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GOP lieutenant governor primary race set

Michael Smith
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GOP lieutenant governor primary race set


Bob Campbell
Lovington Leader

State Sen. Gallegos faces two primary opponents after signatures tallied

New Mexico Sen. David Gallegos of Eunice hopes to run for the state’s No. 2 leadership post against either Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver or Albuquerque Sen. Harold Pope Jr.

Gallegos will face off with two other Republican candidates for lieutenant governor this summer in New Mexico’s June 2 Primary Election.

If chosen, Gallegos will take on the Democratic Party’s nominee, after that party’s voters select either Pope or Toulouse Oliver.

The Republican nominee will be paired with the party’s gubernatorial hopeful in the Nov. 3 general election.

When asked how big of a voting bloc he will need from the Permian Basin in southeast New Mexico to win statewide, Gallegos said he had not yet done the math, but will run a vigorous issue-oriented campaign focused on the needs of rural areas like his Senate District 41 in Lea and Eddy counties.

He said he is well-respected among Republicans statewide as neither of his primary opponents, attorney Aubrey Blair Dunn and investor Manuel Lardizabal, both of Albuquerque, got enough support at the March 8 GOP Pre-Primary Convention to get on the primary ballot.

Lardizabal and Dunn will be on the primary ballot though, after gaining enough signatures by the March 17 deadline, which the Secretary of State’s office finished counting on Tuesday, March 24.

Dunn and Lardizabal got 77 and 61 votes respectively at the convention to Gallegos’ 278.

With Lt. Gov. Howie Morales not seeking re-election and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham term-limited, the Republican nominees will face the Democrats in the Nov. 3 general election where a new governor will be decided, along with lieutenant governor.

“I was the only one who had enough votes at the convention to get on the ballot and mine is the only rural voice in this election,” Gallegos said. “That’s the reality, so it’s worth the fight.”

The senator is in a period now of intense fund-raising and he does not plan to spend a lot of money on TV but rather to concentrate on social media, newspaper and radio advertising, mailers to voters and personal campaigning.

“We will do with what we have,” Gallegos said. “I don’t know that we need TV.”

He touted his experience as New Mexico lawmaker, after serving in the Senate since 2021 and in the House of Representatives from 2013 to 2021.

“The lieutenant governor presides over the New Mexico Senate and I have the experience in the Roundhouse,” Gallegos said. “I will also stand in as governor when the governor leaves the state or the country.”

Gallegos’ said he envisions protecting New Mexico’s economy and working families by defending energy jobs and American production.

He said he will also work to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and stop drug trafficking, ensuring safer communities and real public safety.

Education was also critical, Gallegos said. He serves on the Eunice School Board and said he will prioritize standing with parents and strengthening public education, while also supporting agriculture, water resources and rural communities.

“It’s important to have a rural voice and someone who has actually been in legislative office,” Gallegos said.

On the Democratic side, Pope released a statement via Facebook on April 6 that he would not accept donations from any oil and gas companies or special interests.

He said his campaign was about “leadership that isn’t afraid to take on powerful interests and speak the truth.”

Toulouse Oliver, who is currently serving as New Mexico Secretary of State most recently touted in an April 3 Facebook post an endorsement from current Lt. Gov. Morales.

“I will be honored to take up the work Howie (Morales) has built as a champion for students, teachers, and all New Mexicans,” read the post.

Scenes from Artesia tennis

JT Keith
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Scenes from Artesia tennis
Artesia senior Kirklyn Miller returns a ball against Goddard during Thursday afternoon matches.
Kirklyn Miller returns a shot against a Goddard player during Thursday afternoon action.
Artesia senior Sadie Morris returns a shot against Goddard during action at the Mack.
Sadie Morris returns a backhand during her match against a Goddard opponent.
Artesia junior Renee Irvin serves for game point against a Goddard opponent.
Renee Irvin saves a ball and returns it across the net to a Goddard player.
Artesia tennis player Adrienne Harvey serves to a Goddard player on Thursday.
Junior Chloe Aguilar serves against Goddard during a match on Thursday.
Adrienne Harvey returns a shot with her backhand against a Goddard opponent.
Artesia Chloe Aguilar returns a serve against a Goddard opponent on Thursday at the Chase.
Renee Irvin returns a serve from a Goddard opponent on Thursday at the Chase.
Sadie Morris returns a ball against a Goddard opponent on Thursday.

Joshua Vazquez goes after a shot against Goddard.

Joshua Vazquez serves the ball to a Goddard opponent on Thursday afternoon.
Artesia tennis player Paul Miller gets ready for doubles action on Thursday.

Artesia names Derek Montoya new boys basketball coach

JT Keith
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Artesia names Derek Montoya new boys basketball coach

JT Keith

The Artesia Bulldogs wasted no time Monday in naming Derek Montoya as the program’s new boys basketball coach.

Montoya, a longtime assistant in the program, applied for the position shortly after head coach Michael Mondragon resigned last week. For Montoya, the opportunity was one he had envisioned since childhood, growing up around the Bulldogs under his father, longtime Artesia coach Isidro (Ike) Montoya.

“I had dreams and aspirations of coaching here while growing up,” Montoya said. “My dad was the best example I could have had. I had a great childhood because of that.”

Montoya said he felt a strong calling to remain in Artesia, even when opportunities elsewhere presented themselves, believing the right time would eventually come.

“That was always in my heart,” he said.

Montoya spent the past 12 seasons as an assistant coach under Mondragon, gaining experience while helping maintain continuity within the program.

Mondragon said Montoya was the natural choice to take over.

“I’m super excited for our program,” Mondragon said. “I’m excited for Derek. He’s been in the program for 12 years. He was a successful player and a high-energy coach. He knows the game, and I know he’ll accomplish great things. It’s nice when you step down and can pass it on to one of your assistants.”

A product of the Bulldogs program, Montoya, 35, played for Artesia from 2005 to 2009 under his father. He helped lead the Bulldogs to the state championship game in 2009, where they fell to Roswell 59–50.

Montoya remains listed among the state’s career leaders, ranking fourth in New Mexico basketball history in field goals made with 847 and free throws made with 513. He also ranks fifth in career rebounds with 1,238.

Montoya said lessons learned from his father, Mondragon, Cooper Henderson and athletic director Jeremy Maupin shaped him as both a coach and a leader.

“The biggest thing I learned from all of those coaches is how to be a leader and a role model every single day,” Montoya said.

Maupin said Montoya’s commitment to Artesia and his experience across multiple sports made him the right choice.

“Derek deserves this opportunity,” Maupin said. “He’s very smart, a high-level coach and has been invested in this program for a long time. He brings a lot to the table.”

Carla J. Sontag: New Mexico can’t wait: Pass the SPEED Act now to address environmental policies for energy development

Michael Smith
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Carla J. Sontag: New Mexico can’t wait: Pass the SPEED Act now to address environmental policies for energy development

Carla J. Sonntag
President and CEO, New Mexico Business Coalition

New Mexico has always been a state that builds. From the energy resources that power our nation to the infrastructure that connects our communities across vast distances, our economic strength depends on our ability to get projects done. Manufacturing alone supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes billions to the state’s economy each year. Yet too many of these projects are stalled—not because of a lack of investment, but because of America’s broken permitting system.

The SunZia Transmission Line, one of the largest renewable energy projects in American history, is a prime example. It faced years of regulatory delays, overlapping reviews, and litigation before finally moving forward. SunZia will create jobs, strengthen the grid, and help build an all-of-the-above energy portfolio. But it is only one of many critical projects—oil and gas pipelines, wind farms, and additional transmission lines—now navigating a maze of duplicative federal reviews, unclear timelines, and endless legal risks.

Across industries and political parties, there is broad agreement that the permitting system is too slow, unpredictable, and complex. Poor coordination between agencies, duplicative requirements, and excessive litigation drive up costs and stall projects essential to economic growth and national security. According to a new report from the National Association of Manufacturers and the Foundation for American Innovation, these delays cost America’s manufacturers more than $8 billion each year.

For New Mexico, the consequences are immediate and tangible. Energy is the cornerstone of our economy—supporting jobs, funding schools, and sustaining communities. When projects are delayed, we lose jobs, tax revenue, and opportunities to lead in both traditional and emerging energy sectors. Every stalled transmission line keeps renewable energy from reaching consumers. Every delayed oil and gas development constrains supply and raises costs. Every infrastructure project stuck in limbo represents lost economic opportunities for the state and the nation.

That is why Congress must act now and pass H.R. 4776, the SPEED Act. This bipartisan legislation addresses a core failure in the current system: the broken National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. It would streamline approvals, set clear and enforceable timelines, reduce duplicative reviews, and limit excessive litigation that creates costly uncertainty for manufacturers.

The SPEED Act means more than faster paperwork in New Mexico. It means unlocking our full energy potential. It would accelerate projects like SunZia and ensure future wind, solar, and transmission investments do not face the same years-long delays. It would allow responsible oil and gas development to continue supporting jobs and communities. And it would give manufacturers the certainty they need to invest confidently, knowing there is a predictable path forward.

The SPEED Act does not seek shortcuts. It creates an efficient, transparent, and predictable system while preserving strong environmental protections. Manufacturers simply want a process that works—one that keeps pace with global competition.

We rarely see strong bipartisanship in Washington, but there is growing agreement across the aisle that permitting reform is long overdue. The House of Representatives already passed the SPEED Act in December. Now is the time for the Senate to act in 2026 and send comprehensive, bipartisan permitting reform to the president’s desk.

New Mexico cannot afford to wait. Passing the SPEED Act will spur investment in critical infrastructure, strengthen supply chains, and ensure our state—and America’s manufacturers—have the tools needed to create jobs, innovate, and compete.

The NMBC is a nonpartisan, pro-business organization. We believe a strong economy, job creation, and prosperity for all New Mexicans depend on free enterprise. For more information, you can visit our website at www.nmbizcoalition.org

Sierra County State Rep. Rebecca Dow disqualified from June primary ballot

Michael Smith
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Sierra County State Rep. Rebecca Dow disqualified from June primary ballot

Joshua Bowling
Source New Mexico

New Mexico state Rep. Rebecca Dow (R-Elephant Butte) announced on Wednesday morning that she had lost a legal challenge to her re-election campaign’s legitimacy and won’t appear on the June 2 primary ballot. The Republican, who first won the seat in 2016 and unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2022, said she plans to appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Tara Jaramillo, a Democrat who previously held Dow’s District 38 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives, filed a challenge in court and alleged that Dow filed flawed paperwork when she sought reelection.

Specifically, Jaramillo alleged that Dow’s paperwork incorrectly said she was seeking the office of “House of Repres,” not “House of Representatives, District 38.” Her complaint also alleged that Dow submitted screenshots of nominating petitions rather than the forms required under state law.

“I thought, ‘Well, everybody knows what she’s running for.’ That wasn’t really my concern,” Jaramillo told Source NM. “When I looked deeper into it, I noticed she submitted screenshots rather than the petitions themselves. Since I had filed similar petitions, I knew that that was improper.”

In an amended order Wednesday morning, a Third Judicial District judge agreed and wrote that the county clerk’s qualification for Dow as a candidate should be undone.

Dow was unopposed in the primary election, and faced a write-in Democratic candidate in the Nov. 3 general election, according to New Mexico Secretary of State records. Jaramillo said she has no plans to run for the seat.

In a lengthy statement posted to social media, Dow said she planned to appeal.

“Recently, a district court decision removed my name from the ballot. I want you to hear directly from me: this was not about whether I earned your support,” she wrote. “We gathered the required signatures. We followed the process to qualify. Instead, this decision came down to a dispute over paperwork—a technical issue that has now resulted in our district having no candidate on the ballot.”

Dow wrote that the issue at hand came down to a technicality.

“I have always believed that elections should be decided by the people, not by technicalities,” Dow wrote. “Our system is strongest when it protects access, encourages participation, and respects the will of the voters. What has happened here falls short of those principles.”

Scenes from the Bulldog Classic

JT Keith
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Scenes from the Bulldog Classic
JT K eith | Artesia Daily Press, An Artesia golfer gets ready to hit a shot off the tee.
An Artesia golfer’s swing in action.
An Artesia golfer’s swing hits the ball off the tee.
An Artesia golfer hits a shot looking for par.
An Artesia golfer gets ready to make a putt.
An Artesia golfer hits a shot off the tee on Monday.
An Arteisa golfer follows through on his swing.

Artesia’s First Methodist Church brings history to life with Last Supper reenactment

Michael Smith
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Artesia’s First Methodist Church brings history to life with Last Supper reenactment

Mike Smith
Carlsbad Current-Argus
msmith@elritomedia.com

Artesia’s First Methodist Church marked Holy Week with its annual reenactment of the Last Supper, offering attendees a visual portrayal of one of Christianity’s most significant events.

Twelve churchmen offered insight into the moments Jesus Christ spent with his Apostles in the hours before he was crucified.

“It takes us back to our roots,” said Sandy Schuetz who has directed the reenactment each year since its debut in 2024.

Schuetz said the idea for the reenactment came from former New Mexico State Sen. Vernon Asbill, who proposed it during a 2023 men’s prayer breakfast.

He said the idea dated back to 1976.

“We had a preacher here that talked about it. We put it together for one year,” Asbill said.

The minister left, Asbill said, and the play was dropped until the church brought it back in 2024.

Asbill has portrayed the Apostle Andrew in all three reenactments. After studying his lines and Andrew’s persona, Asbill said, he identified with the biblical figure.

“My characteristics echo that same character,” Asbill said.

Cast members had to memorize their lines the first year of the presentation, Asbill said, but Schuetz changed that with the help of a hidden visual aid.

“Luke Blackmon (student ministry pastor) had his hand on a (computer) mouse clicking forward through their speeches,” Schuetz said.

The cast rehearsed five times over the three weeks leading up to the April 2 presentation, Schuetz said.

First Methodist Pastor David McGaughy said the Maundy Thursday reenactment offered important details of Jesus’ final moments with the Apostles.

“It makes you think that even though one of them would betray him, he still washed their feet and had a meal with them,” McGaughy said. “In other words, he still loved them. It was a great reminder that even in our failures his love remains. It’s a perfect picture that we are to love no matter the circumstances.”

The Last Supper reenactment was one of several special events hosted by First Methodist Church during Holy Week. The church held an Easter Prayer Vigil that started at 8 p.m. on Good Friday, April 3, and concluded at 6 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 5.

A sunrise service was conducted at the Bulldog Bowl on Easter morning.

Schuetz and Asbill said the activities were part of a greater outreach for the entire Artesia community.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 extension-2361.

Domino’s Pizza owner: ‘It’s not rocket science’

Michael Smith
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Domino’s Pizza owner: ‘It’s not rocket science’

Staff reports

Domino’s top franchisee got his start in southeast New Mexico

Brian Bailey owns more Domino’s franchise stores than anyone else.

And he got his start delivering the pies in southeast New Mexico.

He worked as delivery driver in Alamogordo, quickly promoted to manage the store.

In 1988, Bailey bought his first Domino’s store in Carlsbad. Today he owns Domino’s locations across southeast New Mexico, with others in Ruidoso and Artesia.

Almost 40 years later in 2025, Bailey secured the title of Domino’s largest U.S. franchise owner with the purchase of 45 Domino’s stores in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. With his most recent store opening earlier this year in Texas, Bailey hit the milestone of being a franchise owner of 160 stores spanning across five states: Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.

“Like many Domino’s franchisees, when I started as a young man, I honestly thought it was just a temporary job while I figured out my real career,” Bailey said. “What I didn’t realize at the time was that I had just stumbled into one of the greatest entrepreneurial opportunities in the country.

After earning his electrical engineering degree in 1985 from DeVry Institute of Technology, while looking for what he described as “a real job,” he started delivering pizzas for Domino’s in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Just 58 days after he started as a driver, Bailey was promoted to manager of Alamogordo Domino’s.

“I always say, ‘It’s not rocket science’ – although that’s what I was envisioning for my career,” Bailey said. “Domino’s is one of the few brands where someone can start at in an entry level job at the store and build an incredible career through hard work, leadership and determination.”

Bailey quickly advanced within the brand and gained hands-on experience building and running stores from the ground up. By 1999, he was debt-free, owned 12 stores, and faced a pivotal decision.

“We had three choices once we hit 12 stores: sell, coast or go big … I didn’t want to sell, and I don’t like to coast, so we decided to go big,” Bailey said.

He said he is incredibly grateful for his family, team, franchise community, corporate partners, and the leaders who helped guide him along the way such as Zig Ziglar, Tom Monaghan, Patrick Doyle, Don Meij, and Russell Weiner.

“Success in business is rarely about one individual. It is about people coming together with a shared purpose, lifting each other up and building something bigger than themselves,” Bailey said. “When I look back over the past 40 years, the most meaningful part of the journey has not been the number of stores we operate. It has been watching thousands of team members grow into leaders, support their families and build better lives.”

Today, Bailey’s Domino’s franchise employs more than 3,000 people who operate under a shared mission statement, “Guarantee every customer is WOWed by me.”

Many of his leaders such as Anthony Fish, Rob Hoff, Cyndi Tweet, Tim Erb, Scott Gates, and Callea Bogdon have spent decades supporting and growing the brand.

“Our team is everything,” Bailey said. “When our team members succeed, their families succeed, our stores succeed, and our communities succeed. That is the real engine behind our growth.”

Bailey’s franchise is guided by three core values: growth, great operations and giving back. Last year alone, Team Bailey contributed nearly $250,000 to the Domino’s Partners Foundation, setting a new foundation record. In addition to supporting the Domino’s Partners Foundation, Bailey’s franchise regularly gives back at the local level, supporting local schools, food banks and community organizations across the five states they serve.

“Giving back has always been important to Michelle and me because we believe that success carries responsibility,” Bailey said. “The opportunities we have been given in life and in business are blessings, and we believe those blessings should create opportunities to help others. When businesses and communities work together to lift people up, everyone benefits.”

Michelle Bailey, Brian’s wife, plays an essential role not only in his life but also within the business. She supports multiple functions within the franchise and often jumps in to make pizzas alongside their teams during large rushes and will even stay late to help with cleaning. Within Bailey’s franchise, Michelle is affectionately known as “Mrs. Boss.”

“Her support, wisdom, and partnership have made everything we have built possible,” Bailey said.

Faith and family remain at the center of Bailey’s leadership philosophy.

“Family keeps you grounded. No matter how busy business becomes, family reminds you what truly matters,” he said. “Faith gives you perspective. It reminds you that leadership is really about serving others, treating people with respect, and trying to make a positive impact on the lives around you.”

Looking ahead, Bailey is focused on continued growth within the pizza industry and believes the best chapters are still ahead.

“Domino’s success story is still being written, and it is exciting to be part of that journey,” Bailey said. “We were made for more.”

Brian Bailey’s southeast New Mexico stores

Alamogordo

100 S. White Sands Blvd.

Artesia

302 S. First St.

Carlsbad

220 S. Canal St. in Carlsbad

3819 National Parks Highway

Ruidoso

1717 Sudderth Ave.

Artesia boys’ golf team out to prove a point by winning the Bulldog Classic

JT Keith
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Artesia boys’ golf team out to prove a point by winning the Bulldog Classic


JT Keith

Last year was last year — except for the four returning seniors on the Artesia boys’ golf team.

Those seniors were part of a Bulldogs squad that finished second at the state tournament behind Albuquerque Academy, a result that still fuels the group.

“It was a tough ending, and we were close there to the end,” Bulldogs coach Tristan Bowden said. “They got the best of us that day.”

On Monday, Artesia made a statement on its home course. The Bulldogs defeated 10 teams to win the Bulldog Classic, shooting a 293, five over par, before traveling to Hobbs for a tournament later this week.

“Getting to play on your home course has some advantages,” Bowden said. “I was impressed with the scoring.”

Joel Ochoa, the team’s No. 2 golfer, finished one over par. Jeighton Gray, Steven William, Lucas Atkins and Veer Bhatka each shot 78, while Jack Byers carded an even‑par round.

Bowden pointed to Byers’ work ethic as setting the tone.

“I give Jack all the credit,” Bowden said. “He doesn’t get much rest. He comes out here during sixth period, works on the range, then goes straight to baseball.”

Bowden said the early results are encouraging as Artesia looks to establish itself as the season progresses.

“I’m really looking forward to this group,” he said. “We’re three tournaments in, and I want to solidify us as the top dogs. After what happened at state last year, we want to prove we can compete.”

Leading the Bulldogs on Monday was sophomore Beau Byers, who shot two under par. Ochoa finished third overall.

Byers got off to a strong start, recording three straight birdies on the front nine and shooting three under on holes four through six. He was four under after 10 holes.

“I left a lot out there today,” Byers said. “I think I could have had it back, but I made a couple of not‑smart bogeys I’d like to have back.”

Byers said he welcomes the pressure that comes with being one of the state’s top players.

“I like it,” he said. “Iron sharpens iron. I’ve got great teammates — the best in the state. We push each other every day, and that makes me better.”

Byers credited playing earlier this season at the Trump Invitational for preparing him for the year, calling it tougher than any course he has played in New Mexico.

Artesia will compete Thursday in Lovington, a course Bowden said he will approach as preparation for the district meet scheduled there later this season.

April 27 will mark the Bulldogs’ final home regular‑season tournament. The Lady ’Dogs finished second out of nine teams at the Bulldog Classic.

“I want our best rounds to be at the end of the season,” Bowden said. “I like this group and the way they’re playing.”

Sherry Robinson: A few bright spots as New Mexico faces fire season

Michael Smith
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Sherry Robinson: A few bright spots as New Mexico faces fire season

Sherry Robinson
All She Wrote

A Zia Pueblo farmer I know is debating how much corn to plant this year. “There’s no snow in the mountains,” he says. Irrigation will be tight, and he’s reluctant to draw from a pond he might need for emergencies.

As water and weather experts confirm what our eyes already tell us, New Mexico is holding its collective breath for this fire season.

So allow me to sprinkle a little good news. State and federal governments and electric utilities have taken steps to better prepare for what’s coming.

Lincoln County’s new Rio Safe Program will provide state and federal funding for the county to buy and demolish about 400 homes in the flood path of the Rio Ruidoso and relocate residents. The program will also restore watershed and create a park from a disaster area.

It’s the first home buyout program in New Mexico and the first buyout funded by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service for communities recovering from post-fire flooding.

In a second development, electric utilities are working hard to keep drought-stricken trees from falling onto power lines and igniting wildfires. In a recent hearing before the state Public Regulation Commission, utility executives said they have new mapping software to identify high-risk areas and artificial intelligence-enabled cameras to quickly detect wildfire starts. They’ve been replacing wooden power poles with steel structures that have non-exploding fuses and design features that prevent trees or wildlife from contacting live wires. And they’re ready to shut off power pre-emptively during acute fire weather.

It’s not cheap, which is one reason why your utility bills are rising.

Investor-owned and cooperative utilities aim to be responsible, but they also fear lawsuits like the $25 million action against the Jemez Electrical Cooperative, which doubled its cost of insurance. A bipartisan bill to give responsible utilities a little protection died in this year’s legislative session.

This is all from reporting by Patrick Lohmann, of Source NM, who knows more about fire here than any other journalist.

In Washington DC, a new agency could shake up the federal fire-fighting bureaucracy. Predictions are mixed.

The Trump administration plans to consolidate Interior Department firefighting operations in the new Wildland Fire Service. Firefighters and fire policy experts like the idea because it could streamline communications and speed up response times in a new era of megafires, according to the Washington Post. However, congressional Democrats, including our own Sen. Martin Heinrich, and public lands advocates warn it siphon off even more employees from land management agencies already weakened by DOGE layoffs.

The 4,500-person Wildland Fire Service combines firefighting entities from the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Aviation Services and Office of Wildland Fire. The agency would have a new center for centralizing wildfire intelligence.

Supporters like the advocacy group Megafire Action say the old decentralized system doesn’t meet the demands of today’s bigger, faster-moving fires and longer fire seasons driven by climate change and drought.

Grassroots Wildland Firefighters has called for a unified agency since its founding in 2019, said president Riva Duncan. Her organization supports the administration’s eventual goal of moving the U.S. Forest Service’s firefighting operations out of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and into the new agency.

This super agency, envisioned in a 2025 presidential executive order, would have more than 11,300 employees, twice the size of current BLM, which has 5,000 employees, down from 10,000 in January 2025.

“They’re going to break our public land management agencies,” former BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning told the Post.

Where workers fought fires during fire season and performed other land management tasks in the off season, the new agency will focus on fires year-round and call on land management agencies for help with fires.

In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in February, Heinrich and others said separating wildfire management from land management could have life-or-death consequences.

“We are concerned that the DOI is advancing a rapid and consequential restructuring of wildfire management without adequate analysis, transparency, or planning to prevent disruption during what is expected to be a significant fire season or to safeguard long-term wildfire preparedness,” they wrote.

Proponents admit that much depends on how the new agency is rolled out but trust the service’s new director, Brian Fennessy, a former California fire chief with long experience. This could still be a great idea, but it adds another reason to hold your breath.

Sherry Robinson is a longtime New Mexico reporter and editor. She has worked in Grants, Gallup, the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico Business Weekly and Albuquerque Tribune. She is the author of four books. Her columns won first place in 2024 from New Mexico Press Women.

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