Grow Raton sponsored a Spring Town Hall informational meeting April 4, 2024 at the Raton Convention Center where speakers told the crowd about their organizations and the programs they have going on.
Many of the programs talked about like the ones sponsored by the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library are geared towards kids to keep them busy and offer a variety of things to do. Melanie Alderette, Assistant Librarian had a table full of brochures and signs for many of the upcoming programs that will be held at the Library. Zia Youth offers after school programs for kids in the old Santa Fe Trail Traders building in downtown Raton. Linda Headley noted they offer a wide variety of things for the kids to do at the facility. Misty Gomez spoke about the programs that Youth Heartline is working on and how they help student cope with the stresses of life both at school and at homes.
Jessica Candelario spoke about how Crimestoppers works and that they have been fielding calls from not just Raton but all over the county. Sheriff Lieutenant Beto Dominguez filling in for Sheriff Leonard Baca informed the crowd that the department was almost fully staffed and have been very busy with court security and prisoner transport. He also noted that the office has picked extra duties in Cimarron as that small community is unable to attract officers for their department.
Chief John Garcia noted in his comments that some crime was up and some was down and his department is still in need of officers but they do have enough for full time coverage which has allowed officers more time to handle traffic issues. The Animal Control Officer has been patrolling the city and has written more tickets for animals than past years.
City Manager was last to speak and he gave a brief history of his ties to the community and offered some insight on things the city is doing to improve quality of life things as well as economic development. He also spoke highly of the city employees and was especially proud of the city crews that took care of the streets during the recent snow storms.
