The Truth or Consequences City Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 8 at City Commission Chambers. PUBLIC HEARING ON CITY LAND SALE IN HOT SPRINGS DISTRICT For the second time the City is holding a public hearing on whether it should sell six lots totaling .41 acres in the Hot Springs District at […]
Preview of Truth or Consequences City Commission July 8 meeting Read More »
It’s been two weeks since the Sierra County Sun sent a series of questions to Crystal Runyan Diamond, with no response. She was the only Republican candidate in the primary for state senate seat District 35, winning the nomination automatically. The district includes Sierra, Luna and Hidalgo counties. Since she won’t answer questions, examining her
The Truth or Consequences City Commission sent the “opt-in” ordinance back to publication at the June 24 meeting, a significant change forcing the second public notice. The City Commissioners agree that Sierra County should run their local elections for municipal judge and city-commissioner seats, but the switch entails a major change in the election schedule.
Truth or Consequences City Commission will shorten terms instead of lengthening them Read More »
Truth or Consequences Parks and Recreation Manager O.J. Hechler gave a brief update on the Ralph Edwards Park project at the June 24 City Commission meeting. The project didn’t go to public hearing and was decided behind closed doors, catching the community off guard. The City Commission learned of the project in January. The park
Ralph Edwards Park plan is changed after bids come in and are rejected Read More »
The Truth or Consequences Fire Chief Paul Tooley reported on the Mims Lake fire that burned about three days last week, stating it was preventable, only to be refuted by City Manager Morris Madrid a few minutes later. Tooley gave his presentation on the fire at the City Commission’s June 24 meeting. “We should have
City Manager Madrid refutes Fire Chief Tooley’s claim Mims Lake fire was preventable Read More »
The new Truth or Consequences Planning and Zoning Commission approved everything three applicants asked for, including a special-use permit and two variances that give exemptions to laws on the books. The first action meeting was held June 24. The P&Z did not follow the laws that require them to make findings of fact before approving
New P&Z approve special-use permit, summary replats and variances in short order Read More »
Bruce Swingle, Sierra County manager, was reappointed to be the City of Truth or Consequences’ representative on the Sierra Vista Hospital Governing Board, his expertise valued so highly it overcame questions of conflict of interest and losing him as an ex officio member on both hospital boards. The hospital is owned by the local governmental
The brand new Planning and Zoning Commission has been organizing the last two meetings, but will take on the heavy load of conducting three public hearings at its June 24 meeting at 5:30. 320 BROADWAY The first public hearing will be the special-use permit application by Anna Scattoloni and Corrinne Farmer, who own Galactic Digs
Preview of Truth or Consequences City Commission meeting June 24: Public hearing on County—not City—handling local elections; Massive budget adjustment; Hospital and utility board appointments By Kathleen Sloan June 22, 2020 There are three
So far, Sierra County has had four positive test results for COVID-19, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. One of the four cases has recovered. There have been no COVID-19 related deaths in the County. Recently AppleTree Educational Center made it known on Facebook that one of its employees tested positive. They shut
COVID-19 contact tracing locally and statewide Read More »
Recent actions by Sheriff Glenn Hamilton have triggered a strong reaction from the community. Last month several letters criticizing Hamilton were read into the record at the Sierra County Commission May 19 meeting. In distinct contrast, at the June 16 meeting, public response applauded Hamilton’s participation in and deputizing of “Cowboys for Trump” rally attendees
Sierra County Commissioner Luna criticized for “persecuting” Sheriff Glenn Hamilton Read More »
Ten letters of support for Sheriff Glenn Hamilton were read into the record during the Sierra County Commissioner’s meeting on June 16, many proclaiming he was doing his job to uphold the U.S. Constitution. The letters countered several letters read into the record at the May 19 County Commission meeting. Hamilton was criticized for deputizing
The Public Utility Advisory Board has three seats with terms expiring, but will the City Commission open up those seats or let current members serve again? The PUAB is supposed to be a citizen advisory board meant to expend time and energy on plumbing the people’s will and opinion on utility issues. It is also
Public Utility Advisory Board has seats open, or does it? Read More »
The Truth or Consequences City Commission accepted a grant for $50,000 to hire an engineer to do a sewer asset management plan at the June 10 meeting. But the asset management plan will come after the City has just completed a three-year $6-million upgrade to its wastewater treatment plant and numerous lift stations. The City
Better late than never? City accepts $50,000 grant for sewer asset management plan Read More »
The Truth or Consequences City Commission accepted a $50,000 grant to be used to plan for a “Riverwalk,” although four members of the board were only vaguely familiar with the project. The City Commission packet contained only a memo from City Manager Morris Madrid naming the grant amount and the grantor, the New Mexico Finance
Riverwalk grant is gateway to future City spending Read More »
Truth or Consequences Mayor Pro-Tem Brendan Tolley pointed out how high the current debt load is on residents, while acknowledging more debt was necessary to fix a water-system crisis. “I am leery of continuing to increase the City’s debt. It is not sustainable,” Tolley said. In the next breath he added, “We have deferred [utility]
6-10-20 The City of Truth or Consequences City Commission will hold its regular meeting at 9 a.m. Public comment will be by email, fax, or written letter. The agenda states: “Submission for public input shall be submitted by email to torcpubliccomment@torcnm.org, by fax at (575) 894-6690, or a hard copy can be dropped off at
Local government meetings for June 2020 Read More »
The most important items on the Truth or Consequences agenda are a loan/grant and two grants, the City Commission to consider whether to accept the awards, all from the New Mexico Finance Authority. Booster stations and waterline replacement The City Commission approved a $712,146 application to the New Mexico Finance Authority September, 10, 2019. The
It appears the COVID-19 pandemic will not slow City spending this upcoming budget year. The Truth or Consequences City Commission passed a preliminary budget last week that did not include capital projects or department projects for about $22 million. The Sierra County Sun recently received the “capital projects” worksheet under an Inspection of Public Records
Truth or Consequences capital projects for 2020-2021 could top $16 million Read More »
Known as the most powerful person in the New Mexico legislature and head of the make-or-break gate-keeping Finance Committee, John Arthur Smith’s ascendancy is probably over. He has been State Senator for District 35 for 32 years—since 1989—but a more liberal Democrat and newbie has probably won the June 2 Democratic Primary. Although a large
Primary results for Sierra County a given, except for Smith v. Martinez-Parra contest Read More »