Roswell Mayor Denis Kintigh is upbeat about the future of his famous city and embraces its reputation as the epicenter of the modern fable of an alien craft crash landing more than 70 years ago.
It’s a small city, but bulging with quality businesses, Kintigh says, so the 250,000 visitors who trek to what he describes as an out-of-the-way oasis in the semi-arid southeastern corner of New Mexico help sustain the quality of life to attract needed talent.
“It is an unusual city, if not unique, an oasis far from any other population center,” says Kintigh, a former FBI agent and former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives.
Roswell Mayor Dennis Kintigh
“We are 200 miles from any major population center. Head east and there is no place to buy water or gas for 70 miles, and for 90 miles north,” he said. “We are here because of the aquifer. We have water. It is why we exist and because of good practices by people who were here 100 years ago, we have maintained this aquifer.”
The mayor and other city leaders have been finalizing the budget for the year beginning July 1. One issue they are dealing with is revenue estimates far above expectations, around $6 million.
“More than any other year we are facing major changes to our revenue stream,” said Kintigh, citing the “tremendous amounts” of federal money flowing down and the new state tax on internet sales.
“We are going to be facing dealing with revenue not expected, but it is one time and has to be managed and spent prudently,” he said.
The mayor is eyeing road and building repairs and replacement, something that will have minimal recurring costs, but be of maximum benefit, he said, adding that the focus must be on the future, five years down the road.
One of the biggest challenges in the short term is loosening state-level restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19.
He also believes that children wearing masks in school makes no sense given the low infection rate among children.
However, the Centers for Disease control and recent reports indicate a hospital admittance increase in teens and young adults with COVID-19 as more contagious variants spread, and younger people remain reticent about receiving vaccines.
Kintigh, like representatives in various parts of the state and country, believe a shortage of workers, particularly in the hospitality and other service sectors, is related to unemployment benefits.
“The presumption is that they make more on unemployment than they do in employment,” the mayor says, adding that there are tales of people go through the process of applying to satisfy requirements but have no intention of taking a job.
Otherwise, the mayor is upbeat about the future of his community, which he describes as infused with a "can-do" attitude.
He checks off the primary local industries, such as agriculture, cheese plants – New Mexico is one of the largest U.S. producers of mozzarella – nearby oil and gas and aviation centered on the former Walker Air Force base, where hundreds of aircraft are parked, for maintenance, repairs, testing, or cannibalized for parts
“When you have serious businesses like this, the questions are how do you recruit, how do you get them to come here?" said Kintigh.
Quality of life, a range of things to do, nice dining, good hotels for visiting businesspeople, are all important.
For a town of 50,000 alone, it would be difficult to support the best amenities and services, but add 250,000 visiting every year and that allows businesses to thrive, Kintigh said.
This is the tourist trade attracted by Roswell’s most famous supposed visitor: an alien who crash landed in 1947 and was spirited away by the government. Roswell is home to the grandly named International UFO Museum. Renewed close encounters following pandemic restrictions are welcomed.
“We absolutely embrace tourism, encourage people to come here and spend some time and dollars. It helps sustain the quality of life for residents,” he said.
On issues beyond the Roswell borders but which impact the community, if somewhat tangentially, the former law enforcement agent believes crime in New Mexico is of concern.
“People do not want to live, to work, to open a business where they do not feel safe,” says Kintigh. “This is statewide. What happens in the state has an effect on what people think of Roswell.”