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.

Chávez Says ABQ Crime Rate "Unacceptably" High

On a hot summer day in Albuquerque the 2009 City Election is beginning to heat up. Mayor Martin J. Chávez announced at the Taylor Ranch Community Center today that he's joining a three-way race for the city's top elected office. He wants voters to give him an unprecedented fourth term and third straight.

Chávez told 770KKOB he's been an "activist mayor" and that his record demonstrates his vision of the future for the city. But, that record is under attack by two challengers, former New Mexico Senate President Pro-Tem Richard Romero, and current State Representative and local business owner Richard "RJ" Berry.

On Friday, the mayor said he believes crime is "unacceptably high," but public safety will continue to be his number one priority if he's re-elected October 6th.

Last week, Chávez announced that he's directed Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz to add another 100 police officers to the force, but Romero says that while he supports getting more cops on the street it smells like election year politics. Romero says only 42% of the city's current police officers work on the street.



Both Romero and Berry have said they're frustrated with the nearly 9% increase in property crimes year over year. Romero told reporters on Thursday that if he's elected he will replace Schultz.

According to FBI statistics released recently, property crime in Albuquerque has increased from 29,293 reports in 2007, to 31,907 in 2008, a nine percent increase in one year.

Mayoral Candidate Richard RJ Berry's Burned Out Truck
Was Recovered in the East Mountains

Berry proposed his own crime fighting plan after Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputies recovered his stolen truck. On May 23rd he said:

We are in need of new solutions and new commitments if we are going to reduce property crime in Albuquerque. This is a quality of life issue. We need a Mayor who will take this head on and get results.

El Paso, whose population exceeds Albuquerque's by approximately 90,000 people, reported only 19,702 property crimes in 2008, or nearly 12,000 less crimes. And in Denver, a city with a population that exceeds Albuquerque's by approximately 70,000, the city saw a decreasing rate of property crime and reported only 19,316 crimes in 2008, once again far less than Albuquerque.

While the mayor prepares to announce in Taylor Ranch on Sunday afternoon, Romero is organizing around 100 volunteers to knock on doors.

While campaign election signs can't be planted in front yards, street corners, or on billboards until August 7th the election campaign has been underway for months and months. The mayor has already received several union endorsements including one from the American Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees Council 18. But as Marjorie Childress reported Local 624, the bluecollar workers, are not happy with the selection. They say AFSCME's endorsement doesn't represent their views.

All three candidates received public financing on April 1st. The first financial disclosure statements will be filed on Thursday, July 17th. The City Clerk, Randy Autio will draw the candidate's ballot position on Thursday, August 13th at 5:01pm.

Residents who want to vote in the city election have to register with the Bernalillo County Clerk's office by September 8th. The City of Albuquerque has posted all election deadline dates here.

Tito Madrid to Join Berry Campaign for Mayor

Richard Berry, candidate for Mayor of Albuquerque, announced today that Tito Madrid will be joining his campaign team and will be serving in the critical role of Field Director.

Madrid served as the Community Outreach Liaison for Congresswoman Heather Wilson from 2002 to 2009, as well as the Senior Director of Government Relations for the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce in 2007.

Tito said Berry is the right man at the right time.

I know Richard Berry well and I am very pleased to be working on his behalf during this mayor's race. With all of the challenges facing our city I believe wholeheartedly that we need a new direction and a fresh approach from City Hall, and Richard is the right man for the right time.

Madrid, who also served as a Bureau Chief and the Director of Field Operations for the New Mexico Environment Department, holds a Master's of Public Administration from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Arts from New Mexico Highlands University.

Berry says Tito's support mean a lot to him.

With Tito in the field we will have a solid ground game as we head into the October election. He has the experience and knowledge to pull a tough game plan together and get the job done. I'm proud to have him on board.

Incumbent Mayor Gets AFSCME Endorsement

Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez, who has qualified for the ballot and public financing, but has not officially announced that he's running for a 4th term this fall, has picked up an important and powerful endorsement from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which represents 3500 city workers.

Read the endorsement here.

Chavez, who declined to participate in the union's mayoral forum last month, has said he plans to announce his re-election plans within "weeks."

New Mexico Independent's Heath Haussaman and Joe Monahan broke the story here and here that AFSCME's decision was made by union members on Wednesday night.

Council President and PEOPLE Committee chair Andrew Padilla said:

Mayor Chavez is in a very strong position to be re-elected and we look forward to a good working relationship over the next four years with the Mayor and his administration.

Richard Romero and RJ Berry are also on the ballot. Yesterday, Romero went on the offense at a news conference calling Chavez "fiscally irresponsible." Marjorie Childress reports here that a Chavez spokesperson is defending his record and the city's bond rating. We have audio from Romero's news conference, with former City Treasurer Lou Hoffman, and a response from Deborah James (Chavez spokesperson). Both audio interviews will be posted this weekend.