Pages past - May 5

On this date

1987: Clovis city commissioners said they would take the lead in “an effort for positive action in obtaining water from Ute Lake Reservoir,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.

Clovis leaders hoped to form a joint powers agreement with other area communities to form the Ute Reservoir Water Commission. That commission would be charged with planning to construct a pipeline to ship water from the reservoir as far south as Portales.

Clovis City Attorney Michael Garrett drafted the JPA to include Clovis, Tucumcari, Portales, San Jon, Texico, Melrose, San Jon, Texico, Logan, Elida, Grady and Cannon Air Force Base.

“Whether these small communities grow and prosper, or whether they dwindle and disappear will depend on their receiving a good source of water such as that at Ute Lake,” said Leland Tillman of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments.

1962: Decidedly, a big gray colt from California, shattered Whirlaway’s 22-year-old track record at Churchill Downs to win the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey Bill Hartack rode Decidedly to a 2 1/4-length victory over runner-up Roman Line in just over two minutes, a full second faster than Whirlaway’s winning time in 1941.

Ridan finished third in the field of 15.

Pages Past is compiled by Editor David Stevens. Contact him at: [email protected]