Carlsbad City Council calls on Governor to reopen nonessential businesses

The Carlsbad City Council joined other New Mexico municipalities and counties in asking Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to reopen nonessential businesses and non-profits in the State of New Mexico.

Councilors voted 8-0 Tuesday night to pass a resolution that mirrors similar resolutions passed by the Eddy County and Lea County Board of Commissioners.

“Small business owners are suffering (and) the current system is not fair,” said Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway during the Council’s last regular meeting of April.

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Eddy County passed a similar resolution crafted by Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage, Eddy County Manager Allen Davis and Commission Chairperson Ernie Carlson and the Lea County Board of Commissioners.

“City Council clearly made the right decision,” Janway said after the meeting. “This resolution is one of many being sent to the Governor’s Office right now indicating that New Mexicans across the entire state are very afraid that it will be too late to restart the economy if we don’t do so right away.”

Lujan Grisham placed health and safety restrictions on businesses and non-profits considered “nonessential” days after the first COVID-19 coronavirus cases were reported in New Mexico in March.

More:Eddy County Commission asks Governor to reopen non-essential businesses

Last week, Lujan Grisham extended a state Department of Health stay-at-home order to May 15.

“We are in support of the resolution, we think it’s vitally important," said Craig Stephens, president of the Carlsbad Department of Development’s (CDOD) executive board, during Tuesday’s Council meeting.

“It’s about time to get our small businesses back in operation,” said John Waters, CDOD president, Wednesday morning.

Waters is concerned with businesses reopening in the State of Texas, communities like Carlsbad could be losing gross receipts taxes (GRT’s) revenue that funds multiple government operations.

“Texas is opening up right now,” he said.

Waters said New Mexicans might consider crossing the state line to purchase items like clothing.

“We need to get these businesses opened,” he said. “There’s a significant number that are suffering.”

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Waters said some Carlsbad small business owners have applied for government and small business loans.

“That’s only going to go so far,” he said. “It’s a life support to keep some of these folks going.”

Waters said CDOD’s Executive Board plans to consider their own resolution next week and it will fall in line with resolutions approved by the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County.

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“I think everybody is happy to be getting up and moving forward,” he said. “We’re ready to get back to work. Carlsbad and Eddy County have a bunch of hardworking folks.”

Janway said Carlsbad businesses are asking for a fair opportunity as they compete with major retail outlets housed in Carlsbad and businesses reopening in Texas.

 “We hear from our residents every day who are asking us how they are supposed to take care of their families when they aren’t allowed to open,” he said.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.