Law enforcement honored by city

QCS Senior Writer

City Manager Jared Langenegger plans to speak to a company about the possibility of placing solar-powered LED lights at Interstate 40’s exit 329 and along Route 66 into Tucumcari.

Langenegger, who was attending Thursday’s meeting via Skype from the Municipal League’s City Managers conference in Ruidoso, said he met with a representative of Ameresco, an LED lighting company that has provided lighting solutions to similar communities.

“This will address a long standing issue of lightening the western exit and stretch of Route 66 coming into Tucumcari for tourist,” Langennger said.

"This is an issue that the commission and I have been looking to resolve for some time," said Mayor Pro Tem Robert Lumpkin.

Langenegger said he will discuss the options that the company can offer the city in the way of lighting solutions. He said he would have a complete report for the commission at the next meeting.

Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board president David Brenner presented three commercials that were paid for by lodger’s tax funds to promote Tucumcari.

Brenner said two 30-second commercials will be televised in markets outside of Tucumcari to draw in tourists. He said the longer two-minute video will be posted to a website promoting Tucumcari.

The videos featured clips of events, attractions and people in Tucumcari.

“I want to thank David and Mayor Pro Tem Lumpkin for all their work in supporting these promotional video for the city,” Langenneger said.

Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield signed two proclamations the first establishing Aug. 6, 2016 as Norma Jean Crellin Day.

Litchfield said the proclamation was in thanks too all of Crellin’s 16-year dedication and efforts in continuing to hold a successful Rattler Reunion.

“The Rattler Reunion will live on in a different format and I will help in various ways,” Crellin said.

Crellin said that 182 Alumni have already pre-registered for the 45th annual Rattler Reunion that will be held on Aug. 4, 5 and 6 at the Tucumcari Convention Center. She said Convention Center Director Nicole Manley has been a tremendous help for this year’s reunion.

“I want to thank you for all that you do and apologize for having you attend the meeting under false pretense,” said Litchfield.

Litchfield said she had told Crellin that the commission need to approve a budget item for the reunion that had previously been approved.

“I knew you wouldn’t show up if I had said otherwise or told you about the proclamation,” Litchfield said.

Lumpkin said the Rattler Reunion in the past has been called the largest school reunion in the state. He said it will be sad to see Crellin exit from the reunion and he is thankful for all of her years of service.

The second proclamation was for the support of local law enforcement.

“Thank you to all of those who serve our community, you are appreciated,” said John Mihm, commissioner.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved the donation of flower planters made from recycled material to be placed temporarily at the Sand Dorsey demolition site.

• Approved the appointment of Michael Lucero and re-appointment of Lois Sappington, Vicki Watson and Merlinda Turner to the Museum Advisory Board.