On November 2, the Dinelli blog article entitled “District 6 City Councilor Candidate Nichole Roger’s Holds Herself Out As Business And Financial Consultant; Failed To Timely File Required Legal Documents For Her Charitable Nonprofit; Failed To Make Full Accounting As To Where Funds Raised Has Gone; Rogers Should Release Tax Returns; Will Rogers Seek City Funding For Her Non-Profit If Elected City Councilor And Lobby New Mexico Legislature For It?” was publish at www.PeteDinelli.com. A link to read the full Dinelli blog article is in the postscript below.

On November 4, the Albuquerque Journal published a story on line  entitled “District 6 Candidate Nichole Rogers Nonprofit raised money despite delinquent submissions with AG’s Office, Secretary of State and IRS”.   The Journal article was written by its Staff Reporter Aliana Mencinger  and it repeats information reported in the Dinelli blog article but contains additional details and responses from Nichole Rogers.

Following is the full Albuquerque Journal article with the Journal’s link to its story:

“When District 6 City Council candidate Nichole Rogers first founded the Welstand Foundation, she dreamed of helping children of color around Albuquerque — particularly those aging out of the foster care system.

In February 2021, the foundation posted a photo on Facebook advertising Welstand Village — “a place where kids of color can thrive” — which was expected to open in summer 2021.

According to a 2021 Journal article highlighting the efforts of three local breweries raising money for the nonprofit, those plans were put on hold. She said the fundraiser would buy furniture for the first Welstand group home, and explained that each room would have a different theme: Wakanda from Black Panther, Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc.

But that home didn’t materialize.

Some voters in the district have questioned the operations of the foundation, which has fallen behind on certain paperwork while still soliciting donations. Rogers said the nonprofit has been defunct for several years.

Rogers said the foundation, which was hit hard by the pandemic, effectively disbanded on June 19, 2021. She said she trusted others to help with the paperwork but had never run a foundation before and lacked knowledge on the paperwork — and didn’t check that all forms had been properly submitted.

“It’s just an unfortunate oversight on my part,” Rogers said.

The foundation has been delinquent in its registration submissions with the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General since 2019, when the lack of a signature rendered the submission invalid. Since then, none have been submitted.

This year, the foundation missed a May 15 deadline to submit paperwork with the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office, putting the nonprofit “not in good standing.” After speaking with the Journal, Rogers said she submitted paperwork with the office and is deciding whether to restart the nonprofit, which is now again in good standing.

In 2022, the Internal Revenue Service automatically revoked the foundation’s tax-exempt status. Rogers said the wrong forms were submitted to the IRS.

“I thought we had closed everything out,” Rogers said. “When you brought this up, and we looked up everything and saw that the paperwork wasn’t processed, actually now I have to decide, like, ‘Wow, maybe I can continue with my passion work.’ … So this has actually been a blessing in disguise.”

She said she’s working to get all the paperwork up to date, including submissions with the IRS and the NM Attorney General’s office, which she was unaware was required.

Posts on the Welstand Foundation Facebook page, which has since been deleted, showed the foundation was still soliciting donations in 2022. In early 2022, the page showed that several local breweries, which had raised money for the Welstand Foundation the previous year, contributed a portion of their sales to the foundation for Black History Month. Marble Brewery posted it had raised $3,864 for the foundation.

Rogers said when the breweries reached out this year, she told them the foundation wouldn’t be a good fit since it was no longer active.

In November 2022, the foundation’s page added a photo in asking for donations to “help a child in need” for Giving Tuesday, a donation movement that occurs the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Rogers said the foundation received no donations from that fundraiser; she added that all money raised after 2021 went to covering the costs of the foundation. Some of the foundation’s projects included outreach to groups typically undercounted in the Census and bringing food boxes to insecure families during the pandemic.

Two years earlier, in 2020, City Council voted to send $1 million in funding reallocated to COVID-19 needs to several organizations, including Rogers’. The foundation received $15,000.

“All of the money went to those projects,” Rogers said. “There was no leftover funding at all, from any of our projects. We had no paid employees, there were no expenses other than WiFi. It was a foundation of one person: me.”

When asked if the solicitation of donations was appropriate for an organization with missing registrations, the NM AG’s office responded, “Thank you for making us aware of the solicitation of donations. We are looking into this issue.”

“Further, the statute allows our office to promulgate rules surrounding charities and the charitable solicitations act — we are hiring a charities attorney who will be tasked with this effort,” an emailed statement from the office read. “In general this statute has not been widely enforced, however Attorney General (Raul) Torrez plans to engage in a more vigorous process regarding charities who are violating the act.”

Rogers, a business consultant and financial adviser, said she didn’t think the foundation fizzling out should disqualify her from seeking a City Council seat. Rather, she said, it was a learning experience.

“You want an expert who has lived experience with these issues, not someone who’s lived a privileged life,” Rogers said. “I am a person who has had successes and has had failures. But I really believe in failing forward. When you know better, you do better — and I’m someone who can teach folks to watch out for these pitfalls.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-6-candidate-nichole-rogers-nonprofit-raised-money-despite-delinquent-submissions-with-ags-office-secretary/article_c3bbc350-7a66-11ee-8d56-ab4b462eb662.html

DINELLI COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

Progressive Democrat Nichole Rogers is a Basic certified Emergency Medical Technician and in 2012 earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in Integrated studies from Central NM Community. She lists her occupation as a “business consultant and financial adviser”.  District 6 City Council candidate Nichole Rogers has repeatedly touted her “unique blend of lived experience and professional experience” as a reason to vote for her.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-6-candidate-questionnaire-nichole-rogers/article_c891ab32-646e-11ee-8250-bb9887ac9743.htm

It is very difficult to understand how a candidate for Albuquerque City Council can hold herself out as a business consultant and financial advisor given her failures to file in a timely manner mandatory documents with the IRS, the New Mexico Attorney General, and the Secretary of State for a charitable organization she created.

The most troubling question that needs to be answered is exactly how much was she able to raise for her foundation since its creation in 2019 and where did the money go and what was it used for?  No one knows, except Nichol Rogers.   Forms are required annually of every 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Those forms are  essentially a nonprofit’s income and expense report, allowing oversight of what revenue and donations were brought in, and how and where the money was spent. Not only does it provide financial oversight, but it ensures that a nonprofit’s spending is in accordance with its mission.

The IRS sends compliance letters, so pleading ignorance of the filing requirements is not a valid excuse. The IRS will not revoke a 501(c)(3) organization’s tax-exempt status unless the nonprofit has been out of compliance on filing of the forms  for three consecutive years. This is what finally happened with the Welstand Foundation. Its tax-exempt nonprofit status was revoked on May 15, 2022. It was  also listed as “Not In Good Standing” by the NM Secretary of State website as of October 20, 2023, but that has now changed.

A simple search on the NM Attorney General’s charity registry reveals no 990s have been filed with the office.  Nichole  Rogers posted Nextdoor.com social page in mid-October 2023 that  she had closed the Foundation in 2020.  That statement appears to false because in a more recent post on Nextdoor.com she stated she closed the nonprofit down in 2021.

It is clear that the Welstand Foundation continued to seek donations after after it was supposedly closed and did in fact bring in unreported revenue. Not only has the trust of private donors been violated, the public’s trust has been violated. The City of Albuquerque gave the Welstand Foundation at least $15,000, which has also never been fully accounted for by Rogers.

Other questions that Nichole Rogers needs to answer before the election include:

Will Nichole Rogers seek more city funding to benefit Welstand Foundation or does she intend to step down from its management or dissolve the corporation if she is elected?

Will Nichole Rogers continue with fundraising efforts for Welstand Foundation if she is elected and to what extent?

Will Nichole Rogers engage in lobbying efforts on behalf of Welstand Foundation before the New Mexico legislature as a registered lobbyist if she is elected and to what extent will she lobby on behalf of the city?

In the interest of full disclosure and transparency as a candidate for city council, Nichole Rogers should release her personal income tax returns as well as those of Welstand Foundation so that a comparison can be made and her sources of income can be disclosed as to what extent she has personally benefited from her fund raising activities for the corporation.

Unless Nichole Rogers answers the questions posed and releases tax returns, she should withdraw from the race.

 ____________________________________________________________

POSTSCRIPT

District 6 City Councilor Candidate Nichole Roger’s Holds Herself Out As Business And Financial Consultant;  Failed To Timely File Required Legal Documents For Her Charitable Nonprofit; Failed To Make Full Accounting As To Where Funds Raised Has Gone; Rogers Should Release Tax Returns; Will  Rogers Seek City Funding For Her Non-Profit If Elected City Councilor And Lobby New Mexico Legislature For It?

 

On the November 7 City of Albuquerque municipal election ballot,  in addition to the District 2, 4, 6 and 8 City Council positions, are seven general obligation bond amounting to $200 Million.  It was in April that the Albuquerque City Council approved the city’s general obligation bond package  to place the funding on the November 7 ballot.  Funding for one project can be moved to another within the same grouping where needed.

Following are the 7  areas of funding:

1. Public Safety
2. Parks and Recreation
3. Senior, Family and Community Centers and Affordable Housing
4. Energy and Water Conservation
5. Storm Sewer System
6. Street and Transportation and
7. Library, Museum and Cultural Facilities

Not surprising is that street and transportation projects will receive the largest funding at $50 million.  $4.3 million in bonds would be used to rebuild major streets and intersections, $1 million of which will be used for the intersection of Paseo del Norte and Unser and McMahon.

$35 million in general obligation bonds will be used for parks and recreation.  Included in that $35 million is funding for the long time planned  North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center. The center is  costing    between $56 million and $58 million and the $35 million on the ballot will fully fund the project.  with the approval of the bond.

The seven bond questions with the major capital improvement  projects are as follows:

Following are the General Obligation Bond questions with  totals listed for the projects:

1. Public Safety bonds: $25 million

• $1 million toward the Albuquerque Community Safety facility
• $8 million for new fire stations and $2 million for existing station renovations
• $6 million for rehabilitation of and upgrades to the Albuquerque Police Department

2. Parks and Recreation bonds: $35 million

• $1 million to Balloon Fiesta Park improvements
• $5 million to the North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center
• $4.9 million for Little League fields rehabilitation

3. Senior, family, community center, homeless, affordable housing, metropolitan redevelopment and community enhancement bonds: $36 million

• $5 million for the Gateway Center
• $7.5 million for affordable housing
• A total $5.8 million for the Highland Senior Center, Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center and Cibola Loop Multigenerational Centers

4. Energy and water conservation, public facilities and system z modernization bonds: $24 million

• $6 million for energy conservation
• $1 million for city vehicle replacements

5. Storm sewer system bonds: $14 million

• $5 million for Southeast Heights Green Stormwater improvements
• $2 million for Pueblo Also Mile-Hi Flood Mitigation

6. Street and transportation bonds: $50 million

• $1.9 million for renovations at the Transit Department’s Yale Facility
• $4.3 million for major street and intersection reconstruction

7. Library, museum and cultural facilities bonds: $16 million

• $3.2 million for library materials
• $2 million for the Tijeras Arroyo BioZone Education Center
• $4 Million for Unser Racing Museum

A complete and detailed breakdown of the city’s 2023 general obligation bond program with detailed project descriptions and amounts can be reviewed in the city’s 46 page “2023 General Obligation Bond Program and Capital Implementation Program” at the below link:

Click to access 2023-bond-program-entire-book.pdf

Links to quoted sources are here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/election-2023-bond-questions-what-else-is-on-the-nov-7-ballot/article_d8446ad0-7781-11ee-b382-2fbf7cf27444.html

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/local/if-albuquerque-voters-approve-200-million-in-bonds-this-fall-here-s-how-the-city/article_7793a40f-7c93-57ee-9661-f0d1a6864e4d.html

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

“General obligation bonds  fund a host of capital improvements that directly affect the basic needs and quality of life of every Albuquerque resident. These improvements include critical police and fire facilities, vehicles and equipment; basic street and storm drainage improvements; public transportation improvements; medians, parks, recreational and open space facilities; cultural institutions, including the libraries and museums and senior and community centers. …   All these capital facilities and more are funded primarily by general obligation bonds. Revenue bonds typically fund improvements to the Sunport, Double Eagle II Airport and to the Solid Waste Management and Disposal systems.”

Public approval of general obligation bonds for major projects is city government working at its very best. It gives the general public the opportunity and indeed the responsibility to invest in the city. Major projects financed by general obligation bond projects without a doubt enhance the quality of life of the city.  The voting public is urged to vote YES on all the general obligation bonds.

 

The regular 2023 municipal election to elect City Councilors for City Council Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be held on November 7, 2023. District 6 includes Nob Hill, the International District, and other neighborhoods and is currently represented by Progressive Democrat City Councilor Pat Davis who is not seeking a third term. The candidates who have qualified and who will appear on the ballot for City Council District 6 are:

• Progressive Democrat Jeff Hoehn, the  Executive director of Cuidando Los Niños.
• Progressive Democrat Nichole Rogers,  Office manager and independent contractor for Primerica Financial Services.
• Progressive Democrat Kristin Greene, a community activist and private business owner.
• Progressive Democrat Abel Otero, the operator of Fonzy’s barbershop who has announced he has suspended his campaign and no longer seeking the job but his name will remain on the ballot.

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT NICHOLE ROGERS

Progressive Democrat Nichole Rogers is a Basic certified Emergency Medical Technician and in 2012 earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in Integrated studies from Central NM Community. She lists her occupation as a “business consultant and financial adviser”.  District 6 City Council candidate Nichole Rogers has repeatedly touted her “unique blend of lived experience and professional experience” as a reason to vote for her.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-6-candidate-questionnaire-nichole-rogers/article_c891ab32-646e-11ee-8250-bb9887ac9743.html

WELSTAND FOUNDATION

Among Rogers professional experience claims is that she is involved with the non profit and charitable corporation Welstand Foundation and it is believe she formed it in 2019. The corporation as a charitable organization over the years has received both public and private funding. Charity Search on the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website lists Welstand Foundation’s purpose as “To enhance all aspects of well-being for under-served and under-represented youth in New Mexico.” Social media posts show that local breweries raised money for Welstand Foundation in 2022. Welstand Foundation was awarded a $15,000 grant from the City of Albuquerque approved at the May 18, 2020 City Council meeting.

Nichole Rogers has never fully revealed publicly during her campaign nor been forthcoming that she has been seriously delinquent with filing mandatory legal documents to keep her corporation in good standing with the New Mexico Attorney General, the Secretary of State and failed to file mandatory documents with the Internal Revenue Service.

FAILURE TO FILE IRS DOCUMENTS

According to the IRS website, Welstand Foundation’s 501(c)3 federal tax exempt status was revoked on May 15, 2022.  Since its incorporation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2019, Nichol Rogers has not filed federal forms on income and expenses. A federal form is required to be filed annually by every 501(c)(3) and for private foundations. It is essentially a nonprofit’s income and expense report, allowing oversight of what revenue and donations were brought in, and how and where the money was spent. Not only does it provide financial oversight, but it ensures that a nonprofit’s spending is in accordance with its mission.  It is understood the  corporation failed to file required forms  and its tax exempt status was then revoked.

To research the IRS documentation on the corporations revocation as tax exempt,  go to https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/details/.  Under the “search by field” scroll down to  “organization name” and then in the organization name box type in “Welstand” and then click the blue search link. The revocation date listed by the IRS for the Welstand corporation is 5-15-2022 and the revocation posting date is 08-08-2022.

DELINQUENT NEW MEXICO ATTORNEY GENERAL REGISTRATION

According to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Charity Search website,  Welstand Foundation registration submissions have been repeatedly delinquent. The website reveals as follows:

On January 1, 2021, the Welstand Foundation corporation’s Registration Submission for the 2019 Tax year was declared Delinquent.

On July 1, 2021, the Welstand Foundation corporation’s Registration Submission for the 2020 Tax year was declared Delinquent.

On July 1, 2022, the Welstand Foundation corporation’s Registration Submission for the 2021 Tax year was declared Delinquent.

On July 1, 2023, the Welstand Foundation corporation’s Registration Submission for the 2022 tax year was declared Delinquent.

The link to the website to do research  is here:

https://secure.nmag.gov/CharitySearch/CharityDetail.aspx?FEIN=84-2064534

WELSTAND JUST RECENTLY BECAME IN  GOOD STANDING WITH  NEW MEXICO SECRETARY OF STATE

Review of public records revealed that the Welstand Foundation as of October 20, 2023 was “Not In Good Standing” as a nonprofit corporation with the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office.  However, as of November 1, 2023, the corporation is listed as in good standing. Confidential sources have been told that at least one media inquiry was made with  Nichole Rogers recently regarding the status of the corporation.  It’s more likely than not Rogers took steps to conform with the requirements of the law to have the corporation become in good standing because of the media inquiry.

To research New Mexico Secretary of State records for Welstand Foundation, go to the below link and type Welstand Foundation and Business ID Number 5919649:

https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/BFS/online/CorporationBusinessSearch

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES REPORTED ON FACEBOOK

Facebook posts by local breweries Hollow Spirits, Nexus Brewery, Marble Brewery ,  Hollow Spirits reveals assistance  with fundraising  activities for Welstand Foundation after the IRS revoked the 501(c)3 status of the Corporation. What is questionable is that solicitations were made at all  while not having filed a single 990-N, being delinquent with New Mexico Attorney General Registration submissions and not being in good standing with the New Mexico Secretary of State.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

It is very difficult to understand how a candidate for Albuquerque City Council can hold herself out as a business consultant and financial advisor given her failures to file in a timely manner mandatory documents with the IRS, the New Mexico Attorney General, and the Secretary of State for a charitable organization she created.

The most troubling question that needs to be answered is exactly how much was she able to raise for her  foundation since its creation in 2019 and where did the money go and what was it used for?  No one knows, except Nichol Rogers.  As noted above, a Form 990 is required annually of every 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It is essentially a nonprofit’s income and expense report, allowing oversight of what revenue and donations were brought in, and how and where the money was spent. Not only does it provide financial oversight, but it ensures that a nonprofit’s spending is in accordance with its mission. Welstand Foundation should have filed three Form 990s.

The IRS sends compliance letters, so pleading ignorance of the filing requirements is not a valid excuse. The IRS will not revoke a 501(c)(3) organization’s tax-exempt status unless the nonprofit has been out of compliance on filing a Form 990 for three consecutive years. This is what finally happened with the Welstand Foundation. Its tax-exempt nonprofit status was revoked on May 15, 2022. It was  also listed as “Not In Good Standing” by the NM Secretary of State website as of October 20, 2023, but that has now changed.

A simple search on the NM Attorney General’s charity registry reveals no 990s have been filed with the office.  Nichole  Rogers posted Nextdoor.com social page in mid-October 2023 that  she had closed the Foundation in 2020.  That statement appears to false because in a more recent post on Nextdoor.com she stated she closed the nonprofit down in 2021.

It is clear that the Welstand Foundation continued to seek donations after after it was supposedly closed and did in fact bring in unreported revenue. Not only has the trust of private donors been violated, the public’s trust has been violated. The City of Albuquerque gave the Welstand Foundation at least $15,000, which has also never been fully accounted for by Rogers.

In the interest of full disclosure and transparency as a candidate for city council, Nichole Rogers should release her personal income tax returns as well as those of Welstand Foundation so that a comparison can be made and her sources of income can be disclosed as to what extent she has personally benefited from her fund raising activities for the corporation.

Other questions that Nichole Rogers needs to answer before the election include:

Will Nichole Rogers seek more city funding to benefit Welstand Foundation or does she intend to step down from its management or dissolve the corporation if she is elected?

Will Nichole Rogers continue with fundraising efforts for Welstand Foundation if she is elected and to what extent?

Will Nichole Rogers engage in lobbying efforts on behalf of Welstand Foundation before the New Mexico legislature as a registered lobbyist if she is elected and to what extent will she lobby on behalf of the city?

Links have been provided so that voters can make up their own minds about who has the “professional experience” and integrity to be elected a City Councilor for District 6.

A link to a related blog article that provides additional information on the District 6 City Council race and the candidates is here:

Update On November 7, 2023 ABQ City Council Races; One Candidate Drops Out After Exposed For Falsehoods; Voter Fraud Alleged In District 4 With One Registration; Candidates Identify Biggest Issues And Solutions Facing Districts; Mayor Tim Keller Operatives Helping 3 Council Candidates To Insure His Influence Over City Council For His Politcal Agenda As He Plans To Run For Third Term In 2025

The regular 2023 municipal election to elect City Councilors for City Council Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be held on November 7, 2023.  This  blog article is an endorsement of candidates running in City Council Districts 2, 6 and 8. It also contains guest columns by the 3 candidates.  No endorsement is made in the City Council District 4 race in that neither candidate has articulated a clear vision for the district  with  the candidates now preoccupied with allegations of voter fraud that have yet to be proven.

ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES

The candidates who have qualified for the ballot and public financing are the following:

DISTRICT 2 (DOWNTOWN, OLD TOWN, PARTS OF THE NORTH VALLEY AND WEST SIDE)

• Joaquin Baca, Progressive Democrat: Water rights program manager at the U.S. Forest Service, member of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, President of the ABQCore neighborhood association. (Qualified for $40,000 public financing.)
• Loretta Naranjo Lopez, Moderate Democrat: Retired city planner and current President of the Santa Barbara and Martineztweon neighborhood Association Neighborhood Association and former Board of Directors member of NM Public Employees Retirement Association. (Qualified for $40,000 public financing.)
• Moises A. Gonzalez (Independent): Documentary filmmaker, former teacher and community activist. (Privately financed candidate.)

DISTRICT 4 (NORTHEAST HEIGHTS)

• Brook Bassan, Conservative Republican: Incumbent City Councilor and a stay-at-home mom.  (Qualified for $40,262in public financing.)
• Abby Foster, Progressive Democrat:  Small business owner, attorney and mediator who practices adult guardianship law. (Privately financed candidate and according to most recent finanace report has raised $77,900.)

DISTRICT 6 (NOB HILL, INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT)

• Jeff Hoehn,Progressive Democrat: Executive director of Cuidando Los Niños. (Privately financed candidate.)
• Abel Otero,Progressive Democrat: Owner and operator of Fonzy’s barbershop. (Qualified for $40,000.00 public financing.)
• Kristin Greene,Progressive Democrat: Tattoo artist and Burlesque dancer. (Qualified for $40,000.00 public financing.)
• Nichole Rogers,Progressive Democrat: Office manager and independent contractor for Primerica Financial Services. (Qualified for $40,000.00 public financing.)

DISTRICT 8 (NORTHEAST HEIGHTS AND FOOTHILLS)

• Dan Champine,Conservative Republican: A retired police officer and current mortgage lender. (Qualified for $44,577.00 public financing.)
• Idalia Lechuga-Tena,Moderate Democrat: Vice president of Meals on Wheels of New Mexico  former NM House representative for District 21.  (Qualified for $44,577.00 public financing.)

The link to the City Clerk’s website listing the candidates is here:

https://www.cabq.gov/vote/candidate-information/2023-candidates-and-committees-1

CANDIDATE GUEST COLUMNS WITH ENDORSEMENTS 

The following individual candidates are recommended to voters as the best candidates to support and to vote for on November 7 in their respective Districts:

DISTRICT 2 (DOWNTOWN, OLD TOWN, PARTS OF THE NORTH VALLEY AND WEST SIDE)

Loretta Naranjo Lopez is a retired city employee and a 15-year veteran of Albuquerque’s City Planning Department involved housing code enforcement. She is also a former member of the Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Directors. She is the current  President of the Martinez Town Santa Barbara Neighborhood Association. She has lived in her district  63 years, she is Albuquerque native, and a 6th generation Martinez from Martineztown.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-2-candidate-questionnaire-loretta-naranjo-lopez/article_98016080-646d-11ee-9412-a345bf4c6a07.html

Naranjo Lopez opposed much of Mayor Tim Keller’s “Housing Forward ABQ Plan” which was a “multifaceted initiative” where Keller called for drastic  changes to the city’s zoning laws known as the  Integrated Development Ordinance to favor developers in order to  add 5,000 new housing units across the city by 2025 above and beyond what private industry normally creates.  The “Housing Forward ABQ Plan” included the city council agreeing to allow city sanctioned “Safe  Outdoor Spaces” for the homeless, with 2 encampments of 50 allowed in each council district, and allowing the construction of casitas and duplexes as a permissive use on a all existing housing in the city. Naranjo Lopez successfully spearheaded opposition to a Safe Outdoor Space that was to be allowed on city owned property.

Naranjo Lopez says the 3 biggest issue facing District 2 are public safety, homelessness, and quality health care. To address public safety, she proposes a policy mandating increased police hiring and comprehensive training in de-escalation and community policing. To combat homelessness and the housing crisis, she proposes implementing affordable housing initiatives, increasing funding for homeless shelters, and collaborating with community organizations to provide support services. Additionally, she advocates for funding affordable housing and a new facility on the West Side to house and provide essential services to the homeless.

Naranjo Lopez  believes that access to quality health care is a fundamental right, and it is imperative that we prioritize this issue. If elected she is committed to advocate for increased funding for health care facilities and programs, particularly in underserved areas of District 2. By ensuring equitable access to health care services, she believes we can improve the overall well-being of residents and reduce the burden on emergency services.

VOTE LORETTA NARANJO LOPEZ NOVEMBER 7 FOR CITY COUNCILOR DISTRICT 2

LORETTA NARANJO LOPEZ GUEST OPINION COLUMN

On October 17, the Albuquerque Journal published the following guest opinion column by Loretta Naranjo Lopez:

HEADLINE: Homelessness Requires Compassionate And Holistic Approach

“As a City Council candidate for District 2, I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the residents of the Heart District and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our beautiful city. With years of experience working closely with the city, particularly in the zoning department, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that lie before us.

Today, I am excited to share my vision for a brighter future for Albuquerque.

First and foremost, my campaign is centered around the people of our district. Their voices, concerns, and aspirations drive my commitment to creating positive change. Homelessness remains a pressing issue, one that demands our immediate attention.

I firmly believe that a compassionate and holistic approach is essential, which includes providing access to affordable housing, mental health services and job opportunities. By collaborating with community organizations and leveraging public-private partnerships, we can address the root causes of homelessness and ensure that everyone in our district has a safe and stable place to call home.

Public safety is another vital aspect of our shared well-being. Our community deserves to feel secure, and I am committed to working closely with law enforcement agencies, local organizations, and residents to enhance public safety measures. By promoting community policing initiatives, fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and investing in prevention programs, we can create a safer environment for all.

Access to quality health care is a fundamental right, and it is imperative that we prioritize this issue. I will advocate for increased funding for health care facilities and programs, particularly in underserved areas of our district. By ensuring equitable access to health care services, we can improve the overall well-being of our residents and reduce the burden on emergency services.

Furthermore, protecting and preserving our environment is not only crucial for our health but also for the long-term sustainability of our city. I will work tirelessly to promote clean energy initiatives, support local businesses that prioritize sustainability, and advocate for stricter environmental regulations. By investing in renewable energy and promoting responsible urban development, we can create a healthier future for our children and generations to come.

I consider myself a moderate who values a balanced and thoughtful approach to decision-making. I believe in thoroughly studying the issues at hand, engaging with stakeholders, and considering multiple perspectives before making informed decisions. Collaboration and open dialogue are essential to effective governance, and I pledge to be accessible and responsive to the concerns of our residents.

Albuquerque, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse communities, has immense potential for growth and progress. However, we can only tap into this potential by working together. I am dedicated to being a strong advocate for our district, listening to your voices, and tirelessly working toward the betterment of our community.

I humbly request your support and encourage you to join me in building a stronger Albuquerque. Together, we can create a future that we are proud to call our own, where every resident thrives and our city shines as a beacon of opportunity. …”

https://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/homelessness-requires-a-compassionate-and-holistic-approach/article_844976d6-6c6a-11ee-9d4b-cbbf977304aa.html

DISTRICT 6 (NOB HILL, INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT)

Progressive Democrat Jeff Hoehn has a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Mexico, he is married to Charlotte Itoh and the couple have one child. He has lived in the district 21 years. He is the executive director of Cuidando Los Niños, a shelter and school for homeless children.  He has identified crime and homelessness as his top concerns for District 6.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-6-candidate-questionnaire-jeff-hoehn/article_86040c9c-646e-11ee-8e6e-5f3f903f9fa5.html

Hoehn’s approach to the homeless would differ significantly  from Mayor Keller’s large shelters at the Gateway Center and Westside Emergency Housing Center. To combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, he would fund smaller, population-specific shelters that are attractive and safe for those who want help. He agrees that the Albuquerque Community Safety Department  should be a proactive force that is on the streets every day, all day actively encountering individuals who are homeless so that they accept help or choose to relocate.

Hoehn advocates short-term mobile APD command units in high crime areas. He advocates for a dedicated team of police officers that can embed with the community, build trust and make the area unfriendly to criminal activity.   His crime proposals lean heavily on police and policing technology to get that done. Hoehn told the League of Woman Voters this:

“I advocate instituting short-term APD mobile command units in high crime areas. …  We must be strategic so that officers can spend their time preventing and addressing crime. Technology such as speed cameras has a role to play also.”

VOTE  JEFF HOEHN NOVEMBER 7 FOR CITY COUNCILOR DISTRICT 6.

GUEST OPINION COLUMN BY CANDIDATE JEFF HOEHN

City Council candidate Jeff Hoehn submitted the following guest column published on www.PeteDinelli.com on September 11:

“We all love Albuquerque.  We are all choosing to live here. 

 I am Jeff Hoehn, and I am running for City Council for District 6. I have lived in District 6 for over 20 years. I am Executive Director of Cuidando Los Niños, a nonprofit working to end homelessness, and I am President of the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association Board of Directors. My commitment to Albuquerque and to District 6 are proven in my work and volunteering.

 District 6 is a large and diverse district stretching from Eubank to the east, I-25 to the west, Lomas to the north and Gibson to the south as well as Mesa del Sol. It holds so much potential, yet it bears a significant share of the problems that are holding our city back. The time for effective and genuine progressive leadership is now, for District 6 and for Albuquerque.

We find ourselves at a crossroads with respect to the future of our city. Albuquerque has so much opportunity and promise, but it is not being realized. More than five years ago, we entrusted the future of our city to our Mayor, Tim Keller. We trusted him to lead, and to make a real difference on major issues including homelessness and crime. This is why we elected him.

The Mayor has had more than enough time to effect the change that we all voted for. I do agree with many of the mayor’s policies, and I too am a Democrat. But I am independent of the party line, and I am independent of the Mayor. I hold deeply to the values of the Democratic party but question the strategies this administration has developed. A City Councilor must put people first, offering practical and realistic approaches that are achievable rather than seeking political gain.

 Now that Pat Davis has decided not to run for another term, we have a unique opportunity to vote for leadership and to effect change. My love for this city has motivated me to run for office for the first time. My background, experience and leadership qualities set me apart from every other candidate in this race.

The son of a union construction worker, I worked my way through college as a student at UNM. I worked in kitchens to support myself, working my way up from dishwasher to prep cook, line cook and then kitchen manager and chef. Inspired to a career change after starting a family with my wife Charlotte, I once again worked my way through school, working full time at a nonprofit, while earning a Master of Public Administration. This degree has given me a broad base of knowledge about public policy, leadership, budgeting and much more.

I have put these skills to work for the betterment of our community, first as Executive Director of the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation, and for the past five years, as Executive Director of Cuidando los Niños. Cuidando is a pillar of our community of which we can all be proud. It is a five star preschool and day shelter for families experiencing homelessness. For the past five years, I have seen the struggle and heartbreak these families endure, living on the edge of homelessness. But I have also seen the way that compassionate assistance and support can change lives. Cuidando now has a diversity of programs and assistance available to the families it serves, from housing assistance to a food program to transportation for the kids.

 In fact, Cuidando has grown exponentially under my leadership. The budget has gone from $800,000 to $3,750,000 per year. We have grown the number of staff from 16 to almost 40, and increased pay and benefits for all employees. The number of homeless families served went from 40 a year to 225 a year. That is real community impact. This is all to say that I have the needed experience and leadership, and I am prepared for this job on day one.

Having thought about these issues for many years, I have policy positions that I intend to build coalitions around with residents and the City Council. 

With respect to homelessness, the Mayor’s legacy is an enormous homeless shelter the neighborhood did not want and that many people experiencing homelessness will not use. As we all know, it has been hugely expensive. It cost $15 million to acquire the site, and another $7 million has been spent getting it up and running. Yet it is not up and running even now. And the ambitions for its scope have been dramatically scaled back, the Mayor having announced that it will serve just 50 women when it opens. In yet another example of the City’s haplessness, we are facing a fine of more than three-quarters of a million dollars for the asbestos debacle. I know that we can do better. 

I believe that smaller, population-specific homeless shelters will be much more appealing to those experiencing homelessness. These can offer targeted wraparound services to their populations, and they will place a much lighter burden, if any on neighborhoods. We need to have compassion alongside pragmatism guiding our homelessness policy. We need to put real solutions before politics.

 The mayor’s strategy on homelessness seems to stop at housing. Yet more housing alone will not solve homelessness. Our focus must be on preventing homelessness before it begins.  For example, a robust eviction prevention program that helps pay rent or a bill will prevent people from becoming homeless for very low cost. The city should also consider compassionate, safe environments for those who choose to sleep outdoors. A successful example of this exists in Las Cruces. We simply can’t be afraid to do what is right, and what has been proven to work elsewhere.

 With respect to crime, we must interrupt the cycles of crime and place much more focus on mental health and addiction treatment. We need to target the underlying drivers of crime. As a social scientist by training, I know that this can make an appreciable difference. We also need a functional justice system, and I applaud District Attorney Sam Bregman’s efforts to increase prosecutions and more importantly the efficiency and effectiveness of prosecutions.

 It is true that the city needs far more police officers. But we need well trained, dedicated officers who will engage in constitutional policing. We need to get out from under the DOJ consent decree but do so with integrity. Real culture change in APD is still needed. While rebuilding the culture to attract police officers, we must be strategic so that officers are maximizing their time spent preventing and addressing crime. For example, I advocate short-term mobile APD command units in high crime areas. A dedicated team of officers can embed with the community, build trust and make the area unfriendly to criminal activity. I also know that ‘curb and gutter’ improvements in underserved areas of the city – such things as getting street lights working, building parks, adding trees and making sure basic city services are functioning – can have an impact on both crime and economic development.  Everyone in our city deserves a clean and safe neighborhood.

We must demand economic development in the International District. This area has been ignored for too long by politician after politician. As City Councilor I will ask every other Councilor to spend time with me in the International District. Then, I will work with City Council on developing a comprehensive plan for the International District that is informed by residents and business owners and not by policy makers from above.

It’s time to put people above politics. This is why I am the change we need on the City Council. Elect a proven leader in November. We can do better. Vote Jeff for District 6.

Visit jeff4d6.com to learn more about me and my specific policy proposals.”

DISTRICT 8 (NORTHEAST HEIGHTS AND FOOTHILLS)

Moderate Democrat Idalia Lechuga-Tena is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a B.A. Economics and B.A. Political science with a concentration in International politics. She is a naturalized citizen and has published academic research about immigration. She speaks 4 languages: English, Spanish, French and Italian.

She worked for Mayor Marty Chavez directly out of the Mayors office and she is now self-employed and is married. She has served as an New Mexico State Representative for the SE Heights International Neighborhood District  after nominated and selected by the Bernalillo County Commission. She has been extensively involved with the District 8 Neighborhood Coalition having served as the chairperson and the areas Community Policing Council.  Lechuga-Tena has lived in the Northeast Heights most of her adult life but moved into her husband’s home when the couple got married five years ago.

Lechuga-Tena essentially secured all of her qualifying nominating petition signatures and qualifying donations on her own by going “door to door” for months talking to voters and answering questions.  She had little or no assistance from others nor Democratic party officials when she gathered nominating signatures and the $5 qualifying donations to secure public financing.

VOTE IDALIA LECHUGA-TENA NOVEMBER 7 FOR CITY COUNCILOR DISTRICT 8.

On October 20 the Albquerquerqu Journal published the following guest column submitted by Idalia Lechuga-Tena:

HEADLINE: Bold Solution Needed To Remedy Albuquerque’s Woes

“The plague of crime, fentanyl, addiction and homelessness is everywhere. We need bold solutions.

Too many have suffered violence, break-ins and crime of every sort. Every city agency, law enforcement official and community group needs to work together with our state partners to fix our city. The problem is a tall order. That is why I decided to run for City Council.

I am a former state legislator, and International Ambassador for Global Peace. I lead the Community Policing Council and attended the Citizens Police Academy. I have fought food insecurity on the front lines as vice president of Meals on Wheels New Mexico. I serve on the board of the Glenwood Hills Neighborhood Association and District 8 Coalition. I am an immigrant, small businesswoman, a proud product of Albuquerque Public Schools, graduated from UNM, and speak four languages.

My bold solution for addressing the plague of fentanyl, addiction and homelessness is to bring to Albuquerque a diversion program used successfully in Miami-Dade County. It will address unmet needs and reduce recidivism. It is a one-stop shop for addiction and psychiatric services for unhoused people with acute mental illnesses who are in the criminal justice system or at risk of entering it. We cannot incarcerate our way out of mental illness or drug addiction.

Drug addiction is responsible for 80% of our crimes. Our system and jail are overloaded with people who are untreated. Our district attorney, public defenders, and behavioral health court judges agree that a diversion program is a method to reduce crime and homeless.

We will have a $3.5 billion surplus at the next N.M. legislative session. I plan to advocate and get some of that money and start Phase 1. We need all hands on deck.

I hear the victims and families clearly. We need change.

Our families need to feel safer. Our streets need to be safer. I want 1,600 officers and a stronger police presence in every community. We should support police and first responders with better pay.

We need to comply with and end the DOJ consent decree. It is costing too much money, and that money needs to be diverted to our community’s problems, not DOJ’s pocket. We need to close the “revolving door” in the court system and fix a broken criminal justice system by working with the N.M. Legislature.

I will work tirelessly with every small business to reduce red tape at City Hall. I want to have a yearly workforce development conference for every large employer in Albuquerque and New Mexico so we can prepare our children for jobs that will pay them well and keep them here instead of leaving the state.

I am open to your advice and guidance. I do not like extremism. I like common sense. If you live in District 8, I respectfully ask for your vote. Let’s take Albuquerque back.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/bold-solutions-are-needed-to-remedy-albuquerques-woes/article_fa43d37c-6de6-11ee-9a49-ef470a496e81.html

DISTRICT 4 (NORTHEAST HEIGHTS) – NO RECOMMENDATION

Conservative Republican Brook Bassan of District 4 in the Northeast Heights is the only incumbent running for reelection. She has qualified for public financing and was given $40,262 in public financing  to run her campaign.

Progressive Democrat Abby Foster is looking to unseat the first-term councilor and restore the Democratic Party’s supermajority. Foster is a privately finance candidate and according to her most recent finance report has raised $77,900. Foster has gone so far as to boast about all her endorsements at debates from Democratic Party elected officials even though the district is considered a Republican stronghold by politcal observers.

Abby Foster in the last 9 days of the campaign is alleging that Brook Bassan has engaged in “voter fraud” when Bassans’ city policy analyst Dawn Marie Emilio changed her voter registration to Bassan’s home address in order to support her re-election campaign. According to an ethics complaint that will be filed by a District 4 resident on October 30,  Emilio changed her voter registration in April and on June 6, 2023, city records show she signed Councilor Bussan’s District 4 nominating petition for her reelection campaign and contributed $5 towards her public financing effort.

Bassan has denied all wrong doing.  Emilio for her part has said she has  lived in District 4 on and off for years, even before working for City Councilor Brook Bassan. Emilio previously worked for Councilor Brad Winter who was replaced by Bassan. According to Emilio, Bassan opened her home to  her  for personal reasons she did not care to disclose  and she moved in for a significant period of time. Ultimlately, it’s the registered voters intent of residency that will be dispositive of the issue and not intent to commit fraud by the candidate.

It’s unknown if the ethics complaint is being generated by a pollical operative and supporter of Foster at the direction of the Foster campaign and as a last ditch effort to derail the candidacy of Bassan.  From all reports, there was no wide spread voter fraud as implied by Foster but the ethics complaint will only be resolved until weeks after the election. Voters need to decide if their support of either candidate is affected by the last-minute accusations.

No recommendation is made of either of the two candidates given the similarities both candidates exhibited on the issues during a September 20 debate with the only real difference between the two being their party affiliation of Republican versus Democrat.

Below are the candidates with links to their Albuquerque Journal questionnaire:

Brook Bassan, Conservative Republican: Incumbent City Councilor and a stay-at-home mom.   (Qualified for $40,262in public financing.)

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-4-candidate-questionnaire-brook-bassan/article_44bb87ba-646e-11ee-b33e-3fc2a0a6466b.html

Abby Foster, Progressive Democrat:  Small business owner, attorney and mediator who practices adult guardianship law. (Privately financed candidate.)

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-4-candidate-questionnaire-abby-foster/article_088351ec-646e-11ee-b44f-cbf4e087c213.html

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

There is little doubt that the November 7 municipal election will reshape the Albuquerque City Council to an extent with 4 of the 9 seats to be decided. Technically, city races are nonpartisan as mandated by the New Mexico Constitution. Notwithstanding candidates for city council and for Mayor are always identified by the media with their party affiliations. The political parties always get involved with the races as do elected officials with endorsements. The upcoming election will determine if the partisan balance of the council remains the same, stays only slightly left leaning, or becomes even more conservative.

The city is facing any number of problems that are bringing it to its knees. Those problems include exceptionally high violent crime and murder rates, the city’s increasing homeless numbers, lack of mental health care programs and little economic development.

The city cannot afford city councilors who makes promises and offers only eternal hope for better times that result in broken campaign promises.  What is needed are city elected officials who actually know what they are doing, who will make the hard decisions without an eye on their next election, not make decisions only to placate their base and please only those who voted for them.

The candidates Loretta Naranjo Lopez for District 2, Jeff Hoehn for District 6 and Idalia Lechuga-Tena for District 8 represent the type of leadership the city  needs now for the city’s future.

Please vote!

The link to a related blog article is here:

Update On November 7, 2023 ABQ City Council Races; One Candidate Drops Out After Exposed For Falsehoods; Voter Fraud Alleged In District 4 With One Registration; Candidates Identify Biggest Issues And Solutions Facing Districts; Mayor Tim Keller Operatives Helping 3 Council Candidates To Insure His Influence Over City Council For His Politcal Agenda As He Plans To Run For Third Term In 2025

The November 7,2023 municipal election will remake the Albuquerque City Council and perhaps there will be a shift from the current Democrat control to a Republican controlled city council. Early voting is already underway at County Clerks’ offices and expanded to more locations on Saturday, October  21. This blog article is an in depth review of all 4 city council races with candidate backgrounds, the issues identified with candidate positions and with Commentary and Analysis on the politcal dynamics of the races.

Three of the four incumbents whose seats are on the ballot are not running for reelection. Progressive Democrats Issac Benton of Downtown’s District 2 and Council President Pat Davis of District 6, spanning Nob Hill and the International District, are stepping aside, as is Conservative Republic Trudy Jones of District 8, in the Northeast foothills. The only sitting councilor running this year for a second term is District 4’s first term Conservative Republican Brook Bassan who is a public finance candidate while her opponent is Progressive Democrat Abby Foster who is a privately financed candidate.

https://www.kunm.org/local-news/2023-10-19/four-albuquerque-city-council-seats-are-up-for-grabs-along-with-its-partisan-balance

The city council’s 5 other seats will not be decided again until 2025 and will include the Mayor’s race. There are no term limits for city councilor nor for Mayor.

ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES

The candidates who have qualified for the ballot and public financing are the following:

DISTRICT 2 (DOWNTOWN, OLD TOWN, PARTS OF THE NORTH VALLEY AND WEST SIDE)

• Joaquin Baca, Progressive Democrat: Water rights program manager at the U.S. Forest Service, member of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, President of the ABQCore neighborhood association. (Qualified for $40,000 public financing.)
• Loretta Naranjo Lopez, Moderate Democrat: Retired city planner and current President of the Santa Barbara and Martineztweon neighborhood Association Neighborhood Assocaitation and former Board of Directors member of NM Public Employees Retirement Association. (Qualified for $40,000 public financing.)
• Moises A. Gonzalez (Independent): Documentary filmmaker, former teacher and community activist. (Privately financed candidate.)

DISTRICT 4 (NORTHEAST HEIGHTS)

• Brook Bassan, Conservative Republican: Incumbent City Councilor and a stay-at-home mom.  and incumbent councilor.   (Qualified for $40,262in public financing.)
• Abby Foster,Progressive Democrat:  Small business owner, attorney and mediator who practices adult guardianship law. (Privately financed candidate and according to most recent finance report has raised $77,900.)

DISTRICT 6 (NOB HILL, INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT)

• Jeff Hoehn,Progressive Democrat: Executive director of Cuidando Los Niños. (Privately financed candidate.)
• Abel Otero,Progressive Democrat: Owner and operator of Fonzy’s barbershop. (Qualified for $40,000.00 public financing.)
• Kristin Greene,Progressive Democrat: Tattoo artist and Burlesque dancer. (Qualified for $40,000.00 public financing.)
• Nichole Rogers,Progressive Democrat: Office manager and independent contractor for Primerica Financial Services. (Qualified for $40,000.00 public financing.)

DISTRICT 8 (NORTHEAST HEIGHTS AND FOOTHILLS)

• Dan Champine,Conservative Republican: A retired police officer and current mortgage lender. (Qualified for $44,577.00 public financing.)
• Idalia Lechuga-Tena,Moderate Democrat: Vice president of Meals on Wheels of New Mexico  former NM House representative for District 21.  (Qualified for $44,577.00 public financing.)

The link to the City clerk’s website listing candidates is here:

https://www.cabq.gov/vote/candidate-information/2023-candidates-and-committees-1

DISTRICT 2 (DOWNTOWN, OLD TOWN, PARTS OF THE NORTH VALLEY AND WEST SIDE)

The District 2 City Council seat has been held by Progressive Democrat  Isaac Benton since 2005 and it could shift  politically. Though no Republican is running for city council, an Independent is in the race. Benton told the Journal that he’s ready to move on from holding public office.  In March when he announced he was stepping aside, Benton said this:

“(It’s) time to turn it on over to someone else who has the appetite to get it done.”

Moderate Democrat Loretta Naranjo Lopez and Progressive Democrat Joaquin Baca are up against Independent Moises Gonzalez for Benton’s seat that covers Downtown Albuquerque. All three identified housing and homelessness as their top priority, with Naranjo Lopez and Baca adding crime as a top issue. Both Democrats want to see the city better address behavioral health to free up law enforcement to focus on violent crime.

MODERATE DEMOCRATE LORETTA NARANJO LOPEZ

Loretta Naranjo Lopez is a retired city employee and a 15-year veteran of Albuquerque’s City Planning Department involved housing code enforcement. She is also a former member of the Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Directors. She is the current  President of the Martinez Town Santa Barbara Neighborhood Association. She has lived in her district  63 years, she is Albuquerque native, and a 6th generation Martinez from Martineztown.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-2-candidate-questionnaire-loretta-naranjo-lopez/article_98016080-646d-11ee-9412-a345bf4c6a07.html

Naranjo Lopez opposed much of Mayor Tim Keller’s “Housing Forward ABQ Plan” which was a “multifaceted initiative” where Keller called for drastic  changes to the city’s zoning laws known as the  Integrated Development Ordinance to favor developers in order to  add 5,000 new housing units across the city by 2025 above and beyond what private industry normally creates and she  believes it will cause gentrification.  The “Housing Forward ABQ Plan” included the city council agreeing to allow city sanctioned “Safe  Outdoor Spaces” for the homeless, with 2 encampments of 50 allowed in each council district, and allowing the construction of casitas and duplexes as a permissive use on a all existing housing in the city. Naranjo Lopez successfully spearheaded opposition to a Safe Outdoor Space that was to be allowed on city owned property.

Naranjo Lopez says the 3 biggest issue facing District 2 are public safety, homelessness, and quality health care. To address public safety, she proposes a policy mandating increased police hiring and comprehensive training in de-escalation and community policing. To combat homelessness and the housing crisis, she proposes implementing affordable housing initiatives, increasing funding for homeless shelters, and collaborating with community organizations to provide support services. Additionally, she advocates for funding affordable housing and a new facility on the West Side to house and provide essential services to the homeless.

Naranjo Lopez  believes that access to quality health care is a fundamental right, and it is imperative that we prioritize this issue. If elected she is committed to advocating  for increased funding for health care facilities and programs, particularly in underserved areas of District 2. By ensuring equitable access to health care services, she believes we can improve the overall well-being of residents and reduce the burden on emergency services.

https://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/homelessness-requires-a-compassionate-and-holistic-approach/article_844976d6-6c6a-11ee-9d4b-cbbf977304aa.html

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT JOAQUIN BACA

Progressive Democrat Joaquin Baca is a hydrologist and military veteran. He is the father of two sons ages 13 and 15  he has raised and he has lived in District 2  off and on  since 1996 with breaks when serving in the Army and attending graduate school. He is the President of the ABQ Core Neighborhood Association and an elected member of the Rio Grande Conservancy District. His formal education includes earning a Master of  Law from the University of New Mexico (2020), earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Mexico in 2005 and earning a certificate in mediation from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

His campaign manager is paid politcal consultant Neri Holguin who was Mayor Tim Keller’s campaign manager when Keller ran for State Senator, assisted Keller in running for State Auditor and was Keller’s campaign manager when he ran for Mayor. Holguin was also the campaign manager for former Progressive Democrat State Senator Richard Romero who ran against then Democrat Mayor Marty  Chavez in 2009 thereby splitting the Democratic vote and ensuring the election of Conservative Republican Mayor Richard Berry.

Since the 2009 Mayor’s race, Holguin  has become the “go to” campaign consultant for Progressive Democratic Candidates and she exerts great influence over the candidates she elects even after they assume office. Confidential sources have confirmed that Joaquin Baca is Keller’s anointed candidate to replace Progressive Democrat Isaac Benton who is a reliable vote for Mayor Tim Keller’s progressive agenda.

Joaquin Baca says crime and homelessness are the two biggest issues facing the district. He who wants to see more mixed-income housing in the district which he says can be paid for through pursuing public/private partnerships. To reduce homelessness, Baca says the city needs more mixed-income housing in every district, including District 2. To build more housing, he says the city needs more public/private partnerships that leverages federal, local and private dollars for homes, parking and transit.

Joaquin Baca says the city in order to combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, it needs an “all of the above approach”,  which directly quotes what Mayor Tim Keller has said is the solution to the city’s homeless crisis.  Baca wants to start with fully funding mental health and addiction support services and the immediate scaling up of the Gateway Center, which is identical to what Mayor Keller has said he wants.  He says making significant improvements to the Westside Emergency Shelter is a priority.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-2-candidate-questionnaire-joaqu-n-baca/article_ed25928e-646d-11ee-8027-ebbf870ad5c1.ht

INDEPENDANT MOISES GONZALEZ

Independent Moises Gonzalez has an  English degree from the University of Texas, secondary education degree from the College of Santa Fe specializing in bilingual education, ESL, English and Spanish); He has a film degree from the College of Santa Fe. He lists his occupation as a Documentary Filmmaker and President of MarAbí Productions Inc. He has lived in the District 30 years, he is married to Karla Thornton and the couple have 3 children. Moises  Gonzalez is the only non-Democrat on the District 2 ballot is who identifies as an Independent.  He has  said on his campaign site that the election is “meant to be nonpartisan,” and encouraged collaboration. ”As the saying goes, there are no Republican or Democratic potholes.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-2-candidate-questionnaire-mois-s-gonz-lez/article_cc57d594-646d-11ee-92e4-d7545c08b384.html

Gonzalez says the lack of permanent, affordable housing is the biggest issue facing the district and he advocates the Housing First model used effectively in several cities around the country as he proclaims every person deserves decent housing. To combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, he wants to incentivize builders to build affordable housing with the use of city-owned land through MRAs, streamlined permitting, tax break or by greatly increase percentage of affordable housing for market-rate projects and/or higher in-lieu-of payments to go into a municipal building fund.

Although Gonzalez wants to increase housing options in the district, he  emphasized permanent housing as being the most crucial. “The city continues to pursue a continuum of care model that attempts to stitch together services and provides emergency shelter but fails to provide adequate permanent housing.” The documentary filmmaker and former teacher suggests following “housing first” models, where people are stabilized in permanent housing before addressing other critical needs like income or substance use treatment, to get that done.

DISTRICT 4 (NORTHEAST HEIGHTS)

Conservative Republican Brook Bassan of District 4 in the Northeast Heights is the only incumbent running for reelection. She has qualified for public financing and was given $40,262 in public financing  to run her campaign.  Progressive Democrat Abby Foster is looking to unseat the first-term councilor and restore the Democratic Party’s supermajority. Foster is a privately finance candidate. Foster has gone so far as to boast about all her endorsements at debates from Democratic Party elected officials even though the district is considered a Republican stronghold by politcal observers.

Foster’s campaign is also being managed by Neri Holguin who was Mayor Keller’s campaign manager for State Senate, she headed up the Measured Finance Committee that raised upwards of $1 million to get Keller elected the first time he ran and she managed Keller’s successful 2021 reelection campaign for Mayor against Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales. Confidential sources have confirmed that Abby Foster is indeed  Keller’s anointed candidate to replace Republican Brook Bassan.

Both candidates told the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico that their top priority is reducing crime. While both property and most violent crime in the city fell last year, according to Albuquerque Police Department statistics, homicides increased to an all-time high.

CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN BROOK BASSAN

Republican Brook Bassan has an Associate’s Degree although she initially made the mistake saying she had a  bachelors degree, a mistake she apologized for and corrected. Bassan attended the University of New Mexico for one semester but did not graduate.  However, she did graduate from ITT Technical Institute in 2007 with an Associate’s Degree. Her husband is Uri Bassan and the couple have 4 children and she lists her occupation as a stay-at-home mom.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-4-candidate-questionnaire-brook-bassan/article_44bb87ba-646e-11ee-b33e-3fc2a0a6466b.html

Bassan has said  that her tough-on-crime approach includes supporting law enforcement and increasing arrests.   Bassan wrote in the League’s candidate questionnaire. :

“I will support the end of catch and release, the return of pre-trial detention, strengthening three strikes laws, continuing warrant roundups, and revisiting the details of being an immigrant-friendly city,”

Bassan is  endorsed  by the Albuquerque Police Officers’ Association.

Bassan has said to combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, the city needs to lean on experts currently assisting the homeless community and give them the resources and tools to expand their services instead of always trying new, unproven ideas.  She also says the city needs to provide true behavioral health and drug addiction services, something she believes is currently, significantly lacking in Albuquerque.

As to what, if anything, the City Council can do legislatively to reduce crime, Bassan said APD is struggling and the city needs to focus on enforcing existing laws before adding any new laws. Bassan claims there is a need to getting back to basics, strengthening the city’s enforcement efforts and presence, ending catch and release, and eliminating the culture that crime is acceptable.

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT ABBY FOSTER

Progressive Democrat Abby Foster is a private attorney having earned a Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson School of Law in 2008. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in  2003 and a Certificate in facilitative mediation at the  UNM Law School in 2014. She is married to David David Pardo and they have 2 minor children. She has lived in the District since 2017.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-4-candidate-questionnaire-abby-foster/article_088351ec-646e-11ee-b44f-cbf4e087c213.html

Progressive Democrat Foster has expressed support for increasing the number of cops on the streets in order  to make more arrests. She told the League of Women Voters:

“We know that more officers in the community have a deterrent effect on crime. Reducing gun violence is key—as is making sure criminals face swift and certain punishment.”

Studies over the years have not shown that the size or budget of a police force reliably predicts local crime rates. A 2016 review of 62 studies between 1971 and 2013 concluded, “the overall effect size for police force size on crime is negative, small, and not statistically significant.”

Democrat Foster spoke to alternative approaches to reducing crime. She says that the Albuquerque Community Safety Department, which was created two years ago by Mayor Tim Keller and is now the city’s crisis response department, is succeeding by reducing the number of calls to APD.  She also advocates for addressing issues that impact crime rates, like making drug treatment more accessible. Increasing housing and reducing gun violence are also issues Foster is campaigning on according to her campaign website.

ABBY FOSTER ALLEGES BROOK BASSAN ENGAGED IN VOTER FRAUD

Abby Foster in the last 9 days of the campaign is alleging that Brook Bassan has engaged in “voter fraud” when Basaans’ city policy analyst Dawn Marie Emilio changed her voter registration to Bassan’s home address in order to support her re-election campaign. According to an ethics complaint that will be filed by a District 4 resident on October 30,  Emilio changed her voter registration in April and on June 6, 2023, city records show she signed Councilor Bussan’s District 4 nominating petition for her reelection campaign and contributed $5 towards her public financing effort.

Bassan has denied all wrong doing.  Emilio for her part has said she has  lived in District 4 on and off for years, even before working for City Councilor Brook Bassan. Emilio previously worked for Councilor Brad Winter who was replaced by Bassan. According to Emilio, Bassan opened her home to  her  for personal reasons she did not care to disclose  and she moved in for a significant period of time.

It’s unknown if the ethics complaint is being generated by a pollical operative and supporter of Foster at the direction of the Foster campaign as a last ditch effort to derail the candidacy of Bassan. From all accounts, there was no wide spread voter fraud as implied by Foster and its likely the accusation is much ado about nothing and will not likely have much  impact on the race. Ultimately, it’s the registered voters intent of residency that will be dispositive of the issue and not intent to commit fraud by the candidate.  However, it will be weeks until  after the election when the ethics complaint will be resolved.

DISTRICT 6 (NOB HILL, INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT)

Progressive Democrat Pat Davis told the Albuquerque Journal that he’s not running for a third term because he has “a lot of other things going on.” He runs a cannabis consulting firm and also owns several local newspapers.

District 6 has the most crowded race with four candidates with all 4 being progressive Democrats vying to replace Davis. The result is the  race will not have any  impact the council’s partisan balance.

Progressive Democrats Abel Otero, Jeff Hoehn, Nichole Rogers, Kristin Ravin Greene will all be on the ballot, but only 3 are actually running. Originally, there were 5 candidates who qualified for the ballot, but 2 have now dropped out of the race.

On August 29, dentist Dr. Joseph Potluck Aguirre announced his withdrawal from the race saying he and his family were relocating to another state to carry on with his dental practice.

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT ABEL OTERO

On October 24, Abel Otero announced he would be ending his campaign announcing  he would stop “actively campaigning”, but would still be voting for himself. His announcement followed a damaging October 20 front page news story published by the Albuquerque Journal that reported he had no record of prison time he claimed he had served.  His personal narrative and claims of struggles with the law, poverty, homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction were central to his campaign for city council.

Links to quoted news sources are here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/past-addiction-incarceration-are-part-of-abel-oteros-city-council-campaign-but-records-show-no/article_aa6715ac-6ea5-11ee-b8c3-1f60b6946cbe.html

https://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/opinion-abq-city-council-candidate-otero-the-time-has-come-to-end-my-campaign/article_828a99ae-71cb-11ee-8019-6f091be7b4ce.html

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT JEFF HOEHN

Progressive Democrat Jeff Hoehn has a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Mexico, he is married to Charlotte Itoh and the couple have one child. He has lived in the district 21 years. He is the executive director of Cuidando Los Niños, a shelter and school for homeless children.  He has identified crime and homelessness as his top concerns for District 6.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-6-candidate-questionnaire-jeff-hoehn/article_86040c9c-646e-11ee-8e6e-5f3f903f9fa5.html

Hoehn’s approach to the homeless would differ significantly  from Mayor Keller’s large shelters at the Gateway Center and Westside Emergency Housing Center. To combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, he would fund smaller, population-specific shelters that are attractive and safe for those who want help. He agrees that the Albuquerque Community Safety Department  should be a proactive force that is on the streets every day, all day actively encountering individuals who are homeless so that they accept help or choose to relocate.

Hoehn advocates short-term mobile APD command units in high crime areas. He advocates for a dedicated team of police officers that can embed with the community, build trust and make the area unfriendly to criminal activity.   His crime proposals lean heavily on police and policing technology to get that done. Hoehn told the League of Woman Voters this:

“I advocate instituting short-term APD mobile command units in high crime areas. …  We must be strategic so that officers can spend their time preventing and addressing crime. Technology such as speed cameras has a role to play also.”

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT NICHOLE ROGERS

Progressive Democrat Nichole Rogers is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) and has an  Associate of Arts and Sciences in Integrated studies from  Central NM Community College (2012). She lists her occupation as a business consultant and financial adviser, She has  2 children, aged 15 and 6 years old and had lived in District 6 for six years.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-6-candidate-questionnaire-nichole-rogers/article_c891ab32-646e-11ee-8250-bb9887ac9743.html

Progressive Democrat Nichole Rogers identifies herself as a Black and Hispanic single mother and survivor of abuse. She has worked for the Mayor Tim Keller Administration as a policy advocate and community organizer and for that reason is considered Mayor Keller’s preferred candidate in the race. Confidential sources have confirmed that Rogers received significant help in collecting nominating petitions signatures and qualifying donations from at least 2 city hall employees who work directly for Mayor Tim Keller. Sources have also confirmed Democrat Progressive  County Commissioner Adriann Barboa help collect nominating petitions and qualifying donations for Rogers using voter registration lists. Rogers  has gone so far as to tell  Democrats privately in the District that she is Mayor Keller’s candidate to replace Progressive Democrat Pat Davis who is a Keller ally.

Progressive Democrat Nichole Rogers cited poverty as her top priority if she is elected seeing it as an underlying cause of crime and homelessness. Rogers says too many families do not have what they need to survive much less thrive. Rogers says short-term solutions include  getting the Gateway Homeless shelter  open and functioning and the long-term solution is addressing poverty.  She vows to work to implement a Universal Income pilot that will provide families with the financial boost they need. To combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, Rogers wants to increase the number of shelter beds as a short-term solution and from there increase “wrap-around services” to get the unhoused in permanent supportive services that will help them stay housed.

Rogers said this:

“Too many families don’t have what they need to survive, much less thrive. “I know what it takes to make ends meet, to struggle for a safe home for your family, and to navigate social systems.”

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT KRISTIN “RAVEN” GREENE

Progressive Democrat Kristin “Raven” Greene identifies herself as a self-employed independent contractor and freelance writer. In own campaign web site she describes herself as a tattoo artist and former Burlesque dancer. She has no spouse and no kids and has lived in District 6 approximately 17 years.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-6-candidate-questionnaire-kristin-raven-greene/article_a39ce68e-646e-11ee-810d-2709ef8bbebf.html

Greene, who goes by Raven Del Rio but will appear on the ballot with her legal name, has economic development in her own neighborhood of the International District at the top of her to-do list, as well.  Green says  the biggest issue facing district 6 is “disenfranchisement and lack of economic investment in District 6 are the root of many issues we’re facing in our communities. She advocates creation of  Opportunity Zones, supporting Main Street initiatives, and backing small business grant initiatives to bolster health development to  revitalize the Districts  commercial corridors and neighborhoods, bringing more equity to our district.

As for what she would you do to combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, she says moving to a housing first model and smaller satellite shelters serving different demographics versus the city’s current a mega-shelter approach will serve the population better with less impact on surrounding neighborhoods. She advocates weeding out redundancies in services and creating a process  or dashboard that all providers have access to streamline the process of connecting the unhoused to services.

“Systemic neglect over the past five decades has created the dereliction we see today,” she said in a campaign video. She proposes economic investment in the district beyond social services, like the mayor’s Gateway Center. “We need amenities, we need groceries, we need walkable streets and green spaces,” she said.

DISTRICT 8 (NORTHEAST HEIGHTS AND FOOTHILLS)

In City Council District 8, which has been a conservative voice on the council for Jones’ four terms and several before that, could change hands politically with a Republican and Democrat vying for the seat.  The demographics for the district has changes to reflect a slight  Democratic majority, but the district still tends to vote Republican. Jones joked to the Journal last year that she’s stepping aside because she’s “old and grumpy.”

As the longtime city council conservative Trudy Jones elected not to run for a fifth term, voters in the northeast foothills will decide between Moderate Democrat  Idalia Lechuga-Tena  and Conservative Republican  Daniel Champine. Both candidates identified crime as the top priority for the council post, and both see additional police with better support as the way to get there.

MODERATE DEMOCRAT IDALIA LECHUGA-TENA 

Moderate Democrat Idalia Lechuga-Tena is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a B.A. Economics and B.A. Political science with a  concentration in International politics. She is a naturalized citizen and has published academic research about immigration. She speaks 4 languages: English, Spanish, French and Italian.

She worked for Mayor Marty Chavez directly out of the Mayor’s office and she is now self-employed and is married. She has served as an New Mexico State Representative for the SE Heights International Neighborhood District  after nominated and selected by the Bernalillo County Commission. She has been extensively involved with the District 8 Neighborhood Coalition having served as the chairperson  and the areas Community Policing Council.  Lechuga-Tena has lived in the Northeast Heights most of her adult life but moved into her husband’s home when the couple got married five years ago.

Lechuga-Tena essentially secured all of her qualifying nominating petition signatures and qualifying donations on her own by going “door to door” for months talking to voters and answering questions.  She had little or no assistance from others nor Democratic party officials when she gathered nominating signatures and the $5 qualifying donations to secure public financing.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-8-candidate-questionnaire-idalia-lechuga-tena/article_24b594d2-646f-11ee-8676-5b03730d31a5.html

Lechuga-Tena says the biggest issues facing District 8 are crime and homelessness. More specifically, she says property crime, retail crime, addiction and behavioral health are major issues confronting District 8. She wants to provide appropriate resources to police, enforce laws already on the books in order to make families safe.

What she would do to reduce crime is to bring a diversion program used successfully in Miami-Dade County to help with homelessness, addiction, and behavioral health problems. She described the diversion program as “a one-stop shop for addiction, psychiatric services for homeless people with acute mental illnesses who are in the criminal justice system or at risk of entering it.”

To combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, Lechuga-Tena says the city needs better paying jobs for working families. She also advocated programs like Homewise to help families get into and stay in homes. She believes Albuquerqueans with behavioral health and addiction problems need to get the help they need to get them off the streets and that her proposed diversion and treatment program will address those needs.

As a former state legislator, Lechuga-Tena says  the City  Council can do things  to reduce crime including  the city  investing  in community policing and support first responders with advanced opportunities, higher pay, and incentives. She wants to fully staff APD and have strong police presence everywhere.  She wants to close the “revolving door” in courts and fix a broken criminal justice system by working with the New Mexico Legislature.  Lechuga-Tena advocates for community policing strategies to “build a trust-based relationship between officers and residents,” according to her campaign site. To her, officer support means “advancement opportunities and higher pay.”

REPUBLICAN DANIEL CHAMPINE

Republican Daniel Champine is a Highland High School graduate and attended the University of New Mexico. Champine became an Albuquerque Police Officer at the age of 21 and served 22 years on the force before retiring. While an APD police officer, he served as a detective and served with the helicopter unit. He also served as the Vice President of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association.  Champine is currently employed full time as a “mortgage lender” and he has lived in the district “going on two years.”

Champine has the support of retiring Conservative Republican City Councilor Trudy Jones with the Republican party being instrumental in securing sufficient nominating petition signatures and qualifying donations for him.  Confidential sources have also confirmed he was actively solicited to run for city councilor by Conservative Democrat Louis Sanchez who is also a retired Albuquerque Police Officer.

Champine advocates “to end the revolving door that is catch and release.” On his campaign site, he said the city has been “taken over” by a “culture of lawlessness,” adding that he believes, “the lack of support for our officers by the current political leadership has created an exodus of officers leaving the Albuquerque Police Department and made recruiting extraordinarily difficult.”

According to Champine, crime is clearly the biggest issue facing both District 8 and the city. He says the city council must ensure that our police are fully funded and allowed to do their jobs.  He says “first and foremost, criminals must be held accountable for their destructive behavior. This is done by allowing, and supporting, law enforcement to effectively do their job. Next, we must end “catch and release.”

Champine says he will focus on funding basic services first, like police and fire protection, as well as improving our quality of life. He asserts the Keller  administration has focused on wasteful pet projects, like building new soccer stadium Downtown and expanding the city bureaucracy  while basic services have  suffered.

Champine says the city council should “repeal our Sanctuary City law” to make it more difficult for cartels to operate in our city. The blunt truth is that the city council has never enacted legislation declaring the  the city a Sanctuary City and no Mayor has ever declared the city a Sanctuary City. Albuquerque is considered an “immigrant friendly” city, meaning services are offered and provided, but it is symbolic in nature.

As for what Champine would you do to combat homelessness and the housing crisis in the city, he has said the city must have a multi-faceted approach that provides “hand-ups, not hand-outs”. That means providing help to those struggling through difficult times and/or suffering from mental health issues.  He says we can no longer tolerate destructive behavior and must enforce city laws to maintain public safety and protect our quality of life.

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/district-8-candidate-questionnaire-dan-champine/article_03e95220-646f-11ee-abbd-4b39794653e8.html

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

There is little doubt that the November 7 municipal election will reshape the Albuquerque City Council to an extent with 4 of the 9 seats to be decided. Technically, city races are nonpartisan as mandated by the New Mexico Constitution. Notwithstanding candidates for city council and for Mayor are always identified by the media with their party affiliations. The political parties always get involved with the races as do elected officials with endorsements. The upcoming election will determine if the partisan balance of the council remains the same, stays only slightly left leaning, or becomes even more conservative.

Following the 2021 election, Democrats moved from having a two-thirds majority with 6 seats to a 5 to 4 majority, with Republican Dan Lewis defeating Democratic incumbent Cynthia Borrego in District 5. Additionally, District 1 on Albuquerque’s Westside became more far more conservative when conservative Democrat Louis Sanchez ousted Progressive Democrat Lan Sena, who Mayor Tim Keller Keller had appointed to the position in 2020 after the death of longtime Democratic City Councilor Ken Sanchez.

The current city  council after the 2021 municipal election when the Democratic majority shrank rehashed some of Mayor Tim Keller’s progressive policies, including repealing a ban on plastic bags. It also debated the zero-fares bus pilot program started January 1, 2022, for months, eventually electing to keep the program with stepped-up security.  A proposal to make the program permanent is scheduled to be heard next month.

Like it or not, the 2023 municipal election will be a referendum on the job performance of Mayor Tim Keller only because he himself and his supporters have inserted  themselves into the races for city council when they should have kept their noses out of the races. It’s no accident that Mayor Keller’s 2021 campaign manager is being paid to manage the campaigns of two city council candidates.  Keller is fully aware the stakes are high in the 2023 municipal election. Keller has taken an active roll in electing city councilors who support his progressive agenda over the final 2 years of his second term to set himself up to run for a third term in 2025. Keller has already made it known to top aides he intends to run for a third term.

The city is facing any number of problems that are bringing it to its knees. Those problems include exceptionally high violent crime and murder rates, the city’s increasing homeless numbers, lack of mental health care programs and little economic development.

The city cannot afford city councilors who makes promises and offers only eternal hope for better times that result in broken campaign promises and who are indebted to Mayor Tim Keller. What is needed are city elected officials who actually know what they are doing, who will make the hard decisions without an eye on their next election, not make decisions only to placate their base and please only those who voted for them nor to placate the Mayor. What’s needed is a healthy debate on solutions and new ideas to solve our mutual problems, a debate that can happen only with a contested election.  Highly contested races reveal solutions to our problems.

Voters are entitled to and should expect more from candidates than fake smiles, slick commercials, and no solutions and no ideas. Our city needs more than promises of better economic times and lower crime rates for Albuquerque and voters need to demand answers and hold elected officials accountable.

On October 16, the Albuquerque City Council is scheduled to vote on a lease negotiated  by Mayor Tim Keller’s  Administration for the leasing of 7 acres of the 365 acres of land at Balloon Fiesta Park Balloon Fiesta Park to the New Mexico United Soccer Team for a multi-purpose soccer stadium.  According the city, the stadium would be located in a lot that is not on the field of the park but is a lot just east of the field.  United New Mexico currently subleases city-owned Isotopes Park from its primary tenant, the Triple-A baseball Albuquerque Isotopes.  The USLC  (United Soccer League) has mandated that its clubs must be based in soccer specific stadiums by 2026.

The lease will require the soccer team to invest at least $30 million into the site to build the stadium. No city funding will be used for the construction of the stadium.  However, Mayor Tim  Keller said the city will spend at least $10 million of existing city, state and federal funding for infrastructure upgrades on the site including ground, electric, and sewer work and other foundational work for the stadium, as well as improvements for the park as a whole.

The city says no parking spots will be lost, but they just might be moved. This year, the city added a 250-spot parking area, and plans to add more parking facilities in the future to address concerns expressed by Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta management.  Keller said this:

“We’re opening a new 250 car lot this year, that we practiced last year. So that is going to be open. So, we can replace that parking in other areas.”

Balloon Fiesta currently leases the park from the Tuesday after Labor Day to the end of October. This year’s Fiesta runs Oct. 7-15.

TERMS AND CONDTIONS OF LEASE

On September   Mayor Keller announced that the lease   must be approved by the Albuquerque City Council on October 16.   It’s a take it or leave it approval without negotiation of terms the City Council may want.  If the lease is approved by the City Council, construction for the new stadium will begin within 90 days.

The lease term will be for an initial period of 30 years with the option to renew and extensions for two 15-year terms which means the lease could be for a full 60 years.

The lease agreement contains the following terms and conditions:

• Seven acres of land, which is currently for parking at the park, will be leased by United New Mexico for $35,000 a year with a 2% rent increase each year.
• United will pay the city 10% of revenue from parking fees it charges.
• United New Mexico must initially invest at least $30 million of private funds to design and build the stadium.
• The city is obligated under the lease to build certain features that remain open to the public during Balloon Fiesta, including shade areas and public restrooms.
• United will not be allowed to host games during the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
• The planned stadium  will not interfere with ballooning in the area.
• The city will be able to use the stadium 10 days a year for free.
• United would retain all other revenues generated from the stadium, and from naming rights, sponsorships, advertising, tickets, merchandise, games and other events, while taking on all costs to operate the stadium and parking at all times. United would pay its own utility costs. The city would get its own box or cabana or a specialized seating area.
• At the end of the lease, New Mexico United is obligated to sell the stadium for $1 to the city of Albuquerque, unless the lease is extended by mutual agreement.

Keller said he pushed for high school soccer tournaments to be held at the stadium.

A spokesperson for New Mexico United said details about the design, size or cost are yet to be determined. The city will not be involved with the stadium design.

Mayor Keller issued the following statement:

“Albuquerque families deserve world-class amenities, and we won’t give up on projects like a stadium that fulfill these quality-of-life needs. Leasing underutilized land at Balloon Fiesta Park not only helps United grow, but also enriches one of our most frequented areas and provides new economic opportunities – a significant win for our city and a potential game-changer for our community.”

Keller said this at the September 29  press conference announcing the lease:

“We’re using state money, federal money, and existing money that we had to do the utilities, the earthwork, the electrical work that it takes to put in the stadium. … We mostly had to do that anyway because we want to do those improvements at the Balloon Fiesta that have to do with Vendors Row. … Now it’s real. And, now, it’s also mostly out of my hands. …

This is going to be a private stadium, and so what we have allowed for in the lease agreement is roughly ten days where the city can use it for city events. … We have also built into this lease agreement, by request, that it be used and available for soccer championships.  … [The lease] also means bathrooms. …We might actually have permanent bathrooms at Balloon Fiesta Park.”

Peter Trevisani, the owner of New Mexico United, did not attend the Keller press conference.  Instead, he was interviewed at the team’s locker room  practiced field and he issued the following statement about the stadium plans:

“It should come as no surprise that we’ve been working relentlessly for several years to find a location and a plan that would not only be a catalyst for our community but also ensure the longevity of New Mexico United. This plan does that. We’re excited to privately build a stadium that creates jobs and economic impact, improves Balloon Fiesta Park, and shows that New Mexicans can do whatever they set their minds to.”

On October 2, in an interview with the Albuquerque Journal, Trevisani said United has not finalized plans for a potential Balloon Fiesta Park stadium, including its initial size and even whether the playing surface would be grass or artificial turf.  Still, Trevisani said he is confident the project will receive City Council approval. Trevisani said this:

“I think the City Council has been great along the way. … I’m not a politician, but I truly believe they want to make Albuquerque the best version of itself possible. This is not a red-blue issue — it’s not even a red-green issue. This is about building a stadium with private funding that makes the city better. I think it’s a win-win.”

On other issues relating to the stadium, Trevisani said this:

HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER GAMES AT THE STADIUM:

“We want to have high school games. There are things in (the lease agreement) that call for that, things that benefit United and things that benefit the city and Balloon Fiesta Park, including us not playing games during Balloon Fiesta and hosting high school games at the stadium.”

HOW A STADIUM WOULD FIT INTO THE BALLOON FIESTA PARK AREA:

“Working with Balloon Fiesta has been amazing. We’ve found that working together can be collaborative. They’re lacking things like bathrooms and water hookups, which this will address. … We want the stadium to help the area develop in a way that’s respectful to the neighbors and businesses who are there now.”’

NATURAL GRASS VERSUS ARTIFICIAL TURF:

“My heart says grass, my wallet says turf. Everyone likes playing on grass, but there’s a balance to consider because we want to have women’s games and high school games and you can’t play on grass every day. There’s also the expense of watering to consider. We’ll probably make that decision as late in the process as possible.”

BRINGING A WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAM TO ALBUQUERQUE:

“We have to bring forward a women’s team. Exactly what level that will be initially, we’ll see. But I know in my heart of hearts we will have a women’s team with New Mexico on its jerseys. We can’t have that now because of space and scheduling at Isotopes Park. A new stadium makes it possible.”

The link to the quoted news source is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/now-its-real-lease-agreement-puts-united-soccer-stadium-at-balloon-fiesta-park-a-step/article_483d36e2-5f17-11ee-8af8-6bf74e6e6b79.html#tncms-source=home-featured-7-block

REACTION TO LEASE AGREEMENT

Initially, Balloon Fiesta leadership had concerns about the stadium being built at the park.   Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Media Relations Team issued the following statement:

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s Board of Directors met with representatives of the City of Albuquerque and New Mexico United last month to learn more about the impact of a potential United stadium on Balloon Fiesta’s operations. Three key areas of concern were raised during that meeting: parking, access to Balloon Fiesta Park and infrastructure improvements. We continue to receive these assurances and look forward to continuing the conversation to achieve these goals.

City Council President Pat Davis was interviewed at a remote location by video conference call and  said for his part if United can uphold the terms of the lease, he sees no problem with the stadium. Davis said this:

“This becomes 100% on the shoulders of the team at this point to put up and build their stadium. If they do it, it’s a big attraction for the city. … But if there becomes a time when they’re not able to meet their obligations, and they’re not going to construct their building, you know, we should have the right to give it to somebody else.”

In a subsequent interview reported on October 3 by pollical blogger Joe Monahan, Davis said this:

This is a very straightforward lease deal, much like the others we’ve done. For example, Amazon leasing land to build a hanger at the airport. The Legislature allocated money for infrastructure support. I required the lease contract to include a “do or die” clause that requires United to break ground and meet deadlines or they would forfeit the lease. I like this lease because it places 100% responsibility on the team to build the stadium, and reverts the land back to us if they don’t. Other than that, it’s a pretty standard lease.

Links to quoted news sources are here:

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/city-to-lease-balloon-fiesta-park-for-new-mexico-united-stadium/

https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-united-new-stadium-location-albuquerque/45378348

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/albuquerque-to-lease-land-at-balloon-fiesta-park-for-new-mexico-united-stadium/

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

At first blush, the proposed lease is a classic public/private partnership that is often used and that can be a big win-win proposition and go along ways to build a facility the city actually needs that will enhance the city’s quality of life. The best example that already exists of such a facility is the Isotopes Park, a city owned facility rented to a professional sports team.

Notwithstanding the overall merits of the project, there are several concerns about the lease that need to be raised and addressed by the City Council:

First: The lease agreement was introduced to city council on October 2 by the Keller Administration for approval and it is scheduled for final approval by the city council  on October 16. The lease is being presented to the city council as a take it or leave it proposition without allowing negotiation of additional terms the council may want.    A 16 day period  before final approval of the lease by the city council  does not come even close to allow the council to review the lease and to have at least one committee meeting  for  the Council to  debate, take public input  and for ask for additions or amendments to the lease.

SECOND:  United will retain all revenues generated from use of the stadium for other types of events without clarification what those events would include, which presumably will include using it as an entertainment venue for concerts and entertainment events. There is no mention of securing city approval of other type of  events or of other uses nor  the stadium being allowed  be “sub leased” to other tenants requiring city approval to generate income with the city sharing in the income from other events.

Third: Although Mayor Keller claims the City will not fund the stadium’s construction, the City website states that “the State has provided capital to the City of Albuquerque for infrastructure improvements that will provide needed upgrades at Balloon Fiesta Park.”  The stadium is not an upgrade to the park and the question is can the funding be diverted to an unrelated construction project or facility?

Fourth:  Voters have already voted NO by a landslide that tax payer money should not be used for the construction of the stadium and all construction cost overruns. The lease should contain specific provisions that the Soccer Team will assume any and all costs for future improvements or remodeling to the facility without any city funding.

Fifth:  Then there is the matter of location and it must be asked why was Balloon Fiesta Park chosen in the first place?  Sports stadiums are often built to serve as economic drivers for the area around them. Restaurants, bars and light retail usually result being built in the surrounding areas. That will not happen at Balloon Fiesta Park. There are other large tracts of land the city owns that could have been offered more centrally located for the stadium. One example is the Sun Port airport land that is the abandoned South airport runway located south of Puerto Del Sol Golf Course on Gibson.

Sixth: The regular 2023 municipal election to elect City Councilors for City Council Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be held on November 7, 2023 along with $200 Million in bonds to be approved by city voters. Incumbent Progressive Democrat City Councilors Isaac Benton and Pat Davis and Conservative Republican Trudy Jones, big supporters of the Mayor’s legacy projects, are not running for another term. The November 7 municipal election could shift city council majority control from the current 5 Democrats to Republican control or perhaps a far more conservative shift to challenge Mayor Keller’s progressive agenda. The construction of a stadium has been an issue in the city council races, and Keller’s rush job to get a vote on the lease by 3 lame duck incumbents smacks of politics at its worse and signals Keller likely believes he may not have the 5 votes with the new council or at least does not want to risk it.

The lame duck council should defer the final vote on the lease until the new council is sworn in. This will allow time for public input and perhaps needed changes to the lease.  It is the new City Council that will have to deal with any problems associated with the lease, so let the new City Council vote on it.

CONTACT CITY COUNCIL

On Monday, October 16, the Albuquerque City Council will be meeting and voting on the Stadium land lease. Voters and residents are urged to call or email their city councilor and voice their opinion on what they feel about the lease.

The phone numbers and email address are:

CITY COUNCIL PHONE: (505) 768-3100

CITY COUNCIL EMAILS

lesanchez@cabq.gov
louiesanchez@allstate.com
bmaceachen@cabq.gov,
ibenton@cabq.gov,
namolina@cabq.gov,
kpena@cabq.gov,
rmhernandez@cabq.gov,
bbassan@cabq.gov,
danlewis@cabq.gov,
galvarez@cabq.gov,
patdavis@cabq.gov,
seanforan@cabq.gov,
tfiebelkorn@cabq.gov,

justincarmona@cabq.gov,
trudyjones@cabq.gov,
azizachavez@cabq.gov,
rgrout@cabq.gov,
rrmiller@cabq.gov,
lewisabq@gmail.com,
nancymontano@cabq.gov,
cortega@cabq.gov,
cmelendrez@cabq.gov