District 6 Candidate Forum

Mental health services in Albuquerque are very inadequate for a city of our size. Too many of our citizens who have mental health issues do not have access to the treatment, employment opportunities, and ongoing support. I will support city resources for clinics, proper housing, and employment counseling. I will also work with our county and state representatives to coordinate multi-level services and resources.

The events leading up to Governor Pataki signing the law, very closely mirror several events that have taken place in Albuquerque, such as the stabbing at the baby store in Nob Hill and the incident that began at the motorcycle shop on Central Avenue. The fact that New York extended the law for another 5 years shows that it is effective. I would agree with similar legislation here.

We need to address the underlying issues, so that our communities are safe and people with mental illnesses are getting the services they need. We also need to make sure we are not infringing on people's civil rights and putting police in danger. Health care for people with mental illness must be fully funded, so that we don't create unfunded and mandated programs which will set them up for failure.

Yes, I am in favor of implementing a law modeled after Kendra's Law. I agree with Martin Heinrich and the 7 other councilors who passed this into law last year. It's currently in litigation, but at any rate, it would be a stronger law if it were passed statewide.

There are arguments on both sides for Kendra's Law, and I'm not interested in imposing on people's civil liberties. But there will be the occasional situation where the law can help someone with severe mental illness before they hurt themselves or others.

As to the second part of your question, I am very concerned about what we do to support people with mental illness. Right now, there are severe shortages in public services available. Services are more effective when they are consumer directed, recovery focused and adequate to the needs of the population. Policy should never be enacted without stakeholder/consumer input.

As your City Councilor, I will evaluate who is providing services, how effectively they are being provided and figure out where the gaps in services are.

I am not in favor of the City taking over the school system. I think that the City has enough to worry about in terms of creating efficiencies and managing its own staff.

What happens at APS though is of great significance to the future of this City and as such, the Mayor, the City Council and staff are major stakeholders. We have got to figure out a way to work together on issues and we need to be at the table when some of the major decision-making takes place. We need to tie funding to effectiveness and not just at APS. The City provides several million dollars a year to APS for enrichment programs, and I think we need better scrutiny of those programs.

APS and the entire education system in the State of New Mexico have some major problems to address. In January of this year, Education Week published its annual Quality Counts state ranking index. New Mexico, once again, ranked last and the lead on the news release read “A child born in Virginia is significantly more likely to experience success throughout life than the average child born in the United States, while a child born in New Mexico is likely to face an accumulating series of hurdles both educationally and economically…..”

And despite our relative affluence, Albuquerque scores and graduation rates are bringing down the statewide average.

I’ll do whatever I can to see this turned around.

I don't support the Mayor's effort to run our public schools. I have a deep and abiding respect for public education. I believe voters should decide who runs our public schools. We must have more people voting for school board, one way to achieve this is to have school board elections coincide with general elections.

I'm not in favor of the Mayor appointed directors to the APS board.

The School Board of APS is the body elected and responsible for educational programs for our city.
The mayor certainly should work with school board members and the superintendent, who is hired by the board, and provide input and perspective to educational issues.
As a school principal, I appreciate the city's support of after school programs for kids. The provision of APD School Resource Officers is another fine example of the positive relationships between the city and APS.

Clearly, availability of water is the ultimate factor in our growth. We cannot continue to grow on our periphery without attending to the fact that we live in a desert.
Smart Growth involves attention to our core neighborhoods in Dist. 6 in ways that support our quality of life. Impact fees for new development on the edges of our city must be sufficient to cover the cost of parks, libraries, and other infrastructure to those areas.
A comprehensive multi-modal transportation with accessibility, convenience, and frequency is also an element of Smart Growth. Growth is good for our city, but it must be controlled to sustain clean water and air.

I support planned growth. Meaning that we must start looking for smart solutions to the growing pains we feel every time we're stuck in traffic. We have the potential to ensure a high quality of life of everyone in our city if we act now to consider infill development, restoring existing neighborhoods, and building new communities that have the schools, roads, and parks they need and deserve.

It's unfair for established neighborhoods to be subsidizing sprawl growth to pay for new infrastructure outside of existing areas of service to the tune of $14,000 per home.

Smart growth, to me, is best defined by the work I've just completed in the Nob Hill-Highland Sector Development Plan. This plan focuses on infill development to keep the population here in our district rather than contributing to sprawl. The plan emphasizes neighborhood concepts such as walkability, public transportation, bicycle use, and mixed-use development.

It's my belief that smart growth makes neighborhoods better through redevelopment and will keep residents in urban areas. I devoted 3 1/2 years to this plan - always working with the goal that the plan will be continued down the Central corridor to Louisiana, Wyoming, and Eubank.

As a City Councilor I'll be able to finish the job we started.

Yes I support "smart growth." I define it as growth that protects our natural resources, that pays for itself, and promotes liveable, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.

We’ve been dealing with the issue of growth in Albuquerque since Old Town was built up around the railroad in the 1880s. In 1881, town leader Sister Blandina Segale wrote: I predict this Old Town Albuquerque will not long remain the metropolis.” Two years earlier when she arrived here, “there was not a house where the railroad station is now but the houses are springing up like mushrooms.”

And in 1891, wholesale grocer cum real estate developer, Martin Stamm purchased land east of the city limit and platted the Terrace Addition (four blocks south of Central all the way to Yale Avenue). The town’s general consensus about this development was that Stamm was “way out” in trying to develop that area because it took an hour with horse and buggy to struggle through the sandy streets to his headquarters.

And since the automobile, the dispersal from the original 1880 city core has continued—to say the least. And every new development required new services – water, transportation, sewer, etc. . And most of District 6 didn't even exist until circa 1940.

Skip forward 125 years and we are dealing with the very same issues. Lots of things have changed, but the reason for growth and the issues related to managing growth are essentially the same. The question is, as a City Councilor, how do I balance the needs of my district, the City as a whole and the Central New Mexico corridor?

Drug abuse, homelessness, and poverty are prevalent causes of crime in Dist. 6 and elsewhere. To increase our officer presence, we must pay our officers more, especially new recruits - we are 5th in the state in terms of entry level salaries for police officers.
In addition, community policing is a vital tool that needs to be more fully implemented. Officers who ride bicycles, walk the streets, meet neighbors, and know their neighborhoods are key. To "fix" the issues of drug abuse, homelessness, and poverty, we must maintain city support of social services and education that provide training, jobs, and basic needs.

Drugs are behind the majority of crimes in out city. We must help people with their drug addiction to stop the revolving door of crime that plagues our city and keeps our jail full. I support innovative policies that would create a citywide, comprehensive drug treatment plan, including our jail. This plan would include treatment and substance abuse, including alcohol addiction, as well as mental health services. The goal of this plan would be to decrease crime and incarceration, deaths, disease and suffering. This plan would also include a stringent evaluation to measure the fiscal impact of this plan and the impact on recidivism and jail operations.

I believe one of the most effective and economical ways to curb the crime problem is by increasing the presence of the Albuquerque Bicycle Patrol into neighborhoods. I worked with Nob Hill Merchants in the early 90's starting the first APD bike patrol on Central Avenue, and it had an immediate positive effect.

Problems my district face include prostitution, meth labs/ drug houses, vandalism, car theft, break-ins, gang activity, residential speeding - just to name a few. I've been robbed by gunpoint twice while at work in Nob Hill, and I feel I'm able to speak to the impact this sort of crime has on a person and a business.

It doesn't help our district that we have a probation and parole office located directly across from Monte Vista Elementary School.

As your city councilor I will be committed to working on public safety and relocating the parole and probation office.

In my talking to some 1,500 residents throughout the district, nearly every person has complained about property crimes. And according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, property crime is far and away the most common crime in the city and in District 6.

What I will do specifically to address the problem is four-fold:

1) put more officers out on the streets in the neighborhoods

2) increase both neighborhood watch and community policing programs

3) Put more resources into the gang prevention unit

4) work closely with APS to fund parenting programs as well as more after school programs so that crime is not option to our young people.

I actually own two businesses, Griffin & Associates, a Top-25 NM Woman-Owned business, which I've owned and run for 17 years and It's Just Lunch, a dating service franchise, which I opened four years ago. I manage a $2 million budget, I have 11 employees, I deal with providing health insurance and retirement benefits, I make decisions about providing a living wage . . . and every day I work on social marketing programs that have a positive and lasting impact on our community. In order to create effective communications campaigns, I have to understand the issues. And while I sometimes make it look easy, it's from 25 years of experience and study that has me be able to produce the results for which I'm known.

All these skills are exactly the skills needed to be an effective City Councilor.

If you go to joaniegriffinforcitycouncil.com you can read about my specific accomplishments or go to my company website at griffinassoc.com

Please refer to my previous answer to John Perry regarding public transportation and the modern street car.

I distinguish myself from the other candidates through my years of proven service to Albuquerque, my progressive values, and my passion for justice.

It's for this reason that I am endorsed by progressive leaders in our district, throughout Albuquerque and the state. I'm honored to have recently received the endorsement of Lt. Governor Diane Denish. She joins other progressive leaders in our city including:

Martin Heinrich, Current District 6 City Councilor
Debbie O'Malley, City Council President
Issac Benton, City Counncilor
Michael Cadigan, City Councilor
Eric Griego, Former City Councilor
Pat Baca, Former City Councilor
Deanna Archuleta, County Commisioner
Cisco McSorley, NM State Senator

I am also endorsed by The Hispanic Roundtable, AFSCME, Central Labor Council, and the Sierra Club.

I have the most experience as an elected public official in Albuquerque. I am serving my fourth term representing the southeast heights, downtown and the south valley as a Governing Board member for the Central New Mexico Community College (formerly T-VI.) I am currently vice-chair of that body, and chair the CNM board's Capital Outlay committee. In my 12 years of service I have been a part of the vision, growth, and success of CNM.
I am also a School Principal and teacher with many years of service to our community. In those roles I have gained management, budgeting, and people skills that will translate into my successful representation of the diverse people of our council district. My work as an educator and policy maker will be vital assets in support of district 6. I have a proven track record of integrity and honesty.

In March of 1987 I decided to set an impossible goal and achieve it - to run a marathon. I had not run a step to that point. On November 6, 1987 (six months later) I finished the New York City marathon. That story illustrates the kind of person I am and the dedication and determination I will bring to the city council - when I set my mind to something, I work hard until the job gets done.

I did it in 1987, and I've done it for 25 years every single day in business.


There are 3 reasons I'm different from my competitors and why you should vote for me:

1) I have a proven track record of high level experience in business and non-profit work serving a variety of community interests from recycling and litter reduction, to domestic violence and child safety to animal protection.
2) I am a professional communicator - I know how to build consensus, inspire people to action and facilitate results especially in difficult, emotionally charged, contentious situations.
3) I'm passionate about helping the city and the state be at the top of all the "right" lists. And like running a marathon, I won't stop til the job gets done.

Nobody asked me to run. I made that decision for myself based on the needs of my neighborhood. I am the candidate who has been serving our neighborhoods block by block at a graas-roots level for 20 years, often overcoming roadblocks from groups such as developers, city zoning, and the current City Council. While I've been able to achieve results at this level, I feel the city hasn't listened enough to mandates from the residents.I want to make sure their voices are heard.

You should vote for me because my loyalties lie at the neigborhood level. I will always fight for the needs of Distrit 6. I'm proud to be running a race where I'm not tied to any current politicians and their agendas.

I did not serve in the military. I do come from a family with military backgrounds. My father was killed in Vietnam after two tours of voluntary duty. So, while my cousins all went to NMMI, I opted for public schools.

No, I did not serve in the military.

No, I have not served in the military.

No. I did not. I did, however, serve as a VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) the domestic Peace Corps in the war on poverty. I was assigned to an agency responsible for housing rehabilitation and repair in the rural mid-west. Public service is an important core value of mine. I support our members of the military who bravely give of themselves for our democracy.

Albuquerque needs a comprehensive transit plan that ties together multi-modal forms of transportation in a USABLE way: light rail, modern street car, high occupancy vehicles, bicycle, pedestrian, etc. And yes, light rail/streetcar are part of this vision. Convenience, accessibility, and frequency are key, as I've said before. Our council needs to plan and follow-through.

Having a good transit system is important on many fronts. From an environmental standpoint, it will assist in helping the City to reduce its carbon footprint; from the tourism perspective it helps to attract visitors and finally from a practical standpoint, it is a necessary service for those individuals who are transit dependent. And done right, it will attract other urban reinvestment in established neighborhoods.

Convenience is the key to improvements in the transportation system. Transit that operates early in the morning to late at night; that is available every 3 – 5 minutes on major arterials and every 10 to 15 minutes from feeder streets; better bus shelters and workplace incentives to use transit; more guaranteed ride home programs and 24/7 trip planning information; focused public education campaigns are the keys to increasing transit ridership and improving the system.

In general, I support rail transit-east/west at first, to tie into existing elements of a true multi-modal transit system and which will begin to generate transit symbiosis (the more mass transit you have, the more people will use each segment of it).

I want to introduce a public education effort that thoroughly explores the option of rail transit in Albuquerque and allow the voters an opportunity to make an informed decision about whether or not it is viable and cost-effective. I believe the voters will support a light rail/streetcar system when they have all the facts and can see the benefits.

I have gone back and forth on this issue. The current plan being discussed seems to be running a streetcar from downtown to Nob Hill. I do not support this idea. What I would like to see is a large-scale street car system that ties into the Rail Runner service to effectively get commuters and tourists around the city to major points such as the airport, Kirtland AFB, Nob Hill, and the proposed Mesa del Sol Development.

Such a plan would have to be voted on by the residents of Albuquerque and to support this plan I would have to be convinced that people 20 years from now would be thankful that we put such a system in place for them. I would also have to believe that Albuquerque could bear the cost of this system.

I will advocate for a visionary, multi-phase mass transit plan for Albuquerque focused on East-West and North-South transit corridors along with commuter-friendly small fuel efficient buses that connect the transit corridors to your home and workplace. Light-rail will be an important component of this plan in the future. Also, better public transportation will reduce traffic congestion and global warming.

I will support a mandate that future developments must either have mass transit infrastructure in place and paid for, or a proven jobs-housing balance. I also support increased funding for buses, car pool and bicycle lanes.

Steve,

Admittedly, these were both mistakes. When they were brought to my attention, I immediately took full responsibility for my actions and remedied them.

I’ve advocated my entire life for equality and justice and have a proven track record of service to our community. I hope these mistakes won't overshadow that fact, and I can earn your trust as a city councilor.

I support a strong, vibrant community that respects and values all people. The GLBT presence in our community creates a diverse and positive facet. Safe and welcoming neighborhoods are my vision for district 6. My pledge to the GLBT community is to listen and be a strong voice for our District.

I support the LGBT Community: All civil rights and laws that protect heterosexuals should be afforded to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual individuals. I believe full spousal rights and financial protections must be in place for all of us. No part of our community can be denigrated if we ever hope to be a society that is whole.

I support the rights of the GLBT community. The work I've done in the last 3 1/2 years in redevelopment for Nob Hill and Highland will absolutely encourage a more friendly neighborhood atmosphere for everyone. The new development plan creates spaces for cafe sidewalks, walkability, bikability, better lighting, and accessible shopping that integrates with the neighborhood's existing historical integrity. Additionally, I support increased APD Bicycle Patrols which are effective in building police/community relationships.

Richard Florida in the "Rise of the Creative Class" talks about Albuquerque and our high level of acceptance and enthusiasm for the GLBT community. District 6 is a cool place to live, work and play not only for the GLBT community but for everyone.

Nob Hill is a model neighborhood. And I plan to expand multi-use projects throughout the District that will become places where everyone will want to live and recreate.

I am a life long Democrat and have been active in the Democratic Party many years. I am precinct vice-chair and attend party activities. I believe that democracy is a precious commodity that must not be wasted. I vote.

I am registered as a Democrat, and I have been active with several Democratic candidates' races including:

Governor Bill Richardson in 2002 and 2006
Patricia Madrid for U.S. Congress in 2006
James B. Lewis for N.M. State Treasurer in 2006
Geno Zamora for NM Attorney General in 2006
Martin Chavez for Mayor in 2005

I have been a registered Democrat all my life. I agree that what party you are registered under does tell a lot about your philosophy of government. I have not only been active in my party through door-knocking for various candidates, but also social justice issues that promote democratic ideals.

My entire campaign is about figuring out what's best for our neighborhood and how to implement these ideas. I am a registered Republican, but I truly hope that Democratic, Green, Independent, and Libertarian voters won't dismiss years of work I've given to this neighborhood based solely on party labels. Please check out all my positions on issues for yourself at www.WilsonForABQ.com - I don't think you'll find any party bias one way or the other - just great ideas for our neighborhood.

I have met the mayor a number of occasions such as city, CNM, or other community events. I support his efforts at conservation of our bosque, water conservation, and graffiti removal.

Mayor Chavez' performance has fallen short in regards to planned growth. He’s been imbalanced in his approach to growth, which has increased Albuquerque’s carbon footprint tremendously. Mayor Chavez has also helped to create a combative atmosphere at City Hall that has stalled many projects important to our neighborhoods.

My direct experience with the Mayor was from mid-July to early October of 2005 when I was the press secretary for his re-election campaign.

I think he's been very effective in some areas, and he has room for improvement in others. Specifically, I think he's done a stellar job in raising people's awareness and actions when it comes to water conservation. I also think he's been an outstanding advocate for animals.

Where I would like to see him improve is with his overall communication skills with the City Council, with the County Commission and APS. His constant battling with other leaders hurts us all.

As your City Councilor I will work hard to ensure that the Council and the Administration work together effectively.

None. I just met him in person for the first time at the State Fair Parade last Saturday.

I'm a huge fan of the nuisance abatement and graffiti ordinances. I like nuisance abatement so much I've even modeled my speeding abatement plan after it to reduce residential speeding (so every street in town doesn't end up with speed bumps).

I'm not such a fan of some of the Mayor's methods where he doesn't seem to consider other people's opinions.