New commissioner to be sworn in

CLOVIS — The Curry County Commission will officially be back at five commissioners Tuesday afternoon, when Seth Martin will be sworn in for District Four.

The public ceremony for Martin will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Curry County Commission Chambers at 417 Gidding St.

“It’s going to be a new experience for me but I’m excited to take on the challenge,” Martin said.

Martin, a lifelong Clovis resident, is a sorghum and wheat farmer and runs Martin Enterprise, a local family-owned small business in the city. His appointment was announced Dec. 22 by Gov. Susana Martinez.

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said, “Mr. Martin will take the oath of office and be sworn in as the District 4 commissioner. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and it is an opportunity to meet and to congratulate Mr. Martin on the appointment by Gov. Martinez.”

Martin said he cannot review county materials until after his swearing-in, but as a member of the commission he will be “just looking to represent my district in Curry County the best I can.”

Martin fills the vacancy left Oct. 7 by Ben Smith, who departed to accept a position with the dairy industry in Nebraska.

The term runs through 2020, but Martin will be required to win an election for the final two years if he wishes to serve them.