YIR: Clovis faced voter ID, leadership changes

CLOVIS — Leadership changes, a voter ID requirement and the selection of a new police chief were among the storylines that dotted the Clovis city government landscape in 2016.

Randy Crowder, one of the longest-tenured members of the Clovis city commission, announced in March he did not intend to run for a fourth term in 2016. He made the announcement during a commission meeting, though he made his plans known to other commissioners prior to the meeting. One of two commissioners from District 1, Crowder said the decision was primarily related to time constraints with his District 64 seat on the state House of Representatives.

Ladona Clayton, the superintendent of Clovis Christian Schools, captured 41 percent of the vote to succeed Crowder. And Sandra Taylor-Sawyer won her re-election bid against Gayla Brumfield in District 2.

Meanwhile, in August, District 3 Clovis Commissioner Robert Sandoval submitted his notice of resignation from the Clovis city commission, effective Sept. 30. Sandoval was appointed to serve as city commissioner for District 3 by the Clovis city commission in March 2003, filling the vacancy left by Commissioner Robert Moreno, who died while in office. He was re-elected in 2004 and every four years since. A retired postal worker and Clovis native, Sandoval said, "I have enjoyed every moment on the commission, but there comes a point in life when it is time to let go. I will be reaching my 80th birthday, and I feel it is just time."

In June, the Clovis city commission passed a voter ID requirement for municipal elections by a vote of 7-1, with the lone dissenting vote cast by Commissioner Robert Sandoval. The voter ID ordinance was introduced during the May 5 meeting, following the March municipal election in which 72.7 percent of Clovis voters favored creation of the ordinance.

As approved, the city code was a mixture of similar voter ID regulations from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Hobbs. Sandoval said voters taking a stance against the voter ID initiative were not heard by the commission, hence his decision to be the sole dissenter.

After 18 years with the Clovis Police Department, Capt. Douglas "Doug" Ford was tabbed for the unit's top spot. The city of Clovis named interim chief Ford as its new police chief at a news conference in Clovis City Hall in March. City Manager Larry Fry selected Ford over two other finalists for the position.

Former Clovis Police Chief Steve Sanders retired in June 2015, and Ford was named to the interim position soon after.

Also occurring in 2016:

• The commission voted unanimously to promote Claire Burroughes and Vicki Reyes and add some responsibilities for LeighAnn Melancon, following the May retirement of Budget and Internal Operations Director Don Clifton. Burroughes assumed the title of assistant city manager - the first since Joe Thomas, who was promoted to city manager in 2004. Her former position was legislative and community development director.

• In August, the Clovis city commission voted 7-1 to take over fuel services at the airport and buy Blue Sky Aviation’s building for $450,000.

"We've reached an agreement in principle for the city to take over the fueling operation and purchase a hangar and some other assets at the airport," City Attorney David Richards said. "We've agreed on the major terms and will have to put it into contract form. The city is paying for the hangar, fuel tanks and equipment, with the exception of two trucks."

Blue Sky Aviation co-owner Ronald Byrd said the business will remain in operation.

On the heels of the city's decision to sell fuel at the airport, some pilots housing planes at Clovis Municipal Airport planned to buy their fuel elsewhere - not out of necessity, but because they were upset that the city of Clovis is effectively taking over fuel sales from a private business.