With less than a month before the Albuquerque Municipal Election it's time to gauge the public sentiment with our opinion poll.
Today, take a moment to cast your preference for mayor and city council races. Later this week we'll post polling questions on the proposed charter amendments, renewing the one quarter-cent transportation tax, and about the $160 million dollars in general obligation bonds.
Incumbent City Councilor Ken Sanchez is running unopposed in District 1.
Keep in mind tomorrow is the last day to register to vote in the October 6th election. City Clerk Randy Autio has posted all the information you need for requesting an absentee ballot, polling locations, and an explanation for this year's new photo id requirements, on his election's webpage here.
Dan Valdez thought he was the only one grieving for a missing daughter for the past five years.
Little did he know that by the end of March seven other families in the Albuquerque area would learn that their daughters, sisters, and cousins had also been murdered and buried on the West Mesa.
In all, eleven woman, and one unborn child (Valdez' grandchild) were unearthed at the city's largest crime scene earlier this Spring.
Now, the families of the murdered women, are rallying behind Senator Linda Lopez' bid to become the state's next lieutenant governor.
Yesterday, Valdez endorsed Sen. Lopez, in this speech, at Washington Park.
Valdez told Lopez' supporters that the senator has help families make connections at the Peanut Butter & Jelly Family Services. He said meeting with the other families has been an extraordinary part of the healing process for himself. He said everyone has become like an extended family that shares stories, cries together, and hug.
He credited Lopez for her work getting the Albuquerque Public School system to donate computers to the victims' children and for setting up a meeting for families with Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz last week. He said it was the first time they sat down with the chief for a question and answer session.
Children of West Mesa Murder Mystery mothers went on a $215 JC Penny Shopping Spree before heading back to school.
He also praised Lopez for working with City Councilor Ken Sanchez and K-B Homes to get land donated at the grave site for a permanent memorial to the victims.
Valdez notified the crowd that he will be an advocate and rally lawmakers, during the next session, to update what he calls "outdated laws" regarding the reporting and tracking of adults missing in the community. He said, "missing women, should never be on the backburner, or put in a cold case file."
Also speaking at Saturday's announcement were Tamaya Wiener and State Representative Henry "Kiki" Saavadra. You can listen to their remarks here.
Wiener said Lopez understands issues that working moms have. Wiener also praised Lopez for taking care of her 98-year old mother at the same time taking care of her son Lorenzo, and said she respects Lopez for her support of bi-lingual education.
Rep. Saavadra said the state is in for some hard times, but they are each committed to helping state employees and teachers around the state. He called Lopez one of the brightest. "She thinks well....she takes a few minutes, but when she speaks everyone listen because she's usually right."
On Saturday morning, Linda Lopez, who has been in the New Mexico State Senate for 13 years, officially entered the already crowded race for Lieutenant Governor. She becomes the fourth woman to announce a campaign for a state office next year.
It appears, 2010 is truly shaping up to possibly be the "Year of the Woman" in New Mexico politics.
During her brief speech, Sen. Lopez told about 100 supporters, including most of the families of murdered women found buried this Spring on Albuquerque's West Mesa, that she's ready to be the state's next Lieutenant Governor on day one if elected.
Lopez said she has unique experiences that qualify her for the job. Lopez said her campaign will be about jobs for New Mexicans. She said many communities are in need and that she doesn't believe building prisons are economic development, instead she said they are becoming repositories for "our children."
Lopez noted more than half of the state's grandparents are raising their grandchildren. She said the state shouldn't be anywhere close to 54%. She recommends using technology to help teachers and families improve the education outcomes.
She also talked about Safe Coverage Initiative, which she described as a public health care option already in place in New Mexico. She said congress should pay attention to what is being done in New Mexico. She pledged to work on more access to health care and to work for medicare funding if she's elected Lieutenant Governor.
Lopez also promised to work closely on the governor's initiatives:
I'm not shy, two women at the head, we can create change, and we will.
With children playing in the park and others enjoying homemade breakfast burritos, Senator Lopez spent about five minutes outlining her vision and why she's running for Lieutenant Governor for us.
See what the Senator says about what she's been doing to help the murder victims in another video here. Also listen to her remarks on the state's budget crisis and her role, as the Senate Rules Chair since 2002, in reforming ethics laws in New Mexico in this video.
Eleanor Griego, the mother of a murdered woman, was at the announcement to support Lopez. She told 770KKOB News Radio why she is supporting Lopez' candidacy in this exclusive interview:
Eleanor Griego Griego said the children orphaned by the murders are doing well. The school aged children each got a $215 dollars for a "back to school" shopping spree after the group collected donations. Griego said having new clothes and gear for school helped their self esteem, but she's concerned some of them are still being teased at school.
Griego said one of her grandchildren's school mates insulted his mother, not knowing she was murdered, and that she's working with administrators to make sure the children are okay. She said many of the them are still getting counseling after attending six funerals this summer.
After announcing in Albuquerque in the morning, Sen. Lopez jumped on the Rail Runner and headed North to Santa for a 2nd announcement event on Saturday afternoon outside the REI store.
Her first fundraiser is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Fiesta's Restaurant in Albuquerque.
View a photo slideshow from the Lopez' announcement at Washington Middle School Park.
Blogger Mary Collins said in her "A Female New Mexican's Political Blog" post that the senator will have to answer some difficult questions before Democrats cast their votes. Collin and Lopez talked about violence toward women and childhood obesity, and pay parity in this video.
In June, the President and Vice President announced their "Roadmap to Recovery," summer initiative. It was designed to accelerate the Administration’s economy recovery efforts, and included ten major projects – from putting more cops on our streets to keeping more teachers in our classrooms to giving more people access to health care – were announced.
Now we're getting updated reports on program efforts in New Meixco just 200 days after the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was rolled out.
Here are a few highlights:
14 health centers are providing expanded services to residents throughout the state.
2,000 new education jobs were funded in the second 100 days of the Recovery Act.
Over $6 million was awarded to the state for summer employment programs. The goal nationally was to create 125,000 youth jobs during summer break.
Over $5 million was awarded to 8 different law enforcement agencies, hiring or keeping on the street 28 law enforcement officers. Albuquerque did not receive any grant money to hire officers because of audit results with past awards.
over $99 million was awarded to begin 3 airport and 4 highway projects at locations throughout the state.
Work was begun on 81 different DoD construction and rehabilitation projects at locations throughout the state.
To view the national Roadmap to Recovery results and to see a project map click here.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009 as the country faced the greatest economic crisis in a generation. The Recovery Act is providing needed tax relief and financial assistance for hard-hit families and businesses, delivering aid to states facing record budget shortfalls and making hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in technology and infrastructure that create jobs and lay a new foundation for the U.S. economy.
Update: Vigil-Giron waived her appearance at her arraignment on Friday. Her Attorney Robert Gorence entered a not guilty plea on her behalf and notified the court he was filing this motion to dismiss all charges against his client, because two state prosecutors are expected to be called as witness at a trial (as early as November).
Vigil-Giron has until September 11th to be booked at MDC and fingerprinted. She will remain free on her own recognizance.
Co-Defendent, Armando Gutierrez also remains free after pleading not guilty at his arraignment. He was allowed to return to Texas for Labor Day. He has until September 18th to turn himself in for booking and fingerprinting.
All the defendents were ordered not to have any contact with each other.
Former New Mexico Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron will be arraigned in State District Court today.
Vigil-Giron, along with former lobbyists Elizabeth (Daisey) Kupfer, her husband Joseph Kupfer, and political consultant Armando Guiterrez are accused of fraud, money laundering, kickbacks, creating false public vouchers and tampering with evidence.
Those charges stem from unaccounted money originally awarded to the Secretary of State by the Federal Help America Vote Act. Those funds were then suppose to be allocated to voter education programs and to ensure disabled people could vote in the 2004 and 2006 elections.
The 10am arraignment is set for State District Judge Rozz Sanchez' courtroom. Judge Neil Candelaria has been recused and attorney's are looking for a new judge.
Update 730am:Mayor Martin Chavez received the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police, following a mayoral forum at Lodge #1 in Albuquerque on Thursday night. Albuquerque's three-term Mayor Martin J. Chávez, who is running for an unprecedented fourth term, picked up another endorsement today.
The Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico, who has not endorsed mayoral candidates in the past, but recognized Chavez in 2008 with its Green Build Leadership Award , unanimously voted to endorse him in this Fall's municipal election, scheduled for October 6th.
HBA President Steve Nakamura said the endorsement was a result of the mayor's strong support for impact fee reduction legislation, which city councilors have deferred twice since returning from Summer break.
Nakamura said:
Of the nearly 8,000 jobs lost in Albuquerque over the last 12 months, the construction industry accounts for about two-thirds of those losses. We believe the Impact Fee Reduction Legislation, proposed by Mayor Chávez, is the single most important attempt to help save our local jobs.
Chávez said the HBA's endorsement galvanizes his decision to seek re-election and underscores the cornerstone of his candidacy:
We must provide opportunities for our citizens - in all industries - to prosper, especially in times of economic distress. I remain committed to local impact fee reduction, and I will continue to support that very important initiative.
In July, the New Mexico Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. announced that it has endorsed Richard J. Berry in the race for the Mayor of Albuquerque. ABC has 164 member firms that collectively provide high-paying jobs for thousands of employees. Berry's decades of business experience, along with his pro-business track record in the New Mexico State Legislature, were keys in garnering the endorsement.
Students in the Albuquerque Public School District will now be allowed to opt out of next weeks Welcome Back To School address by the President of the United States. The option comes after a handful of parents watched a FOX News report and then called and emailed APS.
The ABQ Journal reports some of the parents believe the speech is more like an indoctrination. They also objected to an element which asked students to write describing how they could help the President. They objected to their children participating because they said it was forcing the children to "sign a contract" of support for Obama.
State Dems were quick to repsond. The Democrat Party of New Mexico's Executive Director Josh Geise said, "Only the Republican Party could politicize the president welcoming students back to school."
After listening to parent's concerns, APS Superintendent Winston Brooks has decided to allow parent to opt out of the program which includes appearance by singer Kelly Clarkson and basketball start LeBron James.
APS said they made their decision after checking with several other urban school districts. The White House said, "The President will challenge student to work hard, set educational goals and take responsiblity for their learning.
We've learned the paper assignment has been withdrawn from the program. The Bernalillo County Republican Party Vice Chairman told the APS Board he thought the speech violated the district's political solitication policy.
Following the morning speech, the President will appear in a 30-minute documentary featuring singer Kelly Clarkson and Cleveland Cavilier LeBron James.
The program marks the kickoff of an education initiative by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom Inc. Called "Get Schooled."
The five-year campaign is aimed at improving this country's dismal high school and college completion rates.
Former New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Allen Weh, who formed his exploratory committee for Governor on May 5th, is using You-Tube to personally invite supporters to his formal announcement at the University of New Mexico Student Union Building next Tuesday, September 8th.
Now there's even MOORE Lieutenant Governor Candidates.
Earlier in the day former State Representative Brian Moore, from Clayton, New Mexico announced his intentions to run for the Republican Party's nomination for Lieutenant Governor. Unlike the nine candidates running for the 2nd highest position in the state on the Democratic side, Moore is the first to jump into the Republican race.
The day after the Albuquerque City Clerk began accepting early absentee ballots in his office, Richard J.Berry, a candidate for Mayor, is speaking out.
This afternoon, Berry sent reporters a news release and questioned Mayor Martin J. Chavez’ timing for announcing $275,000 in city tax dollars to go to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office for more prosecutors.
Berry said that the District Attorney’s Office must have the resources it needs to complete its important work, but called Chavez' proposal a disingenuous election season stunt, because during the 2009 legislative session Chavez lobbied the New Mexico Legislature to appropriate funding for mass transit options instead of funding for more prosecutors in Bernalillo County. Also, Chavez still cannot fund the 100 officers he promised to add to the Albuquerque Police Department.
“If Marty wanted to show leadership concerning public safety in Albuquerque, he should have asked the legislature for funding that would have had a positive impact on crime. Instead he lobbied to fund more mass transit options, such as his $300 million trolley car,” said Berry, a two-term state representative who fought for and voted to fully fund district attorney’s offices across the state.
Berry, who sits on the Appropriations and Finance Committee, made a motion to fund the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office at the highest level available. That motion was passed and the office received a higher level of funding.
“This is nothing more than a $275,000 smokescreen. If this program was a true priority for Chavez, he would have asked the legislature to fund it instead of asking for money for his trolley,” said Berry. “In the last weeks of the campaign Chavez is scrambling to appear tough on crime in the hope that voters will forget his record, but after twelve years as mayor, he has been unable to solve the problem.”
Berry, who has called on Chavez to explain why he believes deficit spending is the way to run Albuquerque's city government, recently pointed out that since 2004 Chavez’ administration has raided $112 million from public safety and quality of life projects to support a city budget that he grew by almost 50 percent from 2003 through 2007.
“Instead of solving the city’s fiscal problems, Marty’s made another expensive campaign promise,” said Berry.
Berry, who owns a local contracting company with his wife, was recently endorsed by the New Mexico Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors
Earlier in the campaign, Berry pledged to get tough on gangs, reduce property crime in Albuquerque and end the so-called "sanctuary city" policy for criminals put in place by the Chavez Administration.
Unregistered voters have until Tuesday, September 8th to register to vote. Early voting at three other city locations begins September 16th.
U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich, who has been on a listening tour in his district during the summer recess, will meet with employees from General Electrics' Albuquerque plant this afternoon during a 90-minute roundtable discussion that is closed to the general public.
The 400 workers fear they'll be losing their health care insurance coverage when the plant shuts down next year.
Rep. Heinrich, who hosted a town hall meeting late last month in Albuquerque, has spent the last several months gathering information and listening to the stories of countless health care providers and his constituents about the urgency of health care reform and the positive impact it would have on New Mexicans.
Heinrich said, "New Mexicans who have lost their jobs, or face losing their jobs, to hear firsthand what working families need to stay covered and stay healthy during difficult economic times."
In the wake of announcements of proposed layoffs, employees of General Electric (GE) will be at the table to discuss their concerns directly with Rep. Heinrich.
With less than a month before the Albuquerque Municipal Election it's time to gauge the public sentiment with our opinion poll.
