The Albuquerque Fire Department and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta are both held in high esteem, but that isn't stopping behind the scenes critics from stepping up to the plate and taking a swing at these sacred cows. No wonder, the Fiesta just finished its high-profile annual run and the AFD is pitching the public to support a quarter-cent public safety tax increase on the city election ballot October 28th.

So what's the problem? For the Fiesta it's some contrarians in the business community who are grumbling that since Kodak dropped out as the Fiesta's main sponsor the event has lost financial support and Albuquerque has dropped a bit on the prestige meter. As explained by one businessman: "What gives? The Fiesta has had several years to replace Kodak. We know the corporate environment has been tough, but haven't they heard about matching their price with market reality? We could probably have a Fortune 500 sponsor for the Fiesta but it appears the Fiesta has not offered a good enough deal. If the price they are pitching doesn't get a bite, how about adjusting it?" Ouch.

My take: The Fiesta is the premier tourist event for the Land of Enchantment and has been subsidized by taxpayers for years. A sponsor like Kodak brings more international attention, more money into the city and perhaps more business relocations to our fair burgh. Hopefully, the Fiesta folks will be able to step it up a notch and get Albuquerque back into the big time business community soon.

Now, on to that other sacred cow--the Albuquerque Fire Department. To hear any criticism of it is quite rare. After all, these guys train hard and work hard. But when you want to get your hands deeper into the taxpayer's wallet, as the public safety tax does, you are going to take some hits. This time the criticism is coming from homeowners at risk during this summer's Bosque fires. The response time, said one, was "pathetic." "Waits of an hour for any sign of the fire department were common, and there seemed to be a lot of confusion in just how the department responded to the fire in the first couple of hours." This is actually renewed criticism which was reported on KRQE-TV during the fires and is now being renewed. Critics are also throwing in a big restaurant fire down in the ABQ valley a couple of years ago, where they claim response time was inadequate and decision making at that scene was also questionable. No doubt the criticism will sting, but when homeowners are left wandering through smoke filled streets without anyone there to say, "Stay calm. Help is on the way," a void is created and public confidence is wounded. Also rubbing nerves raw is the radio spot urging support of the city bond issue to prevent another Bosque blaze. The uncritical media appraisals of the AFD have not stopped the homeowners with real life experience from mumbling against giving the department more money until AFD admits the response issue needs examination.

Seems there's no free grazing for anyone come Election Day, not even a sacred cow.