Board fills post

City Commissioners appointed a new commissioner for District 5 on the same night three out of four of the current commissioners were notified they will be part of a recall election.

"It was not an easy decision, but we want the citizens to know in the midst of some of them thinking we are falling short in their eyes, we are working towards moving the city forward," said Amy J. Gutierrez, District 2 commissioner.

The commission selected Todd Duplantis as the District 5 commissioner during Thursday's meeting at city hall. Duplantis will fill the remaining year of the District 5 term vacated by John Mihm when he died in December.

"I am very honored to have been selected to represent District 5 and the residents of Tucumcari," Duplantis said.

Duplantis, a veteran of the United States Air Force (1986-1990) and Marines (1991-1999) said his dedication to service is what prompted him to apply for the vacant position.

"I wanted to serve my community the same way I had served my country," Duplantis said.

Duplantis said it will take all of the commissioners working together to address the concerns of the citizens and move the city forward. He said no one commissioner can do it alone.

He said the constituents in District 5 and the residents of the entire city can contact him with their concerns, ideas and suggestions at any time.

"I may be the voice of District 5 but only by working together with my fellow commissioners can we truly accomplish the best for the city," Duplantis said. "Together we are stronger, that goes for the commission and the community."

Duplantis, regional coordinator for emergency communities for Quay, Harding and parts of San Miguel County, was selected from three candidates.

The other candidates were Allen Manley, co-owner of a Tucumcari construction firm and Bill Menges, a retired building trades instructor and former chair of the Quay County Republican Party.

Gutierrez and District 1 Commissioner Ralph Moya selected Duplantis in the first round of voting, while District 4 Robert Lumpkin and District 3 Ruth Ann Litchfield voted for Menges.

After discussion, Lumpkin changed his vote for Duplantis, and he was appointed out of majority vote.

"I appreciate the commissioners for considering me for the position," Menges said. "I also want to thank Mayor Litchfield for her full support."

Manley could not be reached immediately for comment.

"We want to thank the three candidates who took the time to apply for this position," Lumpkin said. "Filling this position is necessary for the benefits of Tucumcari."

Litchfield said she voted for Menges because several residents of District 5 contacted her and expressed the candidate they felt would best represent them.

Gutierrez said all three candidates were very qualified, and it was not an easy decision for her to make a selection. She said all three candidates would represent the city well. What it finally came down to was the interview, - Duplantis presented himself well.

Moya said he did not know any of the candidates and no residents of District 5 contacted him to express their choice for commissioner. He said he looked at the resumes of all three candidates, taking into consideration what he felt would be in the best interest for District 5 and the city.