Commission Recognizes Rescuers
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Mayor Bobby LeDoux presented certificates of recognition to five men for their efforts in saving a mother and her children from the rising water in the north underpass this last month.
Casey Redd, Dennis Decker, Seth Garcia, Eddie Lawrence and Matt Preston just happened to be close by when the car driven by Misty Hale got caught in the rising water of the north underpass. The efforts of the men rescued the children as the water rose and began to float the car before it finally sank and was submerged under some 11 feet of water.
Commissioners then approved the street closure for the Raton Mainstreet street fair and dance to be held on September 14th. The street fair will close Second street from Cook to Park for the fair and Cook from Second to the Alley for the street dance.
The White House Saloon will be the site for a motorcycle bike run memorial on September 7th and the street fair dance September 14th. The commission approved their request for a special dispensers permit to allow the use of the sidewalk area in front of the saloon.
Commissioners approved the Lodger’s Tax Board recommendations for the Parks and Recreation Department for $10,000 for hosting a professional baseball team and promotion of their games. The $10,000 from the city leverages the $146,000 from the Pecos league to host and operate the Raton Osos.
They also approved a request for $3,000 to host and promote the mud bog races this weekend (August 17th) in Raton.
Commissioners approved Resolution 2013-33 authorizing the acceptance and execution of the Municipal Arterial Project with New Mexico DOT for the South 1st street improvements.
City Manager Butch McGowen continues to ask resident to hold their edible trash until pickup day in their area of town to help control the bear problem in light of the reduction in work force to the sanitation department. He also noted that some residents would be cited for weeds.
McGowen indicated that Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in town to look over the flooding issues. McGowen is hoping the Feds will step in so that the cost to the city will be less for the disaster monies. If the money comes through the state the 75% will be funded by the state and 25% from the city. If the Feds pay the bill it will be 75% from the Feds, 12.5% from the State and 12.5% from the city. The feds will primarily be looking at the runoff issues at Lake Maloya and the Cimarron River. It was noted that recent rains in the Whites Peak burn scar area maybe causing problem runoff into the Cimarron River.
Commissioners will meet again on August 26, at 7:00 p.m. that is a change from the normal meeting time due to the New Mexico Municipal League meetings that week.
L to R Dennis Decker, Seth Garcia, Eddie Lawrence, Matt Preston and Mayor Bobby LeDoux
Not Pictured was Casey Redd
