Front Page News

By Frost McGahey, Investigative Journalist

Marisa Castrillo, Grant County ClerkIn the 2021 election for Town District 2, County Clerk Marisa Castrillo blocked Simon Wheaton-Smith from filing a Declaration of Candidacy on the filing day of August 24th.  Castrillo claimed that since Wheaton-Smith hadn't lived in District 2 on the date of the governor's proclamation, (90 days ago) he was ineligible. Wheaton-Smith had been living in the district on the regular filing date of 70 days before the election.

(See excerpt from Candidate Guide at end of article.  There is no election deadline in the proclamation law.*)

Before then a forum had been organized by the Silver City Press on August 6th to discuss what candidates needed to know in order to file.** The county had taken over the Town elections. 

By Roger Lanse

As a Bayard Police Department officer was patrolling the area of Central Avenue and Mayo Street on Saturday, Apr. 6, 2024, at about 7 a.m., he noticed a male standing by the Bayard Post Office and observed damage to the front door of the post office.

According to a BPD incident report, the officer made contact with the male, who identified himself as Raymond Chavez with a birthdate of Aug.15,1989. He denied any knowledge of the door's damage – "I don't know. That's what I was just looking at, Bro." The male then walked away although the officer requested him to stay. Based on bodycam footage, the male was identified as Christopher Amador, 34, of Silver City. The Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority informed the officer Amador had a felony warrant for his arrest.

By Mary Alice Murphy

Members of the Grant County Commission held a work session on March 18, 2024 for a singular purpose—to discuss the Grant County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation and Trails Master Plan.

District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce said that District 5 Harry Browne had requested the discussion session.

Browne thanked everyone for taking time to discuss the issue. "My hope was to use almost $99,000 from the Sun Zia (electric transmission line) project (part of which crosses Grant County and provides funding to the county) and another potential for $250,000 from the Sun Zia project to pay for an employee to implement the comprehensive outdoor recreation and trails master plan. It's way too much for staff to take on."

By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley held a special meeting March 19, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, councilors Nanette Day, Reynaldo Maynes, Keana Huerta, and James Langley.

Public input

Representative Luis Terrazas attended to give the council an update on the legislative session. They had a successful budget for obtaining funding for Grant County in the amount of $83 million. "Because of the recent redistricting done in Santa Fe our area only has one representative and 2 senators." The two senators he referred to are Senators Crystal Diamond Brantley and Siah Correa-Hemphill. The three had worked together to provide Hurley with $250,000 for the recreation center. Terrazas said not one legislator does this on their own.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting March 25, 2024. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Medina, councilors, Frances Gonzales, Eloy Gonzales, and Gilbert Ortiz. Gabriel Ramos, city clerk, also attended.

The council approved the agenda after some questions were brought forward on the consent agenda. Frances Gonzales wanted to know why $700 had been charged to three departments for "Text My Gov." Ramos said they had spread it out because those departments would be benefiting from the service. Frances Gonzales still had concerns and Ramos told her that if the council wanted that done differently they would. Some discussion went on around that issue. Medina wanted to table the part of the consent agenda that approved attendance to the financial officer association spring meeting for Martha Salas, incoming clerk/treasurer and Tanya Ortiz, deputy clerk. Salas had since declined the job.

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a regular meeting on March 28, 2024. Board members in attendance included, Gilbert Guadiana, David Terrazas (phone), Angelina Hardin, and Emmarie Heredia. Acting superintendent Michael Koury also attended. Gabriella Begay did not attend.

Dottie Pfeifer with Kiwanis presented the students of the month awards for February and March.

ROAD ADVISORY
CLOSURE – DEMING AREA
Pine eastbound at milepost 1 all lanes are closed due to a CMV Crash. Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs , and watch out for emergency personnel, while using caution. Please expect delays.

By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held a meeting March 28, 2024. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza trustees, Olga Amador, , and Ralph Trujillo attended. Peter Erickson did not attend.

Mayor's report