Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Mayor and city council recall, Tucumcari, New Mexico (2017)
| Tucumcari Mayor and City Commission recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
Ralph Moya Amy Gutierrez |
| Recall status |
Recall defeated |
| Recall election date |
| June 13, 2017 |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2017 Recalls in New Mexico New Mexico recall laws Mayoral recalls City council recalls Recall reports |
Tucumcari Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield and City Commissioners Ralph Moya and Amy Gutierrez survived a recall election on June 13, 2017, over their stances on property nuisances.[1] Keith Hayes initiated a recall effort after receiving a fine for violating a property nuisance ordinance that he believed wastes city resources. The targeted officials argued that Hayes received a warning prior to the fine and did not seek help from the city prior to starting the recall.[2]
Moya represented District 1 on the city commission, while Gutierrez represented District 2. Litchfield also served as the District 3 representative on the commission.[3] Learn more about the office here.
Recall vote
A recall election took place on June 13, 2017. Voters in Districts 1, 2, and 3 were only allowed to determine whether to recall the city commissioner from their districts.[2] The removal of any commissioners would lead the remaining commissioners to fill vacancies or call a special election.[3]
| Recall of Ralph Moya | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Recall | 21 | 24.71% | ||
 Retain | 64 | 75.29% | ||
| Recall of Amy Gutierrez | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Recall | 34 | 41.98% | ||
| Retain | 47 | 58.02% | ||
| Recall of Ruth Ann Litchfield | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Recall | 19 | 23.46% | ||
| Retain | 62 | 76.54% | ||
Recall supporters
Hayes sought a recall due to the city commission's approach to property nuisance violations. Hayes, the owner of Hayes Trucking, was fined $645 for violating a city ordinance passed in 2016 prohibiting unkempt properties. He argued that the city commission should focus on improving business conditions in the city rather than property nuisances. Hayes also cited a garage sale ordinance passed in 2016 that led to opposition by local residents.[4]
Commissioner responses
On February 1, 2017, the city commission met to discuss the issues addressed in Hayes' recall petition. Lumpkin said that property nuisance decisions should be handled by the municipal judge. He also suggested that the commission could work with property owners before applying fines. Gutierrez countered that property owners who receive warnings should spend time and money to correct issues before the city issues fines. Moya, an opponent of the 2016 property nuisance ordinance, said that the commission should not be swayed by a city resident who opted for recall before speaking with city officials.[3]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in New Mexico
Hayes initiated a recall petition against four commissioners in January 2017. The recall effort against District 4 representative Robert Lumpkin did not advance because of insufficient signatures.[5] Hayes was unable to recall all five members of the commission because the District 5 seat was vacant at the time of his petition. Todd Duplantis was appointed to the commission's fifth seat on March 29, 2017, to replace John Mihm following his death in December 2016.[2]
Hayes needed to gather and submit signatures equaling at least 20 percent of the total vote from the previous election in each commission district to require a recall election. City Manager Jared Langenegger estimated a cost of $5,500 to $7,500 per district to hold a recall election.
The following list details signatures submitted against each council member with required signatures in parentheses:[5]
- Ralph Moya: 29 signatures (26 required)
- Amy Gutierrez: 25 signatures (22 required)
- Ruth Ann Litchfield: 27 signatures (17 required)
- Robert Lumpkin: 19 signatures (23 required)
About the office
The Tucumcari City Commission consists of five members elected by district to four-year terms. The mayor and the mayor pro-tem are elected by the commission from the current members of the commission.[6]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms City council Tucumcari recall. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Quay County Sun, "Residents vote to retain City Commissioners," June 14, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Quay County Sun, "Recall election set for June," April 19, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Quay County Sun, "Mayor asks nuisance fines be handled by judge," February 1, 2017
- ↑ Quay County Sun, "Resident calls for recalls," February 1, 2017
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Quay County Sun, "Recall elections upcoming," March 29, 2017
- ↑ Tucumcari, NM, "Chapter 2.04 - City Commission," accessed May 18, 2017
