State Fines Grants Mayor $5,000 For "Parade"

Above, Mayor Martin Hicks of Grants, New Mexico in April. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham's little vendetta against Grants Mayor Martin Hicks escalated.

Mayor Hicks was fined $5,000 for holding a 4th of July protest, calling it a "parade". It's funny, Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA are able to hold "protests" and destroy property without even a slap on the hand (during the pandemic, by the way), but if a group of people not part of the Left Wing holds a protest, the mayor of the city where it was held in gets fined.

Remember...

According to Mayor Hicks, “That was not a parade, it was a protest."

I was considering attending the protest and discussed it with Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace at the Grants rodeo, but I had a prior commitment. Sheriff Mace referred to it as a "protest" during our discussion.

Albuquerque Journal Rebukes Gov. Lujan Grisham's "Heavy-Handed" Tactics Against Papas Pawn

Nearly $2,900 has been raised (at this writing) at the Go Fund Me page for Diane Rowe of Papas Pawn & Gun in Grants, New Mexico in response to Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham's $60,000 fine for reopening.

There are views on both sides of the fence of this matter, but the Albuquerque Journal posted a rare editorial by the paper's editorial board rebuking the governor's heavy-handed (some say Gestapo) tactics against Rowe.

Here's some snippets (highlights mine):

The state’s action is obviously trying to make an example of Rowe. It’s also worth noting that it occurred within days of Rowe speaking to local news media. 

But this administration’s heavy-handed approach – and singling Rowe out – could have an opposite effect than intended. Republican legislators in the state House have warned of growing civil unrest and “social chaos.” Grants, where Mayor Martin Hicks unsuccessfully tried to reopen businesses last week, has become a hot spot in the brewing revolt. Hicks was also met by State Police and a citation. Grants is the county seat of Cibola County, where Sheriff Tony Mace says deputies won’t enforce the public health orders. 

The governor said during a news conference last week that “this notion that you don’t have to comply is wrong,” that the coronavirus is still spreading and dangerous, and areas near Grants have been hit hard. She’s not wrong. But how she is treating this scofflaw is. The state’s draconian response to Rowe couldn’t be clearer: “Defy us and we will crush you.” 

Some will say Rowe had it coming for defying public health orders and potentially placing customers at risk. Others will say she had a constitutional right as a gun shop owner to conduct business and never should have been forced to close. But few people will say, especially given her limiting customers and social contact, that six cops and a $60,000 fine is in order. 

That bullying technique is simply escalating a bitter divide between this administration and thousands of small-business owners who feel they are not being listened to and who deserve a seat at the table. 

By insisting on the $60,000 fine, the governor runs the risk of turning Rowe, and any who emulate her, into Western folk heroes, Calamity Janes of the coronavirus age who fight power brokers for the rights of the little people. In this case, that’s small-business owners who fail to see any fairness in the fact they cannot open responsibly – with safety standards that surpass those being practiced by large “essential” businesses that often sell the same items. 

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.

To read the full editorial, go here.

Grants Pawn Shop Fined $60,000

Above, Commissioner Windhorst and yours truly in Grants last Monday. 

Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham releases inmates from prisons and jails into the general populace, so it stands to reason that a town's gun stores should be considered essential. Grants, New Mexico, has a nearby prison facilities. The federal Dept. of Homeland Security's guidelines state gun stores should be considered essential.

That doesn't apply to Grants, New Mexico in Cibola County.

Cibola County Commissioner Robert Scott Windhorst posted the following:

Diane and Paul Rowe, owners of Papa's Pawn, were served a civil penalty for $60,000.00 by State Police without any investigation! This is shamefull! Because they own a gunshop MLG is making them an example of what happens when you cross her! Paul is a disabled Vet trying to support his family and provide an essential service as the Governor releases more inmates every day onto the law abiding public!

From the Santa Fe New Mexican:

She [Rowe] was part of a small resistance by owners of stores that have remained open or opened Monday in Grants after the city's mayor, Martin "Modey" Hicks, ordered city employees back to work and encouraged businesses there to reopen in defiance of public health restrictions shutting them down. 

Hicks was ordered Thursday by the New Mexico Supreme Court to comply with the health orders and submit a written response to the court. 

Also Thursday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced businesses considered nonessential under a previous public health order would be able to reopen Friday by offering delivery or curbside pickup. 

But Rowe said that does not apply to Cibola County, where her pawn and gun shop is located. 

It also did not apply to McKinley and San Juan counties. The three areas are COVID-19 hot spots in New Mexico, and Lujan Grisham said during a Thursday address that she would not lift restrictions in those areas because of the explosion of virus cases there. 

The Republican Party of New Mexico decried the substantial fine in a statement Friday as "a violation of Rowe's civil rights and constitutional rights and another unjust action against businesses trying to survive."

To read more, go here.

The Rowes should start a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for their defense.

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UPDATE (5/2/20):

A Go Fund Me page has been started. Go here.

Grants Mayor Fires City Manager

Above, Grants, New Mexico Mayor Martin Hicks on Monday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Things are still "in flux" (to put it mildly) in the small town of Grants, New Mexico.

On Monday, Mayor Martin Hicks declared that the city's businesses may reopen despite Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham's lockdown orders.

On Tuesday, Mayor Hicks fired the city manager, allegedly for not opening the municipal golf course (it seems there's more to the firing than that).

According to KOAT Channel 7 News:

GRANTS, N.M. — One word that is seen on red T-shirts all over town describes what is going on in Grants – defiant. 

In yellow letters over a yellow Zia, those shirts are being worn by the mayor and businesses who decided to open up this week despite the governor’s public health order telling them not to.

"I want to survive. I want to see all of my fellow business people survive,” said Carolyn Newton, owner of Re Runs thrift store. “So, If I have to wear a shirt to make a stand. I am wearing a shirt.” 

One person probably not wearing one of those shirts, is the now former City Manager Linda Jaramillo. She says she was fired Tuesday morning by Mayor Martin Hicks because she refused to reopen the city’s golf course after Grants received a notice of violation from the state police the day earlier. 

Hicks had ordered all of the employees to keep the golf course open. 

“I still stand by my actions in defending the city’s golf course staff and their desire not to violate the governor’s health order,” she said in a telephone interview. “Our staff was not comfortable in breaking the law and opening the golf course.”

Could someone tell me exactly what "law" is being broken? The lockdown orders by the governor are by Executive Orders, which only affect state agencies, not ordinary citizens. We have constitutional protections against dictatorial actions by politicians.

It looks like things are turning nasty. Get out your popcorn, folks!

To read more, go here.

The Storm of Grants Is Getting Worse

Above, the New Mexico State Police's image that is growing in peoples' eyes.

Chasing people away from churches, beaches, hiking trails, and parks, and arresting those who do not meekly comply, is not enforcing the “law,” it is enforcing the whimsical edicts of people unqualified to craft and issue them. When all of this is over, can the damage be undone? - Jack Dunphy, PJ Media, 4/24/20.


The "small western New Mexico town" of Grants is really garnering attention from the media from the determined defiant mayor versus the out-of-control governor.

The skirmish between the two is dragging the New Mexico State Police into the thick of things, severely tarnishing their image in the eyes of New Mexico citizens.

They aren't total innocents in this, they could've told the governor that they will enforce the law, but not act on the unconstitutional whims (executive orders) of a crazed politician. They have been acting as the "governor's personal Gestapo" in people's eyes.

Before today's reopening of businesses in Grants, an agreement was made between the Sheriff of Cibola County Tony Mace and the State Police. It was agreed that the State Police will stay out of the battle over the opening of businesses in Grants. That agreement didn't last long.

Unfortunately, it appears that the New Mexico State Police reneged on that agreement as they showed up at the municipal golf course and issued a violation notice. It was probably done under orders from Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham. (Reminds me of the Nuremberg defense, "Vee were only following orders!") This is blatant intimidation. Small wonder more and more people are referring the New Mexico State Police as a "Gestapo".

The events in Grants caught the attention of CNSNews, who wrote:

The mayor of Grants, New Mexico reopened the small western New Mexico town Monday, despite fellow Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s statewide lockdown order amid the coronavirus pandemic that has been devastating the town’s businesses. 

Local police will intervene if “Lujan Grisham and her Gestapo” try to shut down businesses that have reopened, Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks has warned, The Associated Press reported on Thursday: 

“’I’ve told businesses to call 911 if State Police show up to their place. We are going to stop Lujan Grisham and her Gestapo,’ Hicks said, referring to the secret police of Nazi Germany.  

“Hicks said he is working with Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace — a Lujan Grisham critic — and will use city resources to fight the state against enforcement of any closure order."

Somebody needs to back off and take a deep breath before things escalate and cause irreparable damage. Attorney General William Barr and the Justice Department will likely have to step in.

To read more, go here.

AP Article On Grants, New Mexico Stores Opening

Above, Grants Mayor Martin Hicks this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Associated Press (AP) has posted an article on the stores in Grants, New Mexico reopening, which is what most of the world will see.

It begins with:

GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — The mayor of a small New Mexico city and several dozen supporters rallied Monday as he encouraged business owners to defy a lockdown order by the governor that shuttered nonessential shops to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. 

Grants Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks vowed last week to allow all small businesses to reopen. The move came as some other rural communities across the country pressured their state and local officials to let them reopen amid rising unemployment and other economic turmoil. 

In Grants, a western New Mexico town of around 9,000 residents, the mayor told protesters the time had come to end the shutdown despite warnings from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham that it could put people at risk.

Hicks said only a fraction of New Mexico residents have been infected by the virus and it doesn’t make sense to keep small businesses closed. 

“The governor is killing the state over a little bug,” Hicks said at the rally.

To read the full article, go here.

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.

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.

Grants Businesses Reopening Today

Today's the day that the mayor of Grants, New Mexico is allowing all businesses to open.

Whether or not they do so is completely up to them. Whether or not people go shop there is completely up to them.

Supporters of the mayor will be assembling at Walmart in Grants between 7:30 and 8:00 this morning.

It would do well for the governor and the New Mexico State Police read the following from the Department of Justice:

UPDATE: 

A Facebook post reported:

A source very near to the situation has revealed that the sheriff has asked NMSP to stay out of Grants and the NMSP has agreed.

Hopefully this true! We'll see.

New Mexico State Police Chief Needs To Read The Constitution

An article that appears in the Albuquerque Journal caught my attention.

It is the New Mexico State Police Chief Tim Johnson's response to comments made by Mayor Martin Hicks of Grants. Hicks is a Democrat, by the way.

In the article:

Hicks, whose town has 10 COVID-19 positive cases according to state data, made the comments in an interview published by the Associated Press last week.

“We are going to stop Lujan Grisham and her Gestapo,” referring to the secret police of Nazi Germany, the AP reported.

There's one notable section that raised my ire:

Johnson said citizens shouldn’t be directed by elected officials to violate laws or jeopardize the public’s health, referring to the Hicks’ statements that nonessential businesses would be opened Monday in violation of the governor’s public health order. 

“This puts both the citizens and my officers in a very difficult and unnecessary position. A position that has the potential to create terrible relationships not only right now during this pandemic, but on the back end of this.” 

Johnson also bristled at the mayor’s announcement that businesses and citizens of Grants should call 911 if State Police show up at their places of business to enforce the public health order. 

“Reading between the lines, this is an attempt to now pit the local police departments against the State Police. This plan will undoubtedly tie up critical emergency resources, and more importantly has the potential to create frictions between boots on the ground officers whom the public expects to work as collaboratively as possible to protect them.”

The Mayor is allowing businesses in the city to open tomorrow and there are indications that the governor is going to send the State Police there to close them down.

There is no argument that the State Police as well as other law enforcement agencies are there to protect and serve the people and enforce the law. But the executive lockdown orders by the governor are not laws. What laws would be violated, Chief?  Executive Orders by the governor are intended to affect state agencies, not the people themselves. To govern by fiat or whim, is not what the U.S. Constitution allows or intends. Otherwise, we just may has well have a dictator. That is called tyranny.

Hicks isn't "directing" people to "violate laws", it is up to the business owner to reopen or not to. It is also up to individual citizens to go shop at any given place or not to. You know what that's called, Chief? It's called FREEDOM.

If the State Police shows up to close a so-called "non-essential" business and threatens them with fines or arrest for exercising their freedoms, small wonder they would be referred to as a Gestapo.

To read more, go here.