Senator opening local office

Portales Mayor Sharon King is enthusiastic about U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., opening an office in Portales, a first for the area.

"I'm very excited because he's always been so supportive of our projects," King said.

According to Roosevelt County Community Development Corporation Director Doug Redmond, the senator's representatives were looking for office space in the Clovis and Portales area in order to be more in tune with the needs of his constituents in this area. Redmond said they found a new home in the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce building and the office is set to open June 1.

CHRISTINA CALLOWAY: Portales News-Tribune

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., said Tuesday he plans to open a local office in the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce building.

"They're going to be accessible to people who need Sen. Udall's services," Redmond said. "It will be a tremendous resource for everyone."

This office won't only serve the Portales and Clovis communities, but this region of the state.

"I am preparing to open a Portales office in June to serve the growing communities of Curry, Roosevelt, De Baca, Quay, Harding, Union and Colfax counties," said Udall Tuesday. "From the fight to save Cannon (Air Force Base), to water, dairy and agriculture, the issues facing the region have always been of the utmost importance in my work. Opening an office on the east side has always been part of my plan and I am very pleased we are close to opening our doors."

The rep for Udall to locate here is Jack Carpenter of Albuquerque.

Redmond said Carpenter will be able to address the needs of those in the area directly while attending local municipal meetings to stay abreast of the issues here.

"The senator's office has been extremely responsive to our needs," Redmond said.

Redmond said Udall was vocal in his support of Sunland Inc., when dealing with the shuttering of its peanut butter plant after its products were linked to a national salmonella outbreak.

Redmond said Udall also helped the Roosevelt Brewing Company obtain its federal permit.

"They've been very helpful to me since I've been here," Redmond said.

King added Udall has supported the Portales wastewater project and the Ute Water Pipeline project.