We lead off this edition of Reader Vox Populi with Jeffrey Baker who writes of the controversial ART project on Central:

Joe, From your column Tuesday: “Part of that message will be ART, the controversial transit project that Councilor Davis heartily backed under Republican Mayor Berry and which turned into one of the most bungled public works projects in city history.”

“one of the most bungled”?

Thanks, Jeffrey. Thinking it through, ART would indeed appear to be the most bungled public works project in ABQ's history dating back to 1891.

The only worse decisions regarding public works might be those the city actually failed to build. Two examples come to mind.

First was the failure to build multiple bridges over the Rio Grande as Westside growth exploded in the 80's and 90's. That divided the community physically and emotionally. More bridges would have led to a deeper sense of community as folks made their way back and forth, not to mention the economic benefits. Today drivers stick to their side of the river as much as possible because of the traffic headaches involved in crossing the span.

The second example was the failure to construct adequate flood control for the city which led to dangerous flooding in the Valley areas well into the 1950's. But that failure was remedied. Today's excellent flood control managed by the ABQ Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA) continues to make ABQ safe when torrential monsoons occur.

The times and the needs change. Today perhaps the most imperative public works project is the $14 million homeless center Mayor Keller proposes for the near downtown area. ABQ voters will decide on the bond issue for the center at the November election. The $14 million would cover the first phase of the $28 million project.

TRYING TO FLY HIGH 

Reader Jean Bernstein is the owner of the long-established Flying Star restaurant chain in ABQ. The original location is at Nob Hill on Central Avenue. She writes:

Joe, I just read your May 6th post about the crime and violence on Central. As usual, very astute observations. Like many others, as owner of Flying Star Cafes and Satellite Coffee, I am weary from the bad decisions of the previous administration. The entire corridor, not just Nob Hill, but Highland, Downtown, EDO, and West Downtown has experienced an uptick in crime and a drop in visitors. And yet – a letter, written by Len Romano, a local business owner and signed by more than 200 business and property owners, was recently sent to Mayor Keller and the City Council demanding an increased police presence and affirming our intentions to stick it out and make the best of it. 

Despite the empty storefronts and bad press, there are still a large number of new businesses actively trying to make a go on Central. There are developers investing tens of millions and building new housing and hotels. After all, Central is Route 66, a place which still conjures up romance and fascination for people who visit Albuquerque from all over the world. 

Notice I am not blaming former Mayor Berry, ART, our current City Council or administration. What’s the point? Those of us who have survived the recent past see light at the end of the tunnel and are determined to push forward. Politics aside, conditions on Central and the rest of the city can be turned around significantly with increased policing. W believe the key to a clean and safe Central and Albuquerque is APD. Making sure the 2020 budget provides enough funding and giving them the support they need is all we should be talking about right now.

UNM AND CRIME

This reader writes of the murder of 23 year old UNM Student athlete Jackson Weller on Nob Hill early Saturday morning and wonders if such crime is on elf the reasons for the school's declining enrollment:

While the death of a student athlete is shocking, there have been and continue to be crimes involving student athletes and students that we never hear about. Would be interesting to compare UNM / ABQ police reports with UNM withdrawals to see what ABQ crime is costing UNM in terms of enrollment. At this point, I hate to even visit the Frontier restaurant late at night when one of my daughters visits town but go anyway ‘cuz it was one of her favorite high school hangouts.

The killer of Weller remains at large.

J.J. VS. STEVE


Reader J. J. Carrizales gets some digs in on NM GOP Chairman Steve Pearce regarding the race for the Democratic nomination for US Senate. Peace has called on contender Maggie Toulouse Oliver to resign as Secretary of State because he believes her job overseeing elections is a conflict of interest:

Joe, Please direct me to the article I must have missed concerning Steve Pearce’s call on Brian Kemp, current Republican Governor of Georgia and former Georgia Secretary of State, to resign his state office as he ran for Governor in 2018 against Stacey Abrams. I’m sure Pearce was as concerned then about the apparent conflict of interest represented by Republican Kemp’s run in Georgia as he is now for New Mexico and MTO’s run. Thanks for whenever you can provide a citation for that article!

Well, we will leave it up to Steve to provide that article, J.J. We know better than to get in the middle of a boxing match.
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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019