Business Freedom & Liberation Day In Grants, New Mexico

Above, Grants Mayor Martin Hicks at City Hall today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I got on the road and headed east 45 miles to Grants, New Mexico for the gathering that was planned at the Walmart parking lot.

About a dozen people were there that included Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace and Cibola County Commissioner Robert Windhorst.

Above, Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace and Maria Martinez. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was the day that Grants Mayor Martin Hicks declared that all businesses are permitted to reopen for business. I prefer to call today "Business Freedom & Liberation Day In Grants".

It was reported earlier that the New Mexico State Police would be in the city to cite and/or arrest any businesses that opened in defiance of Gov. Lujan Grisham's orders.

Above, some of those gathered at the Grants Walmart. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

That didn't materialize.

I read this morning that Sheriff Mace told the State Police to stay out of Grants. This was unverified up to my arrival in Grants.

Above, State Senate candidate Kelly Noble Zunie with Sheriff Tony Mace. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While we were all chatting in the Walmart parking lot, I asked Sheriff Mace about that and he confirmed that he did. Since the Cibola County Sheriff and the New Mexico State Police cooperate with each other on law enforcement matters, they all agreed that it was best not to get involved with the business openings and not put each other at odds. Also, during out chat, he mentioned that he knows Jonni Brown of Warrior Women Gun Supply in Jamestown.

Above, Cibola County Commissioner Robert Windhorse and yours truly.

After waiting for the time Mayor Hicks would be at City Hall, we caravanned over to City Hall to meet with and thank the Mayor for his actions in allowing business openings.

From my discussions with the Mayor, I found that he is a hardcore constitutionalist. It made me wonder, Why in heaven is he a Democrat? He'd be more at home in the Republican Party.

Above, in front of Grants City Hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Also in attendance at the City Hall gathering was Louis Sanchez, owner of Calibers gun ranges in Albuquerque. He said that he tried to defy the governor's closure orders and remain open. Police officers were using a Calibers range and had just left when the New Mexico State Police came in and forced them to close down.

Above, Calibers owner Louie Sanchez and yours truly at Grants City Hall.

According to KOB Channel 4:

A spokesperson for the governor said Calibers' gun range is only allowed to stay open for law enforcement-- and by appointment only. 

The governor's office released the following statement in response to Calibers: 

The state has taken and will continue to take an extremely broad view of what is considered non-essential to public health amid this pandemic. Gun stores are hardly the only entity having to adapt as we work to stem illnesses and prevent deaths. No one is happy about closing in-person business in our state – no one, including the governor. But it is inarguable that the only way we get through this pandemic with the fewest number of deaths that we can manage is to limit travel outside of the home to the greatest extent possible – and while we as an administration unequivocally support the constitutional right to purchase a firearm, we recognize that right does not correspond to a right to congregate in a store and infect neighbors and workers and public safety officers amid an unprecedented global pandemic.?“ Nora Meyers Sackett, spokesperson for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

It was an interesting and enjoyable gathering. I was able to meet several people, including State Senate candidate Kelly Noble Zunie. She would be a great asset to New Mexico if she gets the GOP nomination (she's in a contested primary) and goes on to win a seat in the State Senate. I was impressed with her. I also had a chat with a professional photographer and he gave me some good digital camera tips!

Above, one attendee brought his 1956 Ford Victoria. Nice ride! Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way home, I thought to myself that I haven't had this much fun with political activism since my days in California with the Young Republicans and the Republican Central Committee.

UPDATE:

Later in the day, it was reported by KOAT Channel 7, the governor's Gestapo (New Mexico State Police) reneged on their agreement with Sheriff Tony Mace to stay out of Grants. They came in and served a notice of violation to the city for "violating" the governor's lockdown order. Apparently, the governor leaned on the chief of the New Mexico State Police.

From KOAT:

Shortly after the Mayor declared the city was open, the state police showed up at the town’s golf course and gave them a “notice of violation.” It indicated if they continued to remain open they could be formally cited $5,000. 

That did not stop Mayor Hicks. He rushed to the golf course, told all of the golfers who were coming off to get back on and finish their games. 

“What's wrong? Social distancing guys get a shot of that,” Hicks told reporters while holding his arms up and walking towards a wide open golf course. “How is that for social distancing.” 

“I am going to come back and golf today for sure and haven’t golfed in years.” 

About 20 people were on the course at the time including City Councilor Rick Lucero, who just finished 18 holes.

Mayor Hicks says that if the city is formally cited, he's going to sue the state in court.