Loretta Naranjo Lopez Guest Opinion Column: Martineztown Is Not For Sale!; City Council Should Say “No” To Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan Zoning Increasing Higher Density Development In Martineztown Historic Single-Family Neighborhoods

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Pete Dinelli

Loretta Naranjo Lopez was born and raised in Albuquerque. She is a life-long resident of Albuquerque and 6th generation Martinez from Martineztown in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has a Master of Community and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. Ms. Naranjo Lopez was employed with the City of Albuquerque for 25 years of which 15 years was in the City Planning Department. She retired as a City Planner and worked as a staff planner. This position required the review and analysis of all area plans, neighborhood plans, sector plans, and resolutions and ordinances. Loretta is an activist and organizer for 35 years. Loretta formed ARCH + PLAN Land Use Consultants, LLC and she brings many years of relevant experience. She serves as the President of the Santa Barbara Martineztown Neighborhood Association (SBMTNA). Ms. Naranjo Lopez believes that the voices of neighborhoods should be heard and brought into decision making at the City Council level.

Following is a guest opinion column written by Loretta Naranjo Lopez who gave her consent to publish her guest opinion column on www.PeteDinelli.com. She was not compensated for the column. The guest column is being published as a public service announcement.

MARTINEZTOWN IS NOT FOR SALE!

In the 1970s, the City of Albuquerque had the goal to expand downtown into the historic Martineztown Santa Barbara Neighborhood. At that time, Martineztown residents united and told the city “Martineztown is Not for Sale.”

Today, Martineztown residents need to be united not only in the neighborhood, but with all of Albuquerque neighborhoods. The record indicates that the City of Albuquerque, City Councilor Joaquin Baca, Mortgage Finance Authority and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District are on a fast track to destroy all of our historic neighborhoods. The City proposes to change the zoning laws to allow higher density in the historic single-family neighborhoods. A building over 30-feet can be built next to your home without any notification.

In December 19, 2024, Santa Barbara Martineztown Neighborhood Association (SBMTNA) attended the Albuquerque Development Commission hearing to stop the City of Albuquerque Development Commission under the Metropolitan Redevelopment Office from placing the 101 Lomas NE and 229 Broadway NE in the Downtown 2050 MRA Redevelopment Plan Area. The committee listened to the association and did not include these parcels in approving Case #24-10 – Downtown 2050 Redevelopment Plan.

However, Councilor Joaquin Baca decided to make an amendment at the April 7, 2025 to include 101 Lomas NE and 229 Broadway NE parcels in the Downtown MR Area Boundary. He did this without informing the neighborhood of his intent. He possibly violated the Open Meetings Act of which I filed a complaint with the Department of Justice. His policy analyst never called the association to attend this meeting. On Monday, April 21, 2025 before the full City Council Action to approve the Downtown MR Area Boundary with this amendment, I asked Councilor Baca why he didn’t inform the neighborhood? “He stated to me he didn’t have to inform the neighborhood and that Martineztown Santa Barbara Neighborhood would be last to receive any capital outlay money.”

On Wednesday September 24, 2025 the City Council Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee (LUPZ) will for a second time vote to approve the Downtown 2050 Albuquerque Redevelopment Plan. This plan includes the Martineztown Santa Barbara Metropolitan Redevelopment Area of 101 Lomas NE and 229 Broadway NE. Please email all Councilors and say no to not include the Martineztown parcels of 101 Lomas NE and 229 Broadway NE in the Downtown MRA boundaries and neighborhood boundary. Martineztown Santa Barbara is an adjacent historical neighborhood to Downtown and these MRA economic funds should not be taken out of the neighborhood.

If you thought that Martineztown Santa Barbara neighborhood could not get any more bad news, you are wrong. The City Council staff Matthew Cox has proposed to remove from the Martineztown Santa Barbara boundary 229 Broadway NE into the Downtown boundary to give total control of this property to Mayor Keller who plans to give away tax dollars from the Downtown MRA Fund from this property to a developer. The reason City Council is amending the Martineztown Santa Barbara is to downzone the property from nonresidential to mixed use. Mayor Keller’s developer friends potentially want to build a high-rise complex at this location. The City of Albuquerque with the support of Councilor Baca wants to control how this vacant lot can be built. The proposal as we understand is without any input from the Martineztown neighborhood.

Mayor Keller, Councilor Baca and MRCOG, NMFA plan to give MFA funding and Metropolitan Redevelopment funding to developers. These government representatives plan to remove what they call obstacles such as removing land use and regulatory barriers. These government entities call this “site ready properties.”

The Middle Rio Grande Council of Government (MRCOG) recommends to amend zoning regulations to prohibit single-family-only developments and allow for higher-density and mixed-use developments and adjust zoning laws to allow for higher-density rental developments in areas currently zoned predominantly for single-family homes. New Mexico Finance Authority is a quasi-government entity is also stating that they will provide funding if the land is ready to develop without any government interference such as applying for a zone map amendment.

MRCOG is stating they would like to combat resistance to development. It is recommended to encourage a mix of housing options. MRCOG is also recommending a regional inventory of government-owned vacant land. This inventory would help identify publicly owned land that can be utilized to support affordable housing initiatives and maximize public benefit. The question neighborhood leaders have who is this affordable housing for and what kind of public benefit? Do these initiatives provide an equal portion of diverse income from middle income to low income?

According to the Housing and Neighborhood Economic Development Fund (HNDEF) 2022 Report states on page 16, “high rents, lower vacancies, and increasing demand for new real estate development characterize the office, industrial, retail, and multifamily rental markets since 2002 and suggest that while the real estate market in the Pocket is growing, these conditions have not improved local residents’ economic prospects. The Impacts of current Albuquerque planning Initiatives – These pressures will only intensify as there are many new development projects in the pipeline that will impact the local real estate market, drive demand upward, and potentially place increasing costs pressures on low-income households and local businesses. While these new developments are exciting for Albuquerque residents, they may create inhospitable economic conditions that produce neighborhood displacement of residents and small businesses and overall gentrification. These projects include but are not limited to – the rail trail and Greater Downtown Urban Trail projects, railyards redevelopment and proposed stadium for the New Mexico United professional soccer team.”

On September 9, 2025, Santa Barbara Martineztown Neighborhood Association met with City Council staff to ask what the City is proposing to develop at 229 Broadway NE vacant land. Matthew Cox stated they do not know what they are planning to build. He forgot to state that the City and the other government entities have plans to destroy historical neighborhoods without any input from the community. According to Council staff, there will be no environmental studies or economic impact studies and the reason to take out these properties out of the neighborhood boundary is so the Martineztown Santa Barbara Neighborhood will have no input in the development.

Join Envision ABQ group on Facebook to stop the City Mayor, City Council, and the Legislatures from destroying our communities for the sake of displacing our neighborhoods to provide a playground for the rich investors, developers, and their friends. Envision believes that housing is a right not a commodity and housing is an essential foundational social policy.

Please contact your city councilor and voice your opinion and tell them not to include Martineztown in the Downtown 2050 Redevelopment Plan.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely yours,

Loretta Naranjo Lopez, MCRP, BBA, ALA

PLEASE CONTACT CITY COUNCIL

On Wednesday September 24, 2025 the City Council Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee (LUPZ) will meet for a second time to vote to approve the Downtown 2050 Albuquerque Redevelopment Plan.Please contact city councilors and voice your opinion. The City Council phone number and email addresses to the councilors and their council services assistant are:

CITY COUNCIL PHONE: (505) 768-3100

CITY COUNCIL AND COUNCIL ANALYST EMAILS

DINELLI COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

All neighborhood associations in Albuquerque should be very concerned about the efforts being made to increase higher density development in historic Martineztown’s single-family neighborhoods by enactment and use of Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan zoning. It’s an effort all neighborhood associations and the entire city has seen before but rejected by the City Council’s Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee.

The effort is nothing more than an another version of Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed R 25-167 ordinance to create a voluntary rezoning process that would let property owners switch to higher-density zoning if they want to build more housing on their residential properties. It would have allowed duplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods to increase density over objections of adjoining property owners and neighborhood associations.

Supporters of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan zoning changes that include Martineztown suggest the rezoning will increase affordable housing in the area. It will not. It’s a “Field of Dreams” zoning philosophy of “if we rezone it, they will build it,” ignoring adjacent property owner rights, favoring developers and investors.

The proposed zoning changes to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan involving Martinez town favors developers and investors and will destroy the character of the historic Martineztown and lead to gentrification. It will be developers and investors on the prowl who will purchase property for the development of duplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods.

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POSTSCRIPT

Article References:

Albuquerque Affordable Housing Coalition website:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J0XyLrhORQ68CMdaad4Kjinq4tgBZ00c/view

MRCOG, MRMPO – https://albuquerqueaffordablehousingcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025_Presentation_AAHC_Fnl.pdf

HNEDF 2022 Report, https://www.cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness/documents/2022-hnedf-plan-final.pdf

Broken City, Author Patrick M. Condon

Four Incumbent City Councilors Publicly Financed Still Flush With Money As Privately Financed Candidates Scramble To Raise Money To Compete; Notable Exception: Democrat Athenea Allen Privately Raises $56,398.25 To Republican Dan Lewis Public Finance Of $55,065.10

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Pete Dinelli

Albuquerque voters will have five City Council contests to decide in the city’s November 4 election. The city council’s odd-numbered districts of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will all be on the ballot. District 1 is an open seat with 4 running for the seat while the incumbent Democrat has given up his seat to run for Mayor. There are a total of 13 candidates running for city council. The link to a related blog article containing the biographies of all the 13 city council candidates is in the postscript below.

Publicly financed candidates receive campaign financing of $1.25 per registered voter in their districts. In exchange for getting the public financing, public finance candidates must agree in writing to a spending cap equal to what they are given in public financing from the city. Privately financed candidates can raise and spend unlimited amounts with no spending caps.

In City Council District 1 where there is no incumbent, two candidates have qualified for Public Finance and 2 candidates are Privately Financed candidate. The 4 incumbent City Councilors in Districts 3, 5, 7 and 9 have qualified for public financing and all their opponents are privately financed candidates.

On September 8, all the candidates running for City Council were required to file with the City Clerk their sixth City Council Financial Campaign Disclosure Statement on all contributions and expenditures covering the time period of August 11 to September 8. Following is a summary review of those reports:

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1

District 1 City Council District is currently represented by first term Democrat City Councilor Louie Sanchez who did not seek reelection and who is one of 7 candidates running for Mayor. City Council District 1 is the centrally located Westside District between City Council District 5 on the North represented by Republican Dan Lewis and City Council District 3 on the South represented by Democrat Klarissa Peña. The geographical borders generally include Central Avenue on the South, Coors and the Rio Grande River on the East and “zig zags” on the North to include Atrisco Dr., Tesuque Dr. and Buterfield Trail and with the West border jetting outwards to the city limits and vacant land.

The number of qualifying $5.00 contributions to secure public finance in District 1 was 450. The amount of public finance given to candidates by the city and the spending cap for District 1 is $55,643.15. Two candidates running District 1 have qualified for public finance and two are privately financed candidates.

Democrat Aheren Grego qualified for Publicly Financing and was given $55,643.15. Griego has raised $56,253.15 when you include “seed money” donated and in-kind contributions. Griego has spent $2,140.44 and has $54,112.71 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/5M8qAm9nvc1iNlNn7hSvY5P4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33901/2/2025

Democrat Daniel Leiva qualified for Publicly Financing and was given $55,643 by the city. Levia has raised $56,258.05 when you include “seed money” and in-kind donations and he has spent $12,465.52 spent and has $43,792.53 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/zyojYr0lUliE8tfKEUclXApRrh19RviUIoO4CmCWDAE1/3/33901/2/2025

Joshua Neal is Privately Financed. Neal has raised $22,363.47, he has spent $9,828.77 and has $12,534.70 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/uKfPdrImXBXwI7n_xOY1LZP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33901/2/2025

Democrat Stephanie Telles is Privately Financed. Telles has raised $7,065, has spent $7,024.01 and has $40.99 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/1U9PrsbCQ8J4WXtzks_mc5P4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33901/2/2025

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3

Three candidates are running to represent Southwest Albuquerque’s District 3. The district is considered safe democrat. The geographic borders are generally “Old Coors Road” on the East and the Valley area, Central on the North, and Dennis Chavez Road on the South, with the West side border jetting out to the city limits and mostly vacant area.

The number of qualifying $5.00 contributions to secure public finance in District 3 was 335. The amount of public finance given to candidates by the city and the spending cap for District 3 is $36,645.60.

Democrat Incumbent City Councilor Klarissa Peña qualified for Public Financing and was given $36,645.60. Peña has raised $41,835.60 when you include “seed money” raised and in-kind donations raised, she has spent $8,409.59 and has $33,426.01 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/7KXNAAL9bShpFbJ-BIcQqZP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33903/2/2025

Democrat Christopher Sedillo is Privately Financed. Sedillo has raised $14,489.00, he has spent $8,445.98 and has $6,023.02 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/-7BcMI-cZgYSUjBLiqH03JP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33903/2/2025

Democrat Teresa Garcia is Privately Financed. Garcia has raised $5,061, she has spent $1,745.50 and she has $3,315.50 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/XeWKa9cv4TQvdg8Mebl7A5P4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33903/2/2025

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5

District 5 is the city’s northwest quadrant council district in the northwest corner of the city and west of the river. The incumbent city councilor for District 5 is Incumbent MAGA Republican City Councilor Dan Lewis. He is being challenged by Democrat Athena Allen.

The number of qualifying $5.00 contributions to secure public finance in District 5 was 446 and the amount of public financing is $55,065.10.

MAGA Republican Incumbent City Councillor Dan Lewis qualified for Public Finance and was give $55,065.10. Lewis raised $55,815.10 when “seed money” and in-kind donations are included, has spent $5,944.36 spent and he has $49,870.74 on hand

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/O8OZdW5MbjwqGk-fhbrrnApRrh19RviUIoO4CmCWDAE1/3/33905/2/2025

Athenea Allen is a Privately Financed candidate. Allen has raised $56,398.25 in private donations, she has spent $10,322.61 and has $45,975.64 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/Kx_Xqqm_PsS71XbLqlMr55P4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33905/2/2025

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 7

District 7 is the mid heights city council district currently represented by first term Progressive Democrat City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. The district includes the uptown retail business district including the Commons, Winrock and Coronado Shopping Center. The District boundaries are generally Montgomery Boulevard on the North, I-25 on the West, Lomas on the South and Eubank on the East.

The number of qualifying $5.00 contributions to secure public finance in District 7 was 466. The amount of public finance given to candidates by the city and the spending cap for District 7 is $57,251.85.

Incumbent Progressive Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn qualified for publicly Finance and was given $57,251.85 by the city. Fiebelkorn raised $58,131.85 when “seed money” and in-kind donations are included. Fiebelkorn has spent $21,968.17 and she has $36,163.68 on hand

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/d0ks4Ry68xmiMxWOWD_h-wpRrh19RviUIoO4CmCWDAE1/3/33907/2/2025

Democrat Jaemes Shanley has qualified to be a Write-in candidate and he is Privately Financed. Shanley has raised $401, he has spent $71.73 and he has $329.27 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/88cRtfKnOFz0sQefba3OcJP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33907/2/2025

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9

City Council District 9 is often referred to as the Four Hills area city council district and is currently represented by first term MAGA Republican City Councilor Renee Grout who is seeking a second term. District 9 is very condensed and is considered safe Republican. The Northern border is Menaul, the West border is Eubank, the Southern border is Dennis Ave, SE and the East border is the Sandia foothills federal land.

The number of qualifying $5.00 contributions to secure public finance in District 9 was 416 and the amount of public finance given to candidates by the city and the spending cap for District 9 is $51,375.40

MAGA Republican Incumbent City Councillor Renée Grout qualified for Public Finance and was give $51,375.40 by the city. Grout raised $51,925.55 when you include “seed money” and in-kind donations. Grout has spent $1,479.50 and she has $50,446.05 on hand.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/-UCyAFuXuHHfz0MF2d4hvpP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33909/2/2025

Democrat Colton Newman is a Privately Financed candidate. Newman has raised $1,134.41 raised, he has spent $63.51 and he has $1,070.90 cash on hand

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/XYpIYV1vLVYCYvRDjlDOmZP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/3/33909/2/2025

Recent candidate forums have focused on crime, homelessness, housing shortages and economic development, with business leaders pressing candidates on their approaches to these challenges and their willingness to work collaboratively with the Mayor.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

It is clear from reviewing all the campaign finance reports filed by the candidates for city council, 3 out of 4 incumbent city councilors who are Public Financed candidates have a lopsided financial advantage over their Privately Financed candidates. The fact that all 4 incumbent city councilors on the ballot qualified for public finance is a testament of the power of their incumbency.

The only exception is in City Council District 5 where Republican Incumbent City Councilor Dan Lewis qualified for Public Finance and was give $55,065.10 and he has raised $55,815.10 when “seed money” and in kind donations are included. His Democratic opponent Athenea Allen is a Privately Financed candidate and has raised $56,398.25 in private donations and she will likely raise more and will out spend Lewis. It’s impressive that Democrat Athenea Allen has out raised three time elected Republican City Council Councilor Dan Lewis and its a clear indication that the race is the most competitive city council race and that Allen has the momentum to win.

The two Publicly Finance candidates in District 1, Aheren Grego and Daniel Leiva were each given $55,643.15 in public finance. Privately Finance Opponent Joshua Neal has raised $22,363.47 and Privately Finance Opponent Stephanie Telles has raised $7,065.

With seven weeks remaining before the November 4 election, voters can expect that in all 5 city council races a spike in “door to door” campaigning by the candidates and political campaign mailers will be sent out.

Early voting begins October 8. The next campaign finance reporting deadline is October 13. Election Day is November 4. If no candidate receives more than 50% of votes in any contested race, runoff elections would be held in December.

Links to relied upon or related articles are here:

Ballot Set For 2025 City Council Elections; Final Outcome Of 5 Races Will Impact Balance Of Power On 9 Member City Council Between Existing 4 MAGA Republicans, 3 Progressive Democrats And 2 Conservative or Moderate Democrats; Jaemes Shanley To Oppose Tammy Feibelkorn

https://www.abqjournal.com/article_ee3a2715-893f-438b-9bb8-d10fe58491be.html

Thanks to public financing, council candidates still have hundreds of thousands to spend

District Court Orders City Council Candidates Stephanie Telles, District 1, And Teresa Garcia, District 3, To Remain On Ballot After Attempt to Disqualify Them By Third Parties; City Clerk Was Derelict Not To File Against County Clerk To Enforce City Election Laws

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Pete Dinelli

On September 2, two months before the November 4 municipal election where voters will be voting on the offices of Mayor and City Council in Districts 1,3,5,7 and 9, two separate lawsuits were filed by third parties against two candidates for Albuquerque City Council with the goal of having them kick off the ballot for their failure to submit the required 500 qualifying nominating petition signatures. One lawsuit was filed against Stephanie Telles in City Council District 1. The second lawsuit was against Teresa Garcia in City Council District 3.

In addition to Telles and Garcia, Bernalillo County Clerk Michelle Kavanaugh was named as a defendant in both cases. City Clerk Ethan Watson was not named as a necessary and proper party defendant but the City intervened in the case for the purposes of an emergency hearing. Both lawsuits were filed by private attorney and former State Senator Jacob Candelaria and Senator Antonio “Moe” Maestas with the Candelaria Law firm LLC in the 2nd Judicial District Court on behalf of two Plaintiff registered voters who live in District 1 and one Plaintiff registered voter who lives in District 3.

Both lawsuits are straight forward challenges to the validity of the signatures collected and contend that several of the signatures accepted by the City Clerk’s Office were invalid for a variety of reasons, including being collected after the city deadline. Other reasons included being incomplete, duplicative signatures, signatures from people who are not registered to vote in the district. A person identified in the lawsuits as Nathaniel Sierra, a private investigator contracted by Candelaria Law firm, allegedly examined the petition signatures to determine validity.

EXPEDITED HEARING

The lawsuit filed against Stephanie Telles alleged she failed to qualify in a four-way race for the open District 1 city council seat where City Councilor Louie Sanchez is vacating the post to run for mayor. The four candidates running are Ahren Griego, Daniel Leiva, Joshua Taylor Neal and Stephanie Telles. Candidates Ahren Griego, Daniel Leiva, Joshua Taylor Neal were found by the City Clerk to have submitted the required 500 qualifying signatures.

The lawsuit filed alleges Telles submitted 581 signatures, but the City Clerk’s Office accepted only 493 as valid, leaving Telles 7 signatures short to qualify for the ballot. Telles appealed her disqualification to the City Clerk, but the city clerk denied her appeal.

Notwithstanding the Albuquerque City Clerk’s finding that Telles failed to submit the required number of verified petition signatures, Stephanie Telles filed her Declaration of Candidacy with the Bernalillo County Clerk. On August 28, 2025, Bernalillo County Clerk Michelle S. Kavenaugh notified Stephanie Telles by letter that the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office qualified her Declaration of Candidacy.

On September 12, Second Judicial District Court Josh Allison scheduled expedited emergency hearings on both cases that had been assigned to him. Testimony was taken in the Telles case on the validity and challenges to individual petition signatures. The deciding issue centered on whether nominating petition signatures are valid if they are collected after the city’s July 7 deadline but prior to an August 26 deadline set by the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office. David Ring, the attorney for Stephanie Telles argued in a Motion to Dismiss the case that state election law gives candidates 70 days, until August 26, to submit nominating petition signatures. Ring alleged this in the motion:

“[The city’s July 7 deadline] amounts to an unlawful attempt to abridge state law. It limits the right of voters to participate in the candidate nomination process and of candidates to run for office.”

Judge Allison dismissed the suit against Telles after finding that signatures she submitted after the city’s July 7 were valid under state election laws. David Ring, Telles’ attorney said this:

“Ms. Telles made it by three signatures — she got 503.”

Following Allison’s ruling in the Telles case, Candelaria and Maestas voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit against Garcia, who also submitted signatures collected after the July 7 city deadline. The lawsuit alleged Teresa Garcia turned in six-hundred and ninety nine (699) signatures to the City Clerk but the City Clerk identified and rejected one-hundred, sixty-nine (169) signatures as invalid. Of the five-hundred thirty (530) signatures accepted as valid by the city clerk, the complaint alleges Teresa Garcia had collected signatures after the city’s July 7 deadline to collect signatures and in the weeks leading up the August 26 declaration filing date, well over the legal deadline allowed by the city.

At the conclusion of the September 12 the hearing District Court Judge Allison ruled in favor of both Telles and Garcia and ordered that they both remain on the ballot. Candelaria said he had planned to appeal the ruling to the New Mexico Supreme Court but said this:

“The ballot has to be sent to the printer today. … As a practical matter, any appeal to the Supreme Court will not result in these candidates being removed from the ballot.”

The link to the quoted or relied upon news source is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_2c1d9eb8-cda6-4af2-b2f9-97a65105ee0b.html#tncms-source=home-featured-7-block

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The Local Election Act (LEA) was passed by the New Mexico Legislature in 2018. It allows for consolidated local elections in nonpartisan municipal elections to be conducted every November of the odd-numbers years with the county clerk to administer the elections. The city’s November 4 election for Mayor and City Council will be conducted and administered by the Bernalillo County Clerk. For that reason, all candidates for City Council were required to file Declarations of Candidacies with the Bernalillo County Clerk as well as 500 verified petition signatures collected on August 26, 2025.

The link to the City Charter and Local Elections act is here:

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/albuquerque/latest/albuqcharter/0-0-0-131

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-1/article-22/section-1-22-3/

A “Declaration for Candidacy” for Albuquerque City Council along with the requisite signatures on nominating petitions were required to be filed with the Bernalillo County Clerk on August 26, 2025, and not the City Clerk, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. (City Election Code § 1-22-7(A))

https://www.City.gov/vote/candidate-information/candidate-calendar-for-the-2 025-regular-local-election

The biggest problem identified with both challenges to the candidacies of Stephanie Telles and Teresa Garcia is that there is no clarity under the law and no memo of understanding agreed to between the City Clerk and the Bernalillo County Clerk as to who has the ultimate authority between the Albuquerque City Clerk and the Bernalillo County Clerk to decide the validity nominating signatures submitted nor the time frame to collect signatures.

Article 2, Section 4, of the City of Albuquerque Charter dealing with Elections outlines the qualifications to run for Albuquerque City Council and states in part:

“Persons desiring to become candidates for District Councilor shall, before being placed on the ballot, file with the City Clerk a petition containing signatures of five hundred (500) registered voters residing in the district which the person desires to represent.”

It is clear that all candidates for City Council are required to gather 500 verified nominating petition signatures from registered voters within the city council district the candidate wishes to represent. The problem was the City Clerk decreed that nominating petition collection period was from June 2, 2025, at 8:00am to July 7, 2025, at 5:00pm ignoring state law that the Declarations of Candidacies and submission of signatures to the County Clerk was to occur on August 26 giving candidates more time to collect nominating petition signatures.

Under New Mexico State Law, “A signature shall be counted on a nominating petition unless there is evidence presented that the petition is not a voter of the state, district, county or area to be represented by the office for which the person seeking the nomination is a candidate.” Further, “A signature shall be counted on a nominating petition unless there is evidence presented that the petition signature has signed more than one petition for the same office.” [§ 1-1-7.2(C)(1) NMSA], § 1-1-7.2(C)(2) NMSA]

Ultimately, State District Court Judge Allison was forced to decide that the County Clerk has the ultimate authority to decide who makes the ballot, the verification of nominating petition signatures and that State Law supersedes City election laws.

Notwithstanding, the City Clerk’s failure to initiate an action against the County Clerk to prevent Stephanie Telles and Teresa Garcia being placed on the ballot in order to enforce the City’s own election laws was a dereliction of duty on the City Clerk’s part.

ABQ De Facto Statewide Hub For Homeless Services Thanks To Mayor Tim Keller’s 5 Integrated Gateway Homeless Shelters; Staggering Amount Of Money Being Spent To Help So Few With Many Refusing Services; An Unsustainable Black Hole Of Expenditures

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Pete Dinelli

For the last 8 years, Mayor Tim Keller has taken an aggressive approach to trying to address homelessness, behavioral health, and addiction treatment. Over the past four years, the Keller Administration has taken steps to build a network of support shelters for the unhoused called the Gateway Network System. The City is providing shelter and services to more than 1,000 men, women, and children nightly through the Gateway Network, with more programs and services coming online this year.

The Gateway Network consists of 5 shelters costing a staggering $300 Million dollars spent over the last 4 years to assist upwards of 3,000 to 5,000 unhoused. The City has become the statewide de facto provider of services to the homeless for all communities in New Mexico. The problem is that the City and the State’s unhoused numbers are getting worse and not better after spending millions.

STATE DEDICATES FUNDING

During the 2024 and the 2025 legislative sessions, the New Mexico Legislature dedicated more than $300 million to various housing-related measures to different agencies, including revolving loans for builders, down-payment assistance and anti-homelessness programs. The figure includes $140 million lawmakers approved this session.

The Legislature specifically earmarked $110 million in this year’s $10.8 billion budget bill for homelessness assistance programs and affordable housing statewide. That came after lawmakers appropriated more than $20 million for such programs in the previous year. $83 Million of the $140 Million lawmakers approved in the 2025 legislative session is earmarked for projects in the Albuquerque area for the unhoused and housing.

On August 26, City, Bernalillo County and State Officials held a press conference to announce that $60 million of the $80 million will be allocated for homelessness and housing projects in Albuquerque. The $80 Million will be dedicated to trying to get 1,000 unhoused people off the streets by July, 2026.

The roughly $80 million will fund 10 projects in Albuquerque, including seven affordable housing developments and expansions to homelessness facilities and programs. Of the millions in funding, 23% will benefit homelessness projects, including prevention, and 77% will go toward housing.

CITY COUNCIL APPROPRIATES MILLIONS FOR SERVICE CONTRACTS

On September 3, the Albuquerque City Council approved two contracts for women’s and men’s services each worth $3.6 million a year on a 7-2 vote with Republican City Councilor Dan Champine and Democrat City Councilor Louie Sanchez voting no. A separate $2.3 million contract to open a 41-bed shelter for young adults won unanimous support.

The approval to spend the million in funds was given reluctantly by some councilors who have called the Gateway system inefficient. Council President Brook Bassan of District 4 in northern Albuquerque said this:

“I am not a fan of the Gateways, but we have them, so let’s make them work, …The state wants to give us money. I really hope that we put it to good use and that we actually truly help people in need.”

SHELTER BEDS AVAILABLE

The last time the Gateway System of shelters was expanded was in 2023 when the first 50 women’s shelter beds opened at the Housing Navigation Center. The approved contract funding will be used to add 141 more beds to the Gateway system of 5 homeless shelters. According to the city there are currently 1,176 shelter beds in Albuquerque, 807 of which are at Gateway shelters. The new contracts will boost bed capacity for both women and men. The young adult shelter will convert a former hotel into housing for 18 to 25-year-olds, many of whom aged out of foster care. The 140 new shelter beds will serve a population of 2,740 homeless residents that includes people sent from communities across the state.

$3.6 million in funding will be used for operating the Housing Navigation Shelter at the Gateway Center at Gibson and San Mateo SE. Most of the funds will go to staffing, which includes intake specialists, housing support specialists, community outreach personnel and shuttle bus drivers. The funds will also pay for contracted services like security and cleaning, as well as physical supplies.

According to government officials, in Bernalillo County many of the people living on the streets are young, including an estimated 1,200 to 2,300 people between the ages of 15 and 25, according to a 2022 needs assessment. Many of those young people are fleeing domestic violence at home or have aged out of the foster care system, according to the assessment.

The City Council also unanimously approved a $2.3 million operating contract with Youth Development Inc., the operator of a young adult housing program that will house 41 people aged 18-25 who are experiencing homelessness. YDI currently runs the city’s Gateway Family shelter. Gateway Young Adult Shelter will be located at the former La Quinta hotel at San Mateo and Cutler that is currently being renovated. The per-bed operation cost for the youth shelter is more than $56,000.

The expanded shelters will offer case management as well as treatment for mental health and addiction, with the ultimate goal of transitioning people into more stable living situations. The new beds are expected to be made available in the coming months after the operators recruit and train staff.

The City Council delayed a separate $21.8 million state funding package until September 15. The new funding carries strict oversight rules by the state. City rules require two hearings for funding.

Health, Housing and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez said this of the funding:

“Through this vital funding, we can connect more people to life-changing treatment and services. … Thank you to the state for injecting funding into programming that offers safe, dignified spaces where people can begin their journey to stability.”

CONTRACT DEFERRED BY CITY COUNCIL

On September 3, the City Council deferred $21.8 million in state funding until September 15 (Resolution R-25-188). It was Republican Council President Brook Bassan who moved to defer the measure, noting that appropriation bills require two public hearings under city rules. The delay gives the public more time to review the accountability measures before the September 15 vote.

The measure comes with oversight requirements that Republican City Councilor Dan Lewis called “unusual” and evidence of the state’s “lack of confidence” in city performance. The funding agreement requires weekly reports starting two weeks after approval, monthly payment requests with detailed documentation and operational plans for all funded programs. The city must also submit sustainability plans by December to show how services will continue when state money runs out.

City Council Dan Lewis said this of the extensive reporting requirements:

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this. … My only assumption is that the governor, this cabinet secretary, are probably not real confident that this money is going to be used wisely if there weren’t a pretty heavy amount of requirements attached to it.”

State officials have pushed for the monitoring to ensure Albuquerque’s homeless programs are effective before approving more funding.

Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel said the city can meet the state’s demands. She said the administration “worked carefully” with state officials and “feel absolutely confident that we can report this information.”

The two city council approved Gateway contracts fund $9.17 million in annual operations, $3.6 million each for expanded men’s and women’s services and nearly $2 million for a new young adult shelter. If approved, the deferred R-25-188 would provide an additional $13.5 million for operations and $8.3 million for capital improvements and property acquisition.

Since buying the Gateway Center in 2019 for $15 million, which is the former Lovelace Hospital and Medical center on Gibson, the city has spent at least $70 million and counting to remodel the facility for a 24-7 shelter that also provides other counseling and medical services. The facility is riddled with asbestos which spiked the remodeling costs and delayed the opening of the facility by a year.

Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_42aba680-62c4-4228-95a2-da72df1a34e1.html

https://citydesk.org/2025/09/10/albuquerque-becomes-new-mexicos-homeless-hub-as-gateway-contracts-add-100-beds/?mc_cid=b9e7b25ad7&mc_eid=001367acf1

CITY IS DE FACTO HOMELESS SERVICE HUB TO COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT STATE

On September 3, after voting to approve the contracts, Democrat City Councilor Joaquín Baca said this:

“It’s really well known at this point. A lot of the small towns send their unhoused populations here; we have the services they don’t. …. I think we should get annual appropriations from the state, [because] we’re helping them. How much? That’s an open question. … We should get annual appropriations from the state like they should be. We’re helping them, right?”

The financial strain of serving as the state’s homeless service hub is drawing attention from state lawmakers. In a May 30 letter to Mayor Tim Keller, State Rep. Nicole Chavez (R-Albuquerque) said the city receives a disproportionate share of state homeless funding because of “the concentration of need in the city.”

Representative Chavez noted that the New Mexico legislature allocated nearly $25 million for homeless initiatives this fiscal year, with $19.7 million for statewide programs and $5 million for local projects. “It is reasonable to assume a significant portion will be directed towards Albuquerque” she wrote.

Chavez also raised concern that “despite these substantial investments … the number of individuals living on the streets in Albuquerque continues to rise” and she requested a detailed accounting of the city’s homeless programs.

CITY AND STATE UNHOUSED NUMBERS

The Point-In-Time (PIT) count is the annual process of identifying and counting individuals and families experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness within a community on a single night in January, as defined by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD). HUD requires any community receiving funding from Federal homeless assistance grants to conduct the biennial counts.

The 2024 Point In Time Survey provides a comprehensive breakdown of the unhoused in Albuquerque and in the balance of the state. The link to review the entire 62 page 2024 PIT report is here:

Click to access ad7ad8_4e2a2906787e4ca19853b9c7945a4dc9.pdf

ALBUQUERQUE UNSHELTERED DATA BREAKDOWN

The 2024 Point In Time raw data breakdown of Albuquerque’s homeless is as follows:

HOUSEHOLDS COUNTED IN ALBUQUERQUE

The total count of HOUSEHOLDS experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque on January 29, 2024 was 2,248. (Households include those with or without children or only children.) The breakdown is as follows:

Emergency Shelters: 1,018
Transitional Housing: 174
Unsheltered: 1,056

TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS: 2,248

PERSONS COUNTED IN ALBUQUERQUE

The total count of PERSONS experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque on was 2,740 broken down in 3 categories.

Emergency Shelters: 1,289
Transitional Housing: 220
Unsheltered: 1,231

TOTAL PERSONS: 2,740

ALBUQUERQUE’S 2009 TO 2024 STATISTICS

Total number of PEOPLE counted during the Albuquerque Point-in-Time counts from 2009 to 2024 to establish a graphic trend line for the period are as follows:

2009: 2,002
2011: 1,639
2013: 1,171
2015: 1,287
2017: 1,318
2019: 1,524
2021: 1,567
2022: 1,311
2023: 2,394
2024: 2,740

The 2024 Point In Time homeless survey found an 18% increase in Albuquerque’s homeless numbers. The PIT survey identified 2,740 people experiencing homelessness, including 1,231 on the streets, 1,289 in emergency shelters and 220 in transitional housing. The HHH Department’s fiscal year 2026 budget performance measures report emergency unsheltered as 6,103 in 2023, 7,420 in 2024, 7,257 targeted in 2025 and 8,439 targeted in 2026.

BALANCE OF STATE UNSHELTERED DATA BREAKDOWN

The 2024 PIT survey provides the estimated number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the Balance of State. (Households include those with or without children or only children.)

HOUSEHOLDS COUNTED IN BALANCE OF THE STATE

The total count of HOUSEHOLDS experiencing homelessness in the Balance of State on January 29, 2024 was 1,547 broken down as follows:

Emergency Shelters: 587
Transitional Housing: 76
Unsheltered: 884

TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS: 1,547

INDIVIDUALS COUNTED IN BALANCE OF STATE

The total count of PERSONS experiencing homelessness in the Balance of the State on January 29, 2024, was 1,909 broken down as follows:

Emergency Shelters: 746
Transitional Housing: 156
Unsheltered: 1,011

TOTAL PERSONS: 1,909

BALANCE OF THE STATE 2009 TO 2023 STATISTICS

Following are the number of unsheltered people counted in the BALANCE OF THE STATE for the odd number years 2009-2023 and 2024 to establish a graphic trend line:

2009: 1,473
2011: 1,962
2013: 1,648
2015: 1,342
2017: 1,164
2019: 1,717
2021: 1,180
2022: 1,283
2023: 1,448
2024: 1,907

GATEWAY NETWORK OF FIVE SHELTERS

Mayor Tim Keller and the City of Albuquerque have created what is called the Gateway Network of support for people struggling with homelessness and addiction. The network consists of the following:

Gateway Center– Campus providing medical, behavioral, and social services including overnight beds, first responder intake, medical sobering and respite.
Gateway West – Safe, supportive 660-bed facility for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering specialized resources and case management. (Annual Impact: 5,700 Individuals. Open 24/7 Since 2019)
Gateway Family – Supportive housing center for families with overnight beds, meals, and case management to help achieve stable housing. (Annual Impact: 987 Individuals Open Since 2020.
Gateway Recovery– 50-resident micro-community offering low-barrier beds, recovery services, and support for 18 – 24 months. Annual projected Impact: 50 – 100. Opening Early 2025
Gateway Young Adult – Housing and support for young adults ages 15-25 experiencing homelessness, tailored to their unique needs. (Annual projected Impact: 120 Individuals. Opening Late 2025.)

The Gateway Center Houses Critical Services And Seven Tenants.

The services provided are:

First Responder Receiving Area – 20 people/night
Medical Sobering Center – 50 people/night
Medical Respite Center – 50 people/night
Women’s Navigation Center – 50 people/night plus additional 50 coming on line
Men’s Navigation Center – 92 people/night with the beds coming on line
Engagement Center – providing connection/access services to more than 1,000 people per year

The Tenants are:

Turquoise Lodge Behavioral Hospital
Haven Behavioral Hospital
Ideal Option Substance Use Disorder Treatment
AMG Hospital
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Vizionz-Sankofa Resource Center
Albuquerque Community Safety – Trauma Recovery Center

The two biggest shelters are the Gibson Gateway and the Gateway West. The Loveless Gibson Medical Center was purchased for $15 million, and the city has spent upwards of $90 million to renovate it. Gateway West provides 450 beds and Gibson Gateway when remodeling is completed is intended to assist upwards of 1,000 homeless and accommodate at least 330 nightly.

CITY’S FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO HOMELESS

In the last three years, the city has spent upwards of $300 million on homeless shelters, programs and purchasing and remodeling motels for low-income housing. In 2021, the city acquired the Lovelace Hospital complex on Gibson for $15 million and has spent upwards of $90 million to remodel it into the Gateway shelter.

In fiscal year 2021-2022, the Family Community Services Department spent $35 million on homeless initiatives. In fiscal year 2022-2023 the department spent another $59 million on homeless initiatives. On June 23, 2022, Keller announced that the city was adding $48 million to the fiscal year 2023 budget to address housing and homelessness issues in Albuquerque.

The fiscal year 2026 approved General Fund budget for the Health, Housing and Homelessness Department is $53.3 million. The sum includes $48 million for strategic support, health and human services, affordable housing, mental health services, emergency shelter services, homeless support services, shelter operations, substance abuse services and $4.2 million for the Gibson Gateway maintenance division.

The fiscal year 2026 approved General Fund budget contains funding for 116 separate services contracts totaling $53.7 million to pay for services provided to the unhoused:

$30.4 million for 32 affordable housing contracts.
$6.3 million for 12 emergency shelter contracts.
$2 million for 16 health and human service contracts.
$5.7 million for 29 homeless support service contracts.
$3.8 million for five Gateway Shelter operating contracts.
$2.2 million for 11 mental health service contracts.
$2.6 million for 11 substance abuse treatment contracts.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

What sticks out is the staggering amount of money of $300 Million already spent and upwards of $60 Million a year being spent to try and provide assistance to so few, estimated to be between 3,000 to 5,000 unhoused, with upwards of 75% refusing services. There has got to a better way than just throwing money at the problem. There must be far more oversight by the City Council than just rubber stamping what Mayor Keller asks for and wants.

The blunt reality is Albuquerque is now New Mexico’s hub for homeless service referrals throughout the state thanks to Mayor Keller’s 5 shelters and Albuquerque City Council acquiescence. The City is managing the homeless who are from far beyond the city’s borders. The problem is that the City and the State’s unhoused numbers are getting worse and not better after spending millions.

A 2025 report by the city found 30% of individuals experiencing homelessness self report having a serious mental illness, 25% self report having a substance use disorder and around 66% experience some form of mental health condition. The biggest problem is that upwards of 75% of the chronic, emergency unhoused simply refuse city services, yet the city continues with spending millions a year to benefit few. Civil mental health commitment hearings are likely in order for those unhoused who are a danger to themselves or others in order to get them into a hospital setting and get them the mental health treatment or counseling they need and get them off the streets, but Mayor Keller is reluctant to do that preferring a more subdued approach.

Mayor Tim Keller has taken an “all the above approach” to deal with the city’s unhoused and the approach is a failure. Keller has allowed the unhoused to proliferate city streets, parks and open spaces declining to enforce city and state vagrancy laws and make arrests. The problem is the chronic unhoused refuse to accept city services as Keller continues to throw city resources at the crisis. Mayor Tim Keller has essentially proclaimed the unhoused as “wards of the city.” Mayor Keller’s approach is not sustainable. Such responsibility must be undertaken by the state or federal government.

The millions spent to help the unhoused with many refusing services would have gone a long way to finance community centers, senior citizen centers, police and fire substations, preschool or after school programs, senior citizen programs, and police and fire programs. Mayor Keller is throwing millions at temporary shelter as he fails to make a dent on the underlying causes of crime, mental health and drug addiction.

Given the numbers in the 2024 PIT report and the millions being spent on the homeless crisis it should be manageable. Yet the crisis only gets worse and worse each year and it is a continuing major drain on city resources. During the past few years, the unhoused have become far more dispersed throughout the city thanks to Mayor Tim Keller. The unhoused are more aggressive, camping where they want and for how long as they want.

Unhoused who have no interest in any offers of shelter, beds, motel vouchers or alternatives to living on the street force the city to make it totally inconvenient for them to “squat” anywhere they want and must force them to move on. After repeated attempts to reason with them to move on, citations and arrests are in order. Until the problem is solved, the public perception will be that very little to no progress has been made despite millions spent to deal with what Keller proclaims as the “challenge of our lifetime.”

Links to related articles are here:

City Has Upwards Of 2,740 Unhoused, Balance Of State Has 1,907 Unhoused; Numbers Should Be Manageable But Only Getting Worse; Survey Includes Data On ABQ’s Efforts To Dismantle Encampments And Personal Belongings Of Unhoused; City Should Enforce Vagrancy Laws

City Council Adopts $1.5 Billion Dollar 2026 Budget; Budget Reflects Mayor Tim Keller’s Priorities As He Seeks Third 4 Year Term; City Council Failed In Its Oversight Of City Budget And Rubber Stamped All That Keller Demanded; Keller’s Unsustainable Black Hole of Expenditures For The Homeless As 75% of Chronic Emergency Unhoused Refuse Services

Mayor Tim Keller Creates 5 Separate Gateway Shelters To Deal With “Challenge Of Our Lifetime”; City’s $200 Million Financial Commitment To Unhoused; Keller Embellishes By Doubling Unhoused Numbers As He Fails To Deal With Those Who Refuse Services And Getting Them Off Streets

Tim Keller’s Campaign Cash On Hand Of $654,046.56 And Measured Finance Committee Cash On Hand Of $120,330 Dwarfs Opponents Combined Cash On Hand Of $494,968.29; Expect The Unleashing Of Negative Campaign Ads

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Pete Dinelli

The Albuquerque City Clerk has qualified the following 7 candidates running for Mayor who will appear on the November 4 ballot:

Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller.
Eddie Varela, a retired Albuquerque firefighter and former California fire chief.
Alex Uballez, the former U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico.
Louie Sanchez, a retired APD police officer and current city councilor.
Darren White, the former sheriff of Bernalillo County and former CEO of medcal cannabis company PurLife.
Daniel Chavez, president of Parking Company of America was the very first to qualify for the ballot.
Mayling Armijo, the former director of Economic Development for Bernalillo County and deputy county manager for Sandoval County.

On June 20, the City Clerk determined that Mayor Tim Keller was the only candidate to qualify for public finance, and he was given $755,946 in public finance. The remaining six candidates are privately financed.

On September 8, the 7 candidates for Mayor were required to file with the City Clerk their updated 6^th Mayoral Campaign Disclosure Statement on their contributions and expenditures covering the time period of August 11 to September 8. Following is a summary review of those reports:

TIMOTHY KELLER

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $757,147.57 (Same as before.)
Total Expenditures $103,101.01 (Previously $72,910.00)
In-Kind Contributions 2,427.50 (Previously $1,396.25)
In-Kind Expenditures $248.16 (Same as before.)
Current Cash Balance $654,046.56 (Previously $684,237,57)
Current Debt Balance $0.00 (Same as before.)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

City of Albuquerque $733,968.00 (Public Financing)
Tim Keller $2,500.00
Duke City Commercial $781.25
Garcia Realty $781.25
Tim Keller $650.00
Ona Porter $615.00

Tim Keller lists 191 contributors for a total of $733,968.00

ANALYSIS: Mayor Tim Keller is the only candidate to qualify for public financing. His reelection campaign has given $733,968 in public funding on July 17. He ends the period with $654,046.56 on hand after spending $26,000 with a Chicago-based campaign consulting firm and paying $16,945 to his longtime political consultant Neri Holguin, among other smaller expenses. The link to a relied upon or quoted news source is here:

Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Tim Keller.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/yoees8S9dosDI1OaCKWi1JP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/2/null/2/2025

MAYLING ARMIJO

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $108,133.65 (Previously $77,666.65)
Total Expenditures $47,433.50 (Previously $39,939.18)
In-Kind Contributions $2,257.72 (Same as before.)
In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (Same as before.)
Current Cash Balance $60,700,15 (Previously 37,727.47)
Current Debt Balance $15,175.65 (Same as before.)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Mayling Armijo $15,175.65
Stephen Poe $6,000.00
Beelien Armijo $6,000.00
Mia Armijo $6,000.00
Walter Grodahi $6,000.00
Joseph J. Armijo $6,000.00

Mayling Armijo lists 131 contributors for a total of $108,133.65.

ANALYSIS: Navy veteran and former Sandoval County deputy manager Mayling Armijo has raised $108,133.65 total, with $60,700.15 currently available. Armijo’s funding includes a $15,175.65 loan to herself. Almost half of her total donations came from Armijo family members, including $6,000 each from Joseph, Mia and Beelien Armijo, all of Albuquerque. Her largest non-Armijo donor was $6,000 from Walter Groadhi, a housing developer based in Oregon. She has $60,700,15 cash on hand when before she had $37,727.47 .

The link to a relied upon or quoted news sources are here:

Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for MAYLING ARMIJO:

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/lRnEYQd4H9z-h4QAAWqHPZP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/2/null/2/2025

EDDIE VARELA

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $20,676.16 (Previously $6,377.66)
Total Expenditures $10,819.95 (Previously $6,820.76)
In-Kind Contributions $17, 442.00 (Previously $7,800.00)
In-Kind Expenditures $300.00 (Same as before.)
Current Cash Balance $9,856.21 (Previously -$443.10)
Current Debt Balance $10,000.00 (Previously $0.00)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Eddie Varela $10,000
CIPGAW $4,000.00
Penfold Live, LLC $3,000.00
Eddie Varela $2,827.06
Jose C. Lopez $2,000.00
CIPGAW $1,500.00
Angie Custom Design $1,300.00
Chester & Diana Stewart $1,000.00

Eddie Varela lists 58 contributors for a total of $20,676.16 in total contributions.

ANALYSIS: Retired Albuquerque Fire Chief Eddie Varela shows $20,676.16 in total contributions, including a $10,000 donation to himself, and $9,856.21 remaining when previously he had negative cash balance of -$443 at the end of the reporting period.

Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for EDDIE VARELA:

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/Z9RllTzngK2bi6GfQSm9AJP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/2/null/2/2025

4. DARREN WHITE

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $198,583.00 (Previously $179,993.67)
Total Expenditures $68,210.20 (Previously $63,506.77)
In-Kind Contributions $17,821.86 (Previously $16,029.16)
In-Kind Expenditures $25.00 (Same as before.)
Current Cash Balance $130,373.73 (Previously $116,486.90)
Current Debt Balance $20,000.00 (Same as before.)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Darren White $20,000
Progress Healthcare, Inc $10,000
Darren White $8,765
RGL Investments $6,000
Peterson Properties $6,000

Darren White lists 653 contributors for a total of $198,583 in contributions.

ANALYSIS: Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White has raised $198,583.93 total, with a current balance of $130,373.73. White raised the most in individual donations this period, with over $88,000 from supporters, distinguishing his fundraising approach from candidates who have relied heavily on self-funding, though White has loaned himself over $20,000. White’s largest contributors were $6,000 from Pierre Amestoy, a local developer, and $5,000 each from entities associated with the Pitre family’s automotive businesses, cannabis companies Truforia and Elevated Labs, and Peterson Properties run by Doug Peterson. White also reported a $10,000 donation from Progress Healthcare based in Louisiana, though the city’s limit for contributions to mayoral candidates is $6,000. White told the on line news outlet City Desk the extra $4,000 has been returned. White reported spending of $68,210.20 which included $39,000 paid to long time Republican politcal consultant Jay McClesky.

Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Darren White:

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/L7j64Ew1a0rWwbrOJFbL4JP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/2/null/2/2025

ALEXANDER M.M. UBALLEZ

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $197,940.71 (Previously $98,411.80)
Total Expenditures $76,139.15 (Previously $68,633.09)
In-Kind Contributions $8,738.70 (Previously $88.70)
In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (Previously $0.00)
Current Cash Balance $121,801.56 (Previously $29,778.71)
Current Debt Balance $50,000 (Previously $0.00)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Alex Uballez $50,000
Michael Cassidy $5,250
Organizers In the Land of Enchantment $5,000
OLE $5,000
Aleli Colon $3,610.72
Haley Murphy $2,407.27
Brian Colon $1,203.22
Diane Cox $1,203.22
Gabriela Gomez $1,200.00

ALEXANDER M.M. UBALLEZ lists 503 contributors for a total of $197,940.71 in contributions.

Download All Filed Contributions
Download All Filed Expenditures

ANALYSIS: Alex Uballez ended the reporting period having raised $197,940.71 with a Current Cash Balance of $121,801.56.Former U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez, who abandoned public financing and has raised $98,411.80 in individual donations. Uballez’s single largest donor is himself having donated $50,000 of his own money. Large contributors were $962 from Miranda Viscolli, leader of the nonprofit New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, $1,203 each from Brian Colón, former state auditor and managing partner of the Singleton Schreiber law firm’s New Mexico office, and his wife Aleli Colón and multiple donations under $500 from local attorneys.

Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Alexander M.M. Uballez:

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/YjD7dBPe243VBfqRi2eazQpRrh19RviUIoO4CmCWDAE1/2/null/2/2025

LOUIE SANCHEZ

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $222,488.83 (No change)
Total Expenditures $58,519.69 (No change)
In-Kind Contributions $1,000.00 (No change)
In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (No change)
Current Cash Balance $163,969.14 (No change)
Current Debt Balance $152,500.00 (No change)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Sanchez, Louie $150,000
Sanchez, Louie $10,000
Peterson Properties $6,000
Thomas P. Tinnin $6,000
Alarid, Vanessa $6,000

LOUIE SANCHEZ lists 111 contributors for a total of $222,488.83 in contributions.

ANALYSIS: There is virtually no major changes from City Councilor Louie Sanchez’s previous campaign finance report. City Councilor Louie Sanchez has raised $222,488.83 with $160,000 of that coming from money Sanchez loaned himself for the campaign in June. His current cash balance stands at $163,969.14.

Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Louis Sanchez.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/t4aI25Nr9EiUnEI8lwunGApRrh19RviUIoO4CmCWDAE1/2/null/2/2025

DANIEL CHAVEZ

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $114,375.00 (No change)
Total Expenditures $107,318.47 (Previously $106,107.47)
In-Kind Contributions $0.00 (No change)
In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (No change)
Current Cash Balance $8,267.53 (Previously $7,056.53)
Current Debt Balance $0.00 (No change)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Kathleen Chavez $6,000
Peterson Properties, LLC $6,000
Ava Bataglia $1,000
John Martin Bradley $600
Phillip Ward $500

Daniel Chavez lists 10 contributors for a total of $114,375.00 in contributions.

ANALYSIS: Daniel Chavez, President of Parking Company of America, reported $114,375 in total contributions, including $100,000 he loaned himself. Chavez’s current balance shows $7,056.53 available for campaign expenses after spending over $107,000 on the campaign, most of which was spent on petition circulating. He ended the recent reporting period with $8,267 in cash available. Daniel Chavez is considered by many as the only candidate that is capable of self-financing his campaign and has the ability to donate much more if he chooses.

The link to the quoted or relied upon news source is here:

Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Daniel Chavez:

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreDetails/3XlNxpvg2kPbP3TGLUHobwpRrh19RviUIoO4CmCWDAE1/2/null/2/202

MEASURED FINANCE COMMITTEE FINANCIAL REPORTS

There are three measured finance committees (MFA) formed to promote 3 individual candidates for Mayor. On September 8, the 3 committees filed finance reports for the period of August 11 to July 8 with the City Clerk as follows:

ASEND ALBUQUERQUE MEASURED FINANCE COMMITTEE

Ascend Albuquerque is the measured Finance Committee which has been formed for the sole purpose “to support the election of Tim Keller as Mayor of Albuquerque.” On July 14, 2025, Ascent Albuquerque filed it fourth financial disclosure statement as required by the City’s election code. Following is a summary of the Financial Report for Ascend Albuquerque:

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $155,350 (Previously $132,350.00)
Total Expenditures $35,,019 (Previously $30,276.44)
In-Kind Contributions -0- (No Change)
In-Kind Expenditures – 0- (No Change)
Current Cash Balance $120,330 (Previously $102,073.56
Current Debt Balance $0.00

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Council of Carpenters, Brotherhood of Carpenters $20,000
New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council: $20,000
Fresquez Concessions, Inc $15,000
Sangre De Cristo Hotel Investment, LLC $10,000
IBEW PAC Voluntary Fund $10,000

ANALYSIS: Included in major donations to Ascend Albuquerque are donations from those who do business with the city. Fresquez Concessions, Inc along with one of its principal owners Lenny Freques, manages all the concessions at the airport. The partners of the law firm of Robles, Rael & Anaya donated $30,000. The law firm over any years has been contracted by the city to represent it in civil rights lawsuits. Two brothers of the prominent Garcia family each donated $5,000 and their family are the owners of car dealerships as well as being major downtown developers. The Garcia’s have also made contributions to Mayor Keller’s city endowment fund.

The city link to review the Financial Disclosure Statement for Ascend Albuquerque is here:

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreCommitteeDetail/VMQvJiHXaP1z-Iz2eL_papP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/null/null/2/2025

Safer Albuquerque Committee (Safer ABQ)

Safer Albuquerque Committee (Safer ABQ) is the measured finance committee formed to “advocate for Mayling Armijo’s candidacy for mayor during the Albuquerque 2025 mayoral race and align with values that reduce crime, reduce homelessness, and promote job growth.”

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $145,080 (Previously $135,080.00)
Total Expenditures $140, 519 (Previously $133,363.750)
In-Kind Contributions 0.00 (No Change)
In-Kind Expenditures 0.00 (No Change)
Current Cash Balance $4,560.08 (Previously $1,716.25)
Current Debt Balance $0.00 (No Change)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Katrina Tracy $65,000 (Previously $55,000)
Chauling Mary Armijo $40,000
Four Winds Mechanical HTC/AC $40,000
Charles Rolison $80.00

The city link to review the Financial Disclosure Statement for Safer Albuquerque Committee (Safer ABQ) is here:

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreCommitteeDetail/M3FjOgNU2Z3h9u5VXBTrEgpRrh19RviUIoO4CmCWDAE1/null/null/2/2025

CIPGAW: Committee to Elect Eddie Varela Mayor of Albuquerque

CIPGAW: Committee to Elect Eddie Varela Mayor of Albuquerque is the measured finance committee which has been formed “for the purpose to Elect Eddie Varela Mayor of Albuquerque.”

COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS

Total Contributions $39,000 (Previously $7,500)
Total Expenditures $39,000 (Previously $6,924,83)
In-Kind Contributions: -0- (No Change)
In-Kind Expenditures: -0- (No Change)
Current Cash Balance: -0- (Previously $575.17)
Current Debt Balance: -0- (No Change)

TOP CONTRIBUTORS

Hat Mesa Oil $39,500
Bradley William Day $7,500

The city link to review the Financial Disclosure Statement for CIPGAW: Committee to Elect Eddie Varela Mayor of Albuquerque is here:

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/#/exploreCommitteeDetail/feXJuXAYkFJVGJBhl95rMZP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/null/null/2/2025

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

With a little more than 7 weeks before the November 4 election, Mayor Tim Keller has an insurmountable lead when it comes to campaign donations and cash on hand to spend. Following is a breakdown of the current cash balance for each of the 7 candidates:

Tim Keller $654,046.56
Mayling Armijo $60,700.15
Eddie Varela $9,856.21
Darren White $130,373.73
Alexander Uballez $121,801.56
Louis Sanchez $163,969.14
Daniel Chavez $8,267.53

The measured Finance Committee Ascend Albuquerque which has been formed for the sole purpose of promoting Tim Keller has a current cash balance of $120,330 available to spend.

The fact that Mayor Keller is the only candidate to secure $755,946 in public finance and a measured finance committee that has raised another $155,350 to promote him for a grand total of $911,296,296 is a testament of the power of Keller’s incumbency.

After expenditures, the Keller campaign still has $654,046.56 that will be used to promote his candidacy. All six of the other candidates combined have raised $494,968.29. It is clear evidence Keller is running against a very weak field of candidates given that Keller was the only one who qualified for public finance. The measured fiancé committee promoting Keller still has $120,330 in cash on hand to promote Keller and to tear down his opponents.

It is clear from review of all 6 of Keller’s opponents campaign finance reports that none of his opponents have caught on with major donors except perhaps themselves. All 6 are simply trying to self-finance as much as they can to compete against Keller. Mayling Armijo and her family members have contributed $39,175 directly to her campaign out of $108,133 raised. Eddie Varela has contributed $10,000 directly to his campaign out of $20,676 raised. Darren White has contributed $28,765 directly to his campaign out of $198,583 raised. Louie Sanchez has contributed $150,000 directly to his campaign out of $222,488.83 raised. Daniel Chavez has contributed $100,000 directly to his campaign out of $114,375.00 raised.

Safer Albuquerque Committee, the measured finance committee formed to promote Mayling Armijo, has raised $145,080 but at least $80,000 of that has come from her family. The Current Cash Balance is now $4,560.08.

Some politcal pundits and columnists have said that if Keller’s opponents are unable to raise sufficient campaign donations, there is a possibility that Keller could capture 50% of the vote and avoid a runoff election between the top two finishers. That is likely wishful thinking given just how unpopular Mayor Tim Keller really is amongst voters with one recent poll showing Keller has a disapproval rating of 60% and an older poll finding he has a 33% approval rating. No amount of money spent on his behalf to get him elected to a third term may be enough to reform his image in the eyes of voters who have simply had enough of his self-promotion ways with very little accomplished.

With the November 4 election approaching fast, expect the Keller Campaign to get very aggressive and go negative with his opponents given Keller’s unfavorable ratings. The biggest problem among all 6 of his opponents is that none of the six seem to have truly gained traction and support. All of Keller’s opponents have been relegated to scrambling for private financing and trying to self finance.

Seven weeks in a political campaign can be an eternity. There is a slight chance that a major event will occur that will change the dynamics of the race and one of the 6 candidates will catch on. Until then the general public can expect an onslaught of negative campaign commercials and mailers from all 7 candidates as Mayor Tim Keller’s campaign spends the $654,046.56 cash on hand, the measured finance committee Ascend Albuquerque spends its $120,330 cash on hand and the other 6 candidates spend their combined $494,968.29 .

You can always turn off your TV and radios until November 5.

Jaemes Shanley Announces His Candidacy As A Write-in Candidate for City Council District 7 Opposing Incumbent City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn; Write In Jaemes Shanley For City Council District 7

Posted on September 10, 2025 by Pete Dinelli

On September 2, Jaemes Shanley filed his Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate for City Council District 7 along with 500 nominating petition signatures of registered voters. The Bernalillo County Clerk verified the signatures as registered voters and certified Jaemes Shanley’s write in candidacy.

City Council District 7 is the mid heights city council district currently represented by first term City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. The district includes the uptown retail business district including the Commons, Winrock and Coronado Shopping Center. The District boundaries are generally Montgomery Boulevard on the North, I-25 on the West, Lomas on the South and Eubank on the East.

Jaemes Shanley is the President of the Mark Twain Neighborhood Association located in the mid heights and is the Vice President of the District 7 Coalition of Neighborhoods which boasts membership of 14 neighborhood associations. His complete biography is in the postscript.

Jaemes Shanley submitted the following announcement of his candidacy to be published as a public service announcement with no charge by www.PeteDinelli.com:

“I AM RUNNING A WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN FOR DISTRICT 7 CITY COUNCIL – THIS IS WHY

The choice to mount a write-in campaign for public office is not a trivial pursuit, regardless of age or political experience.

Neither is it easy to watch and experience the city you have known for 56 years fall into decay, neglect, and functional stasis in the face of what is, figuratively speaking, a three-alarm fire.

I believe Albuquerque’s elected governance is well intentioned. Yet it has failed to deliver needed remedies for a city-wide crisis that is unraveling the fabric of an orderly and thriving urban life.

Big problems are typically complicated and often interconnected. That does not make them insoluble. It simply demands more outreach and collaboration within the community to apply talent, experience, resources and commitment with laser focus to define and implement the solution.

In 1983, as a resident of Australia, I witnessed and experienced a nation tackle and resolve an existential crisis by doing that. A newly elected Prime Minister gathered all parties with capacities and interests bearing on intractable stagflation and produced an “Accord” which unshackled the economy and remained in effect for 13 years.

The salient problem facing Albuquerque today is that public safety, commercial vitality, and growth are all being checked by the failure to resolve the emergency level crisis of thousands of people living unsheltered and unprotected on our streets, subject to a host of depredations that include weather and temperature extremes, squalor, addiction, behavioral health impairment, petty to major criminality and worse.

Over the past 8 years, our city government has built a massive Gateway System at great cost to address this problem yet, as can be seen on our streets and, too frequently in our neighborhoods, street homelessness remains essentially unchanged, if not worse.

Failed strategies should have a short lifespan, not be permitted to grow into an “unhoused building/industrial complex”.

Perceived anxiety among Albuquerque’s residents drives local government to endorse approaches to these unhoused populations that can be as cruel as they are ineffective. Pushing people from one unhoused location to another is relocation not resolution. Too often the methods used add more layers of trauma to afflicted individuals as they watch their already meagre belongings crushed in the back of a Solid Waste truck.

There are those who believe this issue can be resolved by a shift in priority from “unhoused industrial complex” to “carceral industrial complex”. That might clear the streets in the short term but what are the costs and long-term implications for Albuquerque of maintaining a “factory” that is virtually guaranteed to transition thousands from petty to hardened criminality?

We can do better. The resources, experience and skills exist in Albuquerque to formulate and implement a practical plan of action to end street homeless at its present scale so we can recover the vast areas of our city that have been surrendered to this crisis. If that requires innovative outside-the-box approaches and an unprecedented degree of engagement, coordination and collaboration between city, county, and state government and the non-government individuals and organizations able to contribute value, effectiveness, and alacrity, why not?

Albuquerque City Council should be working in tandem with a Mayoral administration dedicated to the proposition that Albuquerque is a city that deserves and must have the unimpaired and unimpeded potential to build flourishing, safe, and vibrant community throughout.

That requires Ordinances and Resolutions that are carefully and honestly crafted to address real problems, not to push hidden agendas or “fix” what is not broken, like single family neighborhoods.

It requires monitoring and holding accountable the Administration to deliver efficiently on its core mission to service the community, be that public safety or Planning Department execution of Permitting, Inspections, and Code Enforcement.

It requires the entire city government to recognize, support, and celebrate locally owned business enterprises.

Making Albuquerque whole and healthy again is neither mission impossible nor is it a rewind back to the better days I have witnessed. It is the essential first step required to realize a future Albuquerque that combines its incomparable and unique magic with rational adaptation to future needs so that it becomes the best it has ever been.

I do not accept that Albuquerque should remain so far short of its potential. It must once again become a compelling home and destination for business entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, young families, providing well—paying jobs with future-defining sustainable industries and innovative businesses.

There is urgent work to be done to make that happen…….and that is why I am running a Write-in campaign for District 7 City Council.”

I respectfully ask for the vote of all District 7 residents on November 4.

SINCERELY

Jaemes Shanley

DINELLI COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

It would be a major mistake to discount the write in candidacy of Jaemes Shanley against Tammy Feibelkorn given her unpopularity within District 7. Jaemes Shanley’s emerging support from voters who want change and are tired of Feibelkorn’s failure to represent their best interests are the reasons for his write in candidacy. This is why Shanley was able to secure over 500 qualifying petition signatures by going door to door with supporters in just a few weeks.

First term City Councilor Tammy Feibelkorn is considered highly unpopular within City Council District 7 because of her sponsorship or support of controversial major legislation that has failed to be enacted by the city council during her four year tenure. The legislation has included her unwavering support of city sanctioned “safe out door spaces” for the homeless and her sponsorship of legislation to increase density in establish neighborhoods.

City Councilor Tammy Feibelkorn sponsored R 25-167 which was the “opt in” zoning law ordinance to create a voluntary rezoning process that would let property owners switch to higher-density zoning if they want to build more housing on their residential properties. The Planning Department would have very broad authority to increase density with adjoining property owners having no rights to object. It would allow duplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods to increase density. Feibelkorn proclaimed it will increase affordable housing. It will not. Feibelkorn has a “Field of Dreams” zoning philosophy of “if we rezone it, they will build it,” ignoring adjacent property owner rights, favoring developers and investors. Feibelkorn “opt-in” zoning ordinance is clearly “overkill” that will affect all quadrants of the city favoring developers and investors. It will destroy the character of established neighborhoods and lead to gentrification. It will be developers and investors on the prowl who will purchase existing homes for the development of duplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods.

Feibelkorn stubbornly supported and voted for changes to the city’s zoning laws that eliminated adjoining property owner’s rights to appeal zoning changes and requiring appealing neighborhood associations to pay the attorney fees of developers who prevailed in seeking zoning changes.

City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn is the major proponent of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) “pilot project” in District 7 that proposes to “retrofit” older neighborhoods with a destructive burden strenuously opposed to by area residents. GSI involves extensive excavations of streets the city claims are needed to capture stormwater and infiltrate it to groundwater. Opponents say it won’t and that studies show the bio swales need to be located above the water table within 5 to 18 feet. The water table is too far down for this to work yet millions will be spent.

When asked by her constituents to reconsider her positions, she simply says NO and says she has made up her mind even before the legislation is debated by the full city council. It is her votes, actions and her overt hostility to constituents who disagree with her that has resulted in voters believing she is not acting in their best interests.

New Mexico law requires elections to allow for write-in candidates, but only if they have been properly qualified for the election to allow their votes to be counted. A write-in candidate must be considered a candidate for all purposes and provisions relating to candidates in the Local Election Act, except that the write-in candidate’s name shall not be printed on the ballot nor posted in any polling place. On election day November 4 registered voters must physically write Jaemes Shanley name on the ballot in the blank space provided and not vote for Tammy Fiebelkorn.

On November 4, voters of District 7, which includes the author of this blog, are encourage to write in the name of Jaemes Shanley on the ballot in the blank space provided.

_________________________________

POSTSCRIPT

BIOGRAPHY OF JAEMES SHANLEY

Jaemes Shanley first arrived in Albuquerque in August 1969, after graduating High School in England, to attend UNM from which he graduated in 1973. His parents followed a year later, and his father retired in Albuquerque after a 30-year career as a US Naval aviator. In 1971 they purchased a home in the Mark Twain neighborhood where they resided for the remainder of their lives. Jaemes worked in the private sector in sales, marketing, and business strategy for U.S. corporations in Australia, Japan, and the United States. His work required extensive travel throughout Asia Pacific and Latin America, routinely on the ground in more than 30 countries. Jaemes and his wife returned to Albuquerque in September 2006 to renovate and take up residence in his parent’s Mark Twain neighborhood home where they reside today on their family “compound” along with 5 rescued cats. Jaemes drives the corridors of Albuquerque on an almost daily basis to deliver carrots to his horse, Rembrandt, who resides in Corrales.

Links to guest columns written by Jaemes Shanley:

Jaemes Shanley Guest Opinion Column: Councilor Fiebelkorn’s “Opt In” Zoning Proposal Reflected Willful Ignorance Of Our City’s Obvious Needs

Jaemes Shanley Guest Opinion Column: A Mark Twain Neighborhood Perspective Of Albuquerque

Jaemes Shanley Guest Opinion Column: The Audacity of Contempt