ALAN WEBBER

AGE: 69 EDUCATION: BA, Amherst College OCCUPATION: Self-employed entrepreneur

QUESTIONS:

1. Why are you running for mayor? What distinguishes you from your opponent?

We’re electing our first “strong mayor”— I’m running to use my experience to make city government work better for everyone. I have strong professional and managerial experience. As a successful entrepreneur with local, state and federal government experience, I have spent my career managing people and organizations, and started a nonprofit to help New Mexican businesses succeed.

2. What is the biggest issue facing city government and how would you address it?

Restore trust in city government; heal divides; make Santa Fe a vibrant city with quality education, good jobs, safe streets and affordable housing. I’ll bring management experience and a fresh approach to solving problems to make Santa Fe user-friendly, improve the workplace culture, and hire topnotch leaders who respect and serve all Santa Feans.

3. How would you encourage more affordable housing in Santa Fe? Do you support development of more rental apartments in town?

First, stop the failed system of “project-led housing” (one politicized project at a time, proposed in an adversarial way that angers neighborhoods and frustrates developers). Second, create an Office of Neighborhood Associations to build collaboration between city government and neighborhoods. The goal isn’t just housing—we need to create healthy, livable, sustainable neighborhoods, including more affordable rental units.

4. What uses would you support for the city-owned campus of the Santa Fe University of Art and Design, which the school is vacating?

Maintain and expand resources committed to film, TV and digital entertainment; attract a nationally recognized educational institution that focuses on technology, entertainment and design, like Stanford’s D School, that fits Santa Fe’s historic and emerging economy; design and develop a sustainable “new town, in town” with mixed uses, including housing, retail and job opportunities — a new centerpiece for Santa Fe.

5. Do you support the city’s living wage ordinance — which currently sets the minimum wage at $11.09 per hour — and its mandatory annual cost of living increases?

I am proud of the leadership Santa Fe has taken on the living wage. I am a strong supporter and agree with the mandatory cost of living increases. A key issue is strong enforcement to ensure that every person — regardless of immigration status — receives the living wage for the work they do.

6. Did you vote in the May “soda tax” election? If so, did you vote for or against it? Please explain your vote or your opinion of the failed tax proposal.

I oppose regressive taxes; I believe in early childhood education for all Santa Fe children. Therefore, I took no public stance on the soda tax. If elected mayor, I will work with the Legislature and a newly elected Democratic governor to create a stable, predictable funding source to make quality pre-K education available to every child in the state.

7. Should the city continue to grant a permit and provide police support for the annual Entrada event held on the Plaza that is opposed by Native Americans and others?

I support the work the city is doing with the Archdiocese, Pueblo leaders and Hispanic leaders. As mayor, I’ll convene all sides to create a presentation that tells the full Entrada story — reflecting everyone’s experience. We should face our history and ourselves; if we tell our history honestly and respectfully, the Entrada can celebrate diversity and heal historical trauma.

BACKGROUND

1. Have you or your business — if you are a business owner — ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens? No.

2. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding? No.

3. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony? No