. This article continues with a review of the regular meeting agenda at the work session and continues with a report from GRMC and several agenda items at the regular meeting.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
County Manager Charlene Webb continued the work session review of the regular meeting agenda of May 11, 2923. The next item addressed the monthly Gila Regional Medical Center update to the commissioners.
Interim Chief Nursing Officer Cynthia Lewis gave a brief report. She noted that the days of cash on hand for the hospital had risen to 111 in March. The hospital had a loss of $5,000 in March, but that was almost break even, which is the goal of the administration. "We expect a good fourth quarter of the fiscal year."
District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce asked if the hospital has begun its 5-year plan on infrastructure.
Lewis said she thought so but could not give any detail, but she would ask Interim Chief Executive Officer Margie Molitor and Chief Financial Officer Patrick Banks to give an update when they return. She also thanked them for the proclamations for the hospital, nurses and EMS.
Economic prosperity ideas for community
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 May 2023 24 May 2023
Left to right NMFA Managing Director Lending Ron Cruz, Regional Finance Managers Mark Montoya and Ryan Olguin, Lead Finance Manager Carmela Manzari, and SWNMCOG Director Priscilla Lucero
Photo and article By Lynn Janes
As part of a statewide tour NMFA (New Mexico Finance Authority) visited Silver City to provide information about the organization. The state legislature created NMFA in 1992, with the intent to help with financing for projects that impacted infrastructure, economic development, and the quality of life in New Mexico. When the agency started, it had 30 employees and now has grown to 60.
The meeting took place May 18, 2023, at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. They had also offered the meeting through Zoom. Four finance directors attended, and others attended online.
Hurley discusses budget and community projects
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 May 2023 23 May 2023
By Lynn Janes
The town of Hurley held a budget workshop May 17, 2023, beginning with the roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, Mayor pro tem Richard Maynes and councilors Nanette Day and Reynaldo Maynes. Keana Huerta didn't attend.
The council approved the agenda.
Lori Ortiz, city clerk, started the discussion about the upcoming budget. She had made the changes requested from the first budget workshop. One of the changes increased the budget for animal control to accommodate a full-time person. The council received the budget and it showed the difference that change would make. She also included some new line items to add the purchase of a washer and dryer, security cameras and pressure washer for the shelter. Ortiz said those items would cost about $2,000 but she added an extra $1,000 to make sure all would be covered.
Armed Forces Day Celebration – recap
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 May 2023 23 May 2023
The 1st Armored Division Bank out of El Paso, performed at the Armed Forces Day Celebration on May 21, 2023
Photo and article courtesy of Karen Beckenbach.
[Editor's Note: Thanks to Karen Beckenbach of the Grant County Community Concert Association for this recap. This editor attended and would like to report that it was excellent. This editor also took a bunch of notes and photos and will try to write it up sometime in the not too distant future!]
The Armed Forces Day Celebration was held Sunday May 21 at Bataan Memorial Park and was a great success. The event started with members from the Marine Corps League and Vietnam Veterans of America posting the colors followed by Emcee Raul Turrieta having attendees stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. After Raul paid tribute to the active-duty military, Gold Star Families and veterans he introduced the guest speakers, Dr. John Bell who gave a brief history of Fort Bayard. The next speaker, David Morrison, gave a passionate speech about the men from Grant County who were sent to Bataan, eventually captured and forced on the infamous Bataan Death March then ended up on the Hell Ships that were sunk by friendly fire. Of the 112 men from Grant County that went to Bataan only 45 returned home. He implored us to never forget their sacrifice and to take time to read the history posted in the Park. The final speaker was Phillip Torres, director of the Fort Bayard National Cemetery who spoke of the history of the Cemetery, his desire to enhance the cemetery, and to commemorate it as a final resting place that pays tribute to all who have given their service and sacrifice along with their loved ones to our nation. Memorial Day Ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, 2023, at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.
Fire crews responding to Pass Fire near Indian Creek Cabin
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 22 May 2023 22 May 2023
Lightning strike caused fire creeping through pine understory, consuming dead fuels RESERVE, NM, May 22, 2023 – A lightning strike ignited the Pass Fire on the Gila National Forest the evening of May 17, located about ¼-mile from Forest Road 59 about 1 mile east of Indian Creek Cabin and 0.7-mile north of the Gila Wilderness boundary. The low-intensity fire is burning in grass and pine needles has grown to approximately 193 acres.
"We are applying a confine and contain strategy on this fire and allowing it to play its natural role in this fire-adapted ecosystem," said Agency Administrator Elizabeth Toney. "We're seeing really excellent fire effects, burning surface fuels in pine understory, consuming dead grass and dead and down logs."
Grant County Commission holds work session 050923 part 6
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 21 May 2023 21 May 2023
[Editor's Note: This is the sixth of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission's work session on May 9, 2023 and regular meeting on May 11, 2023. This article continues with a review of the regular meeting agenda at the work session and includes the proclamations and their photos.]
Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
After presentations and commission updates at the May 9, 2023 Grant County Commission work session, County Manager Charlene Webb began the review of the May 11, 2023 regular meeting agenda.
The first item was a public hearing authorizing the execution and delivery of a loan agreement and intercept agreement by and between Grant County, and the New Mexico Finance Authority to pay a principal amount of $1,084,911 for the purpose of constructing a pre-engineered metal building to serve as a new fire station in the Dos Griegos Subdivision for the Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire Department.
Missing Endangered Advisory – Luna County Sheriff's Office- Michael Ford
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
Luna County, NM – The following information is for the distribution of a Missing Endangered Advisory from the Luna County Sheriff's Office. Please refer all media inquiries and questions to the Luna County Sheriff's Office at (575) 546-2655.
The Luna County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating Michael Ford, (56) who is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 210 pounds with brown eyes, and black hair. He was last seen wearing black sweatpants, a white T-shirt and brown slippers. He does require a cane to walk. Michael was last seen on May 17, 2023, on 8th Street in Deming, NM. He may be in a grey 2006 Ford F150 truck bearing New Mexico license plate ALLM56 which comes back stolen. His direction of travel is unknown.
Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Michael Ford is asked to contact the Luna County Sheriff's Office at (575) 546-2655 or dial 911.
Grant County Commission holds work session 050923 part 5
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
[Editor's Note: This is the fifth of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission's work session on May 9, 2023 and regular meeting on May 11, 2023. This article continues with Commission updates from county department heads.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
The next Commission update came from Fiscal Services Director Linda Vasquez at the Grant County Commission work session on May 9, 2023.
She reported current projects including RFPs (requests for proposal) and bids. The first RFP 23-07, due May 8, 2023, addressed Airport engineering services; RFP 23-08, due May 12, 2023, addressed Tu Casa Crisis Consultant Services; RFP 23-09, due June 14, 2023, addressed legal services; and RFP-23-10 addressed External Auditor Services, due May 15, 2023.
The bids including Bid B-23-02, due May 23, 2023 for Truck Bypass widening and culvert replacements; B-23-03 due May 25, 2023, for Airport apron pavement maintenance and slot; and B-23-04, due May 31, 2023 for Little Walnut Phase I.