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Mayors' contentious race continues
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Being fairly new (as a full-time resident) to Albuquerque, and recently moved just out of city boundaries, I won’t be able to vote Oct. 6 for the Mayor of Duke City, but incumbent Martin Chavez outdid his contenders Robert Barry and Robert Romero at a public debate mid-week, hosted by KTFQ TV news anchors Nicole Brady and Tom Joles.
First, as a professional journalist for more than 25 years, and covering elections in cities like Albuquerque many times, the questions posed by the anchors were pretty lame. Joles intentionally tried provoke a fight by asking each candidate why the others were not qualified for the job.
Chavez took the high road and “refused to answer the question in that fashion.” He was the only one who had strong, specific, coherent answers for all questions; and defended his terms when the other candidates criticized waste, overspending, and using property taxes for other city business rather than for infrastructure improvements.
Barry consistently pushed his business experience, and Romero stuck to his four issues: crime, generation of small businesses, working with public school districts and forming a more open, transparent government.
Chavez concentrated about the success during his last eight years. He also made a comment both men had congratulated him on his performance – before they decided to run against him for Mayor.
Romero accused Chavez for not working with public schools, city council, county commission, or state legislators, and forming a second planning commission because he could not work with the city’s planning department. He also said Chavez doesn’t have a friend.
Chavez disputed that, and nearly everything else negatively charged by Barry and Romero.
Both contenders were a little rough around the edges. Barry proposed a new law allowing law enforcement officers to determine citizenship of everyone they encounter. Romero and Chavez disagreed, saying the procedure is racial profiling. Barry also reportedly voted against domestic partnerships in the state Legislature.
When Brady asked how the candidates would ensure (socialized!) public programs don’t get cut, such as police and fire resources? (Duh, Nicole, like they would be cut.)
Romero said the city needs to get rid of wasteful spending, citing that Chavez has three bodyguards, “one that walks his dog;” and to get rid of at-will employees who are “beholden to the mayor.”
Barry said he would go through the budget line by line and sort out efficiencies, and deficiencies.
Chavez replied, “I’m the only one who has actually balanced budget, and one of few cities in America who had a balanced budget without layoffs.” He also said, “Neither of the challengers have articulated what department they would cut (from). They just say,’Oh, it’s just waste and inefficiency.”
When able to look at how city government runs, I am sure those tough decisions can be made, whoever makes it to the mayor position.
I was disappointed because there were so many issues that were not even addressed. One is services available for the indigent in Albuquerque. There are so many homeless people, with hardly enough room, and ridiculous stringent rules for any family to seek shelter. This summer I was close to losing my apartment twice, and despite a Community Toolbox resource guide, there was no help for me. If I was a crack ho, with children it would have been easier.
Also they was no mention of critical domestic problems that will soon impact New Mexico, from federal benefits to returning troops from war. The mayoral debate was a tit for tat, and not meaty enough to really serve the voter in making a decision.
The state of politics is sad. Hopefully, local New Mexicans will, at least exercise their right to vote.
For more info: abq.nm.gov
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