Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Mesalands Community College board of trustees during a special meeting Thursday appointed former Quay County manager Richard Primrose to fill an open District 1 seat created by the resignation last month of its longtime chairman.
Two others applied for the position: Logan Municipal Schools math teacher Bobby Kandel and Tucumcari retiree Carlos Romero, who worked as a Pacheco Construction safety manager and for 25 years in the New Mexico Environment Department.
Primrose had been Quay County’s manager for 14 years before his retirement in 2021. He stayed on as a part-time consultant for his successor, Daniel Zamora, in a contract that expires this month.
Primrose also was a Tucumcari city manager.
After his appointment Thursday, Primrose began to make arrangements to be sworn into office this week by Quay County Clerk Ellen White.
“I’m excited; I really am,” he said during a break in the meeting. “I want to use all the knowledge I’ve accumulated in my years of service and help them out any way I can.”
Primrose signaled he felt obligated to apply after reading about the college’s financial problems and tumult earlier this year.
“I saw the concerns that were being addressed for Mesalands, and I wanted to do all I can to help,” he said. “I’ve seen it (develop) from nothing to a vocational school to where it is now. It’s a huge asset, and I don’t want to lose it.”
Primrose will serve the rest of Jim Streetman’s term. Streetman was re-elected to a six-year term in November 2021.
Streetman, who was chairman at the time, resigned on March 1 after 31 years on the board, citing the turmoil for his stepping down. Streetman and the board had been criticized by executive staff and other employees for a lack of oversight regarding the Mesalands’ deteriorating finances.
During Thursday’s meeting, Primrose, Romero and Kandel answered three written questions on how they might contribute to the board, their perceptions of the role of a board member and how they would engage with the college. Primrose and Romero were at the meeting in person. Kandel answered his questions by speakerphone when internet problems kept the college from connecting to him by video.
Kandel cited his educational background. Romero cited his tenure in state government. Primrose cited his background in county and city government, along with an “open door” policy to meet with employees and constituents.
Board member Jimmy Sandoval nominated Primrose, and fellow member Tom Sidwell seconded it. The vote was unanimous.
Board member Phillip Box said: “It’s really nice we had three well-qualified people.”
Kandel agreed, saying the board was “going into good hands.”
Chairwoman Theresa Stephenson thanked the applicants. Primrose will begin his tenure on the board at its next meeting on April 27.
In other business:
— The board approved a $120,000-a-year salary to interim president Allen Moss after a nearly 30-minute closed executive session.
Moss, appointed acting president and then interim president after the departure of Mesalands President Gregory Busch, thanked the board after their decision.
Moss said after the meeting his salary was $99,000 a year in his previous position as executive director of corrections and dual enrollment, which was reduced to $88,000 after the college imposed pay cuts in February as part of its financial solvency plan.
— The board granted authorization and signatory to chief financial officer Blanca Pauliukevicius, Moss and Tammy Hall in the business office to Everyone’s Federal Credit Union accounts.
— The board granted authorization and signatory to Pauliukevicius, Moss, Stephenson and Sidwell to New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office accounts.
— The board rescheduled its next regular meeting from April 18 to 5:30 p.m. April 27. Moss said the meeting was pushed back due to a “time crunch” to finish reports and documentation to state overseers.