Notes on the Albuquerque City Election

Early voting starts today and runs through October 2nd. Details on locations etc. are available here. Remember, one vote, especially in a low-turnout election like this one, can have a far greater impact than voting in national elections (I recommend you do both). There is a 1/4-cent tax cut on the ballot that would significantly help Albuquerque taxpayers and businesses in the current, tough economic climate.

Secondly, I found the Mayor’s double-talk on the streetcar/trolley system in today’s ABQ Journal that he has been such a staunch supporter of to be quite interesting. He is distancing himself from the project due to the election while at the same time he likes to talk about how all of our neighbors and other cities are building similar systems. Sure, the streetcar is not on the ballot, but Mayor Marty is and he’s made it clear that he wants one. There is no real guarantee that the project will go to the voters, so voters should consider Marty’s support for the trolley in making their decision.

If you want to find out more about the mayoral candidates, the Albuquerque Alibi is sponsoring a debate tonight that’s free and open to the public. Details follow:

“The Line” host Gene Grant, KUNM’s News Director Jim Williams, New Mexico Independent Editor Gwyneth Doland and I will moderate. We’ll pose your burning questions about your city to the candidates.

Audience members will be given notecards and can submit their queries at the start of the throwdown. Or, film a question, upload it to YouTube and send the link to abqmayoraldebate@gmail.com. (Extra points if your backdrop relates to the subject of your question.)

R.J. Berry, Martin Chavez, Richard Romero
Submit video questions for candidates to abqmayoraldebate@gmail.com
See what people are already asking at youtube.com/user/DebateHosts
Wednesday, Sept. 16
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1710 Fourth Street NW
Doors open at 6 p.m., debate at 7 p.m.
Seating is first-come, first-served. About 300 available.
Hear it live on KUNM 89.9 FM
Watch it and live-blog it at alibi.com and newmexicoindependent.com
See it Friday, Sept. 18, on KNME-5

After the mayoral debate, join Alibi and local politicos for discourse, libations and complimentary canapés. Municipal DJs play eclectic Americana and rare groove as citizens of Albuquerque snack and mingle.
Downtown at Blackbird Buvette (509 Central), Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 8:30 p.m. 21+