DISTRICT 8 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Trudy Jones
POLITICAL AGE: PARTY: Republican 70 EDUCATION: OCCUPATION: High City school councilor; diploma previously estate (1980-2010) worked in commercial real III, FAMILY: two daughters Husband John M. Henderson POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: councilor since 2007 City MAJOR elected to PROFESSIONAL the council after ACCOMPLISHMENT: a career as a local business Being leader. I am proud of my record supporting police and fire, improving our quality of life and standing up for fiscal responsibility. MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Marriage to my husband John and helping raise his two daughters, and giving back to this city, which has made so much possible for me. What specific steps do you think the city should take to address the homelessness crisis? We must get at the root of the problem by dealing with issues such as drug addiction, lack of education and job training. I sponsored the Pedestrian Safety Ordinance to help eliminate dangerous pedestrian/vehicle situations. 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 am opposed to this massive government regulation that would force local, small businesses out of business and make it more difficult to attract companies from outside New Mexico to locate here. What has been Mayor Tim Keller’s best move so far and what do you think has been his administration’s biggest misstep? I support Mayor Keller’s selection of Chief Mike Geier to lead APD, and for the willingness to work with City Council to provide funding and increase benefits for police. … Mayor Keller’s biggest misstep has been reckless spending.
Maurreen Skowran
POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat AGE: 56
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of New Mexico (2017); Associate degree in geographic information technology from Central New Mexico Community College (2013)
OCCUPATION: Data analyst with University of New Mexico Geospatial and Population Studies since 2016; previously a student technical specialist/student GIS technician; copy editor at the Albuquerque Journal (2009-14)
FAMILY: Wife, Sandra Nemeth POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: U.S. Marine Corps (1980-92). Served in presidential helicopter squadron.
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Investigated fatal methadone overdoses in North Carolina, exposing its dangers in treating pain and addiction. The drug’s low cost had increased its use as a painkiller, although it wasn’t well understood or well monitored. MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Moved to Albuquerque to help my father — an Air Force veteran — successfully overcome lung cancer. His renewed health (and encouragement) spurred me to get a college degree and begin a new chapter in my life. What specific steps do you think the city should take to address the homelessness crisis? Building a campus with a shelter and services on site is a good beginning, but doesn’t address a major source of homelessness. I would propose affordable housing set-asides for hard-working families who are at risk. 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 five days of annual sick leave after 90 days of employment, pro-rated for part-time employees. I am open to phasing this in over a couple of years, as the county ordinance specifies. What has been Mayor Tim Keller’s best move so far and what do you think has been his administration’s biggest misstep? Increasing public safety staffing, including police officers and support personnel, is the mayor’s best move. However, the increase in salary for top-level city officials without an equal concern for rank-and-file city workers is a misstep.