Citing a need to “ensure New Mexico’s 526-mile stretch of the Mother Road is preserved, promoted, and positioned for long-term sustainability” during its centennial year, the New Mexico Route 66 Alliance officially announced its launch on Jan. 2.
The launch also illustrates the split within the New Mexico Route 66 Association that occurred in March 2024. More on that later.
A news release from the alliance states:
The New Mexico Route 66 Alliance officially launched this month in response to recent transitions in
statewide Route 66 coordination and a growing need for consistent leadership, collaboration, and
advocacy as international attention turns toward the historic highway.Founded by a multidisciplinary team of community leaders, nonprofit executives, historians,
preventionists, published authors, multimedia artists, and grant professionals, the Alliance brings
together nine founding members representing Route 66 communities from Tucumcari to Gallup. Their
shared goal is to protect the cultural, economic, and historic assets that define New Mexico’s portion of
Route 66.“Route 66 is not a single attraction — it is a living corridor made up of people, stories, businesses, and
places,” said Vickie Ashcraft, board president of the New Mexico Route 66 Alliance. “With the Centennial
approaching, it is critical that New Mexico has a unified voice and a stable organization focused on
preservation, education, and community support.” […]“Our immediate priority is making sure New Mexico’s Route 66 communities are not left behind during
the Centennial,” Ashcraft added. “That means telling our stories well, protecting our historic assets, and
helping local communities benefit from the renewed global interest in the Mother Road.”
The New Mexico Route 66 Alliance obtained its federal nonprofit status on July 28. Its website is at route66alliancenm.org.
The alliance’s goals:
- Support local preservation and placemaking projects along the route.
- Amplify small businesses, museums, and cultural sites through coordinated promotion.
- Develop partnerships with municipalities, tribal communities, and tourism organizations.
- Secure funding to assist communities preparing for centennial-related visitation
The alliance listed these accomplishments since earning its nonprofit status:
- Submitted a National Trust for Historic Preservation grant application to restore the historic neon
sign on the Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari. - Completed neon sign repairs at Del’s Restaurant, Loretta’s Burrito Hut, the Wash Lady laundromat,
Americana Motel and the La Cita Restaurant, all in Tucumcari. - Partnered with the Albuquerque Museum on a 7,000-square-foot exhibit celebrating the Route 66
centennial.
The alliance’s board of directors:
- Vickie Ashcraft, president
- Larry Plath, vice president (deceased)
- Cyndie Tidewell, treasurer
- Johnnie Meier, preservation officer
- Roger Siegmann
- Craig Cropsey
- Bruce Shaffer
- Cindy Carson
- Ken Johansen
The split of the New Mexico Route 66 Association occurred nearly two years ago when its president, Melissa Lea Beasley-Lee, submitted her resignation during a confrontation with her about suspected irregularities, according to several board members. Ashcraft was subsequently elected association president.
Beasley-Lee denied resigning. She maintained control of the association’s assets and set up an election for a new association board.
Previous association members filed complaints with the Albuquerque Police and the New Mexico Attorney General’s office. Two of the APD complaints are still active.
Asked to comment, Ashcraft wrote in an email: “There are disturbing and unresolved conflicts of interest within the New Mexico Route 66 Association that have impacted performance, particularly with grant execution. The Alliance was established to be independent of any conflicts of interest in order to better serve Route 66 communities.”
Beasley-Lee, asked to comment, stated in an email: “Johnnie Meier is a pathological lier…. An excellent one. He has played all of you for fools and he knows it. His fools who, even after his past lies have been proven to be lies, still continue to follow him blindly.”
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