The Eyes have it that rumors are flying downtown that yet another Castro is set to resign. No, not Raul Castro of Cuba but Michael Castro, Deputy Chief of APD's 5th floor. It's interesting because the deputy chief is known in the rank and file for his devotion to the mayor monetarily and otherwise. We don't quite know what this signals if indeed it signals anything, but we'll keep our Eyes on it.
----- Update -----
It looks like the Grapevine got it wrong. Our Eyes tell us that - as often happens - DC Castro's comments about being dissatisfied about recent happening were either exaggerated or misinterpreted to mean that like Fidel he was heading into the sunset. Apparently, those rumors were untrue and DC Castro will be staying right where he is.
Showing posts with label Deputy Chief Michael Castro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deputy Chief Michael Castro. Show all posts
Dec 7, 2007
Eye on the Grapevine: Playing for Time
A couple of months ago the Albuquerque Police Officers Association ran a full page ad in the Albuquerque Journal. It was smack dab in the middle of the Balloon Fiesta and timed to put maximum pressure on the Almighty Alcalde and Chief Schultz. The ad puts APD's strength at just 900 officers at a time when DC Castro had just told an Oshkosh paper that APD had 1,033 officers (read it here).
According to the grapevine, the above ad seemed to have the intended effect as Chief Schultz opened negotiations shortly thereafter telling the powers that be over at the APOA that negotiations would take a month or so. That was early October (read about it here) and the additional money approved by the council has still not found its way to the officers of APD. The story is that talks between the union and the 5th floor have stalled and the Chief Schultz is telling union officials that everything will get done, just give him some time.
We really don't know for sure that Schultz and the union have been talking at all. However, it does make sense in light of the lack of follow-up by the union. There's little doubt that the ad had an impact and that back in October the APOA had the upper-hand. In fact, many Eye readers questioned why union President Ron Olivas failed to press his advantage.
If indeed Schultz and company had opened negotiations, the union would understandably be reluctant to continue the campaign. However, our friends over at the union better understand that time is not on their side.
At the time, Marty had just announced for Senate and there were thousands of visitors from all over the world in town to see the colorful fiesta. The smart political move was to play for time, get the visitors out, and hopefully the media and the public would lose interest. So far the move seems to have worked.
According to the grapevine, the above ad seemed to have the intended effect as Chief Schultz opened negotiations shortly thereafter telling the powers that be over at the APOA that negotiations would take a month or so. That was early October (read about it here) and the additional money approved by the council has still not found its way to the officers of APD. The story is that talks between the union and the 5th floor have stalled and the Chief Schultz is telling union officials that everything will get done, just give him some time.
We really don't know for sure that Schultz and the union have been talking at all. However, it does make sense in light of the lack of follow-up by the union. There's little doubt that the ad had an impact and that back in October the APOA had the upper-hand. In fact, many Eye readers questioned why union President Ron Olivas failed to press his advantage.
If indeed Schultz and company had opened negotiations, the union would understandably be reluctant to continue the campaign. However, our friends over at the union better understand that time is not on their side.
At the time, Marty had just announced for Senate and there were thousands of visitors from all over the world in town to see the colorful fiesta. The smart political move was to play for time, get the visitors out, and hopefully the media and the public would lose interest. So far the move seems to have worked.
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