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No quorum at 'red flag' meeting

PORTALES — Around 40 people packed into the Roosevelt County Commission Room on Tuesday morning to see Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker bring a resolution to oppose the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act — the red-flag gun bill.

But he never had the opportunity. The meeting ended immediately after it started since three of the five commissioners were not in attendance. With no quorum, Vice Chair Tina Dixon said she would be unable to take action or even hear the resolution and so the meeting was adjourned.

Dixon and Shane Lee were the only commissioners in attendance. Commissioners Matthew Hunton and Dennis Lopez, along with County Manager Amber Hamilton, were scheduled to attend meetings in Santa Fe on Tuesday. Hamilton said Commissioner Paul Grider had also announced plans to be absent due to a family emergency.

The sheriff’s proposed resolution was the only item on the agenda. He opposes the gun law that has been passed by the Senate and House and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

The county meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday was moved to next week due to quorum concerns, but Hamilton said she scheduled Tuesday's special meeting at Dixon’s request.

Dixon said Parker approached her about holding a special meeting for the resolution and that she spoke with her fellow commissioners about attending. Dixon said she thought there would be a quorum.

Hamilton said she would need to confer with the commission members to see if and when the item will be moved to a later meeting.

 
 
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