Socorro mayor reports positive step with SEC

Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker reported on his meeting with the new Socorro Electric Co-op CEO, Manuel Gonzales, at the City meeting last Tuesday.

“Thanks to Chairman (Leroy) Anaya. We met with Mr. Gonzales, the new co-op director. He’s a super guy,” Bhasker said, “We had a couple hours that we sat and talked, and he really opened a lot of things. I think his door is going to be open… he didn’t promise anything, but at least he promised a dialog. So I want to tell you that it was a real positive step.”

Bhasker also reported that about three months ago, OSHA came to Socorro, and the city is facing fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He gave the example of a grinder only used twice a year that was missing a plastic cover, which resulted in a fine of $11,000.

“We’ve got a lawyer working on it,” Bhasker said, “We’re going to have to give a notice out, but I just wanted to let the council know that this is what we’re dealing with.”

Public Comment

During public comment, Rhiannon Vieceli and Leah Tevis asked for an update on the committee to address the Socorro animal shelter concerns.

Bhasker suggested that they get involved as volunteers at the shelter.

Vieceli said she had emailed, gone to the animal shelter in person, and hadn’t gotten any response. Tevis said they have tried every avenue to work with the shelter but have been turned away.

“It is a nationwide problem. We know this, but what we’re asking for is more transparency from the shelter, and also for the shelter to work with the community. That is a big gap there. And so that’s a bridge that we’ve been trying to build with the different organizations that we have,” Tevis said, “We have been doing a lot of work that should be on the city. You know, we are taking animals off the street. We are getting animals rehomed. We are vaccinating animals.”

Bhasker said they are doing the best they can at the shelter.

“I know there was a big question about euthanization at the shelter, but we have made many, many efforts to transport animals, but we’ve been so inundated from Alamo from the county, and we are overwhelmed with animals, and our budget cannot stand it,” Bhasker said.

Bhasker said he was taken aback by the aggressiveness of the criticism and confirmed he wasn’t at the November meeting when they brought it up.

“I wasn’t at that meeting, unfortunately, but I really thought that was really out of hand as to how the people that you have together are trying to put a black mark on our animal shelter, which I think has been trying to do as well as you can, especially without any county help,” Bhasker said.

Mary Ann Chavez Lopez, city councilor and head of the animal control committee, confirmed that two community members would be appointed to the committee.

“I know, funding is the major part. So if you know of any grant writers, or if you know of any grants that we can apply for, I more than willing to listen, but I look forward to working with you,” Chavez Lopez said to Tevis and Vieceli.

Christmas Donations

Lawrence Baca, Fire Chief, reported they raised $8,500 with their Matanza and donations, which allowed them to take 85 kids shopping for toys before Christmas. He thanked the city, local businesses, private donations and his fire department for their contributions.

Angel Garcia, Police Chief Police Department, reported on their 32 annual Toy for Tots toy drive, in which they partnered with the Marine Corps and served 698 kids from Alamo, Magdalena, Veguita, Lemitar, and San Antonio.

Councilor Damien Ocampo said at the Ocampo Food Drive they served 250 meals. He said the event went smoothly, thanks to the many volunteers.

The next city meeting is scheduled for January 21.