Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari’s new disc golf course at Five-Mile Park has been officially named for the city commissioner who championed it, Robert Lumpkin, who passed away on July 17.
The Tucumcari City Commission voted unanimously Thursday to name the championship-level 18-hole course in Lumpkin’s honor.
Lumpkin promoted the idea for the golf course, starting in 2017, and contributed to organizational efforts and even physical labor to clear the way for the disc golf course’s 18 holes and tee-off areas.
The commission on Thursday also approved an agreement with the New Mexico Department of Transportation that effectively allows the department to perform work on Tucumcari water lines as they make improvements on Mountain Avenue north of Interstate 40.
Under the terms of the agreement, however, the city will pick up the cost of installing the larger-capacity water lines under the pavement, according to a transportation department document outlining the agreement.
The commission also approved a grant for up to $20,000 over two years from the state transportation department’s air transportation division to keep up with supplies of runway lights, wind socks and other items that need frequent replacement at the Tucumcari Municipal Airport.
In other business, the commission:
• Honored the Quay County intermediate all-star little league team for advancing to regional level and achieving the New Mexico state championship this year. The team scored two wins and two losses at regionals after going 15-0 up to the state championship. Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield presented a proclamation to coach Billy Burns.
• Discussed partnering with businesses on Historic Route 66 to place public rest rooms in the area of Historic Route 66 that receives heavy tourist traffic during the tourist season. Commissioners seemed to agree the restrooms would remain open during the tourist season. City Manager Britt Lusk said the city had conducted a study to help determine the water use and cost for the restroom.
• Discussed placing a portable toilet at the disc golf course in time for a tournament that was held there on Saturday.
• Appointed Mayor Pro Tem Todd Duplantis to represent the city on the Ute Water Commission, replacing Lumpkin.
• Renewed the city’s membership in the Eastern Plains Council of Governments, authorizing dues of $1,878 and appointing Litchfield to represent the city at EPCOG affairs, with Lusk as her alternate.
• Heard a first reading of an ordinance that adopts changes in the state’s uniform traffic code. The changes define “penalty assessment misdemeanors,” offenses subject to specific fines.
• Approved a transfer of ownership for the Tucumcari Allsup’s store liquor license. The change was made necessary following the death of chain founder Lonnie Allsup in January and the subsequent redistribution of his shares to family members.