Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Curry cannabis ordinance headed back to public hearing

Curry County's cannabis ordinance is headed back for a public hearing in April, the same month that New Mexico's recreational cannabis status goes into effect.

The decision was made at Tuesday's Curry County Commission meeting because of a question from an area resident at the commission's February meeting regarding distances between a cannabis business and such properties as schools, churches and such.

Such distances are not outlined in the County's ordinance as it stands now.

Among the specifications that will need to be determined are the distance between a cannabis store and a noted type of property and how will that distance be determined: Property line to property line or from door to door.

The ordinance, passed last year, will be the subject of a public hearing on a date to be determined in April.

Also at Tuesday's meeting Clovis city clerk LeighAnn Melancon delivered her canvass of the city's March 1st election to the county commissioners as required by state law.

Melancon noted the city's 995 registered voters who turned out for the balloting.

The required recount in the close race between James Burns and George Jones in the city's commission district 1 came up in the discussion.

"I've been doing this for 24 years," Melancon said, "and this is my first time for a recount."

"We will be starting that process after you approve our canvass," Melancon said.

Clovis' canvass was approved by the commissioners.

Commissioners also heard from Carolyn Johnson, Texico's city clerk on the canvassing of the city's March 1 balloting. She had high praises for county clerk Annie Hogland and chief deputy clerk Adrian Ancira for their help with the election process and understanding new state election guidelines in relation to municipal elections.

Curry County Adult Detention Center director Mark Gallegos appeared before the commissioners and gave his monthly reporting including that there are 141 detainees in the center now.

"That's the lowest we've had since I've been here," Gallegos said.

Gallegos reported that the detention center hopes to bring in some new employees with a job fair just for recruiting jail employees March 18th from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Adult Detention Center at 801 Mitchell Street in Clovis.

Gallegos was successful in getting the commission to fund the acquisition of a narcotics detection system for $32,219. Gallegos has had the system in place on a trial basis and had high praises for its functionality in detecting narcotics.

K.C. Messick, general manager of the Curry County Events center gave his monthly report and appeared before commissioners to also ask for $116,950 dollars for "up front" money to secure contracts for the entertainment at this summer's Curry County Fair.

Money is needed for the acts for a Tejano Night and a Country Night along with midway entertainment, outdoor arena entertainment and other expeses.

Commission chairman Chet Spear praised Messick for his work at the events center.

"It's as good as I've seen in 7 years," Spear said.

"The facility is looking good, the crew is doing a good job, thanks to your leadership," Commissioner Tom Martin said.

Messick spoke highly of his own staff.

"I can't brag enough about them," he said.

A group from the Clovis Municipal Schools administration including Superintendent Renee Russ came to the session.

Mandy Carpenter, Executive Director of Talent Management and Development for the school system addressed the commissioners, thanking them for "going above and beyond " during a recent substitute teacher shortage.

Carpenter thanked county manager Lance Pyle for arranging for county employees to act as substitute teachers.

Commissioner Tom Martin spoke of his experience as a substitute at Yucca Middle School as a substitute teacher in a math class.

Anniversary certificates were handed out to a number of county employees for their years of service including Shannon Jackson of the County Finance Department who is retiring after 17 years of service.

 
 
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