Santa Fe city councilors have approved a non-binding resolution urging county clerks to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. The 5-3 vote came at the end of a discussion that lasted more than an hour at yesterday afternoon's meeting. City council chambers were packed to capacity by both opponents and supporters of the measure. *** The resolution came up after Mayor David Coss and Councilor Patti Bushee announced that state law is neutral on the question of who can get a civil marriage license. A full report At Noon on KSFR 101.1.
In other action, councilors have given preliminary approval to measures that could lead to annexation of some county land adjacent to city limits. One of the measures sets a deadline of next year to decide to annex some 4,000 acres south of New Mexico 599. The area is home to more than 13,000 people. The governing body also moved to create a citywide security video camera surveillance system with an initial installation of 34 cameras at 15 sites including parks, trails and parking facilities. The system has the potential to utilize up to 200 cameras. Chavez Security of Santa Fe presented a successful bid of some $250,000 for the project.
The leaders of New Mexico's two political parties say they are mulling over a proposal to end the state's closed primary elections system. The proposal comes from Santa Fe-based Think New Mexico. Executive Director Fred Nathan says the current system of Republicans and Democrats voting in their own primaries means that hundreds of thousands of independent or third-party voters cannot take part in early selection of candidates for the general elections.
This Saturday, Santa Fe County will sponsor an unwanted drug drop-off for the collection of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The program is free and anonymous and is a collaboration between the county sheriff's office, Santa Fe and state police and the DEA. A collection last September recovered some 700 lbs. of unwanted drugs from the local area. The Wal-Mart superstore on Cerrillos will be one of six locations for drop-off. More info can be found at the county website.
Weather for Santa Fe – partly sunny today and breezy at times with a 30% chance for an afternoon and evening thundershower. Highs in the mid 60s and overnight lows near 40. Mostly sunny tomorrow with just a 20% chance for a thundershower.