Clovis: The State of the City (Albuquerque, Roswell: to rent, mortgage, house)

[clairz]

Our first female mayor, Gayla Brumfield, gave her first "state of the city" address this past Tuesday. Here are a few highlights:

-More than a 1,000 jobs created over the last couple of years
-More than 1200 homes sold in the last two years
-The personnel population at Cannon Air Force Base will more than double from about 2000 to 5000 by 2014
-Improvements are planned for the municipal airport
-An additional middle school is in the discussion stage

Future plans include a beautification committee (I know, I know, long overdue for parts of the city, especially the entrances); and a quality of life committee that will address, among other issues, more activities for young people.

To read the article on the speech and find a link to the full text, go to today's Clovis News Journal online.

~clairz

[DOUBLE H]

Just read that article a little while ago. Considering how dismal the news has been lately we could certainly use some good news. Thanks for the info!

[BrianH]

Ive always liked Clovis. Have some relatives and have met some nice people at the Chamber of Commerce too. Almost moved there before I got my current job a few weeks ago.

[6 FOOT 3]

Clair....i think the Clovis Chamber of Commerce should really consider hiring you on as you've always been a GREAT ambassador for the community .

[clairz]

Originally Posted by 6 FOOT 3

Clair....i think the Clovis Chamber of Commerce should really consider hiring you on as you've always been a GREAT ambassador for the community .

Thank you, Harry. You know, this isn't a place I had pictured for us to live in, but it kind of grows on you. We're making good friends and loving the big sky and the weather. Our house money from back East bought us a lot more here and we really love our place. We took a ride yesterday in the sunshine and saw newborn horses and llamas and goats and flowering trees. It was lovely.

Besides, someone has to give the other side of the story. I stopped subscribing to the thread on Cannon AFB when the people there--who said that Clovis was a stinky and slow little town--said that they also hated England and San Antonio when they were based in those places. Some people just like to complain, I guess.

Someone needs to say that Clovis is not always stinky, not smelly everywhere, and never for long. "Slow" to me translates as low-stress and low blood pressure.

It should always be pointed out, as I did at the top of this thread, that this is a place that seems to be growing and thriving (knock on wood) in spite of the bad economy.

Either I have absolutely no taste, or I am a "bloom where you are planted" kind of person, but I see no point in whining and griping and making myself and everyone else miserable. On the other hand, my sister calls me Princess Bluebird and says that I chirp.

~clairz

[Debbiefos]

Originally Posted by clairz

Thank you, Harry. You know, this isn't a place I had pictured for us to live in, but it kind of grows on you. We're making good friends and loving the big sky and the weather. Our house money from back East bought us a lot more here and we really love our place. We took a ride yesterday in the sunshine and saw newborn horses and llamas and goats and flowering trees. It was lovely.

Besides, someone has to give the other side of the story. I stopped subscribing to the thread on Cannon AFB when the people there--who said that Clovis was a stinky and slow little town--said that they also hated England and San Antonio when they were based in those places. Some people just like to complain, I guess.

Someone needs to say that Clovis is not always stinky, not smelly everywhere, and never for long. "Slow" to me translates as low-stress and low blood pressure.

It should always be pointed out, as I did at the top of this thread, that this is a place that seems to be growing and thriving (knock on wood) in spite of the bad economy.

Either I have absolutely no taste, or I am a "bloom where you are planted" kind of person, but I see no point in whining and griping and making myself and everyone else miserable. On the other hand, my sister calls me Princess Bluebird and says that I chirp.

~clairz

I wasn't complaining so much as I was trying to identify and show some of the bright sides, I never completely na-sayed England. If anything, I was glad for the experience just ready after 6 yrs of living abroad to be back in this great country. My Dad was diagnosed 8 1/2 yrs ago with Stage IV Melanoma and I totally look at life in a new light. He was told he had 3 mos to live and he is still going thru painful treatments so he can be around for his sweet grandsons, my adorable sons!
We AF peeps aren't as bad as the blogs make us seem, give us a chance. I am excited about coming to Clovis! We couldn't sell our house and had to rent for $480 less than our mortgage but, hey, it's still our house! We won't give it up or back to the bank, we'll fight for it. The assignment for all of us to go out there has been a jolt here and a big surprise, just be patient while we get over the growing pains, adjustments and shock we have to deal with. Please try to pass this along and keep it all in perspective.
My family had a wonderful day at church today but my son's wanted to sign up for Upward Soccer, we are moving and they can't. Do the church's have the Upward sports program there? Our son's really love it. Thanks for all the understanding and support.

[clairz]

Originally Posted by Debbiefos

I wasn't complaining so much as I was trying to identify and show some of the bright sides, I never completely na-sayed England. If anything, I was glad for the experience just ready after 6 yrs of living abroad to be back in this great country. My Dad was diagnosed 8 1/2 yrs ago with Stage IV Melanoma and I totally look at life in a new light. He was told he had 3 mos to live and he is still going thru painful treatments so he can be around for his sweet grandsons, my adorable sons!
We AF peeps aren't as bad as the blogs make us seem, give us a chance. I am excited about coming to Clovis! We couldn't sell our house and had to rent for $480 less than our mortgage but, hey, it's still our house! We won't give it up or back to the bank, we'll fight for it. The assignment for all of us to go out there has been a jolt here and a big surprise, just be patient while we get over the growing pains, adjustments and shock we have to deal with. Please try to pass this along and keep it all in perspective.
My family had a wonderful day at church today but my son's wanted to sign up for Upward Soccer, we are moving and they can't. Do the church's have the Upward sports program there? Our son's really love it. Thanks for all the understanding and support.

Debbie--funny thing, just before I read this I was taking a peek back over at the Cannon AFB thread and I could see that the posts there were looking a bit more positive.

And I can remember when we got the news that my husband's company was transferring him, not to Albuquerque, but to Clovis. We were full of questions about tornadoes, as a rare once-in-50-years one had just caused a lot of damage and 2 deaths in Clovis the month before we arrived. So I can identify with the initial shock of finding you are headed to the High Plains!

As I've said before, the place grows on you. There seem to be lots of retired military folks living here who were once in your position and got so fond of Clovis that they wanted to come back.

I had a conversation with a young man, manager of a local restaurant, who said that he had grown up here and couldn't wait to get away, but moved right back when it was time to raise his own children.

Not being an active church member myself, I can't tell you exactly what the churches offer, but I know it's a lot. People I know who belong to church families get a tremendous amount of support from their churches and seem to have lots and lots of family activities to attend and take part in, so I wouldn't worry at all on that score.

Just know that people are very warm and welcoming here and are pleased that Cannon is growing because, as Cannon goes, so goes the town! Come with your mind open, as you seem to be doing, and I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

I'm sorry that your Dad has had to go through such pain and illness. I'll bet having you and your family nearer by will be good medicine.

~clairz

[Goodpasture]

I have such fond memories of Clovis.........

Breakfast with Nels Anderson at Sambo's.......getting asked to leave at the Copper Penny (it was closing time, I never got in a fight there.....Panama Red's in Roswell is a different story)........in HS, kicking the ass of the Clovis football team (I was at Roswell, when Roswell and Hobbs were the end all of SE NM.)

Did I mention I really liked Clovis? I would move back tomorrow if the work was there..........

[Northanna_2001]

I have been in Clovis a couple of years and I have kind of a like/dislike thing about it. I would love for Clovis to be the place that we get to stay long term; but there are some things that despite my trying don't seem to work for me here. I am a liberal; I have attended and espouse Unity Church / Religious Science which there aren't any here. I do like the climate. I like the friendliness; however, there are a number of cliques as well as neighbors that just aren't friendly. I do like the college at CCC. As a spouse and living in Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, Gremany, Korea, etc.; I have gone to OA for support at times. There is no OA here.

[Debbiefos]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

I have such fond memories of Clovis.........

Breakfast with Nels Anderson at Sambo's.......getting asked to leave at the Copper Penny (it was closing time, I never got in a fight there.....Panama Red's in Roswell is a different story)........in HS, kicking the ass of the Clovis football team (I was at Roswell, when Roswell and Hobbs were the end all of SE NM.)

Did I mention I really liked Clovis? I would move back tomorrow if the work was there..........

Well, there is going to be more work there very soon. Go to USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site and start looking! Good luck