Community News

HOBBS CITY MANAGER J.J. MURPHY is one of four finalists for the town manager position in Oro Valley, Arizona.

Town officials made the announcement last week, Murphy is one of three

- - state candidates for the position.

The other finalists are Mary Jacobs, assistant city manager of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Bruce Messelt, county administrator of Chisago County, Minn.; and Dave Ross, county administrator of Rock Island County, Ill.

“The Commission and I have had extremely positive dialogue,” Murphy said in response to being named a finalist. “However, to this point the conversations seem to be centered on transitioning from my role as City Manager when my contract ends. To that end, there have been a few high quality communities around the country that have listed me as a finalist because of the record of success we have enjoyed.”

Murphy and the other finalists are scheduled to be interviewed by town council and executive staff members this week.

This is the second time the town has worked to replace then-Town Manager Greg Caton, following his resignation in June 2016.

U.S. Air Force Airman and Hobbs native BRANDON R. NAVARETTE graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Navarette is the son of Belinda and Richard Nava rette of Hobbs and a 2016 graduate of Hobbs High. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.