Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The big "T" on Tucumcari Mountain glows at dusk in May shortly after its lights were replaced by the Rotary Club.
When the lighted "T" on the north face of Tucumcari Mountain is refurbished again, the Tucumcari Rotary Club may have a way to brighten the letter to viewers in more parts of the city.
Robert Hockaday, an officer for the club, detailed to the Tucumcari Lodgers Advisory Board on Wednesday its efforts earlier this summer to install new lighting that outlines the "T."
The Rotary Club initially wanted to install many more solar-powered lights on the mesa for a more elaborate "T" outline, at an estimated cost of $12,000.
The club was hoping to include Tucumcari High School seniors to help with the big "T" as they had since the 1940s until recently, when landowners restricted access.
However, Tucumcari Mountain's owners urged the club to stick with current simple "T," using 36 lights over a 140-by-150-foot space. The owners also didn't want high-schoolers on the mountain while installing the new lights, fearing it would encourage those students to trespass later.
"The landowners are frustrated with people running all over their property," Hockaday said, citing littering and vandalism.
Hockaday said the Rotary Club probably would add a secondary set of lights on the "T" that would make it more visible to viewers on the east side of town.
The current lights are pointed toward the wind turbine at Mesalands Community College and are most visible only at a 30-degree angle. The secondary set of lights would be pointed more toward the north.
Hockaday said the solar-powered lights last only about three years.
Replacement of the current lights required only five people and a few hours to install for a little less than $1,100. City manager Paula Chacon approved reimbursement of the club's expenses for the project because of the low cost.
Hockaday said a secondary set of lights would cost an additional $650.
Hockaday said a proposal to add concrete pavers outlining the "T" and making it visible in the daytime was too "overwhelming," noting such an endeavor would require 20,000 pounds of materials.
Hockaday said he held out hope that THS students could help with the periodic refurbishment of the "T" someday.
"We want to involve the kids at some point," he said.
In other business:
- The board recommended reimbursement of $3,874 to organizers of the annual Rattler Reunion held in August.
Kathy Segura, secretary-treasurer of the event, said the 2023 edition of the reunion drew good crowds and that the event would like to get more businesses involved in the future.
Board Chairman Matt Bednorz said he appreciated the reunion's "very, very detailed" post-event report and praised the improvement in this year's gathering. He said Rattler Reunion puts "heads in beds" in the city's motels as much as any event.
- City manager Paula Chacon told the board the city has received interest from two parties regarding its request for proposals for a tourism marketer. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15.
- Board members held an extensive discussion possible changes to the board's by-laws. A final draft of changes likely would be acted on in the board's January meeting.
