by Sherry Goodyear
SPRINGER — The Springer Chamber of Commerce met for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Guests in attendance included mayoral candidate, Boe Lopez; and Luella Smith, one of eight candidates running for the two town trustee positions currently open. This is the first meeting the Springer Chamber has had since their December meeting of 2017 because there weren’t enough members present in January to make a quorum.
The meeting consisted of a review of various festivities held by the chamber during the winter months including their annual Christmas lighting contest and Santa in the Park events. President Louise Portillos reported on the chamber’s annual membership campaign saying she sent out over 50 applications or membership renewal. To join the Springer it costs $75 for a business and $35 for an individual.
Additional items up for discussion included the Ortiz Family Project. David Ortiz donated $1,000 to the chamber for it to invest in a memorial to the Ortiz family. One possibility is a table and awning set up by the library with a memorial plaque commemorating Ortiz’s family and their contributions to Springer over the years. This would go nicely with Maria Ortiz’s “Give a Book, Get a Book” cubby she would like to erect somewhere in town to commemorate her husband, Luis Ortiz’s memory.
The most notable occurrence at the meeting was the announcement that Portillos, and chamber board members Robert Portillos and Kim Woodard are resigning their posts, effective immediately. All cited family obligations as well as two year runs in these positions as reasons for their decisions to leave the chamber. Louise Portillos says she enjoyed her stint at president but now it is someone else’s turn. A few days later, chamber treasurer Timm Trujillo also announced his resignation. This means the Springer Chamber is currently down two board members (they have a total of three), a president, and a treasurer.
The plan is for the Springer Chamber to re-group during their March Meeting. This means anyone interested in joining the chamber and holding an officer or board member positon should plan to attend the March 14 meeting which will be held at Wells Fargo Bank meeting room at noon.
Anyone interested in learning more about Springer’s Chamber of Commerce can email them at Springerchamberofcommerce@hotmail.com or call them at 575-643-6401.
