Here is a look at today’s headlines:
In Silver City the large recycling bins located behind Shoe Depot and at the Grant County Administration Center are being removed on the weekends. The reason for the removal is due to the high amount of trash that are being put in them and around them. According to Terry Timme, planner for the recycling and special projects with the town’s Office of Sustainability, says that so often the bins contain non-recyclables such as household trash, yard trimming, dead animals, and hazardous materials like needles. When the contamination is so bad, the entire bin has to be taken directly to the landfill. This, in the long run, defeats the purpose of recycling. According to Assistant Town Manager, James Marshall, the penalty for illegal dumping in Silver City is a fine of $500 and/or up to 90 days in jail. Silver City does offer curbside recycling and the landfill is open Monday through Saturday. Illegal dumping can be reported by calling 534-6348.
In case you have not heard, the Town of Silver City will be installing new water meters. It is a $4 million dollar project financed through a low-interest New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department Qualified Energy Conservation Bond. According to Alex Brown, Town Manager, the new meters will be more effective and will leak less, saving the town money and conserving water. The new meters automatically send usage information back to the supplier, no longer requiring a person to go to each residence or business and read the meter. However, there is some controversy over the type of meters being installed. Some residents have voiced concern that the “Smart Water Meters” may result in health issues as the World Health Organization has issued concerns about the harmful health effects of radiation cause by the meters.
In regional news, Dona Irwin from Deming and Representative from House District 32, will receive the Hero Award. She will be presented this honor from the New Mexico Business Coalition at the annual NMBC Heroes Luncheon on August 27th. This is in honor of her outstanding dedication to New Mexico and its people. Through her legislative tenure, Irwin has served on an interim basis with the New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee and the Water and Natural Resources Committee. She is also a member of the Business and Employment Committee and agriculture in Santa Fe during the legislative sessions.
In other regional news, the Lordsburg high school building has passed one more step to being saved. The 1916 building has been under scrutiny for some time. At last, the state Cultural Properties Review Committee has agreed that the building is worthy of preservation at the national level. From here, the committee forwards their nomination to the National Park Service for inclusion on the official United States list of properties that should be preserved. This does not mean that it won’t be demolished, but it does give the building a more credible listing and the important nomination it needs to take it to the next level. Lordsburg high school was once attended by U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor. If listed in the National Register, the building would be eligible for federal preservation tax credits. There are other historic buildings that have been saved through such a process and repurposed.
