Clovis says farewell to welding supervisor

CLOVIS — In what was a relatively short Clovis city commission meeting, commissioners said farewell to one of the city’s unsung heroes and said thanks to their police department and other first responders.

Commissioners also handled a handful of building condemnations, which made up the lion’s share of discussion items in about 45 minutes of meeting time.

All eight commissioners and Mayor Lansford attended, with all votes mentioned below 8-0.

The city took a moment to recognized welding supervisor John Bowman for 23 years of work, with Public Works Director Clint Bunch noting Bowman was often tasked to fix something without any particular frame of reference.

“A lot of things that break, you don’t have a part available for it,” Bunch said, “but John and his crew build things you don’t think can be built.”

Bowman was presented with a clock from the city — emblematic, Mayor David Lansford said, of the time spent serving citizens — and an unusual parting gift from his coworkers. Michael Turner, his successor, came to the meeting with a tiny replica of a city trash bin.

“I’m pretty sure he’s worked on 100,000 of those things in the city,” Bunch said.

Bowman said he was looking forward to retirement, but thankful for the experience he had with the city.

Commissioners then moved on to the consent agenda, which includes items not expected to generate debate. An item calling for a new labor agreement with the Clovis Police Department did draw some comments of praise.

City Manager Justin Howalt said the police and other first responders have been tested recently, with a fatal accident less than 48 hours after a giant structure fire, in addition to various other duties.

“They do a fantastic job for the city of Clovis, as well as our citizens,” Howalt said.

The contract called for a 2.5 percent salary increase. The department, unlike other city employees, collectively bargains for wages and working conditions.

“We’ve got the greatest first responders,” Elliott said in followup to Howalt’s comments. “They’ve got a lot of compassion for the job.”

The commission then held four hearings to condemn buildings, with Building Safety Director Pete Wilt asking for the declarations. The properties were located at 309 Venus, 1121 Beta, 308 Delores and 1117 Apollo.

Wandel Massey owned the Venus and Apollo properties. He asked commissioners to give him extra time with the Venus property.

“I can take care of this,” Massey said, noting he was just coming through some medical issues. “I am knowledgeable and capable of repairs to the structure.”

Wilt said his office contacted Massey through registered mail June 19, with the letter received June 21, and it was his opinion the building could not be salvaged.

On the Apollo property, Wilt said he gave Massey a 90-day timeline to fix the property and saw no changes. Massey did not contest Wilt’s statements.

The Beta property had no doors, wiring or windows. The Delores property was owned by the people living next door, Wilt said, who understood the property would include a lien for the demolition.

The commission also approved a demolition at 1120 Lea, which was destroyed in a structure fire and a registered letter to the property owner unclaimed.

In other business at the meeting:

• The commission appointed Commissioner Chris Bryant as the commission’s voting delegate at the upcoming New Mexico Municipal League conference with Commissioner Fidel Madrid as the alternate.

• Howalt presented Selmus Price a certificate of appreciation for his work with the most recent Ethnic Fair, and the 27 before it.

Price said he was pleased with the fair attendance, and noted a record number of booths. But he admitted the overcast weather was one of the biggest benefits to keeping the crowd there.

Howalt said Price has never received any compensation for the work, and the fact he never passed on responsibility for the fair spoke volumes of his dedication.

• Senior Services Director Barbara Riggan updated commissioners on the Aug. 17 Oldtimers Luncheon open to anybody 50 and over. She said she planned to give out 400 resource bags at the event.

• The next meeting is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Aug. 22 at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library.