Albuquerque’s Oct. 6 mayoral election is fast approaching, and the non-partisan election has become a competition between Mayor Martin Chávez, Richard Romero, and Richard “R.J.” Berry.
The people of Albuquerque questioned the candidates Wednesday night in a debate at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Media groups KNME, KUNM, The New Mexico Independent and the Weekly Alibi hosted the debate.
The candidates answered questions that were developed by the panel of representatives from the four media outlets as well as some collected by camera, The New Mexico Independent’s live blog and the audience.
The candidates’ answers indicated they have similar priorities for their administrations but different ideas of how to accomplish their goals.
Berry’s campaign platform emphasizes transparent government. He listed his top three priorities as public safety, education and combating unemployment.
“There is a common thread with the people I’ve had discussions with,” Berry said.
“People want to feel safe in their homes — they don’t. They want a bright future for their children. They want a good job that will enable them to support their family.”
Chávez focused his answers on the results from his mayoral term and the endorsements he’s received.
The mayor said his priorities are public safety and creating jobs to combat a recession economy.
“Public safety — it’s always the number one priority for municipal government,” Chávez said. “I believe in this community, and in my heart I believe that it is the best city in America. My vision for this city is the same as it’s always been, and it’s to become a place where our children can realize their dreams.”
Chávez said his leadership during the recession has had great results.
“(Albuquerque is) performing better than almost every major city in America in the midst of the recession,” he said.
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Romero said his administration has four goals to improve Albuquerque.
“Public safety — I really believe crime is a big issue in this town,” he said.
“Unemployment — I believe that small businesses are key to job development in Albuquerque. I also believe that working with our public schools — not beating them up — is a key to improving our education system. And lastly, my signature issue is open, transparent government, getting rid of wasteful spending in government and getting rid of cronyism.”
The candidates were asked questions that covered issues including same-sex marriage, the West Mesa murders, green jobs, sustainability, education and term limits for the mayoral office.
Accountability and transparency of city government became a big issue during the debate.
Berry said he sees the pay-to-play problem in New Mexico as an ethical accountability problem.
“In the legislature we work on ethics on a fairly consistent basis,” he said.
“And what I’ve found is that you cannot legislate ethics — you can legislate penalties against ethics violation. But what you can do is legislate transparency. That’s what I want to do.”
Berry said that as mayor he will work to create a municipal government that the public can easily access.
“I want a Web site where you as a taxpayer and as a citizen can, with a click of a mouse, go in and search the city checkbook, see where the dollars are going, search contract awards … even see the bidding process,” he said. “It keeps the honest folks honest.”
Chávez said that he disagreed and that the city database doesn’t need any work.
“We today in the city of Albuquerque have the most accessible database, the most accessible record base of any city in the United States,” Chávez said. “I think we already have that open and transparent system.”
The mayoral debate
Friday
7 p.m.
KNME Channel 5
KNME.org
