news@dailylobo.com
@ArdeeTheJourno
Today, a local hotel will be the political arena for Albuquerque’s mayoral candidates.
Incumbent Republican Richard Berry will face Democratic challenger Pete Dinelli and Republican challenger Paul Heh in a mayoral candidate forum that will be held at the Albuquerque Marriott at the intersection of Louisiana and Interstate 40. The forum will be hosted by the New Mexico chapter of the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association.
New Mexico NAIOP President Lynne Andersen said NAIOP, along with 14 other similar organizations in the city, has been planning the event since last year. She said they organized the event to hear how the candidates plan to address the city’s economic issues.
“It’s a good chance to see candidates talking about important issues,” Andersen said. “We’ve lost about 4,000 skilled trade workers in Albuquerque during a five-year period. It’s a good time to figure out how candidates are going to address the ongoing problem of … attracting industries not just to Albuquerque but statewide.”
Andersen said her organization will ask candidates six questions during the luncheon forum. Candidates will have two minutes for opening and closing statements. Audience members will also have the chance to question candidates at the end of the forum.
The forum will be moderated by Albuquerque Journal Editor-in-Chief Kent Walz.
The questions will revolve around real estate, construction and job creation in the city, Andersen said.
“We are very concerned about economic development,” she said. “We hope that they would address some of these issues in the forum.”
In an email sent to the Daily Lobo, Berry said he will talk about “moving Albuquerque forward.” He said he has managed the city’s budget deficit and has ensured public safety during his mayoral term.
And he is confident about the forum, he said.
“I feel confident because we’re better off now than we were four years ago,” he said. “When I first took office, we were in the height of a national recession, unemployment was nearing 8 percent and Albuquerque had seen tens of thousands of jobs lost. But with steady and responsible leadership, our neighborhoods are safer, we’re adding jobs and we’ve brought fiscal responsibility back to the city.”
Berry said debates are important for voters to make right decisions on Oct. 8.
“I like any opportunity to talk directly to my bosses — the voters of Albuquerque,” he said. “Debating my opponents gives me the chance to tell the people of Albuquerque what we’ve accomplished in three-and-a-half years, while also putting forward our plans and vision for a bright future.”
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Berry said Dinelli and Heh should stop attacking his mayoral track record. He said he dares them to “bring big ideas, not just complaints about our city.”
On the other hand, Dinelli said in an email that he plans to talk about ENERGIZE ABQ, the economic development plan for the city that he revealed in late July. He said the plan “will create 20,000 jobs by making major investments in our infrastructure, supporting local businesses and attracting new industry.”
The only Democrat in the mayoral race, Dinelli said the forum would help him differentiate himself from the other candidates in voters’ eyes.
“I’m a proud Democrat,” he said. “I’m pro-choice and supported raising the minimum wage. We have a right-wing Republican mayor who is afraid to talk about his failed record and mismanagement of our economy and public safety. These are important conversations to have.”
Dinelli said he is looking forward to the forum.
“I’m always excited about opportunities to talk about the issues of this race directly with voters,” he said.
Like Dinelli, Heh said he plans to talk about economic development in the forum. He said he will participate in the forum to let Albuquerque voters know they have more choices available.
“I have participated in every forum that I have been invited to,” he said. “It’s good to let other people hear your views and find out what you’re all about. It’s important for people to find out that there is a third choice. And that third choice has some very, very good ideas.”
Heh said he is willing to go head to head with his fellow candidates. He said Berry, especially, should finally break his silence about his mayoral campaign.
“Mr. Dinelli is my competition, and he always shows up for everything,” he said. “Mayor Berry never, ever, ever shows up. I believe he’s showing up to the one (today), but I don’t know whether he’s actually going to show up or not.”
Fellow mayoral candidates should attend future forums and debates in the future, Heh said.
“They all need to show up and put their ideas out,” he said. “Because I certainly will.”
Mayoral Candidate Forum
Monday, 11:30 a.m.
Join the live conversation on Twitter by following
@DailyLobo and by using the hashtag #ABQ2013.
