"These are truly the winds of change," Romero said as winds buffeted his podium on a blustery day.All four of the announced candidates have pledged to run "publicly financed campaigns." In other words, there are four little piglets lined up to suck on the taxpayer's tee, uh... trough. And if you think the election's clean because voluntary contributions to candidates from individuals and businesses are verboten, think again. What do you really know about the candidates? How can you tell if you don't know who really supports them?
He becomes the fourth candidate to announce a bid for mayor in the October election. Also running are City Councilors Michael Cadigan and Debbie O'Malley, as well as community activist Donna Rowe.
Richard Romero is a perfect example of hiding behind a bi-partisan past and selling his soul to a liberal future.
Romero also stressed his support for publicly financed elections and his record as a negotiator who works well with others, Republicans and Democrats alike. He said he would offer "a new way forward," drawing on his experience both as a legislator and as an administrator.
Managing Romero's campaign this time is Neri Holguin, who went undefeated as a campaign manager last year against opponents that represented more than 50 years of experience in the Legislature.Neri Holguin is part of Eli Lee's Nefarious Network of Non-Profits that have been determined by the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to be acting as political action committees (read our take here).
Holguin, who was the campaigns director for Soltari, a local consulting group that no longer does campaigns, said her '08 clients include newcomer Tim Keller who is seeking the Dem nomination for the state senate seat held by ABQ incumbent Shannon Robinson... Eric Griego, the former ABQ city councilor who is challenging incumbent South Valley Dem State Senator James Taylor, and Tim Eichenberg who is a Dem contender for the ABQ NE Heights seat held by the GOP's Diane Snyder.If the names above look familiar it's because the incumbents were targeted by Lee's non-profits for "educational" campaign materials in last year's election. The strategy was effective and all of Holguin's clients won their respective seats. Consequently all of the newly elected officials owe their positions and therefore their votes to Eli Lee and company.
Richard Romero has sold his bi-partisan soul to Eli Lee's leftist non-profits in an effort to get back in the game. Thus, his claims to past bi-partisan cooperation with Republicans are null and void because of his association with groups who demand allegiance to their far left causes. Failure to comply results in targeting and removal. Just ask Democrats Shannon Robinson or James Taylor.
A candidate's associations are important. The new law banning business contributions not only prohibits business influence but forces candidates to run under the "Albuquerque Open and Ethical Elections Ordinance" that was approved by the voters four years ago and by doing so, effectively hides their supporters behind an election law iron curtain.
So why is that important? So far we've got four declared candidates (five if Marty doesn't get his dream job in Washington). Two are honest lefties, O'Malley and Rowe. Two are leftists claiming to be centrists, Cadigan and Romero. Without campaign finance disclosure, it's extremely difficult for the average voter to tell the difference.
[Sidebar]Public financing as implemented in Albuquerque, is already serving to hide candidates behind a shadowy vale of propaganda. In addition, it's costing all of us money at a time when the city is admittedly running a $20 MILLION deficit.
Ok... so we probably have five mayoral candidates. But to date the Almighty Alcalde has only gone to court to get his term limit over-turned and filed for public financing. That can't mean he's running does it? Rrrrriiiight.
[End Sidebar]
If all five official and un-official candidates decide to officially take public financing and they all are able to qualify, then the city will be another $1.64 MILLION in the hole - and that's before the council races.
It's not unheard of for there to be three to four candidates for each council district. Each candidate that qualifies for the dirty money of public financing would be entitled to around $30,000. This year that means five districts with four candidates at $30,000. Add another $600,000 to the $1.64 MILLION and you've got over $2 MILLION forcibly taken from taxpayers and given to ambitious politicians - most of whom are not even good politicians.
The mayor's race is already shaping up to be a leftist vs. leftier race. With no true conservative or strong Republican throwing their hat in the ring, many will vote for the devil they know - even if that devil is as corrupt as the day is long.
On the other hand, if a solid conservative Republican that can teach and inspire comes to the fore, they would be hard to beat. Especially considering the three wanna-be centrists and the two socialists who are now in the race.
42 comments:
How hilarious that a cop of all people would call someone else a "piglet who sucks off the taxpayer (teat)". Cops are the very definition of Pigs sponging off the taxpayer, particularly since about a third of the ones in this city are simultaneously lining their pockets on the job.
Why doesn't Sheriff White run? Why would he want to be a tiny fish in a small pond (Congress) when he could be a giant fish in a little pond?
Also, without any R's in the mayors race, Left (Cadigan), Leftier (Romero) and Leftiest (O'Malley) split the Dem vote, and Chavez walks into a fourth term practically without having to lift a finger.
You need to post a story titled "APOA CORRUPTION AT ITS WORST".
points to story:
the union's so called Political Action committee is being pushed by future president Joey Sigala to endorse Marty. Funny, since Marty hasn't even announced he is running
Joey is appointing the next vice-president. No one knows, but we are all sure it is one of his friends to help with the 5th floor, or Marty (both of which he is buddy buddy with)
The graveyard overtime thing is a mess. From what I have been told, they said it was settled (without consulting any officers) and even know several lts. are still not paying the officers. Yet, none other than Joey is playing it off, saying that Marty wants it settled. They owe those officers a lot of money, yet no one is fighting for them. They need to sue.
We need to get Joey and Fred OUT. they are not for the union, they are not for the officers, they are to appease the 5th floor and Marty.
I know a person who really should run. She believes in citizens first her last. She wants the streets, sewers and sidewalks fixed first before million dollar towers to a stroke an ego. She wants taxpayers money to go to make the taxpayer's city better for them. Not for egos. She can't believe that an events (arena) center in this economy will bring in any events only 30 years of taxes for a building that will fall into disrepair inside of ten years with no money to repair it. And special interest groups feel her razor sharp tounge when their wants only help a very very few.
She works with and for neighborhoods arguing with city officials and others who would just do as they please and damn the neighborhoods. She does this in the back ground and asks for no recognition but makes sure others get are known for their work. Now to convence her to run. Oh, and she is a Republican.
Why is Marty being so secretive? What is he waiting for? He already told Ken Sanchez and the entire APOA union that he is running
Thats the way Chavez wants it. He is using intimidation to get into the mayoral spot AGAIN
2-20-09 10:21am...you are seriously on something. 1/3 of the cops here on the take. Who in this city has the money to pay them. You would be a good stand in for the X-Files. I bet you have evidence from the grassy knoll and the Roswell crash also. Since we havnt had one corruption case involving law enforcement in NM in the last 20 years or so I would have to say youre smoking crack...which makes you the only criminal in this conversation. Grow up dumba--...and get back in your meds.
I want to give a shout out to the officers (from Foothill Sub maybe?)that responded to my complaint call on my neighbor Tues. night (actually Wed. am.) I work for the city and have to get up early.The tweeker neighbor woke me up at 2 am. with loud music/partying. The officers came out almost immediately, listened and took care of the situation (for the night) BUT He was back at again last night.
Oh well, thanks APD for intervening with this punk for me.
APD officers are the best! They do so much for the citizens of Albuq. and all they get is accused of being on the take.
Show some appreciation, people!!!
If the APOA is a 501 (c) (3) then, if I recall correctly, they are prohibited from political activities.
This would be illegal activity.
Remember the APOA raises over $300K a year and only about a 1/3 of that goes towards legal costs.....
"the union's so called Political Action committee is being pushed by future president Joey Sigala to endorse Marty. Funny, since Marty hasn't even announced he is runnin"
APOA is a 501(c)(5) and if they're playing politics then they better being paying taxes for those activities....
Post #4:
I'm pretty certain Geraldine Amato isn't a Republican.
AFD union already endorsed the midget; although, he hasn't announced they said they're confident he will! Yuk.
Lets hope Washington will take him and we can finally get rid of him. It may be the only way
Marty chavez is a loser! Why doesn't he try for the Giv's seat. The guy knows he can't win any big race, and maybe not even the next Mayor's race.
The only reason Marty has the fire and Police Unions is because those guys are all dirty and are just looking to put more cash and a better job in their pockets. They could give a shit about their memberships! Example, look at how much the city, thanks to Marty pays the Fire Union President. he makes what a chief makes and he is just a firemen. Never has a president made so much, just their normal city salary. Talk about corrupt! this guy is far up Marty's ass, as is the Poilce Union! Dirty politics is the name of the game for these guys, look at traitor, Lawrence (Political Hack) Torrez who sold the police down the river for a high paying job with the mighty midget.
Who is this Wowmen Republican dynamo described two comments up? The 'Razor sharpe' tongue that will save us from all of this.
Surely it can't be Sally Mayer.
But it can't be; she's neither a Republican nor Razor sharpe in any degree.
The APOA endorsement is a joke. Has been ever since Marty has been in office. It exists for one reason and one reason only; to serve Marty Chavez, period.
Who has the balls to change the direction and purpose of APOA?
I suspect no one.
Darren White would blow the doors off Marty Chavez if he runs. The Democrats will all split the vote and White can come in easy. Marty has lost way too much support. People are just scared of him, but Marty is finished and is waiting because he knows he's down. Look what happened for the Senate race. People are tired of Marty's corrupt politics...
Marty's done and he knows it!
we were up talking to chief and he told us he heard roberto was running for president. the chief said "no fuckin way. hell will freeze over first"--that is a direct quote
i think that is an invitation for her. maybe we can talk her into running. what is he so afraid of?
what do we have to do to put her on ballot?
Yeah, just like he blew the doors off Heinrich. Give me a break. There is a bill in Santa Fe to allow county officals to run for 3 terms. Thats what most of are repeat offenders are waiting for then they'll decide on what to run for
Does Marty still have that army of cops driving him around from bar to bar. I think those officers would be better off taking calls in the city rather than driving a drunk Mayor Chavez around town.
Who does that guy think he is wasting taxpayer money, just because he is a coward and scared of his own shadow.
Dawne for prez!
All that Smarty has done will come out during the election.
Isn't it funny how the firefighters union elected a guy who was one of the four who was in on the fraudulent vacation pay scandal? He and three other guys would constantly take vacation and not have the hours subtracted from his vacation bank per arrangement with the girl who was supposed to tally the vacation hours. The other three were fired and then eventually rehired due to threats from the union.
Now the union is once again endorsing Marty against the wishes of the majority of its members.
What really hurts Marty Chavez is those bad Police Administrators.
..we'll have to talk economics elsewhere..too many cops & Marty minions...I appreciate you responding, though I'm in total disagreement with you.
How do we get Dawn on the ballot
The current AFD union president, Arencon, was not one of the time bandits. That information is wrong. He did get AFD a good contract unlike the prior pres Hodgie who was a Marty minion and is now BCFD Chief. Hodgie isn’t vested and was only in the field as a firefighter for about 2 years. He hid behind tech services most of his career and as union pres took the mayor and fire chief to Starbucks and lunch almost everyday. Also, he used union money to send Chief Ortega to an international (IAFF) union conference in Boston. Wow, is that a conflict of interest or what? So Hodgie was the true union crook.
Yes, Arencon is making good money as a union pres., but that keeps him working for the body and not on the take. It also has encouraged more firefighters to want to run for that thankless position.
I don’t agree with the “Go” Marty endorsement especially since he hasn’t announced and he’s a damn crook etc etc….. but I must say Arencon has done more for the AFD union in little time compared to what Hodgie (n)ever did, which was sell the body out and his soul to the devil.
Marty Chavez for Mayor. He will win and you all know it.
My family, friends and people on my block will vote for a mayor willing to bring about change on APD's 5th floor. We need leadership that will lift morale, not bring it down with their arrogant, cocky, don't give a shit attitudes.
As President of a Neighborhood Assoc. I hear from our beat officers that the morale in their department is very low. They speak of several reasons, but the glearing one seems to be upper management. The officers feel that the chief and his staff are not looking out for their best interest. The problem we are told is wide spread throughout the entire Albuquerque Police Dept. These officers have been attending our meetings for several years and we have taken them in as our neighbors. The problem is not with their commanders, but lies at higher levels. I know our Neighborhood Association, as well as several of our sister associations will be voting for a mayoral candidate that will bring change to that troubled dept. We encourage other associations to follow suit. It's time we take care of those that have been watching over us!
VOTE FOR CHANGE!
Look at how much money Marty pays our Fire Union President. That's why he has the fire support!!!!!! The rest of the firefighters don't support Marty. The Union did us hard on that issue. Our chiefs are even supporting other candidates running for mayor, not Marty.
I thought union presidents were elected by the members. I think most firemand and policemen should know how to vote. Why haven't they voter there leadership out if it's so bad? Is it most members like the money they get and care less about the working conditions. The postings whould seem to indicate that.
To: “I thought union presidents were elected by the body… You were either high when you wrote that post, forgot spell check or need to go back to elementary school.
So, as a firemand I’m responding to some of the posts.
I work for AFD and I don’t like the union endorsing the midget Marty. But I must say the current AFD president has Marty’s respect that’s why we got a good contract. Believe it or not Marty does have respect for some people that know what they’re doing and don’t bow down on every command.
Listen up suck asses! You may think that’s what Marty wants but you can stay in your suck ass position as long as Marty is Mayor. No one respects you and once you and your double dipping or super high pay for kissing ass ends, nobody will remember you either. You think the next non-Marty admin is going to want your uneducated, brown nose, drooling ass, well think again.
As for AFD “chief’s”, deputies, assistant’s, commander’s, or whatever the buzz word for the day is, don’t support Marty is because they won’t have a chance to be “the chief” themselves. They’re going to support a candidate they believe will anoint them the big testicular position.
I believe executive board member positions in the APOA have already been nominated for. In the March meeting will be nominations for regular board member positions.
There hasn't been much publicity about this because I don't think they really want any change...
Actually, Arencon was one of the time bandits. He just wasn't as bad a violator as the others - hundreds of hours instead of thousands. How do you think he managed to keep traveling around the country with his jazz band after everyone was no longer willing to trade shifts with him because we all knew he would never pay us back?
That said Diego's a good dude and he's not in Marty's pocket, he just knows that Marty is going to win the same way he always does, by having the most name recognition and the most people owing him favors, and by manipulating seven or eight other people into running against him to split up the anti-Marty vote. Arencon is smart enough to know that its in the union's best interest to endorse Marty because if they endorsed someone else, Marty would take revenge on the entire department.
You’re right about Arencon not being in Marty’s pocket and smart enough to play the politics right. He’s one of the best union presidents since Blackmon. If something else was going on with trades it wasn’t related to the “Time Bandits”.
The 4 time bandits were:
-Baca, who’s now gone because of other illegal activities, one of them buying liquor on duty. Admin just couldn’t cover up for him anymore, no matter who his mommy and daddy are.
-Delao, who had the least amount of hours.
-Pacheco, who had hundreds of abused hours, the most. Has also had a recent DV, breaking & entering, but still with AFD. Must know somebody! Maybe daddy who’s retired AFD?
-Valencia, who had crooked hours also.
They all got their jobs back, fair or unfair, it worked for them. Sad thing is they used the payroll chick, Shannon, as the fall guy. She got fired and didn't get her job back. Pacheco said he didn’t even know who she was, funny that they’d been dating.
AFD sure has a potty mouth. I'd rather hear their dalmation bark.Speaking of high was it AFD who was purchasing vodka on duty?
The Mayor knows that there are issues within the APD Administration and will take action to correct these problems. The voters were skeptical he would replace the last APD Deputy Chiefs, but he removed all three of them, despite the fact that they tried to resist their removal. The Mayor will do what is right for the voters to correct these deficiencies by removing those responsible. I assure you the Mayor will make changes.
The only dog that BARKS at AFD is Chief Ortega everytime the Alcalde Marty tells him to do something.
For anyone who cares....The APOA Executive Board nominations were opened a month early so that the candidates for President and Secretary would be able to have an extra month to campaign. The nomintations for those two positions will continue to be open at the March Meeting....in addition to the area command rep positions (Have to wait until after the bid so that interested officers know where they will be working).
The problem with the APOA board positions....nobidy wants to put in the time or energy. Those positions are thankless. Everybody comes bitchin when they have a problem...or when they are in trouble.....but when those same officers are asked to help out or attend meetings....they are just too busy.
Apathy and selfishness are the culprit.
Thanks for the honest information on the APOA. I can uunderstand how it would be a thankless position. It sure seems that Albuquerque has a lot of people who bitch and do nothing to change things. I hear them ever weekday on KKOB. It's to bad, Albuquerque could be a nice place, if the attitude of some of the people changed.
Not only can Fire Chief Ortega bark, but he can jump, sit, fetch and most important rollover.
AFD Rocks! I love those dalmations too!
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