As we told you a couple of weeks ago, the council used the cover of the $9 MILLION gift to the county and the budget brouhaha to pass R-07-243 the Councilor (and Mayor) Protection Act. The resolution places a City Charter amendment on the October ballot that would make it nearly impossible to remove a city elected official by limiting cause to "malfeasance or misfeasance" as determined by the city clerk. In addition the signature requirements would be jiggered to make sure that the maximum number of signatures would be required.
Our Eyes told us that this resolution was the brainchild of one Don Harris, who faces a recall uprising in his own District 9. Harris convinced a short-timer with nothing to lose, Councilor Craig Loy to sponsor the amendment.
Last night Mayor Chavez had his veto over-ridden in a 7 to 1 vote with only Councilor Winter dissenting. The first dead of night vote was 8 to 1, again with only Councilor Winter dissenting. The difference in the two votes was that Councilor Harris conveniently heard the urgent call of nature (or some such) and "took a walk" in order to avoid voting.
(Sidebar)Moving on to the other over-ride... In our opinion the only councilor that should be eligible for a pay raise is Councilor Winter. He's the only one that understands that councilors are in essence, at will employees of the people. The Almighty's veto of the resolution placing the council raise on the October ballot is more than likely about striking back at the council for their collective temerity in over-riding Marty's budget and tax cut.
Trust us Councilor Harris, you're not fooling anyone with the "I voted for it before I found a convenient reason not to vote for it again," act. It's obvious that this charter amendment is crafted to address your specific situation. At least have the courage to vote.
(End Sidebar)
Being a councilor requires a large commitment of time, not just for meeting 3 Mondays a month, but for committee meetings, constituent relations, attending city functions, and neighborhood meetings. In meetings and gatherings alone, it's a full time job. $10,000 is not nearly adequate compensation for the amount of time and effort goes into even being a bad councilor (which we have far too many of - Harris, Mayer and Loy you know who you are).
We don't mind if they ask for a raise, if they don't mind being turned down for the 11th time. We do have a problem with the idea of giving these yahoos a raise and giving them a four year job guarantee at the same time. Talk about arrogance!
9 comments:
Great post!! To learn more about the Harris recall effort, please visit RecallHarris.org
Winter is a coward!
Craig Loy told me last night that the only reason people were recalling Harris was because they didn't like Harris. I told him that was not true, I told him it was because he lied about things he said he had done, and because of his arrogance, his Tijeras Arroyo Bridge Plan, his MRA of Central Avenue, because he is trying to put businesses on Central out of business with his MRA. ( You will no longer be able to have a auto repair shop or 42 other businesses if Harris gets his way.) Anyway, then Loy says to me, and I quote, "are you talking about Harris' claim that he got the McDonalds' on Central torn down, that was just plain wrong." Anyway, Loy didn't get it, but he does understand that Don Harris sent out a letter to all his constituents and lied that he was the sole person responsible for having the burned out McDonald's torn down. This was only one of the lies that were written in his constituent letters that came out after the Recall Harris Campaign began. Come on Councilor Loy and Councilor Harris, you both must think it is ok, to send out blatant lies in letters to constituents at TAX PAYER MONEY, but that you can not be recalled and you both deserve a raise. Just a bunch of hogwash if you ask me.
Darla Lorber
Treasurer, New Mexicans for Democracy
www.recallharris.org
It's unfortunate that Brad Winter will suffer because of the deplorable performance of the other councilors. If this raise goes before voters, I will definately vote NO. Brad does a good job, and if we could single out and get rid of those who lie, cheat, steal, and lack the balls and ethics to stand up to King Marty (aka Fidel), Brad would likely get his well deserved raise.
LET'S GO BRAD WINTER IN 08'
Winter & Cadigan are capable,ethical and well spoken. The rest are "circus Simpletons" Look at the group picture. What sea shell did they crawl out of?
Would you trust any of them to walk your dog around the block?
Forgetaboutit !!
What might be your job, sir?
I work at Eclipse Aviation, what does that matter? Where do you put in your 8?
I'm still waiting ? Where do you work or do you even have a job ?
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