Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Editorial: High Plains Patriots' agenda seems selective

The High Plains Patriots are riled up again. This time the target is Clovis' new city-owned golf course; specifically the clubhouse restaurant.

The topic is expected to come up when the Patriots meet at 7 tonight at the Master's Center in Clovis.

The Patriots contend government should not compete with private business for customers.

Their voice is welcome when it trumpets the virtues of limited government.

Unfortunately, it is used selectively and often the stance makes more noise than sense. The group's agenda tilts toward their brand of "different" government rather than limited.

It is why we haven't always agreed with their actions. Twice they have forced extra, costly, elections — they lost on a tax tied to the funds for the Ute Water project and won on a public-private renovation of Hotel Clovis — after the two issues were hotly debated and approved by Clovis city commissioners.

The Patriots would better serve all the community by spending more time recruiting electable candidates who support their agendas and less time wasting all our tax dollars trying to overturn decisions they don't like that were made by commissioners elected by popular vote.

Now we have the newest issue brewing — the Colonial Golf Course restaurant. It operates under private contract, approved by the city commission, and provides food mainly for the golfing crowd at the 18-hole course. Technically, it competes against all private restaurants in the city.

Its operator, Real Golf LLC, enjoys free rent, reduced utilities and uses the city course's $1,200 liquor license that came with the purchase of the course last year.

It is one thing for government to build and operate a golf course, a zoo, parks that feature water recreational facilities, and other entertainment venues; for them, there is no direct competition. It is another, as Patriots and others contend, for government subsidies to allow a competitor to operate more cheaply and take dollars from the pockets of private business owners, especially those who cater food.

But what the latest Patriots' upset neglects to mention is the same argument can be made against the 6-year-old Clovis Civic Center. It competes with private restaurants and hosts events and provides food.

Where is their public outcry about the Civic Center?

Could the upset be tied to politics as much or more than economics?

Former Mayor Gayla Brumfield is a loud and proud Democrat who led the charge to buy the golf course. And the Patriots' choice for mayor, Constitutionalist David Lansford, supported the Civic Center.

Inconsistency is one reason the Patriots have limited credibility with the city and many of its residents.

 
 
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