THURSDAY,JUNE 7, 2018 Inside: 75¢ School board approves improvements. — Page 3A Vol. 90 ◆ No. 58 SERVING CLOVIS, PORTALES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES EasternNewMexicoNews.com ROOSEVELT ELECTION Parker re-elected Roosevelt sheriff ❏ Tina Dixon, Christopher Mitchell win commission, county assessor positions. By Jamie Cushman STAFF WRITER [email protected] PORTALES — Malin Parker said Wednesday he’s looking forward to four more years as Roosevelt County sheriff. “I’d just like to do our job in the most pro- fessional manner as possible,” said Parker, the incumbent who defeated challenger Darrell Chenault in Tuesday’s primary election. “I think we’ve provided Roosevelt County excellent service the last four years and we want to continue providing Roosevelt County excellent service.” Parker defeated Chenault by 155 votes in the Republican primary, without any Democratic opposition in the general election. He tallied 892 votes compared to 737 for Staff photo: David Grieder Chenault. Parker did not want to comment on Casey Jones of the Curry County Republican Party, left, eyeballs incoming election results as Curry County election work- what he thought set the two candidates apart. “I really don’t want to speculate on any- er Amber Roberts posts another “ticket” from area voting centers on Election Night. thing or add any drama to this race in any way,” Parker said. Chenault said it’s not easy to defeat an incumbent, but he did not think name recogni- Shaun Burns: Mag judge race ‘exhilarating’ tion alone decided the race. “I don’t know, we’re both Roosevelt By David Grieder CURRY ELECTION say is that it was a fun, competitive Inside race and a fun, competitive election County born and raised,” Chenault said. STAFF WRITER “We’re both well-known on both sides. I don’t day,” Lewis said. “It came right [email protected] county’s District 4 commission seat have any idea what the difference was. I don’t ■ Curry and down to the wire and just a handful Roosevelt County were reviewed Wednesday and try to dwell on it that much. He won and I’m CLOVIS — Shaun Burns said his found not to affect that race, County of votes. Can’t ask for much more moving on to the next chapter.” election results election Tuesday to the position of than that.” Officials said 2,085 Roosevelt County vot- — Page 2A Clerk Annie Hogland confirmed. Curry County’s Division 2 magis- Lewis still has the option to Martin called it “the most nerve- ers participated in the primary, a turnout of ■ New Mexico trate judge was about as “exhilarat- request a re-count, which would wracking race,” but said he “could- 26.23 percent of registered voters. races could help ing” as the first trial he defended entail making a deposit with the can- n’t ask for a better opponent” in Another Roosevelt County incumbent, decide party control (and won) almost 40 years ago. vasing board after Friday and sub- Lewis, his neighbor near Grier. Gene Creighton in the County Commissioner of US House “It was a hard-fought race in all mitting an application with the “I will say that — with the race District 4 race, was defeated by challenger ■ Native American, respects. This was my first political county’s district judge, according to being that close, it shows how well- Tina Dixon, 173-116. other women campaign ever in my life ... and I New Mexico Secretary of State liked and respected the Lewises are, Dixon said she wasn’t sure what helped put advance in New found this to be one of the most fas- Communications Director Joey and I appreciate the campaign that her over the top. Mexico primary cinating and educational experi- Keefe. Dillon and his family did,” he told “I don’t know, I just know that I’m very — Page 5A ences,” he told The News on Lewis said Wednesday he hadn’t The News. “And I do look forward blessed and I feel so proud that my communi- Wednesday. “I want to thank the given that idea much thought, but to carrying on with what I have been ty got behind me and all my supporters. I just other candidates ... and I’m anxious doing (on the commission) and a lot appreciate it very much,” Dixon said. “I just wasn’t sure if it would be warranted. look forward to serving Roosevelt County. to hit the ground running in “I have thought about it, but I of the projects that we have started.” January.” No other races were so close, but I’m very excited about it.” haven’t went with much more than a In the county’s only other contested primary Results of Curry County’s elec- thought,” he told The News. “I think they were still competitive. Four individuals were on ballots for each race, Republican Christopher Mitchell won tions are not official until votes are (the vote totals are) going to be pret- the magistrate judge election with 519 votes, canvased Friday morning, but for ty accurate anyway. It’s just my gut of the two magistrate judge posi- defeating James Southard (492), Jimmy most contested races the margins of feeling right now.” tions vacated by incumbents Parrish (397) and Michelle Bargas (183). victory were decisive enough by In any case, Lewis and his oppo- Richard Hollis and Duane Republican George Beggs took 1,252 votes Tuesday night. A total of five hand- nent Martin, who first took the posi- Castleberry, who declined to seek in the county assessor race, where he faced no tally votes that might have made a tion in January by appointment, re-election. opposition. difference in Seth Martin’s 158-154 agreed it was an exciting race. No Democrats ran in local races in victory over Dillon Lewis for the “The only thing I really have to ELECTION on Page XA Roosevelt County. Residents speak out at Portales meeting ❏ More than 10 addressed Portales officials the rec center could potentially be ter building and the programs Standefer said the city’s sports discontinued and what other themselves, specifically transport- programs would not be discontin- about the fate of the city’s recreation center. options the city is pursuing. ing children. ued and that the current summer “My question is just what are we Citizens expressed displeasure program is not in any danger this Jamie Cushman from the council regarding doing to relocate this or are we just about a seeming lack of fore- year. Portales’ interest in turning the STAFF WRITER city’s recreation center into an completely shutting this program thought regarding the future of the Councilor Jessica Smith said the [email protected] entertainment venue, leaving the down, leaving 70-plus children rec center programs before the city city’s ultimate goal would be to without anywhere to go during the announced its plans in a letter last expand the recreation offerings and PORTALES — The public input future of the rec center’s current programs in limbo. day,” Cristin Stewart said. month. reach a wider range of people portion of Tuesday’s Portales City More than 10 people addressed City Manager Sammy Standefer “My main concern is there hasn’t beyond the approximately 70 chil- Council meeting turned con- the council on the subject, wonder- said the city’s recreation programs been a contingency plan prior to dren currently making use of the tentious. ing why the after-school and sum- need to change due to liabilities sending us into a panic,” Amaliea programs. Area residents sought answers mer programs currently offered at associated with the recreation cen- McCubbins said. No action was taken on the issue. Forecast: Today Friday Saturday Index Calendars..........................2A Puzzles..............................4B Reach us at: High: 96 High: 95 High: 93 Classified ..........................6B Markets ............................2A (575) 763-3431 Comics ..............................5B Obituaries..........................6A Low: 64 Low: 65 Low: 65 Voices................................4A Sports ............................1-3B PAGE 2A ✦ THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2018 LOCAL THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS Pioneer Days schedule Events calendar Today ■ 7:30 p.m.: Rodeo at Curry ■ 10 a.m.: Queens Love to Read County Events Center Today 2103 Information: 575-562-2711 Events commemorate the 150th Story Hour, Clovis-Carver Public Saturday ■ Theatre Arts and Drama ■ Stuffed animal sleepover — ■ Clovis Pioneer Days Rodeo Anniversary of the Navajo Treaty of Library ■ 10 a.m.: Pioneer Days Parade, Academy — 9 a.m. to noon for stu- 6 p.m.-10 a.m. at Clovis-Carver — 7:30 p.m. at the Curry County 1868, the formation of the Navajo ■ Noon-6 p.m.: Rodeo Tailgate Main Street dents in grades four through six and Public Library. Information: 575- Fairgrounds. Admission is $10. Nation, and the 50th anniversary of and Cowboy Trade Days, Curry County ■ Noon-6 p.m.: Rodeo Tailgate 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for students in 769-7840 Information: http://clovispioneer- the Fort Sumner Historic Site. Fairgrounds Indoor Pavilion and Cowboy Trade Days, Curry County grades seven through nine at the daysrodeo.com Information: 1-575-355-2573 or ■ 7:30 p.m.: Rodeo at Curry Fairgrounds Indoor Pavilion ■ ■ Eastern New Mexico University Friday Pioneer Women’s Breakfast www.bosqueredondomemorial.com County Events Center 1 p.m.: Little Buckaroo Rodeo, ■ ■ Friday Curry County Fairgrounds Grass Arena Theatre Center. Tuition is $75 per Theatre Arts and Drama — 7 a.m. at Clovis Civic Center. Our Lady of Guadalupe ■ 7 a.m.: Pioneer Women’s ■ 7:30 p.m.: Rodeo at Curry student for one week. Information: Academy — 9 a.m. to noon for stu- Information: 575-763-3435 Fiesta — 11 a.m.-8 p.m.