MCC board swears in new member

The Mesalands Community College board of trustees formally swore in its newest member during a special meeting Thursday.

Tom Sidwell, co-owner of the JX Ranch south of Tucumcari, took the oath of office from Connie Chavez, executive assistant to acting president Natalie Gillard, at the start of the meeting that was held by videoconference because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Tom, welcome aboard,” board Chairman Jim Streetman said after the brief ceremony. “Glad to have you.”

Streetman announced Sidwell’s appointment during the board's regular meeting Aug. 18.

Sidwell takes over for Craig Currell, who died last month after an extended illness. The board had unanimously approved the appointment.

Currell won re-election for a six-year term in November after running unopposed. Sidwell would have to win an election in November 2021 to fill the final four years of Currell's term.

Sidwell is past president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association and serves as its finance chairman and on its board of directors' executive committee. He also is a supervisor of the Southwest Quay Soil and Water Conservation District and serves on several regional and state agricultural advisory committees.

The board held a 50-minute closed executive session after Sidwell’s swearing-in to discuss limited personnel issues. No action was taken after the open session resumed.