City manager withdraws resignation

The attorney for Tucumcari city manager Paula Chacon stated in a letter to the city commission written on her behalf that she would rescind her earlier offer to resign.

The letter accused Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Lopez of harassment, a hostile work environment and a conflict of interest.

Copies of the letter were distributed to the commission before its regular meeting Thursday. During the public comment portion of the meeting, eight people — including several city department heads — voiced their support for Chacon, prompting applause from the crowded chamber.

Chacon submitted a resignation letter to the commission during a closed executive session on March 14. Back in open session, Lopez said Chacon had given a 90-day notice to step down and that she would be assistant city manager after that — the latter which Chacon later denied.

The Quay County Sun obtained a copy of Thursday’s letter, written by Logan attorney Warren Frost, that was distributed to the commission.

Frost stated “it is clear that Jerry Lopez has no understanding of his role as a city commissioner and has an irreconcilable conflict of interest as it relates to his son who is employed by the Tucumcari Police Department.”

Frost wrote that Lopez made repeated demands to Chacon to fire Tucumcari Police Chief Patti Lopez (no relation).

“Paula receives almost daily calls from Commissioner Lopez complaining about the Police Department and attempting to intervene on behalf of his son,” the letter states.

Jerry Lopez’s son, Matthew, has been a city police officer since 2019. Jerry Lopez took office as District 1 commissioner in January.

The letter states during the March 14 meeting, Lopez “berated” Chacon for alleged problems at TPD and demanded Chief Lopez be fired, at which point Chacon offered a letter of resignation that the commission refused to accept. The commission and Chacon agreed to discuss her future employment at a subsequent meeting.

“Please accept this letter as notification that Paula Chacon is rescinding her letter or resignation,” Frost’s letter stated. “She has no intention of voluntarily stepping down as City Manager.”

The letter adds that Mayor Mike Cherry and other commissioners “must take immediate steps to prohibit Commissioner Lopez from continuing his campaign of harassment” of Chacon and the police chief.

“Commissioner Lopez seems to believe that his purpose on the Commission is to do his son’s bidding and micromanage all city departments instead of making policy decisions along with his fellow Commissioners,” the letter states. “His conduct must stop.”

After Thursday’s meeting, Chacon declined to comment but instead referred to Frost’s letter.

Lopez and his colleagues declined to speak during the commissioner comments portion of the meeting.

A message left to Lopez’s cellphone requesting comment was not returned.

During public comment portion of Thursday’s meeting, Police Chief Lopez and Fire Chief Garrett Nash said commissioners didn’t reach out to the city’s first responders after the killing of New Mexico State Police officer Justin Hare on March 15. Both said, however, that Chacon asked them how they were doing.

“One thing that was not seen that day or in the days following was the support from our leaders,” Nash stated. “Not one phone call, letter or even a stop by to check on the ones affected by this tragedy as well as many that came before it.

“Paula Chacon is the only one of a few that stepped up and made sure that we have the resources we need. … She has selflessly opened up her door to me and others to talk to and confide in her.”

Tucumcari Public Library director Linda Gonzalez, city lab technician Janet Garcia and parks and recreation department head Tomas Gallegos each praised Chacon, though Garcia and Gallegos each expressed concerns about possible retaliation.

Garcia observed that Tucumcari has gone through seven city managers in 16 years. She said she’s seen Chacon working extra hours and on weekends to fix problems that occurred during the tenure of her predecessors.

Residents Carlos Romero, David Brenner and CJ Wiegel also praised Chacon.

“She inherited a mess, let’s face it,” Wiegel said. “She’s the best city manager that I’ve seen.”

Brenner alleged an unnamed city commissioner “stepped outside their role” by directly contacting a vendor for quotes.

“Such actions risk legal complications for the city and undermine the trust and order essential for city operations,” he read from a statement.

Brenner also alleged a commissioner “exploited the city manager or their commission position for personal gain.”

The only resident who came to the commission’s defense was Matt Bednorz, who urged it to continue to keep “asking questions to bureaucrats.”

Later, during her manager’s report, Chacon thanked department heads, employees and residents for their support and their speaking on her behalf.

Chacon said she disagreed with Jerry Lopez’s remark during an earlier meeting about a project change order that showed city employees are “lazy and don’t want to work.”

Chacon said she also disagreed with the commission’s refusal to consider KTNM radio’s proposal to move her manager’s report to earlier in the meeting on its agenda.

She said the manager’s report is on the agenda after often lengthy closed executive sessions, and many KTNM listeners stop listening to the broadcast due to the “dead time” in that period. She said she wanted to move the manager’s report as a courtesy to the station, which is a partner in the community.

Other action

— Commissioners tabled a first reading of an ordinance change regarding amendments to the city’s personnel policy. Chacon recommended the delay, saying she wanted to clarify a few questions about last-minute changes to the policy. Commissioners have been discussing changes on the policy for months.

— The commission approved the Tucumcari chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution placing a bronze “America 250” plaque just west of the Route 66 Monument at the Tucumcari Convention Center.

The bronze commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. GiGi Parker said Tucumcari was chosen from four possible sites because of its proximity to Route 66.

— The commission approved the appointment of three Recreation Advisory Board members: Tom Brown, Raymond Marquart and Charlotte Chavez-Marquart.

Manager’s report

Chacon said all but $5,000 has been spent from a $219,000 state recreation grant awarded last year to repair the municipal swimming pool.

She said the remaining funds will be used to renovate dressing rooms and repair toilets.

— Chacon said street lights have been repaired on Mountain Road and the city’s east-side exits from Interstate 40. She said light repairs next will be done on South First Street, Camino de Coronado and Route 66.

She said the repaired lights make Tucumcari more inviting to travelers and would benefit local businesses.

— Chacon said she has requested a meeting this month with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to obtain funding to repair infrastructure on the far west side of Route 66, especially sewer lines, so the closed Tucumcari Truck Terminal site can be redeveloped.

— She requested the next commission meeting, set for April 11, be rescheduled to April 9, April 15 or April 16.