It’s time to replace the Grants City Council
Dear Editor:
I think I've finally had it. The Grants City Council is worthless and needs to go.
Where is the leadership? Mayor Hicks can go on tirade after tirade, arguing with Fred Padilla in the middle of a meeting and then announce his support of a religious gathering if that's even legal at a government meeting. This isn't leadership. A leader doesn't tear down those around him, he builds them up.
Then the council finally finds competent leadership in Manager Vanessa Chavez and what do they do? Try to fire her. After all this time they finally have someone doing the job right and they can't even give her a chance? Come on guys.
Then the agenda, really? Why does it matter who sets the agenda before the meeting starts? The council has complete control over the agenda and can add or take off whatever they want when they approve the agenda. Some thing not being on there when the meeting starts shouldn't be a problem because the council has the ability to change the agenda during the approval part.
Did you know city councilors are paid? Yep. They're wasting our taxpayer money on pointless arguments. But this isn't new, Mayor Hicks flagrant violations of our freedom of speech happens all the time. Remember when he had that one lady thrown out of the meeting just because he didn't like what she said during her portion of public comment? That's not what a leader does, and it’s certainly not something someone who is being paid with taxpayer dollars should do.
It’s time to replace this city council, they're ineffective and wasteful.
Mr. Henry Meyer
Grants, N.M.
Halloween events
Dear Editor:
Our Halloween events were a huge success. There were lots of great costumes and smiling faces both young and old.
We would like to thank all those who helped make these events possible. It takes a community and ours is amazing.
Thank you to all the staff at the Coyote Del Malpais golf course for your hard work on the First Annual Haunted Course. Lt. Maxine Monte and James Spidle and family for hours of decorating the course and working the haunt, you all went above and beyond, the Grants Rec staff for helping with the scares. And of course, Coyote Del Malpais director Kim Garduno for hosting and working so hard to pull this event off. It was a great event for the young adults in our community and it was a blast.
We had a great turnout to our Second Annual Trunk or Treat as well. We never really know what to expect and we weren't disappointed with the wonderful crowd.
Thank you to Continental Divide/Redbolt, FCCLA, Mr. & Mrs. Al Prewett, Iron Order MC, Aleishia Lundtrom, Judge Elise Larson and staff, Grants senior citizen center, Grants animal shelter, George Gandy Insurance, Jonathon Juanico and family, Lady Pirates AAU basketball, Coyote del Malpais golf course & St. Teresa Catholic school for putting together some great trunks and carnival games and handing out treats. Thank you to Lady Pirates Volleyball team for the donation of soda for the ring toss, Melissa Trujillo & fam. for the donation of Halloween inflatables, Cibola General Hospital for the donation of treat bags, Grants fire dept. for the candy donation and treat bags, Mr. Dwight Kastendeick for the donation to purchase candy and the Grants Recreation staff for making sure the event ran smoothly.
Thank you to recreation director Joaquin Jiron for your hard work and willingness to do whatever it takes to bring great events to our community. Thank you for your dedication to the youth.
Last but not least thank you to the Lt. Mike Maes and the Grants Fire Dept. and Interim Chief Jeff Marez and GPD for your presence at both events ensuring everyone's safety and doing traffic control. It was wonderful to see them interacting, handing out treats and having conversations with kids and adults. GFD even joined in on the fun at the Haunted course and did some scaring. Thank you for taking time to be a part of our events and thank you for everything you all do for our community daily.
Sincerely,
Nadine Jiron
Director, Grants Public Library
Editor’s notes: The Cibola Citizen seeks and welcomes letters to the editor on any and all topics. All letters must be no longer than 500 words (one full page, single spaced) and contain the writer’s name and contact phone number for verification. Unsigned letters will not be printed. The Cibola Citizen reserves the right to edit any and all submissions.