There is evidence to show that the recent downgrading of a Las Cruces restaurant was the result of a normal, annual inspection, despite allegations that New Mexico Environment Secretary Ron Curry sent inspectors to the eatery after he was refused service there.
Mix Pacific Rim Cuisine in Las Cruces had its status downgraded to “unsatisfactory” Monday after an inspection found that fish was being improperly thawed, there wasn’t hot water for hand washing at the sushi bar, gloves weren’t being used to handle sushi, and other violations. The restaurant’s next-door neighbor, Mix Pacific Rim Express, was also downgraded after inspectors found missing ceiling tiles and a dish washer that needed repairs.
Curry and his significant other, State Sen. Cynthia Nava, D-Las Cruces, have apparently eaten at Mix on several occasions. Allegations surfaced that Curry sent inspectors there this week after the two were refused service because the restaurant was closing.
I spoke Thursday with Curry about the situation. He said the allegations are false.
In fact, environment department spokesman Adam Rankin told me, Mix was inspected on June 1, 2005 – last year’s annual inspection – and similar violations were found. It was inspected again on June 22, 2005 following an anonymous complaint. Similar violations were also found that time.
The restaurant was required to get training for its staff after the violations were found last summer, Rankin said.
The Monday visit was, like the one June 1, 2005, simply the annual inspection required of all restaurants in the state, Rankin said.
Curry also spoke with me about the night he and Nava were refused service.
It was a weeknight in February and the two were at Nava’s home. Curry said he called sometime after 8 p.m. to see how late Mix was open, and was told they would be served as long as they arrived before 9 p.m.
They arrived at the restaurant 2-3 minutes before 9 p.m., Curry said, but were told the restaurant was closed. He said he reminded the host that he had just called and was told they would be served, but he and Nava were still refused.
“I said, ‘That’s no way to run a business. I’m a regular customer here,’” Curry told me. “I put my card on the desk and walked out. … I felt like we should have been served. I felt like I was a victim of bad service.”
Curry was in town again 2-3 weeks later and he and Nava returned to the restaurant, where they “had a wonderful meal,” he said.
A few weeks after that, Curry received a letter from the restaurant’s owner apologizing for the night he wasn’t served and urging him to return to the restaurant.
I tried to get in touch with the restaurant owner Wednesday and Thursday, but was unsuccessful.
Curry said he never ordered inspectors to the eatery. In fact, he said, Mix is one of his favorite restaurants, and he plans to eat there next time he is in town.
Curry is right about the restaurant. Its sushi is fantastic. But, clearly, there have been some issues with the restaurant’s handling of fish and a few other things.
The environment department has good evidence that this week’s inspection was not retaliation, but was a normal, annual inspection. Still, there’s that darned appearance of impropriety again. Though it might be commonplace for people who receive bad service to leave a business card and expect a call or letter from the owner, Curry, in his position, should probably not do that. After all, his department has the power to shut down a restaurant, and his doing so could be perceived as a threat.
Perhaps Curry should avoid leaving a business card if there’s ever a next time.
***
I’ve been promising links to local candidates’ Web sites, so here they are. There aren’t that many. A much higher percentage of candidates for statewide offices have Web sites. I guess Doña Ana County is still a bit behind the Internet revolution.
For those who don’t have candidate sites, I’ve included professional sites, with the exception of Doña Ana County officials. The county Web site is down for the next few days while it moves computer servers to the new building.
I need to make one correction to last week’s list. I gave you Jeff Bingaman’s senator Web site. Here’s his campaign site: http://www.bingaman2006.com/.
Have a great weekend!
Public Education Commission, District 7
Eugene Gant: None
District judge
Jim T. Martin: http://www.keepjimtmartin.com/
Public Regulation Commission District 5
Sandy Jones: http:www.jonesforprc.org/
E. Shirley Baca: http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us/commissioners/bacabio.htm
Doyle Pruitt: http://doylepruitt.com/
C. Earl Greer: http://www.earlgreer.org/
D. Kent Evans: None
House District 33
Joni Gutierrez: http://legis.state.nm.us/LCS/legdetails.asp?Name=316
House District 34
Mary Helen Garcia: http://legis.state.nm.us/LCS/legdetails.asp?Name=191
House District 35
Antonio Lujan: http://legis.state.nm.us/LCS/legdetails.asp?Name=205
Lawrence Joy: http://www.votejoy.com/
House District 36
Andy Nuñez: http://legis.state.nm.us/LCS/legdetails.asp?Name=213
Isaac Chavez: None
House District 37
Jeff Steinborn: http://www.jeffsteinborn.com/
Scott Witt: None
House District 52
Joseph Cervantes: http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/legdetails.asp?Name=186
House District 53
Nate Cote: http://www.pva-nm.org/candidate_cote.html
Terry Marquardt: http://legis.state.nm.us/LCS/legdetails.asp?Name=209
County Commission District 1
Chris Jaramillo: None
Oscar Vasquez Butler: None
John Zimmerman: None
County Commission District 3
Karen Grace Perez: http://www.pva-nm.org/candidate_karen_perez.html
Ruben Gonzalez: http://www.voteforruben.com
Mack Haley: None
County Assessor
Gary Perez: None
H.F. “Junior” Adams: None
County Sheriff
Ralph Misquez: http://www.misquezforsheriff06.org/
Todd Garrison: None
Probate Judge
Dino Villani: None
Alice Salcido: None
Neri Frietze: None
Patrick Curran: None
Magistrate Judge Division 1
Oscar Frietze: None
Magistrate Judge Division 2
Joseph Guillory: None
Steven Foldy: None
Magistrate Judge Division 3
Maria E. Rodriguez: http://www.pva-nm.org/candidate_rodriguez.html
Olivia N. Garcia: None
Magistrate Judge Division 4
Richard Silva: None
Magistrate Judge Division 5
Carlos Garza: None