DISTRICT 4 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Brook Bassan
POLITICAL PARTY: Republican AGE: 39 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, ITT Technical Institute, 2007
OCCUPATION: Household CEO since 2008; Nor Este Neighborhood Association board member since 2017; North Star Parent Teacher Association president since 2018; NM Parent Teacher Association financial officer since 2019; intern with United States Probation & Parole (2006-2007); waitress at Season’s Rotisserie Grill 2005-2007.
FAMILY: Husband, Uri Bassan, and four children.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Intern with United States Probation & Parole (2006-2007).
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: It is a privilege to have Councilor (Brad) Winter’s endorsement after directly working with him and my neighbors to add traffic calming measures increasing pedestrian and cyclist safety on streets near our houses and elementary school.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: I am honored to represent all New Mexico mothers as the 2019 NM Mother of the Year awarded by American Mothers Inc. Duties include promoting awareness and advocating for all mothers in our state.
Do you think the city should pass a paid sick leave mandate? If so, would you support the paid leave ordinance passed by the Bernalillo County Commission or what changes would you propose? No. Small business mandates and regulations should be minimized as much as possible. The sick leave ordinance passed by the county has already resulted in a proposed amendment, indicating the bill was not thoroughly vetted. (Editor’s note: Amendments passed Oct. 15.)
What is your top idea for boosting the city’s economy? Increasing consumer spending is key. We must aggressively use tax incentives to attract high paying jobs and expand our partnerships with UNM and CNM to ensure a trained labor force exists to staff those industries.
Athena Ann Christodoulou
POLITICAL PARTY: Democratic AGE: 57
EDUCATION: Professional Science Master’s degree from the University of New Mexico (2012); Master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Central Florida (1994); Bachelor’s of civil engineering (1983).
OCCUPATION: Retired; Consultant for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar in your Community Challenge (2017-18); Airbnb hostess (2013-2018); stay-at-home parent (19872016); Navy engineer (1982-2005); restaurateur (2004-2007)
FAMILY: Husband, Christos Christodoulou; three adult sons.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Albuquerque Energy Council chair (2017-2019); Consultant/coach for U.S. Department of Energy Solar in your Community Challenge (2017-18); Navy reserves engineer, retired commander (1982-2005).
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Attain and maintain engineering designator in Navy reserves: Had to achieve environmental engineering masters, passed oral boards covering ship design, construction, and systems, updated technical knowledge, and traveled nationally and internationally.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Led the winning team in the 2012 UNM technology business plan competition as a student at UNM despite cancer, relationship reconstruction, family obligations and an inability to speak. Accomplished through God’s grace and watchfulness.
Do you think the city should pass a paid sick leave mandate? If so, would you support the paid leave ordinance passed by the Bernalillo County Commission or what changes would you propose? Amended: Extend the “new business exemption” to 24 months then ratchet up annual accrued hours at the same rate as implementation (24, 40, 56). Limit to employers with more than 50 employees.
What is your top idea for boosting the city’s economy? Stop bagging and start bragging. We turn it on at Balloon Fiesta and events like the Senior games. Good feelings will inspire more investment and businesses. I love my adopted city!
Ane C. Romero
POLITICAL PARTY: Democratic AGE: 38
EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in Public Affairs (2011) and Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with Law Emphasis, Minor in English (2005), both from New Mexico Highlands University.
OCCUPATION: Deputy Legislative Director for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham since 2019; Policy director for Center Civic Policy (2017-2019); field representative for Sen. Martin Heinrich (2014-2016); senior legislative aide for Congressional Mental Health Caucus for U.S. Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (2007-2014). FAMILY: husband, Ryan Force.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Member of the Northeast Community Policing Council since 2017; member of the University of New Mexico Masters in Public Policy Advisory Board (2019); member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Policy Council since 2017; board member for the Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery, since 2016; Bernalillo County Democrats Care chair (2017-2018); Traveled to Italy and Spain to meet with officials from the Departments of Mental Health (2013 and 2015); National Youth Advocate for Mental Health Parity (sponsored by Sen. Pete Domenici and Congressman Patrick Kennedy) (2005).
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Having led the work that established the formal designation of May as National Mental Health Awareness Month, declared under President Obama, and recognized across all 50 states in 2012.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Working directly with General Peter Chiarelli, 32nd Vice Chief of Staff of the US Army, on efforts to address suicide rates among service members, which led to significant policy changes within the Department of Defense.
Do you think the city should pass a paid sick leave mandate? If so, would you support the paid leave ordinance passed by the Bernalillo County Commission or what changes would you propose? I support the county’s current ordinance as a starting point. Businesses need consistency in city and county requirements and law. There should be protections for workers who are sick to get earned time-off.
What is your top idea for boosting the city’s economy? I support an increased investment in the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA). LEDA’s closing funds brought us Netflix, NBC Universal, and Advance Network Management, a high-wage informational technology company located in District 4.