Challengers take Portales council positions

Portales voters on Tuesday were pretty clear: They're looking for new leadership on the City Council.

Challengers handily won both of the contested elections and a third new member ran unopposed.

Eldon Merrick defeated Chadrick Heflin, 293 votes to 90 in Ward C. Rustin Self beat Daniel Boan, 191 to 76 in Ward B.

Ward D councilor Jim Lucero did not seek re-election. Michael Rackler ran unopposed for the seat.

Portales City Manager Sarah Austin summarized the results as "bittersweet."

"We had a good council that was trying to do great by the city and now we have these new members wanting to also do great by the city. I think the change will be good either way, it has to be. That's what the city needs," Austin said.

Austin said she expects the new members of the council to bring innovative ideas to help solve some of the city's issues, headlined by water and infrastructure.

It was the new perspective that Self believes inspired residents to vote for new councilors.

"We all have a different aspect to approaching things. ... I think in the short term we're going to make some changes and do our best to make Portales better," Self said.

Merrick said the city has been facing issues with the water, city streets and infrastructure for some time now. They plateaued this summer with aggressive water restrictions that prevent lawn watering.

"I'm just one vote on the council, but I think that water is definitely the main issue right now and I think we need to be exploring all options on that," Merrick said.

Said Self: "We're gonna make the changes that affect the majority of the population first and then go down the list. I really think we have to narrow our focus and try to get the top priorities done first."

Self said some of the solutions the council has been debating are having multiple companies look at the water well field and analyze the systems. He said the more information the council can gather, the better they can assist residents.

Merrick agreed that Portales needs to look at the water issue from a different angle.

"I think we need to be exploring the privatization option of it and turning it over to an outside company. But at the same point we're gonna have to be pretty self-sufficient in our well field and the wells that we're able to use to supply the water to the company ... I think we need to keep exploring for more water out there in the wellfield that we have and maybe other locations also," Merrick said.

Merrick and Self both said they are eager to get to work. They start Jan. 1.

"I appreciate all those who have served on the council," Merrick said. "It takes a special person to give up part of their life to try to better the community. I commend them for their service on the council and I have no vendettas against anybody, I just felt like I could help the community with my ideas."

Self and Merrick said their goal is to make the community work together.

"I hope we can come together as a community and work together. This whole county and city issue (jail and emergency dispatch) that has us divided right now needs to stop and we need to find a way to come together and find solutions together. Try to thrive as a community and not bicker back and forth," Merrick said.