Today's News

The mayor and City Council members have been exchanging e-mails about city business, a practice that may violate the state’s open meetings law.

According to the state Open Meetings act, all meetings of policymaking bodies such as the City Council held for the purpose of discussing public business, or taking any action within the authority of that body, are public meetings, subject to certain well-defined exceptions.

Such meetings are public and are to be held publicly and with reasonable advance notice to the public.

Voters will decide Tuesday on the members representing three districts for Luna Community College Board of Trustees.

They’ll also vote on a property tax increase that will amount to $52 for a home worth $100,000.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the Luna service area, which includes Mora County, all but the far western portion of San Miguel County, the southern part of Colfax County and much of Guadalupe County.

An Illinois company will be in town throughout this week looking to buy antiques and other collectibles from residents, but media accounts in four states have reported that the firm’s checks have bounced in some instances.

The company, Treasure Hunters Roadshow, acknowledged the problem, calling it an embarrassment. But it said that it has enough money to pay people who sell their collectibles. The company released a bank statement to the Optic that showed it had $223,000 in its account as of Friday.

I wish to comment on the recent property tax increase proposed by Luna Community College. Generally an investment in education and educational facilities are of unquestionable value in ensuring the future well-being of our young people and of our community.