GRANTS, NM – With past adverse weather conditions and the spring season right around the corner, the opening topic of the March 2 Coffee With the Managers involved county roads. Citizens call to report that they cannot leave their homes. The county cannot go onto private property, even if invited by the owner. County Manager Kate Fletcher stated it is against the state statute – or law – and the county is liable for damages or other issues on private property.
County roads get fixed after storms, but they get ruined again in a week or two. The County Road Department will go out and keep roads repaired for emergency services and is currently deciding which roads need to be upgraded from dirt to gravel and gravel to chip seal.
Mud is also a significant issue on rural roads, Ms. Fletcher said. The county cannot come out and blade the road because it removes layers of topsoil or gravel. The cost adds up when gravel or dirt needs to be replaced.
She also stated, 'We choose where we live, and living in rural areas has consequences. However, it is not about what we cannot do, but let's see what we can do… An emergency cannot be declared every time someone calls.'
Cibola County Regional Dispatch Director Mindy Cunningham, spoke about the 911 call center. Four dispatchers are needed to staff the department fully. 'This is a high-pressure job that is not for everyone.' All dispatchers must be medically certified to give instructions over the phone until emergency responders arrive on the scene. The call volume is over 32 thousand calls.
Ms. Fletcher mentioned that the dispatcher works blind. 'They work with people in situations they cannot see.' She stated that all local entities pay for 911 through gross tax receipts (GRT).
Village of Milan Manager Linda Cooke said Airport Road would open at the end of March.
The prison in Milan is an ongoing source of contention for Cibola County and the Village of Milan and Grants. New Mexico legislators want to see Cibola County Correctional Center closed, but this legislation might fail to pass.
County Commissioner Ralph Lucero pointed out that the prison is a federally run facility, and the state has no say in closing the prison. Still, the state has a voice concerning contracting with it by state-run entities.
A county resident in attendance mentioned the lawsuits and deaths. Commissioner Lucero said the situation is not as grave as previously stated. 'Most are a ploy to get transferred out or released.'
The conversation moved to the problem of finding employees who can pass a drug test. 'If you want a job with the county, you must pass a drug test,' Kate Fletcher said. Although marijuana is legal in New Mexico, it is illegal under federal law. One of the concerns involves employing emergency responders. There is no test to demonstrate when the last time someone smoked. It is not like someone drinking alcohol, and their alcohol content is measured immediately, she said.
Cibola County Sheriff Larry Diaz stated he only needs one more deputy to staff the department fully. When asked if officers from GPD or MPD have been seeking employment with the Sheriff's Department, Sheriff Diaz stated, 'We cannot say no if one officer wants to move to a different department, but we are not actively trying to get officers from other jurisdictions to join us.' Sheriff Diaz stated, 'We are hiring the best candidate and not hiring someone because they are recommended, or know someone.'
The Sheriff's Department is also working with the county road crews by identifying road problems and reporting them for maintenance.
A citizen stated they had issues finding the correct numbers to report crime on the county website. Kate Fletcher noted that the county is updating its outdated website. 'We went in and tried to correct information, but the system would not allow the changes, so we should have a new site soon with updated information.'
Ms. Fletcher discussed the repaving of the County Complex parking lot. Smith's Grocery was meeting with the county on Thursday, March 2, concerning the project. 'We are waiting on the weather to improve before starting the projects with the hospital and county building parking lots.