Berry may keep some department heads

Photo: MG Bralley
Albuquerque Mayor-Elect Richard "RJ" Berry is hitting the ground running the morning after defeating incumbent Mayor Martin J. Chavez and Richard Romero in the city's 2009 municipal election.

"We're really excited," said Berry. "We rolled up our sleeves last night about midnight, worked until about 4 o'clock, got up this morning, and made breakfast for the family."

Berry said he’ll spend part of the day meeting with mayors from surrounding cities at their monthly meeting.

During a phone call with 770KKOB talk show host Bob Clark, Berry said he was still working out scheduling details for a lunch meeting with Chavez today.

“I'm very pleased that Mayor Chavez has extended a hand,” said Berry who will have to have a majority of his administration team in place by his swearing in on December 1st. “I'm going to ask if I could have some access to the city departments and make sure I can start having some discussions.”

Because Berry captured 43.88% of the vote there will not be a six-week runoff campaign and that will give him more time to prepare for his first term.

“I expect a very smooth transition and I think it's one of those situations where having some time to be able to put a team together and do the things that we need to do to hit the ground running on December 1st that's going to be a real advantage.”

But Berry’s attention could still be diverted. As a state representative he will have to go to Santa Fe, beginning October 17, for a special session focused on balancing the state’s $433 million dollar budget gap. Still Berry welcome the extra time to prepare to lead the state’s largest city.

He is expected to resign his district seat following the special session.

"It's vital,” said Berry. “We've got a lot of work to do. There's a lot of things to transition together.”

Berry, a Republican, is crediting his business and legislative experience for his election over two well-known Democrats.

“It was a matter of putting the message out there and trying to share my vision with Albuquerque and it resonated with the voters,” said Berry. “I think people are ready for a commonsense style of leadership which is something I offer. “

Berry also thinks his pledge to limit himself to two terms played a role in his election.

“I heard from a lot of people that was important to them,” said the mayor-elect. “When I stood up and took that pledge I did hear from a lot of people that was something they were very interested in. I think that helps.”

Berry says he’ll take the time to make the right staffing decisions.

“We've got a number of people that I want to talk to,” said Berry. “The fact of the matter is that I want to make sure that I'm making an informed management decision. “it's going to take several days to weeks to get with the people I need to get with and to have the discussions I need to have to do what I think is best for the City of Albuquerque in these positions . As I sit here today those positions are not filled -- they are not picked. Today, I'm going to be having discussions and we're going to move forward with a pace that is reasonable for the transitions. ”

He also said some city department directors will be retained, but didn’t mention who he thought would make the cut. Berry said each will be reviewed on a case-to-case basis.

“I believe that there are people that get up every day and really do great work,” said Berry. “I think there are folks who do a great job and I want them on my team.”

Republicans running for state office see glimmer of hope in Berry win.

After the 2008 election, where state democrats won took control of all five congressional districts, and with only one Republican holding a state office, Republicans are beginning to sense a glimmer of hope for next year's statewide offices.

Republican businessman Allen Weh is one of them:

Yesterday, the people of Albuquerque chose a businessman and a fresh face instead of retaining a career politician to serve as their Mayor. I extend my congratulations to Mayor-elect Berry on his victory. There is little question that his promise to run city government in a fiscally responsible manner and keep it small and efficient is what a lot of voters wanted. Similar change is necessary in state government, and I intend to deliver that a little more than a year from now when we move New Mexico in a better direction. I extend my best wishes for his new administration and look forward to working with Mayor-elect Berry to achieve the reforms that are so badly needed.

Berry avoids mayoral runoff with general election victory

Photo: MG Bralley

Albuquerque's Mayor-elect Richard Berry says he's ready to roll-up his sleeves and get to work.

State Rep. Richard Berry avoided a runoff election and defeated three-term Mayor Marty Chavez and Richard Romero, both Democrats, in Albuquerque's 2009 municipal election on Tuesday night.

With all 186 precincts reporting, voters sent Berry to the 11th floor at City Hall with 36,466 votes or 43.83% of the total vote.

Berry, and his campagin staff, celebrated with hundreds of his supporters at the Sheraton Uptown. He told the crowd that he will focus on the job at hand and pledged to bring "commonsense leadership" to city hall.

"Bottom line is I want to serve Albuquerque. This is a great city. I want to take a commonsense approach to government. Take my business experience, my legislative experience, and just roll up my sleeves and try to move Albuquerque forward."

A city rule, which requires mayor's to devote their full attention to the post, means Berry will have to resign his seat in the legislature. The state Republican Party, will pick a resident in Berry's district, to replace him. The party will give that name to Bernalillo Commissioners who will then forward it to the Governor.

Berry, will be in Santa Fe for the special session beginning on October 17th.

Chavez, term-limited by voters, pledges a smooth transition.

Chavez told his supporters at O'Niell's Bar in Nob Hill that he'd called Berry earlier in the evening and promised a smooth transistion.

"I've spoken to RJ and congratulated him on a great campaign. He and I will be meeting at noon."

Chavez, could only muster 35.02%, or 29,140 votes. Romero, placed a distance third with 20.98% of the vote, or 17,458 votes.

Chavez, 57, told his misty-eyed supporters that it has been an incredible honor to be mayor of his hometown. His only other political loss was in 1998 to Gary Johnson for Governor of New Mexico, offered his perspective on the results.

"All you have to do is look around, to see what we have done together, to transform this community," Chavez said. "I believe in my heart these races and the mayorship, it is not a football game, it’s not a baseball game, with a winner and a loser. It’s a relay race. And each mayor has to move that baton, have to move that team forward. And, I am proud we’ve moved the city of Albuquerque forward immeasurably."

The outgoing mayor, who was first elected mayor in 1993, said someone had approached him at a polling site and told him, "Albuqeurque was like the little ugly duckling, but under your administration it's spread its wings, and today it's like a beautiful swan."

Throughout the campaign both Berry and Romero had criticized the mayor's approach to crime and the city's budget.

In fact, Berry, has been a victim of crime four times in 2009. This spring he even had his work truck stolen. Berry said he'll focus on reducing property crime and end Chavez' "sanctuary city policy for criminal."

"Public safety is number one," said Berry. "I want to do what I can as a mayor to make sure they have the resources they need to not just to do their jobs well, as they do now, but to make sure they get home safe at night.

Republicans will also have control of the city council.

Chavez was not the only incumbent defeated on Tuesday.

City Councilor Michael Cadiagan, who dropped out of the mayor's race in time to run for re-election in District 5, will be replaced by Republican Dan Lewis. With 17 of 17 precincts reporting, Lewis beat Cadigan by nearly 12%, picking up 55.98%, or 6,229 votes to Cadiagan's 44.02% or 4,898 votes.

Republican incumbent Dan Harris easily won re-election defeating David Barbour with 6,392 votes to 1,677.

Democrat incumbent Isaac Benton won re-election by defeating one-time city councilor, and incumbent Bernalillo County Commissioner Alan Armijo.

Ken Sanchez, a Democrat incumbent, was unopposed. Mike Cook received 95.69% of the vote in District 7. Incumbent Republican Sally Mayer dropped out of the race in August.

In December the council will have 5 republicans and 4 democrats.

Voters extend transportation tax, bonds, and charter amendments

Albuquerque voters approved a 10-year extension of a one-quarter cent transportation tax, $159.4 million dollars in general obligation bonds, and all 10 city charter amendments.

Since 2000, the City of Albuquerque has imposed a voter approved one-quarter cent Transportation Infrastructure Tax that provides funding for road rehabilitation, maintenance, deficiencies and transit operation.

Proponents said the tax allowed the transit department to extend bus operation hours by 28% and in the last ten years bus ridership had increase 75%.

Analysts had been closely watching the results of several propsoed charter amendments. With all 10 passing, the city attorney and city clerk will have a bit more independence from the mayor after their appointment and confirmation by city councilors.

And city councilors, who unanimously over-rode a mayoral veto of the charter amendments, could be getting a raise after voters approved a five-panel independent commission to review their and the mayor's salaries.

All the results are posted online here.

Albuquerque Police Department Innovation Praised

Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz

The Albuquerque Police Department received international recognition today during a session of the International Chief’s of Police Association conference being held in Denver Colorado.

The force was recognized as a semi-finalist along with 24 other police agencies world-wide for the “Webber Seavey Award.” All 24 departments were picked from an international selection of police departments.

The recognition is for APD's Best Practices in police work, specifically in the area of property crime innovations.

The APD innovation addressed the effectiveness in identifying, investigating and prosecuting property crime offenders through increased “Communication and Partnership with Community and the Criminal Justice System Stake-holders”.

Police Chief Raymond D. Schultz pointed out property crimes can quickly become a violent crime:

It is so tragic and common today that property crimes turn violent so very quickly, that we must combat the start of crimes at it’s roots, being property crimes and before they turn deadly.

Property crimes and retail thefts are intrinsically linked and organized retail crime requires APD to become extremely proactive so that property & retail based theft does not further damage a national crippled economy.

Schultz said, “This program illustrates the need for police to engage Community Partners in deploying proactive crime fighting strategies”.

The APD initiative utilizes such approaches as a, “Top 5” offender identification and concentrated enforcement efforts coordinated monthly by all APD Detectives, and follow-up prosecution with the local District Attorneys Office.

High ranking Police Officials mandatory appearances in all “Top 5” sentencing hearings, and very concise measures taking place in our community relationship, their rolls and involvement.

Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez said, “A partnership with law enforcement, retail owners, and our prosecutors has increased the identification of serial offenders which results in more successful prosecutions”.

Chavez complimented the hard work and cooperative nature that exist every day between the APD and its community:

It is that very special relationship between APD and our citizens that makes Albuquerque one of the finest Cities in the nation to call home for so many families and a destination for so many others seeking this Southwest jewel and the quality of life that exist here in Albuquerque.

Sheriff White endorses Berry in Albuquerque's mayoral race

After claiming to be neutral in the 2009 Albuquerque mayoral, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, switched gears and announced this morning that he's endorsing fellow Republican State Lawmaker Richard "RJ" Berry.

White indicated it is Berry’s position on crime and "the false attacks" by Marty Chavez that persuaded him to get involved. Both men have claimed Albuquerque has become a sanctuary city.

“I did not endorse anyone against Chavez in 2005, but Richard Berry is a good man and I know he’ll be tough on crime,” said Sheriff White. “I’m disgusted by the false, personal attacks made against Richard Berry and his family. Claiming Berry is not a businessman is like saying I’m not a cop.”

Just last week, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White said he was upset at comments that Albuquerque mayor Martin Chavez made at a recent debate about the crime rate in unincorporated parts of Bernalillo County. Albuquerque lies in the borders of Bernalillo County.

Richard Berry has made crime a centerpiece of his campaign, promising to crackdown on gangs, target property crime and end the mayor’s sanctuary city policy for criminals.

Mayor Chavez' campaign quickly responded to our inquiry about White's endorsement. Spokeswoman Joan Griffin, an email to us, wrote:

The Albuquerque Mayor's race is a non-partisan race. The Mayor is proud to have the endorsement of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police the Albuquerque Firefighters Association and the National Rifle Association.

But, the Berry campaign isn't wasting anytime promoting the endorsement by long-time Republican White. They've purchased radio time on 770KKOB and are airing these commercials.



In this spot, an announcer states "12-year incumbent Mayor Chavez wants to play games." The ad goes on to describe "facts" about one of Berry's top campaign issues the city's so-called sanctuary city policy.

The spot refers to a 2007 policy which prohibited Albuquerque Police Officers from checking the immigration status of criminals in their custody. Berry has said the policy attract criminals. Berry's ad states that some criminals that are suppose to be turnover to immigration officials were never deported.

Chavez' has regularly said anyone arrested for a crime who is later determined to be in the country illegally is reported to the I.C.E. for deportation, but that the custom's agency hasn't always followed up with deportation. Suspects not picked up within 48 hours can then be released back on to Albuquerque streets.

In the ad, White tells voters the "personal attacks against Richard Berry and his family are desperate and false." He urges voters not to be fooled by them."

It's "Success" for Mayor Marty Chávez, or is it?

A 5-minute campaign video featuring three-term mayor Mayor Marty Chávez has disappeared from his campaign website.

Why?

Well, it has to do with this one little word: Successful.

Yesterday, another political blogger criticized the mayor for using the word, "successful" on of his videos to persuade voters to give him an unprecedented fourth term. The blogger said Chávez' on camera claim, "I remain the most successful mayor in Albuquerque's history," was a little over the top.

After the original post, the mayor's staff said that's not what the mayor said. They say he said he used another word: Accessible.

Perhaps Mayor Chávez doesn't want to appear to be tooting his own horn with less than a month until election day. His campaign spokesperson Joan Griffin told us "the word in the script was accessible, not successful."

We're blogging the story, because after all, our blog is called, "What's the Word?"

So....exactly what word did Chávez say, "most successful, or most accessible?"

To find out, 770KKOB Mornings show host Bob Clark and I retrieved the original video from You-Tube. We had to search online because it had already been removed from both Chávez' website and the local political analysts' page.

After careful review, listening to the "word" over and over, it appears to us the Mayor wanted site visitors and supporters to believe he's "the most successful mayor in Albuquerque's history."

Ahh...You can listen to Clark's segment and determine what Chávez said for yourself here.



We'll leave it up to you to determine exactly, "What's the Word?"

Chávez Endorsed by Home Builders Association

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.

Photo: MG Bralley

Honoring APD's Fallen Heroes

Photos from Friday's Memorial Tribute

Nearly 100 Albuquerque Police Officers honored two of their former colleagues at an annual memorial tribute on Friday morning. APD Chief Ray Schultz says the site is used as a classroom for each Police Academy class just before their graduation.

Officer Richard Smith
The City of Albuquerque will be naming it's 6th area command after police officers Michael King and Richard Smith. The beloved officers, the last two killed in the line of duty in the Duke City, were tragically gunned down on August 18th, 2005 by mental patient John Hyde.

Mayor Martin Chavez says construction on the new $7 million dollar facility, which will be located near Cibola High School, is scheduled to begin early next year and be completed by 2011.

Mayor Chavez tells us the Smith and King made the ultimate sacrafice:

They are heroes of Albuquerque.

Officer Michael King
Officers King and Smith were shot and killed while attempting to take Hyde into custody for a mental health evaluation. They were fired upon immediately upon arriving at the scene. Both officers were transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital where they succumbed to their wounds.

Hyde fled the scene on a motorcycle but was located approximately two hours later. He was injured when the motorcycle crashed as officers attempted to stop him.

Hyde was also charged with two murders that had been committed earlier in the evening at a local motorcycle store at a fifth murder of a New Mexico Department of Transportation worker that had occurred that morning.


Officer Smith had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for 22 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Officer King had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for 22 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Hyde is now at a state mental hospital in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Former ABQ Mayor Saavadra Remembered

Saavadra, a former city commissioner, served as Mayor from 1989 to 1993, died on Friday at the age of 76.

[Photo Credit: MG Bralley]

The city's first Hispanic Mayor Louis Saavadra has died. First elected in a runoff election against West Side Councilor Pat Baca in 1989, Saavadera served one term before retiring to gardening and a quiet life in the North Valley.

Saavadra died on Friday morning from a brain tumor and short illness according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Political Analyst and Blogger Joe Monahan says Saavadra, will forever be remembered for being one of the more interesting characters in the city's history and for his ability to manage during difficult economic times in the early 1990s.

Saavadra listens to his fellow City Commissioner Harry Kinney, who preceded him as the first Mayor under the new Mayor-Council form of city government.

[Photo Credit: MG Bralley]

Saavadra first served on the city commission in the 1960's before working as the President of TVI, which has since become the Central New Mexico Community College, CNM.

Monahan said he remembers Saavadra being a "stealth Mayor" who hid out on the 11th floor, but that his leadership helped the city through the last economic turndown:

Today's leaders can look back at how Mayor Saavadra handled those quite difficult times in the early 90's and pair some of the more frivolous expenses out of government and do what has to be done. I think his legacy will be his ability to manage the city during perilous economic times.

David Campbell, who served as city attorney in Saavedra's administration, told the ABQ Journal:

When he came into the mayor's office in 1989, city finances were in a deep hole, and he worked very quietly but thoroughly and left four years later with city finances in very strong shape.

Saavedra will also be recognized for successfully implementing many quality of life projects, this following voters approval of a tax that was intended to pay for such initiatives as the biological park, museums and aquarium.

Cambell said the Saavadra administration should "also be remembered for such things as expanding the open space program and for recycling projects."

Saavadra beat Pat Baca in a runoff election after defeating incumbent Mayor Ken Schultz. Current Public Safety Director Pete Dinelli also ran in the general election.

Monahan says he knew instantly that there would be little communication with the Saavadra administration when Saavadra put the press release box on the 1st floor at City Hall.

Dr. Mark Unverzagt, who was Saavadra's physician and had known him for years, told the ABQ Journal that he had great admiration and respect he had for the former mayor:

I think (he was) one of the most decent, honorable people I've ever known with a wonderful sense of humor, really erudite and witty and clever and just fun to be with.

Unverzagt said in the face of his illness Saavadra showed extraordinary courage:

It was not an easy diagnosis to have, and he was enormously courageous, graceful — again just sort of reflecting, I think, who he was as a person.

Saavedra, a native of the Socorro County mining town of Tokay, held a master's degree in educational administration from Eastern New Mexico. Memorial services are pending.

For more, read Mark Bralley's take on the Albuquerque Police Officer's Association and their legal effort to recall Saavadra on his Blue Flyer blog here.

Romero Makes Campaign Changes 90 Days Before Election

With just 90 days before this fall's city election Richard Romero's mayoral campaign is introducing a new lead strategist. Romero says Murray Fishel, the president of Grassroots Political Campaigns, Inc., and a long time trusted adviser, is taking over the reigns of his campaign.

Fishel will replace New Mexico political consultant Neri Holguin who's been leading Romero's campaign since Romero first announced. She spent the 4th of July with her family in Southern, New Mexico.

Romero, who may have sensed his campaign needed a new direction, ahead of Mayor Marty Chavez' formal re-election announcement (expected in July).

Romero had nothing but nice things to say about Holguin and his new strategist.

Neri Holguin is leaving our campaign and I’m sad to see her go. When she took this job last year, she told me that because of other commitments she could only serve until the end of April to help me launch my major petition efforts to qualify for public financing and to get on the ballot. We passed those tests with flying colors thanks to her leadership. I then convinced her to stay on a little longer, which she agreed to do. I want to thank her for all that she has done to get this campaign off to a great start.

An online website describes Fishel's company as a progressive firm offering training and candidate services to organizations and candidates. It has a 70% success rate over the last 32 years and has worked with over 2500 candidates in more than 39 states.

Before starting her campaign consultancy, Holguin worked for Eli Lee at Soltari, a campaign training consultancy. She also worked as the Treasurer for Conservation Voters Alliance of New Mexico and was employeed by The Wilderness Society.

Holguin successfully directed the New Mexico Senate campaigns for Eric Griego, Tim Keller and helped with Eleanor Chavez' successful campaign to the State House of Representatives. Her candidates successfully ousted three incumbent lawmakers, Shannon Robinson, Sen. James Taylor, and Rep. Dan Silva.

Eric Griego defeated Taylor by 24 percentage points, Tim Keller defeated Robinson by 32 points and Eleanor Chavez defeated Silva by eight points.

After the state primary victories, the defeated lawmakers filed suit. They claimed non-profits associated with the Center for Civic Policy were used to raise and funnel tax deductible contributions to the three campaigns, along with providing manpower for get out the vote efforts.
Eli Lee and other defendents called the lawsuits baseless. Matt Brix told political blogger Heath Haussamen in August the former lawmaker's lawsuit was a completely false allegation.

"I have no idea where that comes from,” said Matt Brix, the center’s policy director. He added that the center has never taken any money from Soros or his Open Society Institute.

Holguin's candidates were alleged to have full knowledge of the contributions and in fact are purported to have approved individual mail pieces distributed by the non-profit organizations.

“There are so many completely outlandish allegations that we don’t even know where to begin. Everything in the lawsuit is categorically untrue,” Brix said.

Energy Secretary Visits National Labs in New Mexico.

The U.S. Secretary of Energy is making his first visit to Albuquerque today. Stephen Chu will tour the nuclear laboratories at Sandia national Labs. The energy secretary is expected to outline the critical role Sandia will play in advancing the nuclear security agenda outline earlier this week by President Barack Obama.

He’ll also talk about the contributions the labs make to addressing issues like energy security, climate change and even economic development.

Yesterday, Secretary Chu visited the labs in Los Alamos.

The energy secretary will be joined on the tour at Sandia Labs on Friday by Senate Energy Chairman Jeff Bingaman, Sen. Tom Udall, Freshman Congressman Martin Heinrich and longtime Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez.