SW New Mexico News

During the comments portion of a recent Silver City Council meeting, Councilor Jose Ray zeroed-in on his concerns over both local and state issues, running from bike lanes to red flag laws and the U.S. Census.

Ray said that he is in favor of bike lanes, but noted that just as drivers need to be aware of cyclists, cyclists should be aware of drivers as well. Ray said some streets don’t even have the five-foot free zone needed for a bike lane.

Ray moved on to address Senate Bill 5, titled as the “Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act.” The bill was recently signed into law by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Under the new law, a judge can order all firearms confiscated from any individual the judge determines to be a danger to themselves or others.

“I am totally against it,” Ray said. “Once we lose a little part of anything that is ours who own guns, they can take the whole thing away.”

Ray made a statement about the amount of money going into the Democratic primary, which he said could have been spent in more useful ways, before commenting on the 2020 U.S. Census.

Ray said he feels the census is not the best way to determine where money will be spent for things such as infrastructure.

“If they want information about me or any of us — they can go downtown," he said. “We’ve all lived in the same place for many, many years."

Town Manager Alex Brown later said that the city’s records do not include information such as how many people live at any given address, according to reporting by the Silver City Daily Press.

Ray also expressed dissatisfaction with early childhood education. He said that too many responsibilities that should fall to parents are now being carried by teachers.

“I understand parents need to work, but if you’re going to do that – help the teachers out,” he said.