Richardson Talks to Local Reporters About North Korea

After appearing on a slew of network news shows, Governor Bill Richardson talked to local reporters about the release of two American Journalists from North Korea.

Here's the audio from the news conference this morning after he rolled out new education initiatives. Richardson, who has had a long term relationship with North Korean officials, including Kim Jong-il, said that while he was involved with the U.S. State Department that former President Bill Clinton was the perfect envoy for this rescue mission.



Gov. Bill Richardson says both the United States and North Korea can cite victory from the high-level talks that sprang two American journalists from jail in the reclusive communist country.

Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador the U.N., said Wednesday that "it's equal right now" in terms of public relations one-upmanship between Washington and Pyongyang as a result of former President Bill Clinton's successful mission.

He said on CBS's "The Early Show," that North Korea "used the two journalists as bargaining chips. ... They've played this game before." Richardson said Washington won their release and perhaps an easing of tensions and North Korea's Kim Jong Il "gets a former president on his soil" at a time of turmoil in relations between the two countries.

For Pete's Sake:

Originally, reporters were told that Richardson was on a tight schedule, and that he would not talk to reporter's following the news conference. As the chief's top executive that's to be expected. Instead we were told that Veronica Garcia, and other's VIP's who attended could answer our questions.

I have to tip my hat to Richardson. He stayed for about five minutes and took every question from the local reporters who attended the event.

Handlers (we call them gatekeepers) and other's often get in between the governor and the local press. But, it's been my experience that he takes the time to make sure we get every one of our questions answered. In April, for example, he told his driver's to shut his SUV's engine off so it would not mess up my audio recording.

The thing that handlers don't always know is that many of us in the press, myself included, have known Richardson since the early 80's and have longer relationships with him than they do.

I first met Richardson when he ran against incumbent Manuel Lujan. I walked with him and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil door to door during a photo op. He's always taken the time to speak with us. And that's why we can bring you great audio to listen to on this blog and on the air at 770KKOB and other great stations in past, like KZIA 1580 AM, where I worked with Joe Monahan and Mike Santullo when I was just a kid. Ah the memories.

Richardson Files PRC Brief In Support of Solar Co's

Just one day before the Alliance for Climate Protection will officially open its Repower New Mexico state-wide office in Albuquerque, Governor Bill Richardson has directed the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to file a legal brief in support of small New Mexico solar energy developers.

The brief, filed with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, provides a detailed analysis that concludes that small New Mexico solar energy developers should not be regulated in the same manner as large-scale investor owned utilities like Public Service Company of New Mexico.

EMNR Brief 30Jul09

Cabinet Secretary Joanna Prukop filed the brief on July 30, 2009. The brief also concludes that it would be an incredible barrier to the growth of distributed solar and other renewable energy resources in New Mexico if third party developers are subject to the complexity and cost of Public Regulation Commission regulation.

Governor Richardson said third party energy developers can serve an important role in the development of renewable energy generation in New Mexico:

Supporting small New Mexico solar energy developers in their quest of distributed generation of renewable energy will advance New Mexico as a national leader in renewable energy technology, manufacturing, and generation.

Third party developers build and operate renewable energy generating equipment (typically solar photovoltaic, or “PV”) on premises belonging to a utility customer. The energy developer finances the cost of the generating equipment and is able to take advantage of financial incentives under federal and state laws. The energy developer then sells the electricity generated from the equipment to the customer who owns or occupies the premises.

This arrangement is beneficial for certain homeowners and small businesses who, even with net metering and state and federal incentives, cannot afford to install renewable energy generating equipment on their property. It is even more beneficial to organizations that do not qualify for state and federal incentives, such as governmental entities, schools, churches and other non-profit organizations.

Joanna Prukop, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department said the state strongly believes that the law as written does not burden third party energy developers with the regulatory framework necessary to oversee large utilities that are granted service monopolies and guaranteed rates of return on their investment:

Unlike the utilities, these New Mexico renewable energy developers work within the framework of market forces and competition, and could move this state toward the next level of energy self-sufficiency.

Barbara Wold, at Democracy for New Mexico writes:

Through its Repower New Mexico campaign, the Alliance for Climate Protection, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, is educating New Mexicans about how shifting to a clean energy economy helps solve the climate crisis and address other pressing national problems facing our country today.

Freshman Senator Supports Community Policing

Pot lucks and root beer floats marked National Night Out across America and that included the new International Zone.

Back in March, after Mayor Martin Chavez signed City Councilor Ray Garduno's legislation renaming the war zone the International, Senator Keller said:

Our desire for a new identity truly has come from the ground up. My constituents find the current label incorrect, offensive and unfairly damaging to businesses and property value. It’s time we shed new light on our diverse community.

The International District’s modern history includes large scale community policing efforts driven by community members who decided to proactively help police make our community safer.

Keller said many areas in the district have been drastically improved because of community policing efforts:

In the 80s, 90s and today National Night has been symbolic show of community unity in the face of crime and meaningful working session for leaders to organize citizen policing efforts with law enforcement.

National Night Out is a community-police partnership held the first Tuesday of every August since 1984 sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the United States and Canada. It aims to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, and other anti-crime efforts. Texas has the option to use the alternate date of Tuesday, October 6, 2009, to escape hot weather. Initially communities held lights-on vigils. Now, many communities hold block parties, festivals, and other events to help bring neighbors together.

Colon Set to Resign Democratic Party Chairmanship

Updated: Wednesday 8/5/09 2:30 pm


Brian Colon and Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish share a minute July 25th

at a Bernalillo County Democrat Pancake Breakfast. (Photo Credit: Mary Ellen Broderick)

Word came this weekend that 39-year-old New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colón, who led the party to sweeping election victories in 2008, will resign his position by the end of this week clearing the way for him to run for Lieutenant Governor. The announcement could come as early as Wednesday during a regularly scheduled telephone conference call with all 33 county chairs. Update: Colon's announcement will be made on Saturday August 8th.

The scramble to fill his state leadership post began last week, soon after Barbara Wold at Democracy for New Mexico reported that Colón had all but made up his mind to enter the 2010 race.

First Vice Chair Annadelle Sanchez will become the interim chair and will call for a special election within 60 days as required by state party rules. Sanchez, who has been involved in politics since she was 5 years old, has worked 36 years for National Education Association of New Mexico as the director of Political Affairs.

While it's still unclear where the state central committee will meet to select Colón's replacement several names are already floating to the surface.

Sandoval County Chair David Montoya, who was encouraged to run for the county position by Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, has emerged as one of the front runners, along with Javier Gonzales.

Montoya could prove valuable to Denish (a Democrat with long ties to Southern New Mexico), he is also longtime supporter of House Speaker Ben Lujan, and was a big fundraiser for freshman U.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujan, Jr. We've learned Speaker Lujan has already begun making phone calls urging committee members to support Montoya.

Update: This morning we learned that Gonzales, a New Mexico State University Regent, is also seriously considering jumping into the chairman's race. As a Former Santa Fe County commissioner, Javier M. Gonzales was elected the youngest President of the National Association of Counties and was the first Hispanic to serve in that organization's 66-year history.

Both Montoya and Gonzales have worked for the state's senior U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, so it is likely Bingaman will stay out of the fray.

Two other names have been mentioned as possible successors to Colón, including Martin Suazo, a popular Las Vegas, New Mexico democrat, and Victor Raigoza.

Suazo is the San Miguel County Chairman and First Vice Chairman of the 3rd Congressional District another Northern New Mexico Hispanic would also be able to help both gubernatorial and lieutenant governor nominees.

Raigoza, who currently services the party as the 1st vice chair in Bernalillo County is a rising star, but sources in the Party say they don't believe he has the name recognition needed across the state yet. As an investment advisor at Edwards Jones, Raigoza has proven his ability to raise money for the party, but must still overcome his narrow loss to Republican John Ryan in District 10 state senate seat last year.

Robert Aragon, who was recently removed from his position as a ward chair after backing Republican Congressional Candidate Jon Barela will not be running. Instead, a source tells us Aragon, who retained his position on the state central committee, has a coalition of centrist/conservative democrats, which includes ABQ Mayor Martin Chavez supporters, who will throw their support behind Montoya.

Governor Bill Richardson will retain his role as the titular head of the state's Democratic Party through December 2010, but Denish, who has been building a broad based level of support across the state with community activists, will have a voice in selecting the new chair as she raises money and prepares to run for a new office on the 4th floor of the Round House in Santa Fe. Denish will clearly want a person in the chairmanship that can build coalitions and raise money for her statewide campaign. But Richardson, always a power player in selecting leaders for state party positions, may be tempted to influence the state central committee.

Colón, who was re-elected to a second term as chairman this past April, will enter a crowded field for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. State Senators Linda Lopez and Gerald Ortiz y Pinó have already begun campaiging along with Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano. State Senator Tim Eichenberg and Mid Region Council of Government Executive Direct Lawrence Rael are still considering running for the office. Rael has even started raising money and was on Denish's short list of candidates to be Lieutenant Governor when Governor Richardson appeared to be headed to the U.S. Commerce Department. Last week, former naval officer Matthew Padilla announced he was planning to seek the post. Candidates will have to get 20% of the vote at a pre-primary nominating convention to be put on the ballot.

As Colón prepares for his new journey the question about State Auditor Hector Baledera’s plans for 2010 seem to becoming clearer. The word is he'll announce his own relection plans for State Auditor before Colón announces his plans.

Update: 12:14pm - As expected, Balderas announced his intentions to seek re-election this morning. Democracy for New Mexico has the story.

ABQ Prepares to Double Down on Eclipse

Updated: With audio from news conference.

The word this afternoon from City Hall is that a new group of investors wants to restart Eclipse Aviation in the city.

The assets of the Albuquerque jet maker, which laid off around 800 employees in February when it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, are set to be purchased by a new company called Eclipse Aerospace.

That group is made up of several people that were involved with the old company, including jet owners and customers still waiting for their order to be filled. They have put down $5 million in earnest money to buy the company and re-open it in Albuquerque where hangars are already available.

The new bid for the company has been submitted and a hearing for the motion will be held August 10 and the new company could be up and running as soon as August 24.

Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chávez said Friday the new company plans to potentially rehire hundreds of Eclipse employees.



It's unclear what incentives the city may be offering the Eclipse Aerospace, but Chávez said he's 98 percent certain that Eclipse has been saved although there are few details:

This is extraordinarily good news for the city of Albuquerque. I believe it will come to fruition.

Double Eagle Land At Double Eagle Airport Could be Lost.

Weeds and an empty parking lot are the only things left at the former
Eclipse Aviation Training Center built on donated land at the Double Eagle Airport.

In 2005, a three-way land exchange, with the city, state land office and BR Ranch Ventures, LLP gave Eclipse Aviation 150 acres of prime space at Double Eagle Airport to build a manufacturing plant. That land is set to revert to a commercial developer for a measly $10,000, or $66 an acre according to a Special Warranty Deed filed with the City Clerks in February 2005. William Rogers and John Black donated the land after making an exchange with the city. Terms included getting the land back from Eclipse if no manufacturing plant was built by January 2010, or buying it back if the company filed bankruptcy which it did earlier this year.


We visited the site today. The only building there is surrounded by weeds. Even the computer harddrives used in two flight training simulators have been removed by a former supplier. However, the company's primary hangars South of the Sunport are empty and could rehouse the new group with minimal preparation.

While New Mexico's State Investment Council had invested some $19 million dollars in the original company, it should be noted the original company brought hundreds of people to the state who spent money they earned at the company around the community, buying houses, cars, eating out and paying taxes. One estimate says the spending, by employees and the company, may have contributed up to $150 million dollars to the state's economy in roll through money.

Will Former Employees Return to Work?

770KKOB's Michael Jasso reports some former top-level Eclipse employees could return to work within the next two weeks. This February more than 800 employees were laid off after having paychecks delays.

Last August the jet's certification came under scrutiny by the FAA and the U.S. Congress but was deemed fit to fly in September 2008

According to aviation industry reports, in June this year, Eclipse 500 jet's had their EASA Type Certificate suspended, striking a potential blow to the value of Eclipse Aviation's intellectual property assets that will be sold at the August bankruptcy auction.

The group of Eclipse Aerospace investors includes owners of Eclipse jets. They are said to be very confident this will go through. The business would operate in the already leased buildings at the Albuquerque Sunport and Double Eagle II Airport.

Chávez said there is a chance that several foreign governments might offer competing bids. The city doesn't want that to happen because then the assets and jobs would go elsewhere.

KRQE's webpost notes several aviation trade publications have reported that the first priority of Eclipse Aerospace would be to provide much-needed service for the existing fleet of 260 Eclipse jets sold before the original company failed, including buying back multiple jets from dissatisfied owners.

Starting up new production then would happen sometime in the indefinite future.

Movie Production Will Help Local Charities Raise Money

Universal Pictures and Working Title Films are offering non-profit organizations a fund raising opportunity as extras for their upcoming film entitled Paul on August 11 and 12 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in a Comic-Con scene.

The movie stars Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Star Trek) and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The Boat that Rocked,) as two British science fiction enthusiasts on the trip of a lifetime to the Comic Con convention in San Diego, and then to Area 51 in the Nevada desert.

The producers will donate money to your non-profit organization based on the number of people you bring to the scene. You can register your non-profit by calling Elizabeth Gabel, extras casting director, at 505-982-9681.

The movie also stars Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Blythe Danner and John Carroll Lynch. Directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland) and written by Pegg and Frost, the film is being produced by NiraPark, Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan and is shooting in the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas from June through mid-August.

DC Falls in Love with New Mexico Politicans

While freshman U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich is topping The Hill's 50 Most Beautiful People list two other New Mexican's have been selected as "Top Young Guns" by the NRCC.

Today in Washington, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) included two New Mexico Republicans— former Congressman Steve Pearce (CD2) and Albuquerque lawyer and businessman Jon Barela (CD1)—among the first 13 candidates in its New Young Guns program.

According to the NRCC, candidates included in the new program “must demonstrate a base of support, develop a media messaging plan for the race and show they are capable of raising enough money to get their message out.”

But they'll need silver bullets to unseat the freshman representatives in New Mexico's 1st and 2nd congressional districts in next year's congressional races.

Matt Reichbach over at NMFBIHOP reports:

Just four of the 24 Republican challengers in the NRCC's Young Guns program in 2008 successfully won office.

Udall Catches Up to the Rest of the World Online

Better late than never, New Mexico's junior U.S. Senator is going online and accepting social media as a proven communications tool.

U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M. today launched his official presence on the social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. Udall’s outreach on social media will provide constituents with the opportunity to engage in a two-way dialogue with his office and stay up-to-date on legislation in Washington and upcoming events in New Mexico.

Udall said:

More and more New Mexicans have started using social media to connect, and I'm happy to say I do too. Using outlets like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr in the Senate will help me reach out in new ways by providing an inside look at my work in Washington and by providing a forum for conversation on the issues that we face together.

Udall’s first Tweet linked to his Tuesday speech on the Senate floor, sharing the stories of New Mexicans in need of healthcare reform .

His Communications Director Marissa Padilla promises the social media sites will provide regular postings on Udall’s work in Washington and New Mexico along with video and photo content.

Udall can be found at the following web addresses:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube
  
• Flickr

Chevron Donates Land for Code Talker's Museum

Chevron Corporation will honor the Navajo Code Talkers Association (NCTA) with a gift of more than 200 acres of land. It will be used for a code talker's museum and veteran’s center and for other economic development goals.

The Navajo Code Talkers, who served in all six Marine divisions from 1942 to 1945 during WWII, constructed a code from their native language and have been credited with saving countless lives and hastening the end of the war. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush.

The official ceremony is Friday, just outside of the Navajo Nation Capital of Window Rock, AZ.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will speak, along with members of the NCTA including President Keith Little and Vice President Samuel Tso, as well as Chevron Mining president, Fred Nelson. New Mexico Veterans' Services Secretary John Garcia, dignitaries, veterans and other community members are also attending the July 31st ceremony.

Gangs Contributing to High Property Crime Rates

Burglaries are skyrocketing in Santa Fe according to law enforcement authorities there. The number of break-ins have more than doubled this month compared to last July according to this Santa Fe New Mexican report.

Police Captain Gary Johnson told the paper he believes a spike in gang activity is "exacerbating the residential burglary problem" in the capital city.

The New Mexico Gang Task Force reports there are between 2,000 and 2,500 gang members in Santa Fe. Two weeks ago, Dave Maass, a journalist with the Santa Fe, New Mexico reported many of those thugs are hiding out in plain sight and using My Space pages to operate their criminal enterprises.

Police believe professional thieves are mainly hitting the city's east side of town. While juveniles gang members are focused on residences on the south and west side of town.

According to the Santa Fe Police Department report, burglaries, in the 2nd quarter of 2009 jumped 105 percent compared to April thru June 2008. This month alone there has been an increase of 162 percent.

In Albuquerque, property crimes, according to FBI crime reports, are up a little more than nine percent year-over-year.