City bids commissioner farewell

CLOVIS — With words of humor, thanks and encouragement from both sides, the Clovis city commission said farewell to outgoing District 4 Commissioner Tom Martin.

Martin, who opted not to run for a second four-year term in Tuesday’s municipal election, was championed for his ability to look at perspectives other commissioners might otherwise miss.

“It’s a different, bright light you bring,” Commissioner Sandra Taylor-Sawyer said in her remarks to Martin.

Mayor David Lansford closed Thursday’s commission meeting with a joking reminder that Martin is still on the hook for any constituent matters until his successor is sworn in. Nearly an hour earlier, he thanked Martin for what he called just the latest example in giving back to Clovis.

“This is a small part of your history of service,” Lansford said. “I can think of numerous things you’ve done before the city commission,” including service as chamber of commerce president and helping establish funding for the city’s annual fireworks show.

Commissioner Ladona Clayton said she appreciated Martin’s wit and that she tried to copy the “richness in the way you listen” to constituents.

Martin, in a prepared statement, joked that he intended to say something witty but his wife Gail responded, “Why start now?”

He thanked his family, along with the families of other commissioners, Lansford and the commissioners and city administration for their work.

“We may disagree on issues,” Martin said, “but we agree we want what’s best for Clovis.”

He also wished luck to the two vying to fill his seat — Justin Hummer and Rube Render.

In other business at Thursday’s meeting:

• The city agreed to a $2,000 sponsorship for the April 12 P-4 job fair to be held at Clovis Civic Center.

Organizer Raymond Mondragon said he wanted to meet with other people within P-4 on the direction for future job fairs, and suggested they lower sponsorship based on a $1,500 rollover from last year’s fair. The city contributed $3,500 in 2017.

Last year’s fair drew about 170 people, down from 340 in 2016, due to falling between other job fairs and falling on the Thursday before Easter weekend.

Cheryl Sites, who runs a job fair for New Mexico Workforce Connections, said she had no problem with moving her fair further on the calendar to help the P-4 fair and the NMWC fair have more impact. She noted that while her fair is open to all job-seekers, there is an effort to recruit specific employees based on what vendors say they need.

Mondragon said the job fair is a team effort, from the staff at Eastern Plains Council of Governments to restaurants that provide snacks and businesses that give door prizes.

“We want a professional, organized job fair,” Mondragon said. “That’s where you make a first impression.”

• Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to work with the Playa Lakes Joint Venture on education programs about the significance of the lakes in recharging the Ogallala Aquifer.

• City Clerk LeighAnn Melancon reminded people to vote Tuesday, with polling places at Colonial Park Golf Course, Trinity United Methodist Church, Roy Walker Recreation Center, the Youth Recreation Building and the Brady Street fire station. Clovis Area Transit System (575-769-7910) will offer rides to polling places. This is the first municipal election requiring voter identification.