Mayor Berry & Chief Eden

What if you're an ABQ cop and want to be a whistleblower for the Department of Justice? It's not likely. ABQ police Chief Gorden Eden this week issued what was widely perceived as a "gag order" that prohibited any officer from speaking with Justice without first getting his approval. When that backfired he backtracked and said he did not need to authorize officer meetings with Justice but only be notified of them so he or his representative could attend.

How do you blow the whistle to Justice investigators when the guy sitting next to you can blow up your life? Well, you don't. And that's the cultural problem that has brought APD and the city so low.

COMMUNICATION PROBLEM

It is ironic that Eden is still struggling mightily with his ability to communicate given that he just hired a $95,000 a year communications officer. But in all actions we've seen from APD since Justice reported that the department uses excessive force and violates the civil rights of citizens, it is covering up--not communicating--that seems to be the guiding principle. . . .

Eden made his remarks about his gag order before the city's Economic Forum where top business leaders regularly listen to speakers and ask questions. But they don't always get answers. In light of the over two dozen fatal police shootings since 2010 and the millions in lawsuits they are costing the city, one of the Forum members asked Eden to explain APD's use of force policy. Eden replied that it was too complicated to explain. That had retired APD Seargent Dan Klein grabbing for his keyboard:

He tells the business owner who asks about use of force that it would take hours to explain--really? I could explain it very easy. The Academy has the Use of Force chart that shows what force is allowed based upon what circumstance. Eden was in charge of DPS, he should know this. Well, he should know this.

This is just a continuation of spin and bunker tactics that the community is tired of. We are tired of Berry telling us his 8 day disappearance after the Boyd shooting was “off limits.” We are tired of Janet Blair spinning the police memorial. We are tired of hearing about how great the Cincinnati Boys are, but don’t ask questions about their ties to Taser or just what they have done that makes them qualified or who referred them. Tired of the spin.

Well, Dan, folks are more than tired of the spin. As our old friend and outgoing State Treasurer James B. Lewis memorably said during one campaign. "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired!"

THAT $6 MILLION

By the way, don't get too excited that the $6 million the city has been ordered to pay the family of 27 year old Christoper Torres because he was wrongfully killed by APD is capped by state law at $$400,000. A federal civil rights trial in the Torres case continues and seeing how the judge in the state case ruled, that federal trial could result in even more than the $6 million the state court ordered.

The Torres' lawyer is Randi McGinn. Maybe Mayor Berry should ask her to be city attorney. She seems to know how to handle his administration. . .

REALLY LOUSY 

It's just a really lousy week for APD and Eden when it comes to trying to restore confidence in the department. Look at this:

APD officials released all of the video in the officer-involved shooting of James Boyd Wednesday. However, they say nothing could be recovered from one officer who fired. APD said no audio or video recordings of the incident could be recovered from Officer Keith Sandy’s equipment.

And why not? That's the eight figure question. Eight figures meaning the amount of money the city is going to probably have to shell out for the lawsuits over the killing of the homeless Boyd.

GETTING QUEASY

Because of the way APD and administration have proceeded since Justice came to town, there's reason for getting queasy about a June 21 march to protest the many fatal police shootings. The march will start at Roosevelt Park and then proceed to Central Ave.

If you're a real old timer you'll recall Roosevelt Park was also the starting point for the June 1971 ABQ riots. One of the complaints back then was the same as today--police brutality. The protesters turned rioters looted shops along Central Ave. It got so rowdy the National Guard was called out to patrol the streets and the story was featured in the national media.

The June 21 demonsttrationion is being billed as "nonviolent" but there is so much discontent and desperation for change, everyone is going to be on pins and needles. If he isn't already, Chief Eden ought to be thinking about what officers he's going to assign to that march. The ones with patience get to the top of the list.

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Richardson & King (Bralley photos)

Expect a change in attitude from the Democratic Governors Association when it comes to the New Mexico gubernatorial race. That's the word from former Governor Bill Richardson via his political network. He tells an associate to spread the news that the DGA is ready to announce it "will take a second look" at the prospects of unseating Governor Martinez. Richardson once headed the DGA.

That news follows a comment from Vermont Governor and current DGA head Richard Shumlin that the race against Martinez isn't winnable and he has to devote resources to races that are. But Richardson--whose ire was aroused when during the primary Martinez attacked him in a TV spot--spoke with Shumlin about Dem Guv nominee Gary King and explained that the race is not a lost cause and needs to be watched.

In King’s ad, it states he would demand women are paid the same as men when doing the same work, but what King fails to mention is that the liberal American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) praised Governor Martinez “for her support of New Mexico’s Equal Pay for Women Act and for developing measures to narrow the gender wage gap.” -

And the state GOP weighed in with this.

Neither the Martinez or GOP response mentioned other elements of the King ad, including the state's jobs dilemma. It is not a conversation she appears to want to have, hoping to center the conversation on King and his record as attorney general.

NOT WELCOME

With opposition trackers monitoring every move that Martinez and King make, avoiding embarrassment is high on the list of a campaign's priorities. And the candidates will go pretty far to ensure it. Look at this from Deming:

VINTAGE ALBUQUERQUE 2014

It's no exaggeration to say that next Friday night (June 20) you have the welcome opportunity of tasting the best food and wines in New Mexico and at the same time contribute to the welfare of New Mexico's children. Vintage Albuquerque is now in its 23rd year and this Friday night's  "Grand Tasting" at the National Hispanic Cultural Center can't be beat. We're glad to help out. The details:

If you can only attend one event and a casual outdoor party is your thing, the Friday Fiesta can’t be beat. Over 30 wineries will pour over 100 wines with local restaurants cooking up perfect compliments for your culinary pleasure, truly a mouthwatering culinary extravaganza! A silent auction featuring wine, art, jewelry and other goodies provides perfect shopping opportunities for those who want to take home a piece (or pieces) of the action.

Vintage Albuquerque supports arts, music, dance, theater and other artistic education programs. Our benefactors have had a tremendous impact on New Mexico children throughout the years, and we are happy to support their efforts and successes.

The list of restaurants participating is enough to make the mouth water, so treat yourself. Tickets to the June 20th Friday evening Grand Tasting are $85 and can be purchased here or at the event which runs from 6 to 9 p.m.

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Gary King seemed to catch everyone--including us--with our pants down. And he may have breathed new life into his underdog campaign because of it.

Democratic heads hung low Friday when the Republican Governors Association unloaded a vigorous TV attack on the two term attorney general. It was immediately speculated here and elsewhere that King was the one with his pants down--that he did not have the campaign cash to respond in kind. He had less than $80,000 in cash in his most recent report.

Not many expected King to dig into his own wallet to give the RGA and Susana a run for their money  in the early going but he did, say those associated with his campaign, and there he is on the air slamming Susana to the tune of a $100,000 buy. Here's the ad and the transcript:

The first ad of the campaign and Martinez is attacking. She's attacking to cover up New Mexico being named the second worst run state in America and one of two states to lose jobs--while she gives no bid sweetheart deals to her friends. 

As Governor, Gary King will clean up her mess, increase the minimum wage and demand women are paid the same as men when doing the same work. A new direction for a new New Mexico.

When referencing "sweetheart deals," the ad shows a headline from the liberal Mother Jones magazine reporting on a lawsuit filed by two former employees of the state economic development department. It reads: "Whistleblower Suit Alleges Corruption, Cronyism, and Affairs in Gov. Susana Martinez's Administration."  But the average viewer may be left to wonder "What affairs?"

It is the first really tough TV hit against Martinez since the 2010 campaign. During the primary the Dem Guv candidates hit her, but only with kid gloves. This ad gets to the heart of the critique against the administration--that it is presiding over a moribund economy and not doing much of anything about it while fostering corruption by rewarding her allies.

Longtime New Mexico politico Mike Santullo says the surprising King move is motivated not only by a desire to win but protecting the family honor. He commented:

That family goes back nearly a century in state history. They have a long record of public service and I believe that tradition and heritage will be upheld in this newly launched battle.

BANKING ON KING

King was not shy about loaning himself money during his primary campaign. Media reports say he loaned himself $345,000 in total. The campaign of one of his opponents--Alan Webber--said it counted over $500,000 in King personal loans since he announced his Guv run in July of 2012--an amount not disputed by the King campaign.

King hails from a famous ranch family that has extensive land holdings. It is that fortune that has been put to use in these opening hours of the race. His father was three term NM Governor Bruce King.

Political insiders--many of them happily taken aback that King had fought back against the first major Martinez/GOP blast--found themselves wondering just how much personal wealth King will commit to spending in his effort to unseat Susana. Several of them said it gets serious if he hits the $2 million mark. Martinez recently reported having over $4 million in cash.

One Dem consultant told us he has urged King to loan himself $2 to $3 million.

It's his last hurrah. If he can afford it, he should do it. The race is being written off but he can revive it if he shows that personal commitment, said the consultant.

Other Dems--trying to restore hope for the Guv battle--said rather than viewing the nearly $150,000 TV hit against King by the RGA as an offensive move, it should be looked at as defensive.

If this guy is so weak and easy, why spend that kind of money so early to attack him?" argued NM Dem Party executive director Lissa Knudsen.

The decision by King to not let the first attacks go unanswered could stabilize him in the early polling. That in turn might attract campaign contributions that would make it unnecessary for him to spend large amounts of his personal wealth. Hey, the King's didn't get rich without thinking things through. . .

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Another King surprise to open the political week was the news that his campaign manager for the primary--Jim Farrell of Las Cruces--won't be around for the fall derby.

"He left to spend more time with his family," is how one staffer with King put it.

But it's obvious that King needs a wartime manager, one who can parachute in and is not subject to intimidation by the opposition.

A number of disgruntled Dems have said until their party--or their Governor candidate--has an answer to Martinez political operative Jay McCleskey, they are in trouble. McCleskey has run a successful no-holds-barred campaign against the Democrats. Many of them have been cowed into their corners.

That is one reason we're told King is looking around DC for a campaign manager to stage his final political battle. A new set of eyes and someone who does not back down in the face of the formidable Republican political machine is seen as essential. Otherwise, all the surprises and personal loans won't take you very far at all. . .

WHAT LOSSES?

At White Sands

We're curious what "losses" respected ABQ business leader Sherman McCorkle refers to when he comments on the compromise between the federal government and renewable energy company SunZia over running a transmission line through a portion of White Sands Missile Range. Republican McCorkle--a longtime supporter of the state's military installation--says:

One must view (Senate Majority Leader Harry) Reid’s lobbying effort (for the compromise) as suspect given that losses at WSMR create opportunities for test ranges in Nevada. As majority leader in the Senate he is in a unique position for Nevada to realize gains.

So let's get this straight. Because of the compromise that says national security concerns can be resolved if SunZia buries 5 miles of its $2 billion transmission line, White Sands is going to lose missions for its airspace and that personnel and missions will shift to Reid's Nevada? So Reid is putting the screws on his own--NM Dem Sen. Martin Heinrich--who strongly advocated  for the compromise? And now Heinrich is about to be double-crossed as Reid pounces to debowel White Sands?

ABQ Journal newsman Bruce Daniels once labeled us "genetically conspiratorial" and not without cause, but Sherman's conspiracy is enough to make us give up reading about the Illuminati for a month.

Maybe as a military aficionado Sherm has been hanging around helicopters too long--the black variety.

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Gov. Martinez has pulled out the good cop, bad cop routine on Gary King. The Republican Governors Association signed up for bad cop duty, coming with the first negative TV ad about the Dem Guv nominee's record as attorney general. Simultaneously, Susana starts off as good cop in her first ad of the general election, talking of her humble beginnings.

The RGA TV attack on King--to the tune of some $120,000 on broadcast stations and another $20k or so on cable--was utterly predictable, having been telegraphed by anyone with the title of "political insider." They warned that the Guv would come early for King in an effort to define him out of the gate and try to end this Guv contest before the July 4th fireworks graced the skies above Isotopes Park.

And then there's the first round of polling. If King shows signs of life in it, the perception of the race could tilt. The negative TV ads could have an impact any nonpartisan surveys taken in the weeks ahead. That could make it harder for King to raise money.

King's last report showed him with less than $80,000 in cash and in no position to go toe-to-toe with Martinez in the early rounds. But to see no response at all to the RGA assault--not from the King campaign or the state Democrats--not from anyone--was quite stunning. Are we going to have a campaign here or a concession?

BREGMAN AND KING


TAX HIKE MANIA

All of a sudden--like weeds after a spring rain--tax increase proposals are sprouting all over the metro. Tax hikes in an anemic economy like this, you ask?

At today's ABQ city council meeting several councilors will push to raise the gross receipts tax in the city by one-eighth of a cent. That would take us over the already high 7 percent mark. It's a tax increase that everyone can love to hate. Liberals especially despise it because the tax is harshest on low income families. Conservatives scorn it for the burden it places on businesses.

The councilors who want the increase say its needed to fund additional programs for the mentally ill and homeless. Yet even after scaling back the number of vacant police officer positions they funded in the recently approved budge, the city is still funding at least 100 positions that will not be filled in the next year. Why not use that money?

In a budget of nearly $500 millions there is surely cash to be found for one of the most pressing priorities in the city--the treatment of the mentally ill and homeless. While the councilors look for it, Mayor Berry--if need be--can use his veto pen to thwart any tax boost that makes it to his desk. . .

And then there's the Bernalillo County Commission. It's discussing a property tax increase to fund open space projects. The increase would only raise $1.5 million a year. You need to raise taxes to find that puny amount? How much a year does the county spend on out-of-state travel? Start with that and you'll be at a million in no time. . . .

It's too late to gripe about the property tax increase imposed on homeowners in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.  It snuck up on them like a thief in the night. . . .

MAKE A MARTYR?

David Correia

UNM President Robert Frank is getting what seems like some pretty sage advice--messing with the job of UNM assistant professor David Correia--who has been in the forefront of the protests over APD's fatal police shootings--is a loser. Firing or marginalizing Correia would only make him a martyr to the cause and in turn cause UNM major grief nationally and internationally grief. We've had enough of that with the publicity over the fatal shooting.

And why would Frank want to stymie Correia? A university is supposed to be dedicated to the open and free expression of ideas--even if those ideas are unpopular with the populace at large. You don't get much of that vibe when you read the UNM statements about Correia.

Corriea is charged with "felony battery" on an officer, but if you look at video of the sit-in at the Mayor's office where the alleged battery took place, it looks like much ado about nothing--or very little.

Meantime, Frank and the entire city establishment need to chill. What did they expect when homeless James Boyd was shot and killed by APD? Or when relatives of over two dozen shooting victims heard the Justice Department report that their relative may have needlessly had their life taken?

THE BOTTOM LINES

In a first draft of the Friday blog we misidentified the state US Senator Jon Tester represents. He is from Montana.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)

Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.      

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2014. Not for reproduction without permission of the author