News 1-8-15
Yesterday, Andrew Welch, the new director for the New Mexico Veteran’s Administration Health Care System visited Silver City at the American Legion Post 18. Since being on the job from December 15th, he has been listening to concerns of veterans and working to address problems. Yesterday, area veterans shared their concerns in an open forum. Welch said that he would try to do what he could to improve the dysfunction in the VA health care system.
In news yesterday, we reported on the rash of burglaries happening in the Silver Heights area as there have been 11 since December 18th. Another burglary attempt was stopped yesterday morning, about 8:15am, when a neighbor noticed a suspicious person in the yard behind the residence on Swarthmore Street. The owner found the burglar inside the home and authorities were called. Silver City Police arrested Michael Bobo, 29. Bobo was charged with larceny of a firearm, a fourth-degree felony; larceny of currency; larceny of ammunition; and aggravated burglary.
Earlier this year, the Silver City Town Council placed a ban on single-use plastic bags at stores for the new year for all retail stores inside the town limits except restaurants. This ban goes into effect today, January 8th. Businesses are responding to the new requirement in different ways. The Silver City Food Basket, for example, has new bags that are larger and studier, reusable and green, meeting the new requirements. CVS Pharmacy uses paper bags since they opened. The Town of Silver City Ordinance #1231 prohibits single use plastic grocery bags for carry-out at retail establishments. The ordinance does not affect produce, meat or other specialty plastic bags. Stores may use recycled paper bags or cardboard boxes. Stores may charge for paper bags. Stores are encouraged to sell or provide reusable bags. Customers are encouraged to use recyclable cloth or plastic bags and to recycle bags. For more information on the ordnance, contact the Office of Sustainability at 575-519-8987.
Western New Mexico University School of Nursing faculty members and area community nurse leaders recently established a nursing society for southwest New Mexico. The Southwest New Mexico Honor Society of Nursing inducted 17 charter members. These charter members were selected based on their academic achievement and leadership. They each received a certificate, a hold honor’s cord and flowers. For more information on this, contact the School of Nursing at 575-538-6960.
A reminder, the Silver Consolidated School Board Positions for Districts 3 and 5 are up for election. Early voting begins tomorrow, January 9 and runs through January 30 in the County Clerk’s office at the Grant County Administration Building, 1400 Highway 180 East. Hours are from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday. Thank you for voting!
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tom Udall delivered a speech on the Senate floor on a proposal he offered with U.S. Senator Merkley to increase transparency, restore accountability and foster debate in the Senate by reforming the Senate’s often abused rules regarding filibusters. According to the news release, the centerpiece of their proposal requires a “talking filibuster,” meaning Senators wishing to block legislation would have to so by speaking on the Senate floor.
BeWellNM, New Mexico’s official Health Insurance Exchange, will host 35 enrollment events in 31 communities across the state this Saturday, January 10th. January 15th is the enrollment deadline for consumers wanting coverage than begins on February 1st. BeWellNM is described as an affordable alternative for New Mexico residents who don’t have insurance offered through their workplace or are without health insurance. To find out more, the website is bewellnm.com.
