For Silver City, a period of adjustment: growth is great, but let's not get carried away

New Mexico Business Journal, Nov, 1996 by Carla DeMarco

Is Silver in danger of becoming another Santa Fe? It may be touch and go from a housing standpoint, but artistically speaking, no, says Lucy Stermer, former mayor and wife of renowned artist, John Stermer. "What makes Santa Fe appear artificial to us is not the artists but the dealers, who tell the artists what to paint. The artists here dominate their own cultural scene and run wonderful small galleries."

"People move to Santa Fe for the image of the Southwest. People move Silver City for the quality of life in the Southwest," says Miller.

"I think Silver City is going to grow and prosper," says Tom Bates, the city manager. "The message to those who are concerned about growth is the current council is committed to maintaining its small town atmosphere and they're going to do it through good planning, impact fees and managed growth."

Carla DeMarco is a freelance writer and photographer based in Silver City.