Here’s a look at today local headlines:
Senate Bill 176 sponsored by Senator John Arthur Smith of Deming, was vetoed by Governor Susana Martinez yesterday. Senator Smith’s bill would have spent $108,500 a year on pay increases for politicians like statewide elected officials and public regulation commissioners. In addition, the Governor signed into legislation the following bills: House Bill 47, to expand eligibility for use of the Family Assistance Program to all members of the National Guard and their families; Senate Bill 97, ensuring out-of-state teachers who are active duty military, veterans, or spouses of military personnel receive their New Mexico teaching licenses as quickly as possible; Senate Bill 86, allowing parents, spouses, children, and siblings of military service members killed in the line of duty to purchase a gold star family license plate; House Bill 67, prohibiting the making of false claims of military service for personal gain such as employment or appointment to public office.
The Silver City Town Council has approved a resolution that authorizes the town manager to approve or disapprove special dispenser and public celebration permits authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages at public events held at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. Events taking place at the conference center are already highly regulated by the county to the extent that compliance with those regulations will satisfy concerns from the town. In addition, Town Manager, Alex Brown announced that a grant amounting to $903,000 has been received for College Avenue Phase II improvements that include paving and construction of curbs, gutters, and sidewalks between West and E Streets. The town will also collaborate to enhance and beautify the entrance to Western New Mexico University.
Deming High School culinary arts students will be attending the 16th Annual New Mexico ProStart Invitational in Albuquerque next week. The event is hosted by the Hospitality Industry Education Foundation and the New Mexico Restaurant Association. More than 100 top ProStart students from across the state will compete in demonstrating their mastery of restaurant leadership skills in Culinary and Management to win their share of $1 million in scholarships. The first- place team in each category will be deemed the state champions and represent New Mexico at the National ProStart Invitational in Rhode Island this April.
The 2018 county election season will begin on Tuesday, March 13th as residents in Grant, Luna, and Hidalgo counties interested in being candidates will file to run for office. Filing day for Primary Write-in Candidates is March 20th, Other important dates are as follows: voter registration closes and absentee voting beings on May 8th; early voting begins on May 19th and ends on June 2nd; and the Primary Election is June 5th. Offices appearing on the ballot in Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties are: County Commissioners District 1 & 2, County Assessor, County Sheriff, Probate Judge, and Magistrate Judge. The official candidate guide and more information about the March 13th filing can be found at sos.state.nm.us.
