County officials hear from racino group

One of the principals for Coronado Partners that seeks a horse-racing track and casino in Tucumcari told the Quay County Commission on Monday his group would be “more assertive” in pressing its case for a sixth license from the New Mexico Racing Commission.

Warren Frost of Logan, who also is county attorney, told commissioners his group recently submitted a revised application to the racing commission for the required license. The proposed Coronado Park racetrack and casino on Tucumcari’s east side would create 500 jobs and millions of dollars in annual gaming revenue for the state.

Frost said he felt more optimistic about making a case to the racing commission, which has a new chairman.

“We just think it’s time this sixth license be granted,” he said. “We’re going on 13 years since we filed our first application. … We’re going to insist the commission make a decision and that something be done — grant or deny. We’re going to be more assertive than in the past.”

Frost said he’s grown dismayed by reports in the Albuquerque Journal about thousands of new jobs created in that region from various projects and little in eastern New Mexico.

“We need some help over here, too,” he said. “It’s doesn’t make sense there’s an economic engine we’re not using.”

County Commission Chairman Franklin McCasland shared Frost’s frustrations, saying “there’s no sense” why a sixth license hasn’t been awarded.

The racing commission last week released its agenda for its regular meeting, scheduled for Thursday. The Coronado Partners proposal was not on it.

Frost said he wasn’t offended his group’s proposal wasn’t on the agenda for the racing commission’s monthly meeting, noting it probably was “too soon” since Coronado Partners submitted its revised license application.

He said he anticipated the racing commission would take up the matter during its July meeting.

In other business by the county commission:

• It approved a federal Community Development Block Grant application for $750,000 to improve 1.4 miles of Quay Road 63 west of Quay Road AR. CDBG Coordinator Darla Munsell said the grant, if granted, would require a 5% match, or $37,500.

• It granted a request from Tucumcari Public Library director Linda Gonzales for a $2,000 contribution from the county, the same as last year. She said the money would be used for incentives to bring back children for programs. She said 60 children are enrolled in summer reading program, compared to 30 a year ago.

• It approved a resolution that designated polling places and board appointments for elections in 2022 and 2023. Designated voting centers will be House Community/Senior Citizens Center, Forrest Fire Station, San Jon Community Center, Nara Visa Community Center, Logan Civic Center and Tucumcari Convention Center. Early and absentee voting will be at the Quay County Courthouse. Board of registration members through mid-2023 will be Sylvia Wampler, Betty Munoz and Eleanor Lopez.

• It approved an annual work and financial plan with U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services for pest control. The county’s share is $40,250, though area ranchers donate about $5,000 each year for the service.

• Road superintendent Larry Moore said he and his crew have been busy repairing roads damaged by up to seven inches of rain in the Quay area, especially on Quay Road 45. He said county also will make repairs on roads on the south side of Ute Lake.

• The commission approved a resolution adopting financial procedures required to receive federal money. It approved a budgetary increase of $350,000 to county improvements to address building maintenance. It approved a budgetary increase of $20,000 to the road equipment fund, part which was used to purchase a welder.

• County finance director Cheryl Simpson reported the county recently received a payment of more than $801,000, half of its share from the American Recovery Fund for coronavirus relief.

• County manager Daniel Zamora talked about correspondence from state officials, urging residents to get their COVID-19 vaccinations and the state offering $100 and other incentives for doing so. The state wants to reach a 60% full vaccination rate by Friday so it can reopen the economy July 1.

• Zamora said the Eastern Plains Council of Governments is developing a $400,000 grant fund for COVID-19 relief, though he doubted Quay County would be as eligible for those funds as other areas.