by Joy Gipson
TRINIDAD — The Trinidad/ Las Animas Chamber of Commerce held their monthly luncheon in the Pioneer Room at TSJC on April 20. The speakers for this month’s event were Mayor John Rico, city council members Joe Bonato, Carlos Lopez, Michelle Miles, and county commissioner Mack Louden. This was the first of more to come, open discussion “round table” presentations, with the city and county officials at the luncheons. It was very well attended and informative.
Topics of discussion covered the prospect of growing hemp crops for commercial use in Trinidad, the capping of marijuana licenses at 20, the possibility of opening marijuana growth and sales in the county, the increase of funds for Space to Create to between $11 and $13 million dollars, a new curfew for city parks and the river walk from 10 pm to 5 am, receiving a $1.5 million dollar grant to help repair the city’s infrastructure, the county’s $7 million dollar project to improve the Trinidad airport and how it will help our community, and of course, the downtown parking situation with dreaded potholes.
The panel stressed the importance of local citizens attending city council meetings, held the first and third Tuesday of every month on the second floor in the Trinidad City Hall, 135 N. Animas street, 719-846-9843, and the county commission meetings, held the first and third Tuesday of every month at 9 am in the Las Animas County Courthouse, 200 E. First Street, 719-845-2568. Mayor Rico said he has open hours from 2:30 – 4 pm during the week. Citizens can call to schedule an appointment with him during that time.
