Only four of about 80 nonessential businesses in Grants, New Mexico, ordered closed because of the coronavirus pandemic reopened Monday despite the mayor urging them to do so.
Meanwhile, the mayor said he fired Grants’ city manager for not ordering city employees back to work at the municipal golf course, though the firing still has to be approved by the city council. The golf course received a cease-and-desist order from state police after reopening.
Mayor Martin Hicks told the Albuquerque Journal he was aware of only four businesses that reopened Monday. Two were gun shops, and one was served a cease-and-desist order for violating the governor’s health emergency order.
Businesses that defy the order face a $100 fine after the second offense and a $5,000 fine for the third.
Hicks said he wanted nonessential stores to reopen in Grants because the city has experienced a 30% decline in tax revenue, resulting in the layoffs of city workers.
As for the firing of the city manager, KOB-TV in Albuquerque reports:
“I am the interim manager until I can find another one,” said Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks.
The city council will need to vote to make the termination of City Manager Laura Jaramillo final. […]
The mayor said he planned to keep operating the city-owned golf course despite the cease and desist order. […]
Mayor Hicks said a special meeting to discuss Jaramillo’s employment could take place as early as Friday.
On Tuesday, the state’s attorney general sent Hicks a letter, advising him to comply with the public health order:
“Your individual views on the public health response are within your rights, but as Mayor you must follow the rule of law,” Attorney General Hector Balderas said. […]
Balderas said he will take legal action if Hicks doesn’t comply with his request.
“I encourage you and the city council to work with state health officials on an effective transition plan to safely bring local businesses online as things progress,” Balderas said.
The coronavirus pandemic has infected almost 3,000 people and killed more than 100 in New Mexico. Grants also sits near several Native American tribes that have been hammered by the virus.
(Image of the Route 66 Neon Drive-Thru in Grants, New Mexico, by Grants Mainstreet Project Inc. via Facebook)
“Meanwhile, the mayor said he fired Grants’ city manager for not ordering city employees back to work at the municipal golf course, though the firing still has to be approved by the city council. The golf course received a cease-and-desist order from state police after reopening.”
As I said before, when will the outlaws start riding into town? But with a mayor thinking he is above the state police, maybe at least one outlaw is already on the main street. How soon before a posse arrives on a steam-hauled highball from Santa Fe and puts Hicks (no jokes about Hicksville, please) in his place? Or have I been watching too many Hollywood Westerns?
Perhaps Hicks will also order people to play golf. And rescind their membership if they disobey.
Can’t the AG fire a rebellious mayor?
No. Charge him, yes.
How about impeaching him for bringing the position of mayor into disrepute, by ordering the city manager to disobey the police?