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LAS CRUCES - Wholesale changes on the New Mexico Transportation Commission have been made by Gov. Susana Martinez.
Las Crucen John Hummer, who has served on the commission the past six years, was among four commissioners who were removed Thursday by Martinez. Commissioners Doug Peterson of Albuquerque, Jim Franken of Las Vegas, and Roman Maes III of Santa Fe also are no longer members.
Commissioner Johnny Cope of Hobbs was notified Jan. 14 by Martinez that he was also being dismissed. Only Commissioner Jackson Gibson, of Thoreau, was retained by Martinez.
When Martinez removed Cope from the commission in mid-January, she said, "It's time to restore accountability to the Transportation Commission. As a body that has exceptional control over the use of taxpayer money, the potential for abuse is equally great. If we hope to restore the public's trust in government, we must guarantee that public servants are held to the highest standard as responsible stewards of taxpayer money."
Hummer was notified of his immediate removal from the commission in a three-sentence e-mail he received Thursday from Adam Feldman, director of boards and commissions, for Martinez,
"I understand and support the governor's decision," Hummer said. "It's her prerogative and right to do that."
Hummer was appointed to the commission in January 2005 by former Gov. Bill Richardson. He represented District 1, which includes the southwest quadrant of the state, and the counties of Do-a Ana, Grant,
"My greatest satisfaction has been the ability to travel and visit all four corners of the state," Hummer said. "Being able to gain that education and experience of our state is an experience of a lifetime. I've also gained a strong and deep respect for all New Mexico Department of Transportation employees, the work they do and the dedication they have for their jobs every day."
Hummer said the widening of Interstate 10, from four lanes to six, from Las Cruces to the Texas state line was an important accomplishment during his time on the commission. Work to expand I-10 is expected to be finished by June, and much of the project is already open to motorists.
"I believe that will provide longtime benefits for southern New Mexico and the state as a whole," Hummer said.
Martinez nominated Ken White of Las Cruces to replace Hummer on the commission. White is the regents professor and department head emeritus of the Civil Engineering Department at New Mexico State University. He has worked at NMSU since 1970, and is considered across the U.S. as an expert in bridge safety and evaluation.
"I believe Ken will make an excellent commissioner, and I wish him well," Hummer said.
Martinez's other commission appointments Thursday were: Debra Hicks, president and chief executive officer of Petigrew and Associates, an engineering and surveying firm in Hobbs; Ronald Schmeits, president, CEO and director of International Bank, in Raton; and Butch Mathews, president and CEO of M&R Trucking Co., in Farmington.
Also joining the commission will be former New Mexico Department of Transportation cabinet secretary Pete Rahn, who had that position from 1995 through 2002. Rahn, from Placitas, is the National Transportation Practice Leader for HNTB Corp. From 2004 to 2010, Rahn was director of the Missouri Department of Transportation.
"I have tasked the new members of the commission with working to meet our state's growing transportation demands while exercising fiscal restraint and accountability," Martinez said. "This balance can and should be struck for the good of all New Mexicans. I look forward to working with the members of the commission to address the transportation challenges facing our state."
Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452
Commission changes
•John Hummer of Las Cruces was removed Thursday as commissioner of the New Mexico Transportation Commission.
•Hummer has served as the District 1 representative to the commission for the past six years.
•Gov. Susana Martinez appointed five new members Thursday to the Transportation Commission.
•One appointee is Ken White of Las Cruces, a regents professor and department head emeritus of the Civil Engineering Department at New Mexico State University.
•The New Mexico Department of Transportation is online at nmshtd.state.nm.
us/
