QCS Staff

The current city manager, and a former city manager, of Tucumcari are among four finalists to be the next Lincoln County manager.

Bobbye Rose and John R. Sutherland Jr. were two of the four candidates selected to be interviewed on Oct. 3 by the Lincoln County Commissioners.

“The finalist were selected and announced after an executive session,” said Lincoln County Human Resources Bille Jo Guevara.

Guevara said the Commission will hold a special meeting on Oct. 3 where the finalists will be interviewed in executive session. She said an announcement of the new county manager could be made as soon as the Oct. 18 commission meeting.

Rose currently serves as the City Manager for the city of Tucumcari. The Tucumcari City Commission will hold an executive session during a special meeting on Thursday to discuss the city manager’s position.

Sutherland was recently released from his position as Luna County Manager on July 14. Luna County Commissioners voted unanimously to terminate Sutherland’s contract, though they did not list any particular reason or incident for the termination.

Sutherland had served as Tucumcari city manager from May 1, 2007 to Jan. 9, 2009, when his contract was terminated by the city commission.

The commissioners provided no explanation for the action.

The other finalists are Kelly Kuenstler, a director of the Administrative Office of the District Attorneys in Las Curces, and New Mexico Association of Counties Association Specialist Nita Taylor.

The following candidates are invited for interview:

Kelly Kuenstler of Las Cruces, Director, Administrative Office of the District Attorneys

Bobbye Rose of San Jon, City Manager of Tucumcari

John R. Sutherland, Jr. of Deming, former Luna County Manager

Nita Taylor of Albuquerque, Association Specialist, New Mexico Association of Counties