Albuquerque City Council Districts
(updated 8/22/2007)
Four year term. Must be at least eighteen years of age, a United States citizen, a registered, qualified elector of the city and a resident of the city for at least one year prior to the date of filing their Declaration of Candidacy. Must submit a petition containing the signatures of 500 qualified electors to the City Clerk within a period specified by the City Charter. Salary: approximately $9,963.
Use the quick links in the Table of Contents, below, or just scroll down the page, to see each bond issue.
M. Debbie O’Malley, District 2 Candidate for Albuquerque City Council
Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for the office of City Councilor. (75 words)
I care deeply for my hometown. I was born and raised my children here. My ethnically diverse family has lived in Albuquerque for generations. I was the founder and first Executive Director of the Sawmill Community Land Trust, an innovative redevelopment project that continues to grow and receive national acclaim. I worked with the community, private sector and government to make this project happen. I bring collaboration and negotiation skills to this job.
What are your two highest priorities for the city as a whole and why? How will you work with your fellow city councilors and the mayor to accomplish your goals? (75 words)
My first priority remains safe, decent affordable housing for working families. I co-sponsored the Workforce Housing Act that calls for the City to set aside $10 million dollars every two years to the production of permanently affordable housing for low-to-moderate income working families. My second priority is neighborhood revitalization; we need plans for more active, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use redevelopment.
What specific proposals would you advance to address the impact of growth in Albuquerque and the region, balanced with the needs of your district? (75 words)
I will continue to push for policies requiring that schools be available or built concurrently with new residential developments. The arrangement that APS has now with the homebuilders helps, but it is not enough. I support the Planned Growth Strategy that calls for developers to pay impact fees that supplement the property tax dollars that go toward infrastructure. Unfortunately these fees do not support the development of schools.
What criteria would you use to prioritize the city's budget to meet both existing and future needs? (75 words)
We need to put basic needs before extravagant items. We need to be good stewards of our infrastructure, making sure adequate money is budgeted for streets, storm drainage, and water and sewer lines. Taxpayers expect potholes to be filled, stop signs installed and dependable and high quality City services. After basic needs are met, we need to put our efforts into better planning and development such as the Big Box ordinance that I sponsored recently.
Katherine Martinez, District 2 Candidate for Albuquerque City Council
Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for the office of City Councilor. (75 words)
My current position is Director of Government and Community Affairs for the Home Builders Association. In this role I work with elected officials and community leaders towards preserving housing affordability and promoting sustainable growth. Dealing with these complex issues has given me the experience necessary and allowed me to build key relationships. Additionally, I serve on the City's Affordable Housing Subcommittee, the Green Ribbon Task Force and sit on the ARCA Board of Directors.
What are your two highest priorities for the city as a whole and why? How will you work with your fellow city councilors and the mayor to accomplish your goals? (75 words)
My two highest priorities are sustainability and public safety. As a member of the Green Ribbon Task Force, I have been very involved in the efforts to promote sustainability. Public Safety is of utmost importance to our city. Conflicting agendas has prevented strengthening our public safety efforts. Only by working with other councilors and the mayor can we achieve properly funding our police force.
What specific proposals would you advance to address the impact of growth in Albuquerque and the region, balanced with the needs of your district? (75 words)
As a member of the Mayor's Green Ribbon Task Force, and an advocate for Build Green NM, I have been very involved and engaged in the process of setting standards in the private sector for environmentally conscious construction and water conservation. My district is a special place with a lush environment that adds to our quality of life. Sustainability efforts go hand in hand with protecting and preserving that quality of life enjoyed by all.
What criteria would you use to prioritize the city's budget to meet both existing and future needs? (75 words)
As city councilor I would work through city's goal process, whereby constituents, council and the executive develop goals together. Goals are established every five years in a town hall format. It is important, as stipulated in the performance section of the city's budget, that the goals and programs be evaluated annually to make sure successful programs are properly funded and those that aren't performing are eliminated so that funding is not wasted.
Paulette de’Pascal, District 4 Candidate for Albuquerque City Council
Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for the office of City Councilor. (75 words)
My experience as a single mom; my passion for our city and its people; my background as a business marketer and advocate before the Legislature have all prepared me for the City Council. Some talk about doing things but I go the extra mile to get the job done and will devote myself exclusively to serving the city I am proud to have called home for 25 years.
What are your two highest priorities for the city as a whole and why? How will you work with your fellow city councilors and the mayor to accomplish your goals? (75 words)
improve public safety and education. Public safety should always be job #1 of city government. We need more (and better paid) police officers on the frontlines working actively with neighborhoods to reduce DWI, domestic violence and property crimes. I support tougher sentences and increased officer pay and retention programs. City taxpayers provide millions to APS. We deserve accountability and the most bang for our education buck -- and so do our kids.
What specific proposals would you advance to address the impact of growth in Albuquerque and the region, balanced with the needs of your district? (75 words)
First of all, I believe the city planning bureaucracy is a mess and is a disincentive for development and redevelopment. Additionally, too often neighborhood associations and builders are set up for confrontation, rather than cooperation. A streamlined, expedited plan approval process should be established for infill and revitalization projects. I would also support creating an ombudsman position to bring neighborhood groups and developers together to help foster smarter, more sustainable growth.
What criteria would you use to prioritize the city's budget to meet both existing and future needs? (75 words)
My budget focus would be on basic city services: police and fire, good planning and infrastructure like roads and parks. As the City Councilor for District 4, I would also work with the Mayor and fellow Councilors to build the North Domingo Community Center, Senior Centers. Albuquerque has enjoyed a booming economy but must we must be vigilant that we don't overspend or lock ourselves into long-term spending that will create future budget deficits.
Brad Winter, District 4 Candidate for Albuquerque City Council
Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for the office of City Councilor. (75 words)
Twice elected City Councilor; three times elected Council President. I'm a former teacher and assistant principal. I am currently the Director of Facilities/Operations for APS. I earned a BA, MA, and Doctoral degree in Education. The Journal recently credited me and APS staff for making the needed turnaround in the building of new schools. I vote consistently for lower taxes and open, ethical government. I was a member of the Governor's Ethics Task Force.
What are your two highest priorities for the city as a whole and why? How will you work with your fellow city councilors and the mayor to accomplish your goals? (75 words)
1. Make our neighborhoods safe. For years, I have and will continue to fight for accurate information on police force levels and response time for 911 calls. I support budgets that are heavy on public safety, first. We must put more officers on the streets while making sure we have the jail space to hold criminals once they have been detained. 2. Hold the line on taxes and uncontrolled growth in government spending.
What specific proposals would you advance to address the impact of growth in Albuquerque and the region, balanced with the needs of your district? (75 words)
Re-introduce a Taxpayer Protection Plan - which proposes to hold the line on taxes and put money in a "savings account" to better prepare for down turns in the economy. Jobs/Growth - continue my active participation in sector plans across the City to better match jobs with residential construction and facilitate better traffic management. Ethics reform - require reasonable protections against the abuse of tax dollars used for the newly-passed publicly financed campaign program.
What criteria would you use to prioritize the city's budget to meet both existing and future needs? (75 words)
We must fully fund public safety, first. This includes more police officers, appropriate jail space, reduced 911 call time, domestic violence assistance, and drug and alcohol treatment. We must hold the line on taxes. Road and infrastructure development like sidewalks, utility placement, must keep pace with development to ease traffic woes and make the streets safer for our children. Basic City services should always come before politicians' pet projects.
Blair Kaufman, District 6 Candidate for Albuquerque City Council
Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for the office of City Councilor. (75 words)
1. I am currently Vice-Chair and serving my 12th year as an elected member of the Governing Board at Central New Mexico Community College. I have Bachelors degrees in both Political Science and Industrial Education and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration. I have taught elementary and high school in APS, and am currently an energetic, multi-tasking school principal with responsibility for a multi-million dollar budget and a staff of 105.
What are your two highest priorities for the city as a whole and why? How will you work with your fellow city councilors and the mayor to accomplish your goals? (75 words)
My first priority is sufficient water and clean air for our future. Secondly, to count among America's vibrant, great cities Albuquerque must balance growth with increased safety, city services, and revitalization of our city's center core neighborhoods, such as the Central Avenue Corridor. I am a collaborative, innovative team player, and I will work hard to support District 6 while championing initiatives that support the entire city and region, as well.
What specific proposals would you advance to address the impact of growth in Albuquerque and the region, balanced with the needs of your district? (75 words)
I will: propose controls on new developments based upon long range water use planning; implement a comprehensive multi-modal transportation plan designed to reduce our energy dependence and improve air quality; promote incentives for infill projects that support community building in older parts of the city; and strengthen Impact Fees for developers to support parks, schools, libraries, and city infrastructure. As a region Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and other governing bodies must collaborate.
What criteria would you use to prioritize the city's budget to meet both existing and future needs? (75 words)
My budget priorities align with my beliefs and action plan: fund initiatives that provide for sufficient clean water and air for our future, provide for public safety and arts, and balance growth by allowing developers to contribute to providing quality of life while also budgeting incentives that encourage infill in core neighborhoods. Budget increases should parallel increased provision of city services - and that has not necessarily been the case in recent years.
Joan Griffin, District 6 Candidate for Albuquerque City Council
Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for the office of City Councilor. (75 words)
Proven track record of personal and professional success; a broad range of government, nonprofit and private sector experience; critical and independent thinker and committed to results-oriented, solution-focused, no-excuses leadership. I practice service daily and appreciate the value of two-way symmetric communication in decision-making. The sense and sensibilities I used to build a successful, socially responsible community-minded business uniquely prepare me to serve District 6 and the City.
What are your two highest priorities for the city as a whole and why? How will you work with your fellow city councilors and the mayor to accomplish your goals? (75 words)
Reduce crime in the District and the City overall. I'll work with peers and APD to put more officers in the neighborhoods, increase community policing and neighborhood watch programs. Infill development that preserves our natural resources and utilizes design standards in alignment with existing neighborhoods. Using my background as a professional communicator, I will accomplish these goals by focusing the Council and Administration on "up-front facilitation and negotiation" as opposed to "debate and litigation."
What specific proposals would you advance to address the impact of growth in Albuquerque and the region, balanced with the needs of your district? (75 words)
Established neighborhood reinvestment and redevelopment is my first priority (e.g., infill/multi-use development opportunities including the Highland Business District and East Central Corridor, extension of the technology corridor along Gibson west of Kirtland). Albuquerque is thriving and growth on the city's edge is inevitable. I'll evaluate proposals on a case by case basis to ensure protection of the City's tax base, conservation of precious natural resources and preservation of the essence of the City's unique ....
What criteria would you use to prioritize the city's budget to meet both existing and future needs? (75 words)
Efficiency is key to good budgeting. We have enough resources to prioritize based on the hierarchy of needs that government fulfills - public safety, infrastructure that contributes to the quality of life (e.g., roads, sewer, drainage, refuse, transportation), sustainability initiatives that conserve and protect the City's essence and economic development opportunities that generate revenue. With an efficiency overlay, we can do these things and support cultural and recreational initiatives that give Albuquerque flavor.
Kevin Wilson, District 6 Candidate for Albuquerque City Council
Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for the office of City Councilor. (75 words)
In 1988 my business opened in Nob Hill. At that time the neighborhood was blighted and transitional. I was active with the neighborhood and Nob Hill Merchants to promote growth and a safety. Nob Hill continued its revitalization, and I continued my neighborhood involvement with safety and redevelopment issues. I decided to run for the Nob Hill Neighborhood Board of Directors. I am continually learning how to work with community members in maintaining great neighborhoods.
What are your two highest priorities for the city as a whole and why? How will you work with your fellow city councilors and the mayor to accomplish your goals? (75 words)
My number one priority is maintaining a responsible and community accepted plan for growth. This includes development, such as in-fill and Greenfield, along with being responsible with our resources including air quality, water quality and availability, and energy issues. Second, it's of utmost importance to maintain city services and infrastructure, including roads, public areas, police, fire, public transportation, graffiti removal, nuisance abatement issues and more. I'll work with a collaborative spirit to accomplish our . . . . . .
What specific proposals would you advance to address the impact of growth in Albuquerque and the region, balanced with the needs of your district? (75 words)
Developers and residents must be encouraged and rewarded for creating responsible in-fill projects. Greenfield development must include some form of impact fees or meeting set infrastructure requirements. A good idea would to use a portion of these revenues to reinvest into providing future resources, namely water and power. Good or bad, Albuquerque will continue its growth. My goal is to keep money available for the continued maintenance of older areas in the city.
What criteria would you use to prioritize the city's budget to meet both existing and future needs? (75 words)
My belief is that you solidify the basics first so you have a base to build your growth upon. The first budget priority is that it's balanced. Then we keep the city running by meeting the needs of the employees and providing the resources for them to do their jobs adequately. Next is taking care of infrastructure maintenance, improvements and investment. This will increase economic vitality, making Albuquerque a great place to work and live.
Rey Garduño, District 6 Candidate for Albuquerque City Council
Describe your specific experience and abilities that prepare you for the office of City Councilor. (75 words)
My qualifications include extensive business experience and community service; I have managed successful businesses and worked on initiatives that have lifted the political discourse to a higher level, through the passage of a New Minimum Wage and the Clean and Ethical Elections initiatives. My thirty-three years of fiscal and personnel management qualifies me to guide the City Council through any financial and legislative issues. I have never conversed with a person I didn't like.
What are your two highest priorities for the city as a whole and why? How will you work with your fellow city councilors and the mayor to accomplish your goals? (75 words)
Public Transportation and Community Safety. Our public transit must serve our community through well-planned and efficient routes. Rapid-Ride is innovative; we now must offer connections through the use of fuel efficient vehicles to transport riders to main corridors. Our police must be funded and trained properly and our neighborhoods made safer. Through my community organizing skills I can work with diverse perspectives; whether that is my fellow councilors or the mayor.
What specific proposals would you advance to address the impact of growth in Albuquerque and the region, balanced with the needs of your district? (75 words)
Stop rampant development which can not be sustained. The Planned Growth Strategy must be followed and infill development the way to grow. District 6 needs special attention to its infrastructure, taxes collected need to be allocated fairly. Stop the tax giveaways to fringe developers which leave district six unable to catch-up with its public service needs. Any development must be environmentally sustainable and not impact negatively on the greater community.
What criteria would you use to prioritize the city's budget to meet both existing and future needs? (75 words)
The budget is an indicator of how the Mayor and the City Council will address present and future needs. Basic services for families must be met before we even entertain frill and non-essential projects and programs. Also, we should seriously question tax giveaways to corporations. The budget should not be left to those who would gain from it but a process where the community is engaged in its formulation.
A valid number of required signatures were submitted to and certified by the City Clerk to hold a recall municipal election for the office of city councilor for city council District 9. Therefore, the recall election will be held October 2, 2007 on the question of recalling Don F. Harris, City Councilor for City Council District 9.
Voters in City Council District 9 will receive two ballots. One ballot will contain the recall question. Below the name of Don F. Harris shall be "For the Recall" and "Against the Recall" with an oval space next to each phrase to be filled in indicating the choice of the voter. The other ballot will contain the municipal election questions, including bond questions and propositions.
NOTE: Proposition 5 on the ballot proposes to change the recall process. Click here for more information on Proposition 5.