{"id":226,"date":"2006-05-18T23:13:00","date_gmt":"2006-05-19T05:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2006\/05\/curry-was-refused-service-but-says-he-didn%e2%80%99t-order-eatery-inspection-plus-local-candidate-links\/"},"modified":"2006-05-18T23:13:00","modified_gmt":"2006-05-19T05:13:00","slug":"curry-was-refused-service-but-says-he-didn%e2%80%99t-order-eatery-inspection-plus-local-candidate-links","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2006\/05\/curry-was-refused-service-but-says-he-didn%e2%80%99t-order-eatery-inspection-plus-local-candidate-links\/","title":{"rendered":"Curry was refused service, but says he didn\u2019t order eatery inspection; plus, local candidate links"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>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.<\/p>\n

Mix Pacific Rim Cuisine in Las Cruces had its status downgraded to \u201cunsatisfactory\u201d Monday after an inspection found that fish was being improperly thawed, there wasn\u2019t hot water for hand washing at the sushi bar, gloves weren\u2019t being used to handle sushi, and other violations. The restaurant\u2019s next-door neighbor, Mix Pacific Rim Express, was also downgraded after inspectors found missing ceiling tiles and a dish washer that needed repairs.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

I spoke Thursday with Curry about the situation. He said the allegations are false.<\/p>\n

In fact, environment department spokesman Adam Rankin told me, Mix was inspected on June 1, 2005 \u2013 last year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The restaurant was required to get training for its staff after the violations were found last summer, Rankin said.<\/p>\n

The Monday visit was, like the one June 1, 2005, simply the annual inspection required of all restaurants in the state, Rankin said.<\/p>\n

Curry also spoke with me about the night he and Nava were refused service.<\/p>\n

It was a weeknight in February and the two were at Nava\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said, \u2018That\u2019s no way to run a business. I\u2019m a regular customer here,\u2019\u201d Curry told me. \u201cI put my card on the desk and walked out. \u2026 I felt like we should have been served. I felt like I was a victim of bad service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Curry was in town again 2-3 weeks later and he and Nava returned to the restaurant, where they \u201chad a wonderful meal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

A few weeks after that, Curry received a letter from the restaurant\u2019s owner apologizing for the night he wasn\u2019t served and urging him to return to the restaurant.<\/p>\n

I tried to get in touch with the restaurant owner Wednesday and Thursday, but was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Curry is right about the restaurant. Its sushi is fantastic. But, clearly, there have been some issues with the restaurant\u2019s handling of fish and a few other things.<\/p>\n

The environment department has good evidence that this week\u2019s inspection was not retaliation, but was a normal, annual inspection. Still, there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Perhaps Curry should avoid leaving a business card if there\u2019s ever a next time.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been promising links to local candidates\u2019 Web sites, so here they are. There aren\u2019t that many. A much higher percentage of candidates for statewide offices have Web sites. I guess Do\u00f1a Ana County is still a bit behind the Internet revolution.<\/p>\n

For those who don\u2019t have candidate sites, I\u2019ve included professional sites, with the exception of Do\u00f1a Ana County officials. The county Web site is down for the next few days while it moves computer servers to the new building.<\/p>\n

I need to make one correction to last week\u2019s list. I gave you Jeff Bingaman\u2019s senator Web site. Here\u2019s his campaign site: http:\/\/www.bingaman2006.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Have a great weekend!<\/p>\n

Public Education Commission, District 7<\/strong>
Eugene Gant: None<\/p>\n

District judge
Jim T. Martin: http:\/\/www.keepjimtmartin.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Public Regulation Commission District 5<\/strong>
Sandy Jones: http:www.jonesforprc.org\/<\/a>
E. Shirley Baca: http:\/\/www.nmprc.state.nm.us\/commissioners\/bacabio.htm<\/a>
Doyle Pruitt: http:\/\/doylepruitt.com\/<\/a>
C. Earl Greer: http:\/\/www.earlgreer.org\/<\/a>
D. Kent Evans: None<\/p>\n

House District 33<\/strong>
Joni Gutierrez: http:\/\/legis.state.nm.us\/LCS\/legdetails.asp?Name=316<\/a><\/p>\n

House District 34<\/strong>
Mary Helen Garcia: http:\/\/legis.state.nm.us\/LCS\/legdetails.asp?Name=191<\/a><\/p>\n

House District 35<\/strong>
Antonio Lujan: http:\/\/legis.state.nm.us\/LCS\/legdetails.asp?Name=205<\/a>
Lawrence Joy: http:\/\/www.votejoy.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

House District 36<\/strong>
Andy Nu\u00f1ez: http:\/\/legis.state.nm.us\/LCS\/legdetails.asp?Name=213<\/a>
Isaac Chavez: None<\/p>\n

House District 37<\/strong>
Jeff Steinborn: http:\/\/www.jeffsteinborn.com\/<\/a>
Scott Witt: None<\/p>\n

House District 52<\/strong>
Joseph Cervantes: http:\/\/legis.state.nm.us\/lcs\/legdetails.asp?Name=186<\/a><\/p>\n

House District 53<\/strong>
Nate Cote: http:\/\/www.pva-nm.org\/candidate_cote.html<\/a>
Terry Marquardt: http:\/\/legis.state.nm.us\/LCS\/legdetails.asp?Name=209<\/a><\/p>\n

County Commission District 1<\/strong>
Chris Jaramillo: None
Oscar Vasquez Butler: None
John Zimmerman: None<\/p>\n

County Commission District 3<\/strong>
Karen Grace Perez: http:\/\/www.pva-nm.org\/candidate_karen_perez.html<\/a>
Ruben Gonzalez: http:\/\/www.voteforruben.com<\/a>
Mack Haley: None<\/p>\n

County Assessor<\/strong>
Gary Perez: None
H.F. \u201cJunior\u201d Adams: None<\/p>\n

County Sheriff<\/strong>
Ralph Misquez: http:\/\/www.misquezforsheriff06.org\/<\/a>
Todd Garrison: None<\/p>\n

Probate Judge<\/strong>
Dino Villani: None
Alice Salcido: None
Neri Frietze: None
Patrick Curran: None<\/p>\n

Magistrate Judge Division 1<\/strong>
Oscar Frietze: None<\/p>\n

Magistrate Judge Division 2<\/strong>
Joseph Guillory: None
Steven Foldy: None<\/p>\n

Magistrate Judge Division 3<\/strong>
Maria E. Rodriguez: http:\/\/www.pva-nm.org\/candidate_rodriguez.html<\/a>
Olivia N. Garcia: None<\/p>\n

Magistrate Judge Division 4<\/strong>
Richard Silva: None<\/p>\n

Magistrate Judge Division 5<\/strong>
Carlos Garza: None<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 \u201cunsatisfactory\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=226"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}