Year in review: 2018 started with loss of jobs, officials

Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series reviewing Quay County's 2018. Next week's edition will include a report of May through August.

The beginning of 2018 began with a gut-punch to Tucumcari, when the foundering Kmart chain announced it was closing its store in the city in April. The closure led to the loss of dozens of jobs.

Tucumcari's municipal judge was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, eventually costing him his job.

Tucumcari's city manager announced his impending departure, which was hastened after he quarreled with a city commissioner.

Logan fired its village manager but never stated a reason.

The president of Mesalands Community College announced his resignation after five years with the institution. The college also hosted its 20th annual Iron Pour event.

The top stories during the first four months of 2018 at the Quay County Sun by chronological order:

Jan. 10 - Kmart calls it quits in Tucumcari

The announcement of the impending closure of the Kmart store in Tucumcari has local officials scrambling to find replacement retail option for residents.

"The closure of the Kmart was not due to the lack of local support," said Patrick Vanderpool, executive director of the Tucumcari Greater Economic Development Corp.

Vanderpool said the local store showed sales of more than $4 million. However, the dwindling status of the retail chain nationally led to the closures.

Locally, the closure will result in the loss of 35 part-time jobs and five full-time positions.

Jan. 10 - Tucumcari city manager to resign

Tucumcari City Manager Jared Langenegger said he would resign from his post, effective April 11.

Langenegger made the announcement at a city commission meeting. After an executive session, the commission, all expressing reluctance, accepted Langenegger's resignation.

Moya, as did the other commissioners, expressed gratitude to Langenegger for his service and regrets at his leaving.

Langenegger said he was leaving because "it's time for a change. It's time to move on and do something else."

Jan. 17 - Del's Restaurant, Kix on 66 put up for sale

After 23 years of building up and refining Del's and Kix on 66 in Tucumcari, owners Yvette Peacock and Yvonne Braziel decided it's time to retire.

"The time has come for someone else to take these restaurants to new heights," Braziel said.

Peacock said simply, "You work hard all of your life and you look forward to retirement."

Braziel said she and her sister agreed they were at the top of their game and it was time to sell.

"We are not closing our doors," Braziel said. "We are still open for business and intend to be until we sell the restaurants."

Jan. 31 - Logan fires village manager

The Village of Logan again is without a manager after a special executive session by the Village Council.

"Trevor Thompson is no longer the manager of the village of Logan," Mayor Russell Feerer said.

Feerer would not elaborate, citing personnel matters.

The special meeting was at the village office. Feerer said council members Benny Newton and Leslie Osborn exited the executive session, and after a regular session vote, Thompson no longer was the village manager.

Thompson was hired in August to replace interim manager Larry Wallin.

Feb. 7 - Judge charged with DWI

Tucumcari's municipal judge was arrested for driving while intoxicated by New Mexico State Police in Tucumcari.

Joe Dominguez, 71, was arrested by state police after he failed a field sobriety test. Dominguez was charged and booked for DWI after a subsequent breath test determined his breath alcohol content was 0.09.

"There is no language in the municipal code that would prevent Dominguez from continuing his service as Municipal Judge following his arrest," said Angelica Gray, Tucumcari city clerk.

Gray said according to the municipal code, the municipal judge must declare candidacy, reside in the city and not be a convicted felon. She said Dominguez has only been charged with DWI first offense, a misdemeanor offense.

Feb. 21 - Municipal judge suspended

The New Mexico Supreme Court suspended Tucumcari Municipal Judge Joe Dominguez without pay pending the criminal proceeding of his recent arrest and driving-while-intoxicated charge.

Dominguez, 71, was arrested Feb. 4 by the New Mexico State Police after he failed a field sobriety test. Police said Dominguez was charged and booked for DWI, and a subsequent breath test determined his breath alcohol content was 0.09.

The New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission argued in its petition Dominguez's alleged acts may constitute willful misconduct in office.

Feb. 28 - Tucumcari city manager, commissioner quarrel

Tension between District 1 Commissioner Ralph Moya and City Manager Jared Langenegger resulted in the Tucumcari City Commission suspending its "Items from Commissioners" segment and adjourning on a 3-2 vote.

The vote came at the end of a meeting in which Moya and Langenegger quarreled about two incidents in which Langenegger said the city would not pay to correct situations Moya had brought to the commission's attention.

The first dispute between Moya and Langenegger involved trees on North College Avenue that Langenegger admitted needed trimming on parts that impeded traffic.

Langenegger said tree trimming is the responsibility of the private property owner even when an easement is involved. Moya insisted easements are city property, and the city should trim the trees.

That led to another dispute in which Langenegger said the city would not pay to replace a fence that had been struck by a city trash truck. The age and lack of maintenance had left the fence in poor condition before it was struck, he said.

Feb. 28 - Mesalands president resigns

Mesalands Community College is searching for a new president after accepting the resignation of Thomas Newsom, who served as head of the institute for five years.

Newsom said the board of trustees accepted his resignation Feb. 20, with his last official day set for April 6. He said he accepted a position at a institute closer to his family home in McKinney, Texas.

Newsom was hired after previous president Mildred Lavato was fired by the board of trustees in October 2012.

March 7 - Tucumcari commissioners keep seats

Tucumcari City Commission incumbents retained their seats while the Village of Logan gained a new mayor and council members, according to unofficial results from municipal elections.

District 4's Robert Lumpkin won his bid for re-election over opponent Keith Hayes, and District 5's Todd Duplantis retained the commission seat he was appointed to after the death of John Mihm in December 2016 by defeating David Hamilton.

In Logan, David L. Babb was elected mayor over TJ Smith. David Shivers defeated Russell Feerer in the Village Council Position 2 race for a two-year term. Barry Bass defeated Larry Walling in the Village Council Position 3 race.

March 14 - 20th Iron Pour draws about 50

More than 50 artists, students and area residents took part in the 20th-anniversary Iron Pour at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari.

D'Jean Jawrunner, faculty member and event founder, said she had no idea what was to come from the first batch of molten iron being poured all those years ago. She said since its start, the iron pour has become a living, breathing extension of the college, community and participants.

When the iron was ready to pour, each batch of molten metal was greeted by Jawrunner with a warrior cry.

"I've always been very loud," she said. "I was once told by a former teacher, 'If I don't hear you, I think you're absent.'"

March 21 - Tucumcari man in national songwriting contest

Tucumcari's Levi Mericle is a finalist in the International Song Writing Competition.

Mericle's song, "Whiskey Deep," is among 13 finalists in the "Lyrics Only" category listed on the contest's website, songwritingcompetition.com.

Judges for the competition include artists such as Tom Waits, Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction, Lorde, Bastille, Martie McGuire of the Dixie Chicks, Nancy Wilson of Heart and other notables from rock, country and jazz music, the website notes.

April 4 - New chamber director settles into job

Learning on the go is how Carmen Runyan, new director of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce, describes her first three weeks on the job.

"I am getting up to speed on the current planned events for our community while working on new ideas for promotion," Runyan said.

Runyan said she is getting adjusted to the day-to-day duties as director and becoming familiar with the groups, organizations and entities she will be working with to promote the area.

Runyan replaces Gail Sanders, who announced her retirement in January.

April 4 - Three new warning sirens installed

Residents may have heard the testing of three new warning sirens as crews work to bring the system online before storm season.

"The plan is to have the system up and operational later this month," said Ralph Lopez, project manager.

Work first began on replacing the city's aged warning sirens in December 2015, when the Tucumcari City Commission approved a $37,400 grant with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help buy new sirens.

The commission authorized then-City Manager Jared Langenegger to determine the best way to pay the additional $30,600 needed to acquire the sirens.

April 18 - NRA banquet raises $50,000

More than 500 area supporters helped to raise more than $50,000 to support local shooting sports, gun clubs and the Second Amendment during the Quay County Friends of the National Rifle Association Banquet at the Tucumcari Convention Center.

"The level of support from our area residents continues to amaze me every year," said Kent Terry, QCFNRA chairman.

Terry said thanks to the support from the residents this year's banquet may have raised more than last year's event ($52,000). He said in the past three years, Quay County has had the largest NRA banquet in the state.

April 18 - City OKs contract for marketing plan

The Tucumcari City Commission focused much of its efforts at its regular meeting on the promotion of Tucumcari to tourist and funding of local events.

The city entered into a one-year, $50,000 contract with the Albuquerque based marketing firm, Griffin and Associates, to develop a new marketing plan for Tucumcari, said Mark Martinez, interim city manager.

Martinez said the service from the contract will help develop a promotional campaign for local events and attractions. He said the contract also covers the development and maintenance of city websites.

April 18 - DWI charge dropped against municipal judge

A DWI charge against a Tucumcari municipal judge was dismissed due to the lack of probable cause for the traffic stop in February that led to his arrest by New Mexico State Police.

The motion to not pursue the case was entered April 10 by 4th Judicial Deputy District Attorney R. Lance Miller before Harding County Magistrate Judge Karen Mitchell in Tucumcari.

Dominguez was arrested Feb. 4 by the New Mexico State Police after he failed a field sobriety test. Dominguez was charged and booked for DWI after a breath test determined his blood-alcohol content was 0.09.