It was on March 16, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued her first public health order. Since the corona virus pandemic has resulted in self quarantine or “shelter orders” on the city, there was early data suggesting that crime was down.

On March 26, a Channel 7 investigative report found there have been 51 fewer people arrested on felonies when compared to the same time last year. There is also a 6% drop in police reports filed this year.

Notwithstanding, some say they are seeing more crime despite what the data says. In the same news report Peter Darrel Kindig, owner of Narrowgate Security Agency said businesses that are forced to close have been calling him, wanting his service and a new type of security system that alerts security officers in the field if there is suspicious motion.

According to Kindig:

“The number of car burglaries and business burglaries in the last 48 hours is completely off the chart. My phone is ringing off the hook. … People now don’t want just an alarm that goes off after they are burglarized. … They want something that alerts before the burglary takes place.”

https://www.koat.com/article/are-criminals-staying-home-too/31947490

During one of his many daily coronavirus response briefings, Mayor Keller had this to say:

“The crime situation in Albuquerque is holding steady and actually down slightly. Because more people are home, there are a lot of theories on this could be why crime is slightly down.”

HOMICIDES CONTINUE

Despite the coronavirus outbreak and the self-quarantine measures, the city’s increase in homicides is continuing.

In 2019, Albuquerque had its 19th homicide on April 11 and on April 2, 2019 there were 17 homicides in the city.

On April 2, 2020, the Albuquerque Police Department announced there have been 19 homicides in the city in 2020, which is ahead of 2019’s record-setting homicide pace. The city’s 19th homicide happened around on Thursday, April 2nd near Central and University.

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/albuquerque-on-pace-to-set-new-homicide-record/5690589/?cat=500

Late Thursday night, April 2, APD reported yet another shooting. The incident occurred night near McMahon and Unser with the victim was taken to the hospital.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON THE RISE

On April 5, the on line news agency New Mexico Political Reports published a story stating domestic violence incidents in Bernalillo County reportedly jumped 78 percent which is right in line with soaring unemployment, gun sales and other predictors of abuse.

https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2020/04/05/domestic-violence-shelters-have-no-shortage-of-beds-but-reports-of-abuse-are-on-the-rise/

COMMENTARY

The city’s number one problem before the corona virus outbreak was and still is violent crime. It is likely as the pandemic gets worse in the city and more layoffs occur there will be a even more spikes in domestic violence incidents as well as an increase in property crimes and home break-ins.

All 112 of New Mexico’s legislative seats are on the ballot this year. The current breakdown in the New Mexico House of Representatives is 46 Democrats and 24 Republicans. The current breakdown in the New Mexico Senate is 26 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

A total of 11 of those seats will have new legislators because the incumbents have decided to retire, are running for another office or failed to make the ballot. Many incumbent legislators who in the past have run without opposition have opponents this election year.

NM STATE SENATE RACES

Powerful Senate Democrats facing opposition in their primary include Democrat Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith of Deming, Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces, Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee Chairman Clemente Sanchez of Grants and Senate Finance Committee Vice Chairman George Muñoz of Gallup. These Senate Democrats are conservative leaning and side often with Republicans in a coalition to defeat progressive legislation and allocations.

Two Democratic senators appointed to fill a vacancy by county commissions will face primary challenges as they seek election to hold on to their seats. Senator Shannon Pinto of Tohatchi, Senate District 3, who succeeded her grandfather, John Pinto, after he past away last year, faces challenges from Democrats Dineh Benally of Shiprock and Shawn Nelson of Gamerco.

In Senate District 28, Senator Gabriel Ramos of Silver City will face Democrat Siah Correa Hemphill, also of Silver City.

Republican Senator Fulfer is among the incumbents facing a challenge from within his own party. He was appointed by then Republican Governor “She Who Must Not Be Named” to the Senate in late 2018.

NM STATE HOUSE RACES

In House District 50, Representative Matthew McQueen of Galisteo is opposing Democrat Rebecca King Spindle, a rancher from Stanley and granddaughter of former Governor Bruce King.

In House District 65, Representative Derrick Lente of Sandia Pueblo is opposed by former State Representative James Roger Madalena of Jemez Pueblo in the Democratic primary.

Madalena is one of several ex-lawmakers seeking to return to the Legislature. The others include Republican Ricky Little of Chaparral and Democrats Shannon Robinson of Albuquerque and Ben Rodefer of Corrales.

In District 56, Representative Zack Cook has a democratic opponent after 10 years of no opposition. Cook is opposed Laura Childress who is Hispanic and has a background in education.

TWO INCUMBENT STATE REPRESENTATIVE FAIL TO MAKE THE BALLOT

Every candidate for the New Mexico legislature is required to collect a specific number of qualifying signatures from registered voters in their districts to be placed on the ballot. The common practice for candidates is usually to secure upwards of double the number of qualifying signatures required in order to have a “cushion” to deal with signatures or petitions deemed invalid if there is a court challenge to their candidacies.

In the 2017 legislative session, the process for gathering petition signatures was changed by the New Mexico legislature. The enacted law created what is referred to as a “strict liability” standard relating to the circulated nominating petitions. One major requirement is that each petition with signatures submitted for verification to the Secretary of State must list the legislative district number on the petition forms otherwise the entire petition and all the signatures on the petitions are deemed invalid.

Two incumbent House Representatives, one Republican and one Democrat, failed to make the ballot as a result of court challenges to their nominating petitions. Republican State Representative Jane Powdrell-Culbert, who has represented the Sandoval County district since 2003, and Democratic Representative Patricio Ruiloba of ABQ’s South Valley District 12 failed to state their House District numbers on their petition forms. Both representatives wound up in State District Court and the District Court ruled they had failed to qualify for the ballot and fell short in the number of valid petition signatures needed to be placed on the June 2 primary ballot.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1438726/judge-disqualifies-rep-ruiloba-from-ballot.html

NEWS UPDATE: On April 3, it was reported that State Representative Jane Powdrell-Culbert, R-Corrales, withstood a legal challenge to her petition signatures and she will remain on the ballot. Santa Fe State District Judge Cindy Mercer invalidated many of the signatures Powdrell-Culbert turned in to secure a spot on the June 2 ballot because the petitions of qualifying signatures submitted were missing her legislative district number. Notwithstanding, Judge Mercer ruled that Representative Powdrell-Culbert still had enough valid signatures, 51, to clear the threshold required for the ballot.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1439548/powdrell-culbert-wins-petition-challenge.html

THE FIVE DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATORS TARGETED

It’s official. On March 30, the five powerful and conservative leaning New Mexico State Senators have now been targeted for removal and face opposition from a coalition formed by 4 progressive organizations calling themselves “No Corporate Democrats Community Organization”. The coalition includes OLÉ, New Mexico Working Families Party, the Center for Civic Action and Progress Now New Mexico. All 4 are well known progressive organizations that get involved and raise money for city, county and state races and donate money to progressive candidates and causes they deem progressive enough to fit their needs.

COALITION MEMBERS, CANDIDATES AND CAUSES

The makeup of the coalition of “No Corporate Democrats Community Organization” consist 4 organizations that are all Albuquerque based. All four-coalition organization have no formal affiliation in any manner with the New Mexico Democratic Party yet they seek to influence the election to remove 5 long time serving Democrat State Senators. Relevant information on the 4 progressive organizations calling themselves “No Corporate Democrats Community Organization”, the candidates and causes they have supported, and donations made merits discussion.

OLE (NEW MEXICO)

OLÉ is a non-profit that uses grassroots organizing within the local community of working families in New Mexico that is Albuquerque based. Its members and staff “work together to strengthen communities through social advocacy and economic reform, using issue-based campaigns and electoral engagement to ensure that working families are playing a critical role in shaping New Mexico’s future with a united voice.” Ole gathered signatures to put “Dollars for Democracy” on the ballot and contributed cash for passage of the initiative. “Democracy Dollars” would have implemented a $25 dollar city voucher program to all residents of the city to donate to municipal candidates of their choosing. Ole also endorsed and made cash donations to Tim Keller’s measured finance committee for Mayor.

http://olenm.org/

NEW MEXICO WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

The New Mexico Working Families Party is not an official political party in New Mexico, as it is in other states. Instead, the organization advocates for candidates and issues. In 2018, the Working Families endorsed and financially helped candidates running for federal, state and legislative races in New Mexico. All of those candidates were Democrats. According to the New Mexico Political Reports, the group is interested in defeating Democrats who are more concerned with their party as an institution and “not as a vehicle for change.”

https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2018/08/15/working-families-party-wants-to-shake-up-new-mexico/

Working Families endorsed candidates include Democrats 1st Congressional District candidate Deb Haaland, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico State Land Office commissioner candidate Stephanie Garcia Richard and Tim Keller for Mayor. The Working Families also advocated for passage of the failed ballot initiative known as “Democracy Dollars” that would have implemented a city voucher program to give all residents $25 dollar vouchers to donate to municipal candidates of their choosing. Former Albuquerque City Councilor and Former New Mexico State Senator Eric Griego is the Executive Director of New Mexico Working Families.

https://workingfamilies.org/states/new-mexico/

According to finance reports filed with the Albuquerque City Clerk’s office in 2019, the Working Families Party donated $80,000 to the failed “Democracy Dollars” ballot initiative. In the 2017, the Working Families Party raised and spent thousands on Mayor Tim Keller’s behalf to get him elected Mayor. Before the runoff for Mayor between Democrat Tim Keller and Republcan Dan Lewis, there were 8 candidates running for Mayor including progressive Democrats Brian Colon and Gus Pedrotty, yet the Working Families ostensibly did not feel they were “progressive” enough.

https://workingfamilies.org/2017/11/tim-keller-elected-mayor-albuquerque/

CENTER FOR CIVIC ACTION

The Center for Civic Action (CCA) is based in Albuquerque and is a nonpartisan tax-exempt 501c 3 organization. Its mission is “to advocate for policies that impact the common good and welfare of New Mexicans, such as health care, energy, natural resources, the economy and jobs, and voting rights issues. .. [and] to educate the public about social welfare issues that impact the common good and welfare of New Mexico”.

The activities of CCA include lobbying, researching and advocating for policies related to health care, ethics and the state budget. The CCA educates the public about issues through the placement of opinion pieces and letters to New Mexico Newspapers, blogging, and phone calls to New Mexico residents. The CCA also provides training and leadership skills to New Mexico progressive leaders who may one day run for elected or appointed office.

https://greatnonprofits.org/org/center-for-civic-action

PROGRESS NOW NEW NEXICO

According to its web page, “ProgressNow New Mexico is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots communications and advocacy organization working to unite, empower, and enhance the progressive voice in [New Mexico]. … [It] functions as a progressive communications hub and [its] mission centers on the promotion of progressive issues and policies, correcting conservative misinformation, and holding elected officials and corporations accountable. … ProgressNow New Mexico [proclaims] it provides a unified voice for progressive groups on the issues that matter most to New Mexicans .. [and that is] accomplished … by providing issue and opinion research, message development, and one-on-one technical assistance to progressive groups [and candidates]. Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis once served as the full time paid Executive Director of Progress Now New Mexico and stepped down to run for City Council and later run for congress.

https://progressnownm.org/?page_id=428

2017 MAYORS RACE

In 2017, the 4 organizations or their membership in one form or another became very involved with the Albuquerque Mayor’s race. “ABQ Forward Together” was the progressive measured finance committee that was formed specifically to raise money to promote progressive Tim Keller for Mayor. The measured finance committee chairperson was a former campaign manager of Tim Keller’s when he successfully ran for State Senate. “ABQ Forward Together” raised over $663,000 for Keller’s bid for Mayor. The amount included cash donations or in-kind donations from the Working Families Party, Ole and the Center for Civic Action.

For related articles detailing and identifying contributors and amounts in the 2017 Mayor’s race see the following links:

https://www.petedinelli.com/2017/10/21/show-me-the-money-for-the-runoff/

https://www.petedinelli.com/2017/10/02/show-me-the-money-chapter-5/

https://www.petedinelli.com/2017/09/25/show-me-the-money-chapter-4/

https://www.petedinelli.com/2017/09/11/follow-the-money-part-three/

https://www.petedinelli.com/2017/08/14/show-me-the-money-chapter-two/

https://www.petedinelli.com/2017/07/17/show-me-the-money/

THE FIVE TARGETED DEMOCRATS

The 5 incumbent Democratic State Senators that have been targeted for removal by the “No Corporate Democrats Community Organization” are as follows:

Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces, District 38, which covers parts of Las Cruces and southern New Mexico. Papen has two opponents running against her and they are Carrie Hamblen, CEO of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce, and Tracy Perry, CEO of Direct Therapy Services, which works with people with developmental disabilities.

Longtime State Senator John Author Smith of Deming, the powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Neomi Martinez-Parra of Lordsburg, who has worked as a teacher and is a former vice chairwoman of the New Mexico Democratic Party is running against Smith. The District 35 senate seat covers New Mexico’s southwest corner, stretching from the state’s Bootheel region east into Las Cruces.

Senator Clemente Sanchez of Grants, District 30, which covers Grants and parts of Valencia and three other counties. Sanchez is chairman of the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee and he is being challenge by retired teacher Pam Cordova.

Senator Gabriel Ramos of Silver City, District 28, stretching from Socorro to Silver City and covering parts of southwestern New Mexico is being challenged by Siah Correa Hemphill, a school psychologist.

Senator George Muñoz of Gallup represents District 4 which covers part of western New Mexico. Munoz is Vice Hhairman of the Senate Finance Committee and is being challenged by Noreen Ann Kelly, a community activist from Church Rock, NM.

All 5 Democrats have been accused by the coalition of not listening to the people who voted them in and listening instead to well-connected corporate interests. All 5 democrats strongly dispute the arguments saying they represent their districts well and understand what their constituent’s want and their demands . The fact they are repeatedly elected supports their position.

SPECIAL SESSION TO BE CALLED FOR BUDGET CRISIS

On February 20 the New Mexico legislature enacted a $7.6 Billion dollar budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year which was signed by the Governor after making $150 million in line item vetoes. The enacted budget raised annual spending by $536 million, or by nearly 8% over last year’s budget. The increase in spending was a result of record-breaking oil production in the Permian Basin with the state originally anticipating at least an $800 million increase in state government income during the coming budget year.

The New Mexico Legislature’s finance analysts had pegged oil prices for the budget year that ends June 30 to average $52 per barrel. The price of oil per barrel has now plummeted to $22 dollars a barrel with no end in sight of how far prices will decline. A $22 a barrel price will result in between $600 and $700 million in direct revenue loss to the state and nearly $1 billion of gross receipts taxes lost to the state. The state is now faced with a very dire financial crisis.

On March 19, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that she will convene a special session to deal with the imploding oil prices that has caused a major budget crisis for the state and the likelhood of another major recession for the State.

https://www.petedinelli.com/2020/03/20/gov-michelle-lujuan-grisham-to-call-special-session-when-and-how-is-problematic/

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

It comes as absolutely no surprise to New Mexico political observers that the ultra-progressive organizations OLÉ, New Mexico Working Families Party, the Center for Civic Action and Progress Now New Mexico have formed the “No Corporate Democrats Community Organization” to remove all 5 incumbent Democratic State Senators. You can expect that the coalition will get extensively involved with all 5 Senate races, including providing volunteers, phone banking and donations to defeat the 5 Democrats that they are labeling as Corporate Democrats.

CORPORATE DEMOCRATS CONDEMNED

Being called a “Corporate Democrat” has become the ultimate insult used to disparage and tear down more traditional, moderate or even conservative democrats, even elected officials, considered the New Mexico Democratic establishment. Establishment Democrats such as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan and even Senator Martin Heinrich have all been criticized from time to time by the progressive wing of the Democratic part on their stands on various issues, positions and votes as not being “progressive enough” for the progressive wing of the New Mexico Democratic party.

Much of what is happening with all 5 Senate Democrats has been brought on by their cooperation with the Republican Senate minority to defeat major progressive initiatives in the State Senate. One example is their opposition to allocate more money from the state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund and Severance Tax Permanent Fund to finance early childhood programs. Another example is that all 5 voted against the abortion rights measure in 2019 that would have repealed a 1969 anti-abortion law.

INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE

All 5 targeted Democrats are considered “fiscal conservatives” and possess a wealth of institutional knowledge on state budgetary matters. State Senator John Author Smith in particular has a well-deserved reputation for his uncanny ability to deal with New Mexico’s budgetary matters in a reasonable and responsible manner. Senator Smith has been able to guide state finances through some very difficult and trying budget crises. There is no doubt that the institutional knowledge of all 5 incumbent democrats will be needed to forge a new budget for the state during these difficult times.

ULTIMATE GOAL OF PROGRESSIVES IS TO PURGE NEW MEXICO DEMOCRATIC PARTY ESTABLISHMENT

The major problem is all 4 organizations that compose the “No Corporate Democrats Community Organization” coalition is they have no affiliation with the Democratic Party. All 4 are Albuquerque based. The truth is that all 4 organization, although supportive of Democratic candidates, are in fact hostile to the Democratic Party. Democrats in order to secure the support the 4 organizations must past a litmus test of being a progressive enough or “progressive purist” committed to their causes.

The ultimate goal of progressive purist wing of the New Mexico Democratic Party is to force out and purge the Democratic establishment represented by the traditional, moderate to conservative party officials and even remove elected officials such as the 5 Democratic State Senators. The progressive purists are succeeding on many levels given their heavy turnout in elections and the turnover and new people that serve as precinct and ward chairs and party officials within the Democratic Party statewide.

PURGING OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS NATIONAL MOVEMENT

This overt attempt to “purge” the Democratic party of moderate to conservative Democrats is also national movement. It has been going on since the 2016 Presidential primary election between progressive Bernie Sanders, the Independent running as a Democrat and Hillary Clinton, the establishment Democrat. The purging is repeating itself in the 2020 Presidential Democratic Party primary with the “new and improved self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders” running against former Vice President Joe Biden the establishment Democrat.

In 2016, after a brutal primary, Sanders refused to drop out all the way to the convention demanding major concessions from the Democratic Party that he has never been a member of until he runs for President. After Clinton secured the nomination, Sanders finally endorsed Clinton and held events for her. But the Clinton campaign felt Sanders showed lukewarm support for her. Sanders was not as helpful as he could have been in getting the message out when and where they needed it to defeat Trump.

Nationwide, one poll found that more than 1 in 10 people who voted for Sanders in the 2016 primary against Hillary Clinton ended up supporting Trump in the general election.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/sanders-voters-helped-trump-win-white-house-could-they-do-n1145306

A mid March, 2020 poll in Michigan, one of the 5 battleground states that will decide the election, found just 2 of 5 Sanders backers said they would vote Democratic in November, regardless of who became the nominee. Four in five said they’d be dissatisfied with Biden as the Democratic standard-bearer.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/13/democrats-confront-a-never-biden-contingent-127438

Quoting a recent Washington Post article:

“The problem, according to many Democrats, remains that 15 percent of Sanders supporters say in polling that they would vote for President Trump over Biden. This nugget actually makes the opposite argument: There is nothing that would satisfy some faction of the Sanders coalition that would rather blow up our democracy and reelect Trump. With people so irrational, the best response is to ignore them. They, like the MAGA-hat crowd, are unreachable and cannot be bargained with (e.g., more New Green Deal talk!). So do not try. No more outreach to Sanders, no more promised policy modifications, no more speaking slot at the convention. Enough.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/31/benefit-democrats-denouncing-sanders-selfishness/?fbclid=IwAR1xotsEY0emlY9RgYFQutbu671MyoqdRaXjCni9Kk2_OAimCD0MGfIi54k

CONCLUSION

The reality is that the progressive purist wing of New Mexico Democratic Party are just as extreme in their views and actions as the totally opposite conservatives represented by the “neocon conservatives” of the Republican Party and the hard-core Trump supporters. Anyone and anything being remotely viewed as moderate to conservative is considered unacceptable to them to the point of refusing to vote for, or compromise in any manner, even if it means not voting at all thereby assuring Republican wins.

The problem is the current breakdown in the New Mexico Senate is 26 Democrats and 16 Republicans. Targeting all 5 democrats for removal could mean jeopardizing the Democrat majority in the Senate. Like it or not by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, all 5 Democratic Senators represent more moderate to conservative parts of the state and voters. The coalition in all likely does not understand the issues nor the major concerns of the voters in the 5 Senate Districts they have now targeted.

Philosophical purity of any kind tends to translate into dogma and political disaster in one form or another something the country has now experienced under President Trump over the years he has been in power.

___________________________________

POSTSCRIPT

On Friday, April 3, the following editorial appeared in the Albquerque Journal:

Editorial: NM needs its moderate Democrats’ experience, fiscal responsibility
BY ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD

A campaign of left-leaning activists seeking to purge the N.M. Senate of moderate Democrats jeopardizes the last vestiges of bipartisanship in the Roundhouse and couldn’t have come at a worse time as we face an unprecedented fiscal crisis.

As oil prices plummet, coronavirus shutters the economy and a special session appears inevitable, it is essential taxpayers have these lawmakers’ experience and pragmatism to dig out from the estimated $1 billion in red ink with as little pain as possible. Their wealth of legislative experience will be essential as tough choices have to be made. If ever there were a time for statesmen like these five N.M. senators, it’s now.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/1439719/nm-needs-its-moderate-democrats-experience-fiscal-responsibility.html

As of Monday March 30, the coronavirus death toll in New Mexico is now at 4. According to state health officials, 2 women, one in her 70s and one in her 90s, died on Monday both with underlying medical conditions. New Mexico officials added 44 new positive cases resulting in a total of 281 with 26 people having recovered from the virus and 24 are currently hospitalized for the virus.

The latest positive tests include 16 new cases in Bernalillo County, bringing its total to 117. Five new cases each in Sandoval and San Juan Counties in each county, 3 each in Santa Fe, Torrance, Valencia and McKinley counties, 2 in Chaves County and 1 each in Dona Ana, Rio Arriba, Socorro and Taos counties.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1438058/coronavirus-updates-march-30.html

HOSPITAL BED SHORTAGE ANTICIPATED

Governor Lujan Grisham made it clear in her news conference last week that the state may hit a peak in new cases in mid-April. The problem is New Mexico has fewer hospital beds per capita than the national average, with 1.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people. For most people who come down with the virus they exhibit symptoms that include a fever and respiratory problems and they recover within two to three weeks. It is the most vulnerable, ages 60 year and up and who have preexisting conditions that are likely be hospitalized with life threatening symptoms.

Last week Governor Lujan Grisham had asked the federal Department of Defense for a 248-bed U.S. Army field hospital in Albuquerque to absorb the anticipated surge cases. On March 30, President Donald Trump told Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in a conference call with Governors that he will grant her request for the U.S. Army field hospital and instructed his staff to look into it.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1438058/coronavirus-updates-march-30.html

On March 30, a Bernalillo County spokeswoman announced that a 39-year-old man in the custody of the Metropolitan Detention Center tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, causing several other inmates and staff members to be quarantined.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1438058/coronavirus-updates-march-30.html

ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY CITY SOCIAL SERVICE CENTERS

The Keller Administration announced that people who have medical needs that have been made worse by the corona virus will be able to get help at one of four Health and Social Services Centers in Albuquerque. According to Deputy Director of Public Health Gilbert Ramirez, each quadrant of the city has a center, and each has been designated a “mission critical” facility.

The services and items provided by the centers include monthly food boxes, limited supplies of diapers and hygiene products, and clothing. The centers also have an eviction prevention program funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Tenants facing eviction must have identification and a lease or payment history that reflects delinquency and how much is owed. The problem is the federal program has just under $47,000 available. The city is asking for donations for its motel voucher program for homeless people, particularly for those who have chronic medical problems and reduced immune systems.

Donations can be made to the centers to provide eviction protection for those people who do not qualify for the federally funded program. On Wednesday, there was only about $10,000 available for that program. People who donate can designate where they want the money to go such as eviction protection, diapers, food or other items.

People needing the services of a Health and Social Services Center should go to the one in their quadrant of the city.

Following is a listing of the centers:

John Marshall, 1500 Walter SE, 848-1345;
Alamosa, 6900 Gonzales SW, 836-8800;
Los Griegos, 1231 Candelaria NW, 761-4050; and
East Central, 7525 Zuni SE, 767-5700.
said Lisa Huval, deputy director for housing and homelessness.

AT RISK COMMUNITY CENTERS

Two community centers have been designated to provide emergency shelter for those who do not have the virus but are in the higher-risk older-age demographic. Individuals placed at the 2 centers must be referred from the West Side Emergency Housing Center. The 2 centers are:

The Thomas Bell Community Center, 3001 University SE
The Jack Candelaria Community Center, 400 San Jose SE

CITY CLOSURES AND ADJUSTMENTS:

On March 30, the Keller Administration made the following announcements regarding city services:

Citywide: All City buildings are closed to the public, as of 5 p.m., March 24. This includes City Hall. Signs will be posted instructing people how they can access the County Clerk’s office.
City Clerk: All hearings are either postponed or will be held remotely.

Planning Department:

• Plaza del Sol will be closed to the public.
• Permitting will continue via telephone, while inspections and field work will continue as normal.
• A drop box will be set up for applicants to drop any paperwork. Staff will pick up and review submissions and then set a time for applicants to pick up any permits.

Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority: All walk-in payment locations are temporarily closed. Payments may be mailed or made online.

Parks & Recreation and Citywide Youth Programs:

• All Spring Break youth programs are canceled.
• City golf courses are closed
• All playgrounds in City parks are closed, although the parks themselves will remain open.
• Maloof Air Park is closed.
• Horsemen’s Complex is closed; however, owners must continue to care for their animals.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR THE YEAR

On Friday, March 27, Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart announced that the statewide school closure will be extended for the rest of the academic year because of the corona virus pandemic. Public preschools and K-12 schools across the state have been ordered to shut down effective March 16 to help stop the spread of the virus. Students were initially scheduled to go back to school April 6, but given the worsening spread of the virus, that is no longer feasible.

Students with special needs will receive all feasible supports and accommodations that can be delivered while maintaining safe social-distancing.

Individual school districts will design measures by which seniors can demonstrate eligibility for graduation. Those measures could include testing, completing a series of assignments, achieving a set score on a college entrance exam or demonstrating applied work experience. High school seniors will have until June 19 to demonstrate eligibility, and those who fail to do so will be offered credit recovery in the summer. They can also appeal to their local school board or to the secretary. No student will be denied graduation for lack of access to demonstrate competency.

Every New Mexico school district has a plan to continue providing childhood nutrition during this period. You can see those plans here. The Public Education Department is also seeking permission to distribute Electronic Benefits Transfer cards that would allow qualifying families to purchase meals with their free breakfast/lunch allotment.

https://www.koat.com/article/ped-says-theyll-extend-school-closure/31945896

TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND FAMILY

Older adults and those with chronic illnesses are most at risk to contract the virus that could result in death from complications. Even healthy young people not worried about getting sick should take steps to protect themselves and others in that they could still carry the virus but not show signs of it. The strategy must be to limit the chance of transmitting the disease to persons who are more vulnerable.
Government officials urged people to protect themselves by:

Self-quarantine until the end of April

Honoring the “quarantine” and staying home and avoid large crowds and public events

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

Cleaning “high-touch” surfaces daily with regular household cleaners

When coughing, use a tissue or cough into the forearm of your elbow

Avoiding the sharing of personal household items

Stay at home when sick

Practice “social distancing” when talking to others in person by standing 6 feet away from them

Wear face masks if available that seals around mouth and nose when out in public

Limit activities to grocery shopping, filling your car with gasoline and medical appointment

For a related blog article see:

Updated New Mexico COVID-19 Cases Now at 191; A Breakdown Per County

In the political world, “free ride” is the term used for candidates for office who do not have any opponents, either in a primary or general election. The term free ride also means in part that a candidate for office does not have to run around and collect campaign donations or spend their own money to get reelected. All the candidates who get a free ride have to do is show up and vote for themselves and they win!

All too often, candidates who get free rides like to proclaim they have no opponent’s because they have done such a fantastic job that they have run off any any all opponents. No one has the heart to tell some of them that the reason they have no opponent’s is not that they have done a such a fantastic job, but that no one wants their jobs in the first place considering the jobs as thankless. Notwithstanding, those who run for office and who are willing to serve in any capacity need to be thanked for showing a willingness to run and subject themselves and their families to scrutiny by the public and the press.

March 10 was the filing day for, Bernalillo County Commission, County Judges, the District Attorney, County Clerk and County Treasurer offices and the New Mexico House and State Senate. The majority of the candidates running for another term have ‘free rides” some only in the primary and others also in the general election.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY, COUNTY CLERK, COUNTY TREASURER

Following are the various positions and those who declared their candidacies who will appear on the June 2 ballot:

Bernalillo County District Attorney: Incumbent Democrat Raul Torrez is unopposed for a second term in both the June 2 primary and the November 3 general election.

Bernalillo County Clerk: Incumbent Democrat Linda Stover is unopposed for a second term in both the June 2 primary and the November 3 general election.

County Treasurer: Incumbent Democrat Nancy Bearce, Democrats Donny Albert Daniels, Patrick Padilla and Bernadette Sanchez. No Republicans filed so whoever is elected in the Democratic Party primary wins the general election.

BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMISSION

There are 3 seats on the 5 member Bernalillo County Commission up for election.

District 2 Commissioner: Incumbent Democrat Stephen Michael Quezada and Democrats Frank Baca and Rudy Zamora. No Republican filed so whoever wins the Democratic primary on June 2 is elected.

District 3 Commissioner: Democrats Adriann Barboa, Adrian Neal Carver and Marcos Gonzales. No Republican filed so whoever wins the Democratic primary on June 2 is elected.

(Editor’s Note: County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins resigned from the District 3 Commission seat to take a state government job. County Commissioner Jim Collie was appointed to the District 3 seat to replace Hart Stebbins but agreed not to run for the seat as a condition for the appointment bt the Governor).

District 4 Commissioner: Republican two term County Commissioner Lonnie Talbet, the only Republican on the County Commission, cannot run for another term because of term limits. Former Republican Bernalillo County Commissioner Tim Cummins, who served from 2000 to 2008 and Republicans George Benson, Sean Kesani and Tina Tomlin Have filed in the Republican primary and Democrats Felix Nuñez and Wende Schwingendorf have filed in the Democratic primary for the District 4 seat.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1429894/candidates-for-bernco-commission-other-county-seats-file.html

CONTESTED JUDGE RACES

Division 6 judge in the 2nd Judicial District: Democrat Daniel Ramczyk, who is the current Division 6 Judge and who was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is opposed by former Metropolitan Court Judge Edward Benavidez who lost his reelection bid in the 2018 when he failed to win a retention election.

Democrat Metro Court Judge Courtney Weaks is challenging incumbent Republican District Judge Daniel Gallegos.

State law requires newly appointed judges to run in the general election immediately after their appointment in order to keep their appointed positions.

Four District Court judges, Lisa Chavez Ortega, Erin O’Connell, Amber Chavez Baker and Joshua Allison are running unopposed to stay in their positions, as are Metro Court judges Brittany Maldonado Malott, Jason Jaramillo, Felicia Blea-Rivera and David Murphy.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1429886/bernalillo-county-da-judges-file-for-election.html

NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE

All 112 of New Mexico’s legislative seats are on the ballot this year. The current breakdown in the New Mexico House of Representatives is 46 Democrats and 24 Republicans. The current breakdown in the New Mexico Senate is 26 Democrats and 16 Republicans.
A total of 9 of those seats will have new legislators because the incumbents have decided to retire or are running for another office. Many incumbent legislators who in the past have run without opposition have opponents this election year.

NM STATE SENATE RACES

Powerful Senate Democrats facing opposition in their primary include Democrat Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith of Deming, Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces, Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee Chairman Clemente Sanchez of Grants and Senate Finance Committee Vice Chairman George Muñoz of Gallup. These Senate Democrats are conservative leaning and side often with Republicans in a coalition to defeat progressive legislation and allocations.

Two Democratic senators appointed to fill a vacancy by county commissions will face primary challenges as they seek election to hold on to their seats. Senator Shannon Pinto of Tohatchi, Senate District 3, who succeeded her grandfather, John Pinto, after he past away last year, faces challenges from Democrats Dineh Benally of Shiprock and Shawn Nelson of Gamerco.

In Senate District 28, Senator Gabriel Ramos of Silver City will face Democrat Siah Correa Hemphill, also of Silver City

Republican Senator Fulfer is among the incumbents facing a challenge from within his own party. He was appointed by then Republican Governor “She Who Must Not Be Named” to the Senate in late 2018.

NM STATE HOUSE RACES

In House District 50, Representative Matthew McQueen of Galisteo is opposing Democrat Rebecca King Spindle, a rancher from Stanley and granddaughter of former Governor Bruce King.

In House District 65, Representative Derrick Lente of Sandia Pueblo is opposed by former State Representative James Roger Madalena of Jemez Pueblo in the Democratic primary.

Madalena is one of several ex-lawmakers seeking to return to the Legislature. The others include Republican Ricky Little of Chaparral and Democrats Shannon Robinson of Albuquerque and Ben Rodefer of Corrales.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s statewide stay-at-home order for non-essential workers runs through April 10 as a result of the Corona virus outbreak. Some states are already delaying their primaries because of the virus outbreak. It is more likely than not that the outbreak will continue beyond New Mexico’s June 2 primary with some medical experts saying the outbreak will continue through July.

Early voting scheduled to begin in 6 weeks and requires staffing voting sites in every county. If there is a large voter turnout, voting will be complicated with the “social distancing” of 6 feet being recommended to combat the spread of the corona virus. There is also no guarantee voters would even show up an result in a very low voter turnout. Then there is the problem with poll workers, many who are dedicated to the jobs and are over 60 years old and in the high-risk category for the virus. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver needs to seriously consider as a viable option conducting a statewide vote by mail primary. Hopefully by November, 2020, the pandemic crisis will be over and the general election can proceed as normal.

Unless of course our war time President decides to declare marshal law, cancel the election and appoint himself President for life. Don’t laugh too hard, it could happen with our “clown in chief”.

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POSTSCRIPT

The following article was published 8 hours after today’s blog article:

Clerks seek emergency court action for all-mail voting

BY DAN MCKAY / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Monday, March 30th, 2020 at 3:30pm

SANTA FE — More than two dozen of New Mexico’s county clerks asked the state Supreme Court on Monday for an emergency order that would allow them to move to a mail-in election for the June 2 primary.
The clerks said they otherwise face an impossible choice — putting voters’ and election workers’ lives at risk or violating their oath of office.

“The state of New Mexico faces a public health emergency unprecedented in modern times,” the clerks said in an their emergency petition, filed Monday.

An attorney for Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico’s chief election officer, also signed onto the petition.

The 27 clerks — mostly Democrats but also including five Republicans — argued that poll workers are scared to work and that election sites, such as schools, are already closed with no plans to re-open.

An immediate special legislative session to change election procedures isn’t practical amid the pandemic, the clerks argue, and they are beseeching the court for permission to hold the election by mail.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1438418/clerks-seek-emergency-court-action-for-all-mail-voting.html

It was reported on Friday, March 27, that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New Mexico is now at 191 with 55 more people testing positive. The a 40% increase in one day, though alarming, should not come as a surprise to anyone in that it coincides with increased testing throughout the state.

According to state officials, the number patients hospitalized increased by 4 and is now 17 with 6 of those hospitalized in intensive care or on ventilators to help them breathe. Twenty-seven of the new cases are in Bernalillo County. Most of New Mexico’s cases are connected to international or interstate travel. This prompted Governor Lujan Grisham to issue a two-week quarantine order for air travelers upon their arrival to the city.

On March 27, the New Mexico Department of Health release the following data:

Updated New Mexico COVID-19 cases: Now at 191
Mar 27, 2020 | Press Room

“SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Friday announced 55 additional positive tests for COVID-19.

The state Department of Health will update its dedicated COVID-19 webpage with additional tests as the state lab provides results.”

You can review future updates from the New Mexico Health Department at this link:

https://cv.nmhealth.org/2020/03/27/updated-new-mexico-covid-19-cases-now-at-191/?fbclid=IwAR3lANdlgJ5dAUklWsOo49R0ZS9vIJI1oC8C6BJwydjUEf_HW6TxPrO5O6Y

TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND FAMILY

Older adults and those with chronic illnesses are most at risk to contract the virus that could result in death from complications. Even healthy young people not worried about getting sick should take steps to protect themselves and others in that they could still carry the virus but not show signs of it. The strategy must be to limit the chance of transmitting the disease to persons who are more vulnerable.

Government officials urged people to protect themselves by:

Washing their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

Cleaning “high-touch” surfaces daily with regular household cleaners

When coughing, use a tissue or cough into the forearm of your elbow

Avoiding the sharing of personal household items

Stay at home when sick

Avoid large crowds and public events

Practice “social distancing” when talking to others in person by standing 6 feet away from them

Wear medical mask if available that seals around mouth and nose when out in public

Self-quarantine for 14 days if you can

Limit activities to grocery shopping, trips to gas station and medical appointment

On the evening of March 27, KOAT TV, Target 7, posted the follow story:

“Most people are locked inside their homes right now. But are criminals?

Early data suggests they are; however, local security companies suggest otherwise.

“The crime situation in Albuquerque is holding steady and actually down slightly,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said at his daily coronavirus response briefing. “Because more people are home, there are a lot of theories on this could be why crime is slightly down.”

Target 7 combed through arrest records to find out.

Since the governor’s first public health order March 12, there have been 51 fewer people arrested on felonies when compared to the same time last year. There is also a 6% drop in police reports filed this year. But some say they are seeing more crime despite what the data says.

“The number of car burglaries and business burglaries in the last 48 hours is completely off the chart,” said Peter Darrel Kindig, owner of Narrowgate Security Agency. “My phone is ringing off the hook.”
Kindig said businesses that are forced to close have been calling him, wanting his service and a new type of security system that alerts security officers in the field if there is suspicious motion.
When the system goes off, it alerts an officer in a car, video pops up, and the officer can activate red and blue lights and a siren and even talk to the person remotely.
“People now don’t want just an alarm that goes off after they are burglarized,” Kindig said. “They want something that alerts before the burglary takes place.”

https://www.koat.com/article/are-criminals-staying-home-too/31947490

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

It is truly amazing, and somewhat depressing, how everything we see and hear on the local, state and national news is all consuming and tied to the corona virus pandemic.\

In Albuquerque, it looks like it has taken a worldwide pandemic to get Albuquerque’s high crime rates down seeing as nothing else has worked for the last 8 years!

You gotta wonder if the the Mayor, the DA, the legislators and the courts will now lay the claim it was their plan all along to bring down the city’s high crime rates.