Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
TUCUMCARI - Keith Hayes just wants to be left alone. After all, he's not bothering anybody.
He understands some people view his property as unkempt and unsightly, but when you're in the concrete and trucking business for 30-something years, stuff piles up.
He made sure he opened Hayes Trucking and Concrete in an area zoned for heavy industrial work. At 74 and retired since December, he can't miraculously transform the rusty old trucks and trailers he built a life with into a serene garden spot overnight.
And so he's fighting city hall, which says he's violating numerous nuisance ordinances with all of his junk.
The fines total more than $600 so far, he said, not counting the $1,000 or so he's spent on lawyer fees to try and maintain his freedom from government.
"For me, this comes down to basic freedom and property rights," he said.
"The city, they think we are their subjects. This is what I'm unhappy about."
Hayes last week presented Tucumcari city commissioners with signatures of more than 100 residents he said join him in wanting to recall them all.
Yep. He wants them all gone, replaced with leaders who respect individual liberties.
Hayes said he spent about a month walking the streets of his hometown, talking with his neighbors and realizing they share his concerns with Big Brother's far-reaching oversight.
"I'd say 99 percent of the people I talked to are unhappy," he said. "I even had some people come and find me, wanting to sign the petition."
In addition to the city's recent crackdown on weeds, abandoned vehicles and other things commissioners consider visually offensive, the residents are upset with recent efforts to limit garage sales.
Hayes said he understands concerns related to health, such as standing water that would attract mosquitoes.
That's not what this is about, he said. This is about control. And instead of encouraging new business to move to town, he said the regulations have the opposite effect.
"I equate it to a fine or penalty for working," he said.
Hayes said he's done the math and figured out he paid about $150,000 over the years in taxes related to his business. In 2007-2008 alone, he said he employed about two dozen local residents.
His concrete company helped build the prison at Santa Rosa.
He didn't expect a "thank you for your service" award at the end; but he doesn't appreciate the fines and the attempts at public humiliation.
And so he's fighting city hall.
Go, man.
David Stevens is editor for Clovis Media Inc. Contact him at: