Cervantes to drop out of congressional race

Posted 12/29/2007 10:44:00 AM

State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, has decided to drop out of the race to replace U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce in Congress.

Several sources confirmed that Cervantes called his closest supporters Friday to tell them he is dropping out of the race, citing primarily family considerations. Cervantes couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

The sources didn’t know whether Cervantes plans to seek re-election to his state House seat. The treasurer for his previous House campaigns, New Mexico State University professor Jose Garcia, had already announced that he would seek to replace Cervantes in the House.

Cervantes lives in the state Senate district of Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Las Cruces, and could also challenge him.

Cervantes joined in mid November a crowded field for the Democratic Party’s nomination that includes retired Presbyterian pastor Al Kissling, Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley, Roswell businessman and retired teacher Frank McKinnon and former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague. The race for the Republican nomination is even more crowded, with four candidates already announced and at least five others seriously considering it.

Cervantes has openly sought for years to balance public service with family. He has three daughters – one in elementary school, one in middle school and one in high school – and the sources said that, after traveling the district campaigning for weeks and watching Congress stay in session several weeks longer than planned this year, he decided to drop out.

I’ll have more on this next week.

Senate President Ben Altamirano dies

Posted 12/27/2007 10:23:00 PM

Senate President Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City, died today at his home after suffering from a massive heart attack.

Altamirano, who had served in the Senate since 1971, will be remembered as a hard worker with a warm personality.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of a great New Mexican and my dear friend, Benny Altamirano,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a statement released by his office. “Benny was a true statesman whose soft-spoken demeanor and love for the State of New Mexico helped earn him the respect of everyone who crossed his path. Benny will be dearly missed. Barbara and I send our condolences to Benny’s wife, Nina, and his entire family.”

I’ll have more on this next week.

Eight crucial days for Richardson

Posted 12/26/2007 09:18:00 AM

The next eight days are going to be the most critical in Bill Richardson’s political life.

His longshot bid for the presidency is either going to get a huge boost in Iowa on Jan. 3 or it’s going to die. Most likely, Richardson will finish fourth, or even fifth, and the question will become how long the governor stays in the race before returning to New Mexico for the legislative session that begins Jan. 15.

Richardson’s effort on the campaign trail has been valiant. He has worked at least as hard as the other candidates. His campaign has produced brilliant television commercials. He has raised a respectable amount of money.

But his support in polls has fluctuated between insignificant and marginally significant since he entered the race in January. He came closest to breaking into the top tier of candidates in June, but repeated misstatements made him appear inarticulate and his self-deprecating explanations for those statements were goofy. His support waned.

Most of Richardson’s volunteers are working harder than ever, and many New Mexicans are in Iowa to help. But some are giving up. One who was a field organizer for Richardson in Iowa recently quit to work on a congressional campaign in New Mexico. Some volunteers have moved to other campaigns.

That’s not surprising. Richardson doesn’t appear to have the support he needs to place third or better in Iowa, which is what he says must happen for him to have a chance at the nomination.

That doesn’t mean he should be counted out. Richardson’s only previous loss in a political race was in 1980 to former U.S. Rep. Manuel Lujan, R-N.M. A week before the election, Richardson trailed in a poll 65-18 percent, but he ended up losing by less than one percent.

There is a big difference between rural New Mexico in 1980 and Iowa in the 21st Century, and I’d like to think polling is more accurate 27 years later. It’s likely that Richardson is going to lose big on Jan. 3, but we can’t say it’s certain.

What if he loses? He has also lost control in New Mexico while he focused on the race. After ruling with an iron fist during his four years, a distracted Richardson was outmaneuvered by the state Senate during this year’s session.

If he doesn’t place third or better in Iowa on Jan. 3 and New Hampshire on Jan. 8, Richardson is going to have to decide whether to remain in the race through Super Tuesday on Feb. 5 and hope for the best – and miss most of the 30-day legislative session – or drop out of the race and return to New Mexico in time to attempt to retake control of state government.

Richardson insists that, if he loses the race, he will finish out his second and final gubernatorial term that ends in 2010. If that’s true, he would have good reason to return quickly. Losing further control of state government in 2008 could make the rest of his tenure frustrating.

But many believe he would seek to become vice president or secretary of state. Look for him to keep his options open. And don’t quite count him out of the presidential race, at least not yet.

A version of this article was published today in the Albuquerque Tribune and on the Diary of a Mad Voter blog published by both the Denver Post’s Politics West and the independent Web site NewWest.net.

New Mexico took the national stage in 2007

Posted 12/21/2007 12:23:00 PM

What do Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential run, the U.S. attorney scandal, the statewide cockfighting ban, Spaceport America and Sen. Pete Domenici’s retirement have in common? They were stories that kept New Mexico in the national news in 2007.

The attention on the Land of Enchantment will continue in 2008: With voters deciding whether to send Richardson to Washington and four open seats in Congress from New Mexico, this swing state will be ground zero for politics next year. Before we cross into the new year, here’s a look at my picks for the top stories of 2007:

10. Standing up to the speaker

He may have defeated a challenge to his leadership in December 2006, but that doesn’t mean House Speaker Ben Lujan emerged more powerful.

In fact, there was proof during this year’s legislative session that some things had changed. The speaker called a closed-door meeting to bring House Democrats in line with his plan to kill a bill that would reform the state’s scandal-plagued housing authority system. Instead, there was enough dissention that the speaker had to allow a compromise that took the firsts steps toward serious reform.

And when House Republicans revealed that the speaker was dishing out more capital outlay to Democrats than Republicans after promising to distribute it evenly, Rep. Andy Nuñez, D-Hatch, offered his capital outlay money to Republicans to even things out. The simple, public gesture led to an agreement to evenly distribute the money that hopefully sets a precedent for the future.

That isn’t to say the speaker isn’t still the second most powerful person in state government and doesn’t rule most of the time with an iron fist. But there is a bipartisan group of House members that, when they can agree on an issue, have the votes to successfully defy the speaker and aren’t afraid to do it. That’s worth a top-10 mention.

9. Cockfighting ban

Senate Majority Whip Mary Jane Garcia choked up when she spoke with me shortly after Richardson signed into law a statewide cockfighting ban in March and left Louisiana as the only state where the bloody practice is legal. Garcia had been working toward such a ban for 18 years.

“I can’t believe that this is finally happening,” the Democratic senator from Doña Ana told me. “I’m so excited, and I’m shaking.”

What made 2007 the year New Mexico joined the civilized world? Richardson finally decided to put his weight behind the ban, ensuring its approval before the session even began. A cockfighting group appealed the ban, but a district judge upheld the new law this week. The group is trying to decide whether to appeal.

8. Albuquerque voters reject Chávez

In October, all candidates and referenda backed by Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez were soundly defeated by voters in the municipal election. The story was quickly overshadowed by news of Domenici’s coming retirement, and it wasn’t until after Chávez entered, and later dropped out of, the race to replace Domenici that the impact became clear.

Progressive Democrats in Albuquerque would rather work with Republicans than with the conservative Democratic mayor. It was such an unusual coalition that defeated the mayor-backed candidates and referenda. Progressives’ opposition to Chávez also played a big role in ending his senatorial campaign.

Having ditched the gubernatorial and Senate races, and having refused to enter the First Congressional District race, Chávez has turned his focus back to being mayor. He has a lot of bridges to rebuild if he has any hope of regaining his power. But the divide with progressives is wide.

7. Courthouse scandal

The most notable aspect of the indictments of former Senate President Manny Aragon and others in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Courthouse scandal is that they didn’t shock the state. He and four others are charged with bilking taxpayers out of $4.2 million by falsifying and inflating invoices related to construction of the facility.

When Aragon and three others were indicted in March and plea bargains with two others were announced, the shock that had accompanied the state treasurer’s scandal several years before was missing. When a fifth person was indicted in October, there was even less shock.

The reality is that New Mexicans have become used to scandal. They’ve been inundated with Democratic corruption on the state level and Republican corruption on the national level for years. The courthouse cases are pending.

6. Senate takes control from governor

After four years of losing to Richardson, leaders of the New Mexico Senate played a carefully planned game of chess during the 2007 legislative session and took control from a governor who was distracted with his presidential campaign. Wise bargaining with the House meant the Senate was successful during the regular session in restoring capital outlay Richardson vetoed last year and in securing legislative approval of this year’s budget and capital outlay bills early enough that Richardson had to act on them before the end of the session.

Senators held Richardson’s proposals until he gave them what they wanted, approving one of his renewable energy bills only after he signed the bill restoring last year’s capital outlay cuts, and holding his coveted minimum wage bill until he signed the budget and capital outlay bills.

Richardson called lawmakers back for a special session, trying to take back control and gain approval of a few high-profile bills that would boost is presidential résumé, but he got next to nothing. The big questions in 2008 will be whether Richardson can regain power when the Legislature convenes for a 30-day session in January, and, more basic than that, whether he’ll even be around to try.

5. Spaceport moves forward, but slowly

Spaceport America continued to move closer to becoming a reality in 2007 despite some big hurdles. In March, the Legislature provided another $10 million to build a road to the spaceport from Interstate 25, and Virgin Galactic signed a nonbinding memorandum of agreement it said was a precursor to a lease. Voters in Doña Ana County narrowly approved a gross-receipts tax increase in April that will provide $49 million, about 25 percent of what’s needed to build the spaceport. In addition, UP Aerospace conducted its first successful launch into space in April.

But there were signs even then that all was not well. The Legislature’s approval was only begrudgingly given. And approval of the tax in Doña Ana County was so narrow that state officials realized they had a rough road ahead securing approval of tax increases in the more conservative Sierra and Otero counties. Though a tax in either county wouldn’t provide much money for the spaceport because neither is very populous, under state law Doña Ana County’s money can’t be spent unless another county also approves a tax increase.

In July, an accident at the California site where Virgin Galactic is building its spacecraft killed three people, reminding the commercial space industry of the dangers involved in its work. And spaceport Director Rick Homans, whose vision and tireless energy had carried the spaceport to that point, left for another job.

The plan is still moving forward. The state hired an architect to design the main terminal and Virgin Galactic’s facility in August, and, earlier this month, hired a new spaceport director. Sierra County commissioners have agreed to hold an election on the proposed tax increase in April. Officials are still optimistic, saying they’ll secure approval of the FAA license and break ground next year, but they must still sell the tax increase to Sierra County voters.

4. Citizens stand up to area growth policies

The first sign that not all Doña Ana County residents were on board with the area’s growth policies came in April, when rural voters mounted a serious challenge to the proposal to raise the gross receipts tax to help fund Spaceport America. It took some $150,000 from backers of the proposal to secure a 1.6-percent margin of victory.

Then in May, when the Las Cruces City Council was ready to quickly approve a massive East Mesa annexation that could double the city’s size, residents protested in force, arguing that there wasn’t enough public input and complaining about what they viewed as insider deals between the developer and public officials. The council approved the annexation and master plan for the development.

Opponents calling for “smart growth” organized. In November, they unleashed a well-funded and organized campaign and kicked Mayor Bill Mattiace and Councilor Jose Frietze out of office. A candidate they backed also picked up an open seat being vacated by Steve Trowbridge. Only Councilor Dolores Connor survived the onslaught.

The battle isn’t over. Ken Miyagishima’s mayoral victory means his council seat is up for grabs on Jan. 15. Those who backed Miyagishima are working hard to elect their candidate, but supporters of those who were kicked out of office in November got a big wake-up call and are working equally hard to elect the candidate they like. This will be another hotly contested race.

3. U.S. attorney scandal

When fired U.S. Attorney David Iglesias’ e-mail to a friend stating that he was “fragged” was leaked to the media in February, it set off a firestorm that eventually led to congressional hearings into whether the firings of eight U.S. attorneys were politically motivated. Contradictory statements and misinformation released by various members of the Bush Administration led many to wonder if there was something more nefarious being covered up.

The deeper question was whether the Bush Administration had allowed politics to influence investigations and indictments at the Justice Department. According to one scholarly analysis, six times as many Democratic public officials have been investigated and indicted during Bush’s tenure as Republicans.

The scandal helped contribute to the resignation of then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Iglesias says he was fired for refusing pressure applied by Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson to issue indictments in a public corruption probe involving high-ranking Democrats in time to sway voters in the November 2006 election. They say they didn’t pressure him. We may never know for certain.

2. Richardson’s presidential run

Support in the polls for the first serious presidential candidate from New Mexico fluctuated between insignificant and marginally significant during 2007, and he never quite broke into the top-tier of candidates – at least to date. With his misstatements and self-deprecating humor, Richardson had a difficult time convincing the national media and political insiders that his campaign should be taken seriously. With the Iowa Caucus approaching on Jan. 3, it doesn’t appear that Richardson’s presidential campaign will last more than a few weeks into 2008.

Still, it’s too early to count Richardson out and, even if he does lose, the governor can return to New Mexico with his head held high. He has worked at least as hard as any of the other candidates. His campaign produced clever and, at times, brilliant television commercials. He has raised a respectable amount of money.

If he loses, the question will be whether he will he remain governor of New Mexico or seek another high position in Washington. He insists he’ll remain governor until term limits force him out in 2010, but many doubt that a man some want to be vice president or secretary of state will instead choose to stay in New Mexico.

1. Domenici’s retirement

What else could top this list? A degenerative brain disease forced Domenici to announce in October that he will retire in 2008 after 36 years in office. That one decision set off a domino effect that is reshaping New Mexico’s political landscape. At the top, all three of New Mexico’s representatives in the United States House are seeking the Senate seat. The four open seats in Washington mean New Mexico is about to experience an unprecedented loss of experience and seniority, and it makes the state a huge focus of the national parties in 2008.

But the effect filters down far beyond that. Politicos seeking the U.S. House seats are leaving other elected positions, and the reshuffling filters all the way down to the local level.

Domenici, a giant in state and national politics who has helped shape national energy policy and brought lots of cash to New Mexico for more than three decades, is leaving a huge void. This state will sorely miss having him in Washington.

There is no way to overstate the effect of this one man’s retirement.

City Council District 6 candidate questionnaire

Posted 12/21/2007 09:59:00 AM

I asked candidates running for the open District 6 seat on the Las Cruces City Council to fill out the following questionnaire. I intentionally gave them no word limit, so as you read through their answers, you can consider not only what they said but how much space they took to say it and what that means.

For those of you living in District 6, I hope this helps you decide how you’ll vote on Jan. 15 (or sooner if you vote absentee or early).

The candidates

Patrick J. Curran, Ph.D.
• Age: 76
• Family: Married 47 years to Eileen D. Curran, four grown children, 22 grandchildren
• Education: Doctorate in administrative leadership from University of North Texas, master’s degree in secondary education from Columbia University, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in history and government from Fordham University
• Profession: Currently president of a real-estate holding company, also founded My Favorite Place child-care centers in Doña Ana County
• Political experience: Doña Ana County magistrate judge, 1995-2002; pro-tem magistrate judge, 2003-2007
• Other relevant experience: None listed

Lawrence N. Joy
• Age: 45
• Family: Married to Nancy Joy for more than 21 years
• Profession: Owner of Advanced Target Marketing, Inc., since 1995, a direct mail advertising service provider for clients in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. ATM provides expert consulting, campaign development, design, printing, database marketing and direct mail production services. Call 575-521-9267 or visit zianet.com/atm.
• Political experience: Advanced Target Marketing provided service to our first candidate client in 1996 and has since provided campaign production services to numerous elected officials such as Mayor Ken Miyagishima, City Councilor Miguel Silva, District Attorney Susana Martinez, State Senator Lee Rawson and numerous others. There have been many important meetings of elected officials discussing policies and strategies in my office of ATM in the last 12 years. State Representative Ed Boykin is my political hero and the person I most aspire to be like in office. I was an active member of the Republican Party of Doña Ana County, Ward 35 chairman from 2000-2006, and was also a member of the New Mexico State Central Committee. I was the Republican candidate for state representative in District 35 in 2004 and 2006, coming in second to the Democratic incumbent. As a result of local and state party strategies I left the party and I am now independent. I have worked closely with many elected officials from the local to national level. I have lived and worked in Las Cruces for 25 years and have great working relationships with members of the Las Cruces City Council, judicial branch, county officials, local business owners, local state legislators and NMSU officials. I look forward to serving my friends and neighbors in City Council District 6.
• Other experience: I serve at the request of Postmaster Legretta Ross-Rawlins on the Las Cruces Postal Consumer Advisory Council along with City Councilor Dolores Archuleta.

Berchard Ray Shipley
• Age: 64
• Family: Married to Jean Ann Shipley for 41 years, daughter Wendy, son John
• Profession: Retired from the U.S. Army in 1989 and retired as a commercial property manager in 2005
• Political experience: Served the mayor and city council for the City of Brentwood, Calif., as a planning commissioner for six years and was the chairman of the commission for three years. Developed and implemented a revised general plan and three specific plans for three critical areas in the city. The city grew from 20,000 residents to more than 50,000 residents in eight years. The city planning staff and the planning commission revised the written guidelines, the city code and the general and specific plans to develop improved building standards and transition strategies to effectively and efficiently manage the growth.
• Other relevant experience: Attended all city council meetings for six years to respond to inquiries about planning issues that were before the council. Served on committees to review and make recommendations for the site selections for two high schools and five elementary/middle schools, a new police department facility, three fire department stations and a major medical facility. As each new or infill project was planned the impact to the existing support agencies was evaluated and recommendations were developed to either modify existing or build new facilities, add new or additional staffing, new schools, new fire stations, etc.

Sharon Thomas
• Age: 67
• Family: Married to Dick Thomas for 45 years, son Severn lives in Santa Fe, daughter Caeri lives in Las Cruces
• Profession: Retired educator – elementary school teacher, English as a Second Language teacher, college professor and administrator
• Political experience: Have not held public office, but have been an elected official in state and national professional organizations, director of a writing center, director of an ESL program and associate chair of a department
• Other relevant experience: In addition to my experience detailed above, I have lived in District 6 for several years and I have owned a business in District 6. I have been studying the issues that are important to District 6 – traffic congestion, the VISION 2040 planning project, the Madrid extension and the real possibility that the next request from a developer for a Tax Increment Development District will be in District 6. I am well prepared to deal with the problems facing District 6.

Karen Rachel Trujillo
• Age: 32
• Family: Married with 3 sons
• Profession: Real estate broker
• Political experience: None
• Other relevant experience: I am a concerned citizen of Las Cruces and resident of District 6 for 25 years of my 32 years of life. I am involved in the community as the president of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces, a board member of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, a board member of Jardin de Los Niños and a member of the Regional Education Initiative and Dona Ana County Legislative Coalition.

Questions

What issues would you focus on as a city councilor?

Curran: If elected, I will represent the residents of District 6 to the best of my ability. I will approach each issue in the same commonsense approach that I brought to the magistrate court. The last municipal election was truly only about growth and many nuts-and-bolts issues were not addressed. My first three issues are stated in my attached announcement to the voters of District 6. (In the letter, Curran stated that he is concerned about the city’s growth, in addition to city cases being filed in district court instead of municipal court, resulting in lost revenue for the city, and said he wants to ensure repainting of lane-boundary lines on roads and medians in the city.)

Joy: My priorities in the Las Cruces City Council are open and active communication in District 6 with more neighborhood meetings, increased funding for building new roads and improving city streets, construction of NMSU solar energy technology in all Las Cruces municipal projects, all without the influence of special-interest groups. I will focus on returning to the city charter to provide maximum self-government in Las Cruces. Las Cruces City Council District 6 needs a strong independent voice that will work to include the people that live and work here in the important decisions ahead.

Shipley: 1. Growth: economic and managed growth/smart growth: Infrastructure in place timed with all new development or infill development, includes roads, utilities, schools, police, fire, medical, parks, trails, open space, etc.
2. Transportation master planning to resolve the traffic congestion at key areas of the district and city such as Telshor and Lohman, the completion of Sonoma Ranch Boulevard from U.S. 70 to University and the key arterials that move traffic from east to west Las Cruces.
3. Safety for the members of the community. Emphasis on police, fire and medical service to our citizens by ensuring that funding is in place to staff, train and maintain an effective and efficient operation.

Thomas: Growth management, infrastructure maintenance, deteriorating existing neighborhoods, incomplete and poorly planned/constructed new neighborhoods, the VISION 2040 planning project (our first regional comprehensive plan) and implementation of VISION 2040.

Trujillo: As a city councilor I would focus on all issues with an emphasis on fiscal responsibility, improvement of city services and increased communication from city council to residents of District 6.

What policies/actions of the city council are currently producing positive results?

Joy: The growth of neighborhood meetings is helping but needs to be expanded in order to be more effective and more inclusive. There is a big difference between public comment and public participation and I will work hard to make sure that the people that live and work in District 6 have greater access to public participation and decision-making.

Shipley: During past years the policies/actions of the city council regarding economic development, tourism and safety have resulted in Las Cruces being rated as a safe community, one of the best places to retire and a friendly community with great amenities.

Thomas: The new city council is beginning to consider changes to the subdivision requirements and the possibility of setting higher standards for development. These are steps in the right direction.

Trujillo: The actions of the city council that are currently producing positive results include their current work with the City of Las Cruces leadership and management team to address citywide beatification, infrastructure improvements, conservation and growth-management policies and principles.

Curran: No answer provided

What policies/actions of the city council need changes? How would you change them?

Shipley: I believe that the current policies/actions of the city council can be effective when properly administered. I would insist on open meetings with ample input from the citizens of District 6 and the city to make sure that all the facts were presented and considered before a decision was made. The policies/actions of the city council should represent the majority of the constituents, their safety and their concerns. If they don’t, they should be revised or eliminated.

Thomas: The city council needs to do more than tinker with current policies and requirements. We need a whole new approach to planning, one that is built on studying our current activity centers, connecting corridors and transportation needs so that we can better plan for our future needs.

Trujillo: I have faith in our current city council to act and create policy with Las Cruces’ best interest in mind. I would not change their policies but revisit as requested by the community while being careful to not put the city in a legally compromised position.

Curran: No answer provided

Joy: Las Cruces is a home-rule municipality and our constitution is the city charter, which is not being followed in numerous ways. I believe it is against the city charter for the city attorney to file DUI and DV cases in a court other than the Las Cruces Municipal Court. There needs to be more oversight of city departments such as the city attorney office, codes enforcement and utilities. When elected to the city council I will call for a work-session review of the city attorney office to identify problems in staff turnover and case preparations as well as the prosecution record of the office. Negotiating with developers at the city council level for final approvals should not have to happen and can lead to bad relationships when negotiations fail or are handled last minute. Better communication among council members and developers in advance can clarify issues of contention.

What is you stance on the city’s policies and actions related to growth and development?

Thomas: We are at a critical juncture. Growth is inevitable, but we must guide our growth. We seem, mostly, to wait until growth happens. Then, we try, later, to put in the schools and the roads and, maybe, a few pocket parks and call it a neighborhood, or a city, even. Many studies have been done on the way other fast-growing cities in the west have handled the problems we are currently facing. It’s time for us to pay attention and learn from our neighbors. We have the opportunity to plan ahead, to avoid the mistakes made by other cities, and to become a model for others to emulate. I want to establish a community course on urban planning and make it available to everyone who wants to learn more about planning. I also want to see the current Las Cruces Country Club preserved in some way – a premier park or a public golf course or some combination thereof. That kind of attractive green space takes decades to develop. We cannot afford to miss the opportunity to preserve it.

Trujillo: The city’s actions related to growth and development must be a direct reflection of the policies created by the city council. My stance on the growth and development policies is that they should be reviewed and modified to ensure that the needs of the citizens are being met.

Curran: As to growth, I support the efforts of our new mayor. Like it or not, cities do grow, but we must also note that in Las Cruces we have many underdeveloped properties in central city.

Joy: As a home-rule municipality the policies of the city are set and rules are in place. It requires the vote of the people to change many of the policies as evidenced by the recent tax-district vote for downtown. The city departments involved in planning and zoning have specific guidelines to follow as well as the city council for final approvals. Citizen review boards, inclusion of neighborhood associations, plus more accountability of developers and city departments need to increase. Accountability of the mayor and city council is only happening at election time but the people in this city need to know where the influences of special-interest groups are compromising the best interests of this wonderful city. It is time for real open government in Las Cruces and I am the independent candidate with the positive working relationships ready to go to work. Las Cruces City Council District 6 is home to classic Las Cruces neighborhoods such as the Las Cruces Country Club area and the Telshor neighborhoods. Growth means paying attention to all the details like parks, youth facilities, senior services, plus quality streets and neighborhood safety. Growth in solar energy technology like the solar parking structure on the NMSU campus can improve this city from jobs to lower energy costs for municipal construction. Gray and reclaimed water systems are underdeveloped in Las Cruces and need to grow fast despite the fact the city owns the water utility service and generates revenue from the sale of water. Quality “green” growth is important to me as a candidate for Las Cruces City Council District 6!

Shipley: I fully understand that properly managed growth is a must for every city. No growth means a dying/decaying city with a corresponding loss of economic vitality, a loss of services such as parks and recreation as a result of a declining tax base, housing foreclosures because of an inability to make mortgage payments or pay taxes, and business downturn due to the corresponding loss of income sources. I favor managed growth that plans for a complete process for the life cycle of the development, i.e., “cradle to grave” and economic growth to support the urban development. I support pedestrian oriented neighborhoods, mixed-use developments with key services within the development to minimize the use of the automobile. Depending upon the size of the development, there should also be open space, pocket parks, neighborhood or regional parks to offer ample opportunities for the families living nearby to be able to enjoy outdoor activities that enhance the quality of life in our district and city.

Is the city adequately planning and building infrastructure to keep up with growth?

Trujillo: Yes, the City of Las Cruces has very dedicated people striving to improve the planning process and the way infrastructure is created. Again, as with any process, review and modification must be considered to ensure that the needs of the citizens are being met.

Curran: No answer provided

Joy: The growth of cities in the southwest has happened very quickly in the past 20 years. Las Cruces has done well in planning and building infrastructure as evidenced by each I-25 interchange expanded, I-10 bridges replaced and large drainage culverts built all around the city. The Las Cruces Public Schools have done well expanding and building schools to keep up with increased student populations though an uphill challenge is faced as a result of school-board failures to manage three different superintendents and the resulting lawsuit settlements. It is a difficult challenge to legislate, secure and manage the large amounts of money that are required to build flood controls, parks, roads, streets and quality-of-life facilities like aquatic centers and bike paths. We need a city councilor that can work in a positive way with the people that live and work in the district plus all the governing bodies involved, continuing to develop more infrastructures in Las Cruces and I am ready to serve in District 6.

Shipley: The city is adequately planning for the infrastructure; however the timing for the completion of the infrastructure could be improved by time-phasing the construction. For example, a development would be required to have the infrastructure completed by a specific date, before a building permit would be pulled to start construction or before a use and occupancy permit would be issued. A simple example would be if a 900-lot subdivision were being built, the developer would be required to complete all the basic infrastructure before the first housing permit was pulled (utilities, streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, light poles, etc.) Once construction of the homes began a limit would be set for the initial number of building permits that could be pulled, so that if a piece of the infrastructure was not complete, say a bridge, by building permit 100, then no other building permits would be issued. Once the bridge was complete, then permit 101 through xxx could be issued. This concept also works for schools, fire stations, parks or other time-sensitive requirements.

Thomas: This question is backwards. It assumes that growth occurs on its own and we have to work to “keep up with the growth.” The city council and staff, with input from all stakeholders (developers, realtors and citizens), should be planning the growth (including the use of state trust land) and, therefore, the infrastructure. Then, the development that occurs will fit the planned infrastructure.

Has the city’s growth in the last decade been well-planned?

Curran: No answer provided

Joy: It is too easy to look back from our perspective and find fault or errors that may have been made in the past. Ten years ago the City of Las Cruces was still absorbed by the El Paso Electric takeover attempt and then negotiations for continued service. Look at how people in Las Cruces have criticized the Downtown Mall and how the process of changing decisions made 20 to 30 years ago is long and difficult. There have been countless hours of planning involved in downtown revitalization and the results are coming along in a positive way with a bright future. More planning is needed for growth on the East Mesa and this issue has the full attention of the city at this time to the point of special-interest groups fighting for control. We need to pay close attention to the negative impact of special-interest groups and look for independent people to elect and serve in office.

Shipley: I have lived here for the past two years, and during that time I would say the planning is more than adequate. I have talked to many friends and neighbors from District 6, and they have expressed that their major concern is with the amount of traffic that they have to contend with to move about the city. We agree that the increase in population was at such a rate during recent years that the development of some of the key road infrastructure did not keep pace with traffic requirements.

Thomas: On the one hand, yes. We have chosen, for the most part, to build on the mesas, rather than in the agricultural valley, thus saving valuable farmland. Recently, however, more and more farmland is being converted into “house farms.” We must find a way to preserve our agricultural community. On the other hand, much of District 6 lacks connectivity, retail services, adequate parks and open space and set-asides for transit. Why are most of the schools on the east mesa located on busy thoroughfares with little or no pedestrian or bicycle access? How much would traffic on Roadrunner be reduced if the students were able to walk or bike to school? Are there so many people on the Roadrunner median because they have no other place to walk and jog? How much could traffic congestion be reduced if residents of District 6 had access to nearby employment, recreation centers, retail opportunities and a district-wide pedestrian and bicycle route? Why do residents on the East Mesa have to travel down Roadrunner and onto Lohman every time they need a loaf of bread?

Trujillo: In my opinion, the city’s growth in the last decade has been well planned. Hindsight is always 20/20; thus, we can easily point out any deficiencies in the process. As long as we move forward to improve these processes, we can look toward the future with a positive outlook.

Is the council adequately involving the public in its decisions? If not, what changes would you propose?

Joy: The city council is receiving public comment but needs to improve public participation. As city councilor for District 6, I will open the process as wide as it can be to involve the public in decision-making activities. I will encourage local participation and feedback from our community on all activities in the Las Cruces City Council and make all records public along with all information possible so the people of this district have complete access to the city council process. I own a communications business and communication is my expertise. As an example, my campaign Web site votejoy.com has been up since Nov. 27 for people to learn about me as a candidate, and has had over 200 visits. I intend to use a combination of public service announcements, local press, direct mail and the Web to create open and active communication with the people who live and work in District 6. If you want to be involved in Las Cruces city government and you live or work in District 6, then I am the candidate to elect as the next city councilor.

Shipley: There seems to be controversy regarding the input by the public regarding city council decisions. Some of that is caused by the fact that the city council holds most all of its meetings at 1 p.m. on Mondays, and most of the city’s population works during the day and cannot attend the meetings. Many city councils hold their meetings during evening hours so that citizens have an opportunity to attend and participate in the meetings. I understand that the city staff works a normal daily schedule, and evening meetings would require either overtime or compensatory time; however, it is prudent to hold evening meetings.

Thomas: The public needs more than the opportunity to pass the microphone for two minutes of input. We need to have a procedure for public participation in the planning of our community. I think every neighborhood should have its own association and we should also have a council of neighborhood associations (one representative from each neighborhood association) that has an actual role in the planning process.

Trujillo: The city council through the professional staff at the public information and clerk’s offices provide adequate and legal notice of public meetings from using the local media to broadcasts on the Internet and on cable television. Every resident chooses their level of involvement as issues of personal concern arise. It is the duty of that councilor to be the source of information and to report to his or her residents.

Curran: No answer provided

Do you support the creation of a citizens review board to consider complaints against city law enforcement officers? Why or why not?

Shipley: The citizens’ review board shall review and evaluate serious complaints brought by the public against the police department. Furthermore, the board shall review whether or not a complaint has been filed, and/or all police actions that result in the death of a person. The board may also refer complaints to the grand jury, district attorney or any other governmental agency authorized by law to investigate the activities of a law enforcement agency. The board shall submit semi-annual reports to the city manager and city council concerning its evaluation of the police department’s investigation of citizens’ complaints; provided, however, that such reports shall not disclose any information required to be kept confidential by law. I support the creation of a citizens’ review board to serve as a non-partial body to insure that acts of wrongdoing by our law enforcement agency are not hidden or swept under the carpet.

Thomas: We clearly need to investigate the complaints being made. Initially, we might want to consider bringing in outside evaluators, a team of people who are trained to do this kind of assessment. In the future, we might want to establish some kind of a citizens review board to handle complaints.

Trujillo: The Las Cruces Police Department currently has a professional standards unit that is comprised of the different ranks within the department. I do not support a citizen review board because law enforcement is a unique profession; it should be reviewed and critiqued by those who not only understand the stresses and triumphs of the job, but have also lived through those stresses and triumphs.

Curran: With regard to a police review board, I have seen both good and bad ones in cities in which I have lived. I would need to know the size, composition and guidelines of the plan before I could comment further.

Joy: I support a citizens review board of all the departments including the city attorney office, codes enforcement, animal control, as well as law enforcement. The people of this city need to have access to arbitration and problem resolution that does not belong in the court system. Professional mediators such as Mr. Curran would be excellent candidates for this type of community service.

Any other comments?

Thomas: Other cities in the West have taken control of their growth through thoughtful, comprehensive, regional land-use planning and the ordinances needed to implement that planning. I have studied these models and know where to find the tools and “best practices” we need to build a more livable, sustainable and successful city. Sprawl is expensive and backtracking to fix our mistakes is costly. Planning ahead is the fiscally responsible thing to do.

Trujillo: None provided

Curran: None provided

Joy: The issue of growth is taking on many forms in the City of Las Cruces. There is a growth of special-interest-group influence in our city government right now and the people of this community need to take notice. I am focused on the future of Las Cruces and find little productivity criticizing the past. We need to thank those people that are willing to run for office and then serve as elected officials. Our previous mayor did a great job as well as previous council members. I personally say “thank you” for your service and job well done! To those on the council now please be aware that more and more people are paying attention and this community will hold its elected officials responsible at election time. Let’s go to work on our future. If we stand together we can change our world! To District 6 voters: Please vote by absentee application starting Dec. 19, vote early at City Hall from Dec. 26 to Jan. 12, or vote on special Election Day, Jan. 15, 2008. Please visit votejoy.com for more details. Thank you for your consideration of Lawrence Joy for Las Cruces City Council District 6. My wife Nancy and I wish you and yours a blessed, safe and warm holiday season. Happy New Year!

Shipley: I truly appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of District 6 and the city. I have the hands-on experience to provide leadership with ideas and possible solutions to manage the growth issues that the city staff and city council face.

Teacher drops out of First Congressional District race

Posted 12/21/2007 07:56:00 AM

High-school teacher Jason Call is dropping out of the First Congressional District race.

The Democrat’s decision, announced late Thursday on his Web site, came after the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on Tuesday endorsed fellow Democrat Martin Heinrich in the race.

“I’ve pushed this thing about as far as it can go, and I’m officially pulling the plug,” Call wrote on his Web site. “…As someone who has been a union member his entire professional career, I completely understand AFSCME’s decision to endorse a ‘winner,’ as opposed to a fringe candidate like myself. I think that they made the right choice, and I hope that Martin goes on to trounce whichever nutjob the GOP chooses to prop up.”

Call pledged to return the $1,000 he raised for the race, saying he spent only $277 and would “take the hit on that.” He also plans to keep his Web site operational and wrote that, if the next member of Congress from the Albuquerque area doesn’t actively work toward goals including single-payer health care, public financing for elections and immediate withdrawal from Iraq, “then I will continue this campaign for the 2010 congressional election.”

“I have been a peace and justice activist for near 20 years,” he wrote. “I intend to continue doing just that, and I will be a thorn in the side of my elected representative if they do not represent those same ideals.”

“As evidenced by the last year of Democratic capitulation, we must not consider a Democrat ‘win’ in CD1 to be a ‘win’ for truth, or peace or justice,” Call wrote. “That ‘win’ will only be evidenced vote by vote, issue by issue. To think that a Democratic win automatically equates to a win for progressive values is a recipe for disaster. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

His withdrawal leaves Heinrich and Michelle Lujan-Grisham, former state health secretary, vying for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the seat. On the GOP side, state Sen. Joe Carraro and Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White are running.

Same news, different day, different people

Posted 12/21/2007 07:39:00 AM

© 2007 Michael Swickard, Ph.D.

Another year has gone by – rather, sped by. Years ago I wondered what the world would be like in 1984 with the Orwellian predicted government control. And in the 1970s I pondered the year 2001 with our intended space exploration. Now we look back and marvel at how far off we were with our predictions. I will not predict what next year will bring.

I grew up at a time in the 1950s when the rage was labor-saving devices that would give Americans more leisure time. But the notion that Americans would have more and more free time went out the window because the overt and covert taxes of our land reached nearly 50 percent of what each of us creates financially. It used to be that one person worked financially and the other worked in the home. Now both people must work, one to put the bread on the table and the other to pay the taxes.

There was a poll asking, are you better off this year from last? We assume that each year we will get better and better and better. Is that possible? Are we always going to get richer as a nation or can we see a time when as a nation we do things that discontinue wealth building?

I am optimistic about next year, though. Overall, our nation had a great year. We have generally been very prosperous and have not been attacked by terrorists. Despite the impression some news outlets have given for political reasons, we have had a very robust economy.

The only thing that I have really struggled with is that the news media makes every pronouncement of presidential political candidates seem like the Hindenberg crashing into the Titanic. Polls have gone up. Wow. Polls have stayed the same. Wow. Polls have gone down. Wow. Seems we Americans should not spend four years, day by day, on all the people running for president. But that is just my opinion.

When I was in the news business we had a saying: “Same news, different day, different people.” This last year there were fires and floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Same as other years, just happened to different people. Some were advised not to build houses in low areas subject to flood. They did so anyway. Then they had the doggone gall to look surprised.

Good financial advice

Newspapers cover people with variable-rate home loans that the government is trying to bail out. I thought for about five nanoseconds about signing up for a variable-rate loan. Conventional wisdom said doing so would ruin me, so I did not. Those people who went for the variable-rate loans did so against good financial advice. How much should you feel sorry for people who act against good advice?

It is one of the hallmarks of this year that we told them it would end in disaster and then, when it did, we do not mention the advice and are instead attempting to bail them out. I am not heartless, but how about a little applause for those people who were smart enough to not have those kinds of loans?

This last year, as every year, we observed that some people perished, some people were born. Some got married, some divorced, some became more wealthy and some went further in debt. Some people got offers for “instant credit,” which is actually instant debt. Some of those people with instant debt used and used and used the debt instrument and are in trouble.

We tell young people that three things are important to secure financial freedom. Finish high school. Do not have a child before age 21. Be married when you have that child. Great advice not taken by many. A little applause for those who do take the advice.

In the land of the free no one has to take good advice, least of all me. I have ignored lots of good advice. B