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New Mexico Governor Blocks Action on New Track19 November 2002ALBUQUERQUE -- Gov. Gary Johnson has ousted members of the state Racing Commission, including its chairman, to stop it from taking action on whether to allow a horse racetrack to open in southeastern New Mexico. "Johnson Monday received the resignation of one member and removed other commissioners who had wanted to press ahead and decide who should be licensed to run a proposed track in Hobbs. "Johnson ousted Commission Chairman Greg Drake and Commissioner Russ Moore and received a letter of resignation from Commissioner Michael Harbour. "…The governor wanted the commission to hold up on the Hobbs track because of questions whether New Mexico needs another track and whether a new track could create legal problems with the state's gambling compacts with Indian tribes. "Johnson acted in response to recommendations from David McCumber, his chief of staff. "McCumber, in a letter to Johnson Monday, said the commission also should wait on the Hobbs track because there were questions about one applicant, R.D. Hubbard, owner of Ruidoso Downs. "…Hubbard is one of three individuals seeking a license to open a track in Hobbs. The others are Shawn Scott, a Las Vegas businessman who owns Vernon Downs in New York, and Ken Newton, former owner of the now closed Downs at Santa Fe "Hubbard wants to open a $27.5 million track and casino in Hobbs that would be named Zia Park. Scott's proposal calls for a $30 million track and casino under the name of Lea Downs and Newton's plan is for a $30 million track and casino to be named Saddlebrook Park. "Also Monday, Scott filed a lawsuit in state district court that seeks to prevent the State Racing Commission from issuing a license to Hubbard. The commission last month rejected Scott's application for a license…" |