Clovis Mayor's Race Tuesday

CLOVIS, NM -- Two candidates want your vote to be the next mayor of Clovis: Gayla Brumfield, the current mayor since 2008, and David Lansford who served three terms as Clovis' mayor previously.  

But one issue has come up recently that has stirred up controversy.

Former Mayor Lansford has come under attack for his views expressed on blogs, including ATLAH Media, that President Obama is not a U.S. citizen under requirements of the Constitution.

He also wrote that President Obama was a CIA operative and on a secret mission to destroy the constitution of the U.S., the dollar, and the free enterprise system.

It's received quite a bit of attention from media across New Mexico. 

Brumfield said Lansford's views would hurt Clovis' reputation and chance at working with officials in Washington, while Lansford disagreed, saying the number one responsibility of an elected official is standing up for the Constitution         

Brumfield said, "I do think it matters when you have this type of view and it's out there on every printed thing and it will not help the community."

Lansford responded, "If I as mayor, take the oath of office to serve the citizens of Clovis and we get a few months down the road and somebody comes to me or comes to the city commission and has a concern or an idea and I know they supported my opponent or they said things ill about me, would I be a man of good character if I disregarded them? It shouldn't matter at that point and if anything anybody says about me is untrue, then, you know, I shouldn't be offended by it."  

Lansford also participated in a mock trial of President Obama in New York.

ATLAH sponsored it.

Lansford says he's running again because he doesn't believe citizens are being given the respect and regard they deserve.

 "I firmly believe," Lansford said, "the number one job of any elected official is to listen to the voice of the people."

Brumfield said, "More than just listen, you go ahead and take action, and that's what we've done."

Mayor Brumfield points to quality of life improvements like the city's parks projects job creation and the expansion of Cannon Air Force Base.

The big issue for both candidates is long-term water supplies.

Brumfield says that'll come from Ute Lake, a project that received some of its funding from the federal government last month.

Lansford says they also must find a balance in usage and that will be key to the area's future. 

Lansford said that would be, "...A compromise between ag use, domestic and industrial use, and trying to find long-term sustainable supplies." 

Cannon's growth means affordable housing remains a key issue.

Brumfield says a business friendly environment is making it happen.

She also points to the Hotel Clovis renovation, a 60-unit affordable housing project and a public/private partnership set to be done by the end of the year.

Lansford says housing is best left to the private sector, and emphasizes infrastructure upgrades, like roads and sewer capacity on the west side of town.

The city says they're working on both. 

Polls are open March 6th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Besides Mayor, you can also vote for City Commissioners, as well as an amendment to add a new section prohibiting the city's elected officers from also holding elective office of any county in New Mexico.