Serving the High Plains

Quay County manager reflects

Of the 14 years Richard Primrose served as Quay County's manager, he said the final one was the toughest.

Primrose, who retires April 16, said the past year "absolutely" was his most challenging because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It was extremely stressful for everybody to try to be safe, especially with the courthouse being a public building," he said during an interview last week in his third-floor office at the county courthouse. "The district court and Quay County did not close, so we still had to keep the courthouse open. The biggest concern was (the virus) getting into the detention center.

"The first thing we did right off the bat was we bought three (disinfectant) foggers. To this day, we're still fogging the courthouse every morning. We want to kill that virus before it gets to any employee or citizen here at the courthouse."

Primrose said Quay County's proximity to Interstate 40 made it difficult to control the virus' spread, especially with law enforcement potentially coming in contact with infected people.

"You've got 26,000 people going up and down the interstate every day. If you have an incident where someone has to be arrested, you have to keep them isolated from the general (jail) population to make sure they're safe. The detention center did an excellent job. They were very diligent about keeping everyone safe," he said.

To date, the county's varying departments have seen only six cases of the virus in the past year, according to the state's rapid-response database. The county has recorded more than 400 confirmed cases of the virus since the pandemic began.

Noting those relatively few cases, Primrose knocked on the wood of his desk with his knuckles.

"We've been very fortunate, but I think it was because of our staff's diligence, making sure every morning before anybody gets here, that the courthouse is fogged," Primrose said. "I think that's really helped stop the virus in the courthouse and detention center."

Primrose made it clear the pandemic didn't prompt him in January to announce his forthcoming retirement.

"I had planned to retire after 2020. I already had it in mind," he said.

Primrose, who turns 69 in August, said his health is good but felt it was time to step aside.

"I just think it's time," he said. "I enjoyed the time I had here, and I don't regret any of the time I've spent here. I've got a great-grandkid that was born in October (in Missouri) I haven't seen yet. I've got a grandchild in California. I've got family here, too, but now I can take some time off."

County commissioners last month approved a three-year contract with emergency manager Daniel Zamora to become the county's new manager.

"He's really enthusiastic about it, and he's a fast learner," Primrose said. "It's going to take him a while to pick everything up, but he's going to be a really good county manager, I think."

Zamora said Thursday the transition was going well.

"I've been shadowing Richard for the past couple of weeks, and he's teaching me everything that he can in the amount of time we have," he said. "I feel lucky that I've worked directly under Richard for the past four years now, and he shared a lot with me over that time - probably more than other employees just because of the scope of my work as emergency manager and all the different departments I've worked with. One thing I've noticed: For every thing I thought I was privy to, there's a lot I didn't know about.

"I'm sad to see Richard go, but I'm excited for the opportunity," Zamora added.

Primrose said he wouldn't mind if Zamora or other county officials called him for advice after he leaves.

"I told the commissioners from Day One, anytime they want to call me and need anything, I'll be more than happy to oblige and share any information I may know," Primrose said. "I'm born and raised in Quay County, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to make sure Quay County can succeed."

Primrose noted how well the county operates remains somewhat dependent on how will the state is being run.

"A lot of the decisions you make at the county can be related to how the state functions," he said. "If the state is functioning well and there are funds available, it's a lot easier than when it's not."

Before becoming county manager, Primrose served seven years at the City of Tucumcari, including five as its city manager.

Primrose said moving from that position to county manager wasn't a big transition.

"The major difference is you have to work with department heads that are elected officials," he said. "At the city, all of the department heads were under you. But I had worked with cities and counties before, so I knew the difference. I've also been really fortunate that I've worked well with the elected officials, and we've had really good elected officials during my time.

"I had an open door. With all the department heads, we tried to have a monthly meeting, like we had with the city, so we could keep that communication going. It was not a hard transition at all."

Before that, he worked in the data processing department at Shipley-Phillips Oil Co. that owned the now-defunct Tucumcari Truck Terminal. He said his job there put him in regular contact with the city and counties in the region and gave him insight on their inner workings.

Primrose's last county commission meeting is April 12. From 3 to 5 p.m. April 16, the commission's chambers - where he presided at meetings all those years - will host goodbye reception that's open to the public. The courthouse is at 301 S. Third St. in Tucumcari.

"I've been really lucky," Primrose said. "I've been able to work with the commissioners and really enjoyed working with them. And I've enjoyed all the people I've met countywide, statewide, and all the organizations I've been able to participate in. It's been a great experience for me, and I appreciate the department heads and elected officials I've worked with. Without them, this job could be extremely difficult.

"I've met a lot of nice people. It's been a good time," he added.