Things will likely get dicey around here in the coming weeks, as the municipal elections start heating up. With the election on March 7, we can start to expect candidates (and their supporters) to really hammer out their message.
With Edith Gutierrez getting a free ride to a four-year term as Municipal Judge, it looks like the only race in Silver City will be that for Mayor. This is an interesting one, with the field completely wide open right now.
Gary Clauss will be pushing strong on his opposition to the construction of a library at the former Hillcrest Hospital site, and for a renewed recycling program. Also, look for his supporters to trumpet sustainability in the community, and maybe even talk of a local minimum wage initiative.
The James Marshall camp has been pretty quiet, but he’s certainly been busy. The Citizen Corps Council he helped form is training their first team of volunteer emergency response teams this week. In addition, as project coordinator at Gila Regional Medical Center, he’ll be happy with the news that the Legislature approved $1 million for a cancer treatment center at GRMC.
I haven’t heard anything from the Bodie Chavez campaign, and it looks like Wednesday night might be the first chance we’ll get to see what they’re all about.
I’ll have more on the campaigns around Grant County later today. Also, be sure to attend the candidate forums this week. Those people running for office in Bayard, Hurley and Santa Clara will be appearing tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Bayard Community Center. Silver City candidates will be at the Grant County Administration Center Wednesday night at 7. (Thanks Johnson)
UPDATE: Word comes through the email grapevine that Bodie Chavez may be the surprise candidate in the Silver City election:
“My two cents is that Bodie could be the literal ‘dark horse’ in the race. Do not underestimate his organizing abilities. His BBQ dinner was sold out hours early.”
I’m really looking forward to Wednesday…
Johnson
“Silver City candidates will be at the Grant County Detention Center Wednesday night at 7. ”
At the detention center? Is there room? Or are these people who can’t vote for themselves?
Thomas Nupp
Feel free to publish the email address, I welcome the input. The forum Wed. night was a little contentious, not near as much as I would have liked, particularly as regards the selection of a new library site. Regrettably “the other email list” put a spin on some things I said that completely changed the meaning of my words. It seems “the other email list” couldn’t find time to post a very polite letter from Ralph Gauer regarding his research of the public involvement of the library siting. If I get enough email requests I’ll be more than happy to post one rebuttal to what has been “spun” on the “other list”!! Sincerely, Thomas Nupp, Councilor, Dist. 2, Town of Silver City NM
Thomas Nupp
And another thing! While I’m on a roll, it appears that some individuals that live outside the city limits but own property inside the city limits think is’t ok for them to vote here, perhaps because they have water or other utilities turned on in their name in town property, i.e. a rental with the landlord paying the utilities. WRONG!! What establishes residency is where you actually live, where your habitation is fixed, which when you are absent you have the intention to return. You can find the rules under N.M.S.A.1978 1-1-7. The offense defination is under N.M.S.A. 1-20-3 please note: “Whoever commits a registration offense is guilty of a fourth degree FELONY!