Readers offer mayor advice on 2nd term
Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.
LAST WEEK’s QUESTION: What is the top suggestion you would offer Tim Keller for his second term as mayor of Albuquerque?
“Get the criminal justice system in check and stop letting dangerous criminals back on the streets after they barely get slapped on the wrist by our judicial system. These ‘career criminals’ must think our city/state judicial system is a joke.”
— Paul Armijo, Albuquerque
“Get control of the city — squatting in unused buildings, homeless camps and trash and a homeless person on every corner is a real problem. We want them to have safe places to be, but all the trash they leave is really making Albuquerque look run down.”
— Barbara Valdez, Albuquerque
“To repeat what Kate and Wally Kuligowski said in their Oct. 10 column, Mayor Tim Keller needs to fix the deplorable conditions at the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. He needs to keep his campaign promise to see that the animals at the shelter are treated with care and compassion.”
— Judy Crane, Tijeras
“Strict enforcement of traffic laws. Felony speeders need to go straight to jail, red light and stop sign runners need to be off the streets. Repeat offenders need to lose their car and license to drive as they present a clear and present danger to the rest of us.”
— Paul Schmolke, Santa Fe
“Put more police on the streets — multiple, two-person patrols cruising the streets in high-crime areas. Revoke sanctuary city status. End ‘catch and release’ for violent or suspected violent offenders.” — Bruce Rose, Albuquerque
“Work on reducing crime and increasing economic opportunities here in Albuquerque.”
— Janice Biondo, Albuquerque
“1) Curb crime, place more police on the streets and provide more resources to the non-emergency number of the police. 2) Homelessness; create sustainable affordable housing and/ or treatment centers for those with addictions to transition into sustainable living conditions.”
— Shannon Siderius, Albuquerque
“Move away from climate change, vaccine mandates and social justice issues and focus on all aspects of law enforcement — recruitment, police morale, arrests, convictions, etc.”
— Hank Happ, Albuquerque
“Push to get good-paying jobs in ABQ.” — Kathy Economy, Albuquerque
“Lower-cost housing would be a major benefit, so consider changes in the building code. Six- or eight-story apartment houses, smaller lot sizes, are two ideas. But also ask residents what types of rentals they can afford and build to fit.”
— George Richmond, Albuquerque
“I urge Mayor Keller to work with the City Council to do a visioning process for a new round of quality-of-life projects involving: a civic center, a performing arts center, state fairgrounds replacement elsewhere, transportation museums, and development of PooleOxbow, Candelaria Nature Preserve and Bosque access parking.”
— William Hoffman, Albuquerque
“Keep getting out there to talk with and listen to people about their needs and wants. We appreciate your being accessible and hands-on.”
— Elene Gusch, Albuquerque
“My suggestion for Mayor Tim is to get tough on drugs and crime in Albuquerque. Help the police officers by giving them what they need to fight crime to protect the innocent people in the city.” — Jennifer Collins, Edgewood
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Should the Public Regulation Commission approve the PNM/Avangrid merger?
Want to participate in Top of Mind? Send your thoughts in 50 words or less with your name and city to question@ abqjournal.com. Look for reader responses in this space next week.