Letters to the Editor

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Dear Editor, Much like many in the community- My family, home and life is here. I care about public safety and my family’s safety. I went and addressed the council on Public Safety and the Conduct of Mayor Erik Garcia on Oct. 4. He is the MOST community oriented council member I have witnessed. He is honest and forthcoming about his goals for the community. He’s been transparent about his past opportunities and learning experiences. He’s involved in daily matters and concerns of residents. I have seen Mayor Garcia, actively working in the community. He can be seen cleaning up debris in our ditches, cutting down trees, picking up trash, doing repairs at the cemetery, serving in the Senior Center, participating in community watch and many more tasks.

Mayor Garcia should be commended for taking action with the suspect in the cemetery. First, by reporting the suspicious behavior, and then when the man attacked him - by throwing rocks; he defended himself. This is a right we all have as an American. Criminals should not be hostile and threatening in our town! In the video, the man had a needle and a white powder in a bag, which was noted as “plant food”. What was he going to do with this? Was he going to inject it or sell it to our kids? Why does our community have a drug problem? It comes down to money. We need money to hire additional police to patrol our community. We need adequate GRT. The Mayor is trying to get the funds for our town- by bringing in businesses, making improvements to our structures, petitioning the state for money, and filing paperwork for government grants. We need Mayor Garcia to continue to work for our community and town!

I’m asking our council members, especially Mr. Rodarte and Ms. Michaels-What are you doing for our town? We shouldn’t be questioning, Mayor Garcia’s actions or conduct; we should be questioning your lack of conduct for this community and asking what matters you are actively partaking in. As a citizen of Grants, I’d like to see you out picking up trash, doing community watch and helping at the Senior Center! I implore this council to remember your public oaths, quit this political nonsense, not waste any more money; but join Mayor Garcia and Start Helping!

Respectfully, Megan Marquez

Grants’Mayor’s Incident

Dear editor, We have a new Mayor of Grants; I do not know if he will be a good mayor or not, the last one had issues. Several of my past letters seem to upset some readers but let me say, hats off to the Cibola Citizen for running the story on the new mayor. Since I spent my whole life working in this community as a police officer, and an instructor of other police officers, I would like to add some information that may be of interest. There is a state law when a citizen can make an arrest, 30-2-7 citizens can arrest: when necessarily committed in attempting, by lawful ways and means, to apprehend any person for any felony committed in his presence, or in lawfully suppressing any riot, or in necessarily and lawfully keeping and preserving the peace. Best to record with your smart phone and call the police. 30-4-3, False imprisonment consists of intentionally confining or restraining another person without his consent and with knowledge that he has no lawful authority to do so. Stalking 30-3A3 to -4 Defined as Knowingly pursuing a pattern of conduct that would cause reasonable person to feel frightened, intimidated, or threatened. Stalker must intend to cause reasonable apprehension. Stalker must follow, surveil, or harass. Now I am not sure any of these laws were broken in this case, but if you want to act against another citizen in this state you might want to get familiar with these laws. Finally, you can always get sued even if you’re never charged with a crime, and the taxpayers will get the bill if your government lawyer gets involved.

Next the Grants City is paying $90K+ for a new traffic light. Last time I looked that road or street was the responsibility of the State of New Mexico Highway Department. Years ago, when I worked for the Village of Milan, we had two traffic lights which after some years were taken down. Pretty sure Grants did not pay for the new First Street repairs maybe I am wrong, but my advice is to ask these questions. The new mayor wants to spend more on Public Safety make Grants safer from crime, that $90K could go a long way for that so maybe he would not have to be a vigilante in in the future?

Signed, Mr. Harry L. Hall USAF Veteran Retired Police/Sheriff Lt. 32+ Years