Committee of Fifty initiates push for transparency

As the Committee of Fifty comes up on its 56th year furthering the interests of Cannon Air Force Base, the group is initiating a push for transparency.

“We recognize that there has been misinformation about the committee for several years,” chairman Stacey Martin said. “We decided it was time to address it head on through education and information on what we do.”

An Internet search for the Committee of Fifty in Clovis currently yields a top result of anonymous sources sharing theories and speculation about the committees “shifty” business dealings. Beyond that, there is little information about the committee, beyond a vague explanation on the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce website.

According to a recent release by the committee, the organization’s upcoming web site will disclose a full membership list, history and list of roles and events the group is involved with, as well as address common misconceptions about the group’s involvement in the area’s school system, real estate, infrastructure and businesses.

Although the subject of the Committee of Fifty’s influence on just about everything that goes on in the region has been a source of speculation for decades, city commissioners Robert Sandoval and Juan Garza said they have not had any constituents voice concern to them about the committee.

“I remember at one time there would be somebody that would make some comment about the Committee of Fifty, but it was just in passing, nobody ever came and spoke directly to me about it,” Sandoval said.

Most of the release emphasizes the group’s role in lobbying for continued state and congressional support of the base and supporting events for the service members stationed at Cannon.

In December, the committee held its 15th annual Single Airmen’s Christmas Party, providing food and gifts to more than 500 airmen who couldn’t make it home for the holidays. The group also facilitated the purchase and transfer of 600 acres of land adjacent to Cannon from the state to the Air Force.

“We are here solely to support the men and women and the mission at Cannon Air Force Base,” Martin said.

The web site will be at http://www.committeeof50.org.