Last night KOAT Target 7 broke the story that despite promises that the PROFIT would be used for public safety, the PROFIT was instead used to balance the city budget. This morning the Journal carried the same story (Subscription). It seems that Councilors Mayer and Winter aren't too happy that the red light green has been used by the city to make ends meet.
As far as we know this money was always set to be dumped into the general fund. Frankly, it doesn't make a bit of difference which fund the money is headed for. All of the money is sent to the city and its use is ultimately their responsibility. That means the Almighty Mayor and the council.
The councilors go on to complain that they were deceived stating that administration has been "misleading from the beginning." We couldn't agree more. Chavez and his minions claimed that the program was about public safety - it wasn't. They claimed that accidents went down - they didn't. They said the money would be used for the program and public safety - it hasn't been. They say that they'll create a fund for the PROFIT - it won't matter.
We're also wondering just how it is that the city found itself needing to play games with scam-era money in order to balance the budget. We know that spending has gone through the roof since Marty took over, but how did we end up running a deficit that needed to be covered by scam-era revenue?
Last week APD spokesman John Walsh told KRQE News 13 that Marty's scam-eras had caught APS bus drivers running red lights at intersections. The implication was that without the program we wouldn't know that APS bus drivers were endangering our children by running red lights.
We'd like you to think about this a bit... As you know, no one on a school bus (except for the bus driver) is wearing a seat belt. We're pretty sure that a school bus weighs substantially more than your average Prius making it more than a little difficult to stop one on a dime. Do you really want bus drivers stopping short? We can just picture APS students learning to fly - over the seats, their classmates, past the bus driver, and through the front windshield - just so APS and a bus driver avoid a scam-era citation.
We've talked about this before, but we still believe that there are times when it's safer for everyone if a vehicle "runs" a red; particularly when stopping short would endanger lives. These are times when a driver must use their judgment and when it's absolutely imperative that a police officer is present to use their judgment in determining whether or not the driver was correct. Scam-eras will never be able to judge a situation and Marty's Kangaroo Courts are designed to make money not hear cases.
Our Eyes tell us that the 11th floor is putting pressure on Chief Schultz and APD to make the case that the cameras are necessary and blames them for the current situation. We'd think that if Marty and crew were really serious about a "task force" he wouldn't be pressuring Ray, and Ray wouldn't be using John Walsh to bash APS bus driver in the name of our children's safety.
(Sidebar)Look... if the esteemed councilors want to fix the problem with the scam-era system they have the power to do so. All they have to do is convince four other councilor's that Marty's scam has gone on long enough. To date all they've done is hold town halls and make minor reductions in fines. We've compared it to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic and so it is.
Our B.S. meter always goes off when politicians start using children to prove a tangential point. It's usually a distraction and a deception.
(End Sidebar)
The Mayer (Councilor Mayer) claims that she supports the system but would like lower fines. When thieves break into your house and steal everything but your brand new TV - you're happy they missed the TV but still pissed that they got the rest of your stuff. Mayer's typical idiocy fails to recognize that the whole system is based on deceit and has been an utter failure.
Meanwhile, Councilor Winter has held his town hall and heard the vehement complaints of constituents and the general public, but has failed to act. We generally like the councilor, but this is a time for action not compromise.
The Mayor and his CEO Bruce Perlman have created a corrupt system designed to bring in revenue. Remember, these are the guys that brought us ABQ PAC, a political action committee created to fill Marty's political coffers and his pockets too. If there was ever any doubt that this whole thing is about money (which there shouldn't have been considering Marty's track record), even the most naive, deaf, dumb, and blind supporter of the Almighty Mayor should be having second thoughts.
73 comments:
We were all fooled when they told us the scamera money would be used for public safety. we were also scammed when we were told the 1/4 cent public safety tax would be used for the police/fire too. where is all the dam money going? well at least the mayor has a real neat security detail protecting him from evil doers...
Don't want to pay the fine & add to the general fund? Don't run the red light, seems pretty simple.
Last comment. It's not that simple you simple minded F _ _ K. You're in bed with them and you have blinders on. Plain and simple,you simpleton, this administration is corrupt and so are you if you support this debacle in any way. So go home,don't drive our streets and take that piss pot Don Couchman (other Marty as kiss) with you. The streets are there for busy people trying to make a living, not for some feeble "F _ _ k about" like yourself to aimlessly drive around jamming up traffic. Go have your 4pm dinner at Furr's and piss yourself all the way home and be off the streets before rush hour.
City Council; once and for all, take this mayor to task, and kill this 'red light rip off' once and for all. For once both Democrat and Republican, make a bi-partisan stand to shut this program down immediately.
Who cares who's fault it is, just do it. Show this Mayor who's really in charge here. Your constiuents
are waiting and they want some stiff penalty for getting screwed. End Marty's graft.
It's discusting how he continually is allowed to keep getting away with it. STOP IT NOW AND REFUND THE CITIZENS THEIR MONEY OR DONATE THAT MONEY TO AND INDEPENDENT BOARD, TO OVERSEE THAT THAT MONEY GOES TO PROPER VESTS AND PAY TO THE RANK AND FILE (NOT MANAGEMENT) OF APD.
This is not MARTY'S money as Bruce Perlman, the other crook, would have us all believe.
They are truly despicable.
Ok. Now stop. Sounds like the guy who stated 'Don't run the red light" is in second grade. Must have been and still is the school yard pussy.
...and by the way, it's not just that simple.
"have a nice day" That's old and worn out.How gay. You just need to "come out"
I was there when APD administrators called us in over the weekend on overtime to try and make the numbers for the red light camera look like they reduced accidents.
We counted those number many different ways and the red light cameras still did not reduce accidents. We even started measuring 100 feet or so from the intersection, not counting those accidents near the intersections.
Guess what! red light cameras do not reduce accidents, in most cases, they increased as people were paniced to stop, hence more intersection accidents caused. However, our administration did not count these accidents that are clearly related to the red light cameras.
WHAT A SCAM THE CITY AND DEPT HAVE FOR MAKING MONEY THAT DOES NOT HELP PUBLIC SAFETY!
City council, do something to stop this city's corruption and mismangement, especially within the PD!
Above, Well said at least someone can speak up about actual facts. Someone that was actually there and knows the truth about the camera scam.
CITY COUNCIL!! ACT NOW. DO NOT MISS THIS WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ALBUQUERQUE. STOP THESE THEIVES. PROOVE TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT YOU ARE ON THEIR SIDE.
Well, well. There you have it.
I agree. You must do something now.
This whole mess is getting way out of hand. If you don't put an end to this program, it will cost the taxpayers and the City millions in law suits that are coming down the pike.
There are at least three class actions that I know of that will come home to roost.
How true. You can bet that Marty will shield himself from this fall out and direct the blame squarely on the shoulders of Chief Schultz.
Then again, what can we expect from someone as irresponsible.
Yea, well even John Gotti(Teflon Don) finally got nailed.
Thank you EYE for standing up for us busdrivers . As you know A.P.S. buses are on contract to A.P.S.. If Marty and his mouthpiece Walsh are worried about children safty, why did they report the alleged redlight running to the news and not to school administration ? In the news report A.P.S. had no idea about the alleged redlight running. We drivers care about your children. Our children also ride the bus. SLAM ON THE BREAKS AND HURT A CHILD, NO MARTY. And by the way Marty play politics with your children if you must. Leave ours alone. How low can you go?
Time to run the diminutive poncho villa out of town-
Investigative reporting has begun and further is under way. When This is all half-said and done the little corporal won't be able to get a job running a taco bell let alone this little town. Red light cameras are a scam
there little poster above along with their abbreviated yellow cousins-Redflex and the city are in bed together; face it wake up get a cup of folgers and head back into whatever trailer park you call home.
1st off, Marty only reports about APS because he wants to control APS!!! Second, Most of the money is not from running redlights! It comes from safe drivers going 4 miles an hour over the speed limit on a GREEN LIGHT!!! To call these red light cameras is just a smoke screen by Ray BOY and Smarty Marty!!!
Above poster is correct. I just retired after working in that unit and most of the money is from people going through green lights a few miles over the speed limit. This can be because of wheel size or the fact that these radars have never been calibrated!!!!
we dont need n stinkin calibration! we work for the government and we are here to help you, TRUST US!
What a liar! I presently work in the unit & I can tell you that there is no need for calibration of the "Radar" because there is NO RADAR in the camera systems. The speed is calculated by a series of sensors in the pavement that measure how long it takes the wheels to travel a set distance, it's simple physics people! Check it out for yourself. Go to Redflex & learn about it before you begin to believe this BS.
And to the other poster who said we worked all night finding different ways to count the numbers, shame on you! An even bigger Liar! I was there too and was never told how to count the numbers, we just pulled up the reports and the numbers. You guys are so full of it, I need to put on my boots.
Don't want to pay the fine & add to the general fund? Don't run the red light, seems pretty simple.
Boy, I can't believe the administration still lies...We did try and come up with a figure that the bosses of APD liked!!!APD admin stil lies!!!
The media knows as John walsh and the chief were are called liers by 77 KOB...
They were caught red handed cooking the books on the red light cameras!
I say we just have our council get rid rid of those worthless and confusing pieces of crap cameras! The money from them obviously doesn't go to what it was intended to anyways. Please powers to be eliminate the scamera era.
Councilors; it is time for change. Please step up and stand up for us. This is why we elected you; to protect us. Do your job or get out of the way and let someone else who is competent step up and take care of (us)the public.
Don't want to pay the fine & add to the general fund? Don't run the red light, seems pretty simple.
Last post god idea. That way you get to keep you job!!
I hope so, because I apparently need to give a bit more to the United Way campaign for education reform..........
The hearing process still conflicts with New Mexico law.
If they don't want outrage and court challenges they shouldn't break New Mexico law.
See you in court, putz!
To the post above. I see you decribed yourself only. Grow up or shut up, either way we know your a Marty boy.
Some people are missing the point here, whether you like or dislike the cameras has no bearing on the receipts going into the correct account! The money from the program is for publice safety, or at least that is what the selling point was. This reminds me of all the times over the years that narcotics seizure money got deverted to "General Fund" by several administrations, and then the police dept. being told they were over budget in the same year. Also, where is that .25 cent sales tax money for public safety going now?
That sales tax money is going into the line item "public safety". Look at the city's financial statement for the past 7 years and you'll see where things are going. The real question to ask is "How is it being used?" If you look at the Police budget for the year the 1/4 cent tax went into effect the Police budget went up almost 20%. Yet we have fewer officer than then. We have an unusable helicopter. We have a soon to be built but all too vacant 6th area command substation.
Seems to me the city's inspector general should look into the depts. spending. Oh I forgot, that position was phased out after it meant the mayor would have to abide by his investigations...
so im confused, is the public safety money being used for public safety or not?
YES!!!!! the Mayor is safe with all of his bodyguards!
The mayor's bodyguards are there to drive him around when he is drunk! That's your hard earned tax money at work!
This guy is the only mayor in history to have a whole police squad of officers on the tax payers dime! The only mayor to have a bodyguard, period!
Bodyguards like secret service? Who is gonna jump in front of a bullet for Marty? Whoever takes that job has more balls than me.
Four posts up, the answer is NOBODY KNOWS! The 1/4 cent public safety tax was sold to the public on the basis that that revenue would go to...public safety. Where's the audit? Where's the third party certification? Where's any transparency? Comparing this city's financial statement to that of any other comparable sized city is nothing short of an embarrassment.
How many six figure politically appointed positions are there in this administration and why is there no accountability???
those guys are hacks who are working on the mayors campaign, its all there.......the right person needs to dig
maybe somebody should do something
no one will do crap, this is just a bunch of anonymous silliness and rumors
Tell us that from your jail cell.
It's coming.
"maybe somebody should do something"
That's the understatement of the year.
This is way off the track, but I need to run it by some APD officers: Is it true that you need to register a bicyle in Albuquerque? (not motorcycle, just a bicycle)An officer told a friend of mine who blew thru a stop light on a bicyle that running the light was illegal, (makes sense) but also that bicyles need to be registered in Albuq. (since the
60s) I thought it sounded made-up.
What say you experts???
I say log on to a site with City Ordinance information and answer your own question, prick.
the answer is no
"this is just a bunch of anonymous silliness and rumors" Really, what does Joe Bowdich do? What does Nick Bakas do? What does the chick who acts as a go-between for the the mayor and the city council do? All discretionary positions (AKA Hacks) that serve at the pleasure of the mayor.
BTW, yes there's an ordinance requiring bicycles to be registered but there's no longer the means to do that.
Ooops my bad, the council did in fact repeal a meaningless law--thanks for pointing that out. The hacks remain however, glad we have our priorities straight and your silence on the bigger issues.
The "go between chick"?
Who's that?
Between what?
Is she the one, they call"Everyone's best time"?
Yes, the "Wanker", no need to thank her. DJ
She's the "liason" that works between the mayor's office and the city council...John Wertheim's wife.
"They [Marty & Co.]claimed that accidents went down - they didn't." Any data to support this?
Lawerence Torrez, now there is a big political hack and traitor to APD! He would sell his mother's soul for a buck.
He jammed it in the rear of all the APD Officers, so he could get his high dollar job from the mayor!
They didn't even hide it!
Bill O'Rielly will no doubt be airing ALL of this shit.
Bill Richardson, will look like a bigger 'Bufoon' than he already is.
He can thank Marty for that.
Bill O'Rielly will no doubt be airing ALL of this shit.
Who is Bill O'Rielly ???????
He's a Conservative talk show host for FOX news. If you're a liberal you wouldn't know who he is or understand the content.
Oh, I know of that guy. Wasn't he the guy that got sued last year for sexual harassment by several women that worked for him? Some kind of kinky phone sex that the women tap recorded?
That's him, a fine representative of the conservative party! He was also caught with that Limbaugh idiot, coming back from Thailand with a bunch of young boys and an illegal load of oxicontin and viagra. What a bunch of creeps.
You're right, I am a liberal, so I wouldn't know these people or listen to them. I'm sorry I asked.
Once again, re: ""They [Marty & Co.] claimed that accidents went down - they didn't." Any data to support this?
See today's Journal, Marty admitted that APD only has 998 officers. Now we know he counts the part time CSA's so when you remove them APD is below 950! They graduate 9 officers right before Christmas and are expecting almost 70 retirements by Jan 1, 2007! This city's police department is in crisis with it's staffing. They are not growing they are shrinking.
APOA you need to get these facts out to the media ASAP
APD will have only 900 full time sworn officer by January 1, 2007! And God knows how many of them are under investigation and indictment. Good job Ray and Marty, you have finally driven the car over the cliff.
There is only one way to solve this staffing crisis.......convert our PERA plan back to a 25 year 80%program. Once you do that, you can take a stab at creating a 5 year Drop Program to retain the officers that wish to stay longer....
Not fair to younger officers. Why should they give up the 20 year plan just so a few can get greedy and try to double dip?
But this is the type of changes the rehire program has started the legislature to debate about. We worked to hard for the 20 year plan to give it up now.
Can't have your cake & eat it too.
Not fair to younger officers......
Your Mommie Called....It's time for you to go home and wash up for supper. You can come back & play again tomorrow.
rehires are greedy. They can't get a job anywhere else so they want to ruin APD and PERA for their own selfish greed.
Does anyone have a good recipe for oatmeal cookies that I can use for the Holidays? Please post, Thanks.
I've got your cookie
Please post
Does anyone have a good recipe for oatmeal cookies that I can use for the Holidays? Please post, Thanks.
i have a recipe for nadines cookie,,,
Please post :0)
gross
Gross? I've tasted Nadines cookie, it was anything but gross..
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