Democracy for New Mexico

More Opportunities to See APS Board Candidates

According to an item in the Albuquerque Journal, a tape of the 1/24/07 forum with Albuquerque Public School Board candidates will be televised on TalNet, Cable Channel 96, at 4:00 PM this Saturday. One of our readers who attended the forum reports that, "The room was packed for the forum last night, and people were sitting in the hall. They even had a simultaneous Spanish translator! The event was very efficiently run, but there were too many questions submitted by the audience to cover them all. Fortunately, I found out that we will have another chance -- there is another candidate forum next week."  Here's the info:

From the Highland High School Calendar, https://www.highlandhornets.com/ (scroll down for calendar):
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES FORUM
January 31, 2007 6:30-8:30 PM
Highland High LECTURE HALL
(South of Main Building, Connected to Band Building)
4700 Coal Avenue SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 265-3711  (Phone)
(505) 348-8503  (Fax)

Parking: On Jefferson, or in the staff parking lot North of the main building (S. of Coal) and walk around

The APS Board Election will be held February 6, 2007. Early and absentee ballot voting is taking place right now.

Two APS Board Candidates on This Week's 'We The People'

WE THE PEOPLE: January 25, 2007 - 7 PM
APS School Board Candidates
Charles MacQuigg, Pauline Nunez
(District 4, Downtown, Albuquerque Highschool, Highland Highschool)
Live - Channel 27 ABQ! Worldwide On The Net! Click for Streaming Media: https://quote-unquote.org/

Join us on Second and Fourth Thursdays, 7-8 PM Mountain Time, Community Cable Channel 27, Albuquerque, NM. Call-in: (505) 346-1633. WE THE PEOPLE is an innovative call-in television show looking for TRUTH and TRANSPARENCY in local, state and federal governments. THANKS FOR WATCHING! Mickey Bock/Judith Binder - Hosts.

Editor's Note: Check out our previous post for more information on the 2/6/07 APS Board Election.

Benefit Set for APS Board Candidate Pauline Nunez

From supporters of Pauline Nunez:
Please join: Senator Cisco McSorley, Senator Jerry Ortiz Y Pino, Commissioner Deanna Archuleta, Councilor Martin Heinrich, Councilor Ike Benton, Richard Romero, Eric Griego, Drew Setter, Mike Puelle

For a fundraiser to help elect Pauline Nunez to the Albuquerque School Board in District 4 (downtown and UNM area):
Sunday, January 21, Noon - 2 PM
Michelle and Eric's Place
1421 Marble NW (SW of 12th and Mountain)
Suggested contribution $50

Come support and independent voice for our kids who supports innovation, safety and parental involvement.

APS Mill Levy and Board Election Set for 2.06.07

The Albuquerque Public Schools will hold a two-mill levy election to pay for school maintenance and repairs on February 6, 2007. Info is available at the APS website. The APS Board will also elect members in Districts 1, 2 and 4 that day:

District 1: Southwest
Incumbent: Miguel Acosta, who is not seeking re-election
Candidates: Richard Ray Sanchez; Cecilia M. C. De Baca; and Dolores A. Griego

District 2: West/Northwest
Incumbent: Robert D. Lucero
Candidates: Robert D. Lucero; Cynthia L. Jones

District 4: Downtown, Albuquerque High, Highland High neighborhoods
Incumbent: Leonard DeLayo, not seeking re-election
Candidates: John Brannan Edward; Vanessa Alarid; Albuquerque attorney Marty Esquivel; businesswoman Pauline Nunez and Charles MacQuigg, a retired shop teacher

To determine your district and find your election day polling place, visit the website of the and enter your address. A complete list of election day polling places is available .

Early Absentee In-Person Voting for the election has begun at four convenient locations:

County Clerk’s Office
6th Floor, Room 6011
One Civic Plaza

APS City Centre
6400 Uptown Blvd NE

Plaza Ladera
5300 Sequoia NW Suite G

Paradise Hills Community Center
5901 Paradise Blvd NW
Note: Early Voting is in the West Annex building

The locations will be open between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM through February 2, 200. Voters can also request an Absentee Ballot by calling 468-1291.

The APS/CNM Election will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 with consolidated polling locations open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Call 468-1291 for more information.

APS to Hold School Board Candidate Forum 1/24/07

From Albuquerque Public Schools:
Albuquerque Public Schools will hold a forum for candidates for the APS Board of Education at 7 PM, Wednesday, January 24, at the APS Building, located at 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE. The forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to hear the views and opinions of those running for the Albuquerque Public Schools’ Board of Education,” said Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Everitt. “Each candidate will be given time for an opening statement, they will then answer questions from the community, and then will give a closing statement.”

According to the Bernalillo County Clerk, currently there are three candidates in District 1, located in the south valley of Albuquerque. They are: Cecilia C de Baca, Dolores Griego, and Richard Sanchez.

There are two candidates in District 2, located in Albuquerque’s west side. They are: Cynthia Jones and Robert Lucero, who is an incumbent.

There are five candidates in District 4, located in the downtown and University area of Albuquerque. They are: Vanessa Alarid, John Edward, Martin Esquivel, Charles MacQuigg, and Pauline Nuñez.

“We encourage the citizens of Albuquerque to attend this very important and informative meeting,” added Everitt.

Every child has a right to a quality public education and APS is committed to providing that education. For more information about Albuquerque Public Schools visit www.aps.edu.

Vote Today in APS Special Bond Election

In today's election, Albuquerque area voters are being asked to approve $351 million in bonds for school improvements for Albuquerque Public Schools. The polls are open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM for registered voters in the APS district. Visit the website of the to find your polling place. Because a number of precinct polling places are being consolidated for this election, please be sure to double check where you should be voting. To learn more about the bond question and what the funds would be used for, visit VoteAPS.com.

VOTE YES! on September 19th APS Bond Election

From AFT NM:
APS has not raised taxes in 13 years. The need is here now. On Sept. 19, the Albuquerque Public Schools will ask voters to head to the polls and vote on a $351 million General Obligation Bond to build schools and renovate classrooms.

WHY VOTE YES? The G.O. Bond would provide the district with capital funds to complete the new Northwest and Southwest high schools, build additional schools on the west side and renovate schools across the district. If passed, the money would go to:

• $182 million for growth. Included is $50 million for a new west side elementary school and middle school. Another $115 million would finish the Northwest and Southwest high schools.
• $96 million on facility renovations across the district. Major projects in every cluster will be addressed, as will district issues, like updates to Milne and Wilson stadiums and improvements to the APS Food and Nutrition Services facilities that provides breakfast and lunch for schools. Roofing concerns at several elementary and middle schools also fall under this category.
• Nearly $2.5 million will be used for the implementation of a new student information system, SchoolMax. The system will eventually allow parents to check their student¹s grades and attendance on line.

Passing the G.O. Bond would require those in the district to invest more in the future of APS students, by increasing property tax rates by 5.6 percent. The owner of a $150,000 house would pay an additional $107 per year in taxes.

APS IS DOING THEIR PART! The district isn’t turning to taxpayers without doing everything possible to ease the burden on taxpayers. They are raising funds by selling $8 million worth of property. They also reached an agreement with homebuilders to offset the cost of construction. The deal with the homebuilders is estimated to bring in about $12 million per year to the district.

To learn more about the Sept. 19 G.O. Bond election visit www.voteaps.com or call APS Community Relations at 881-8421.

Sincerely,
Christine Trujillo, President
AFT New Mexico

Early voting has begun at four Albuquerque locations:

• Bernalillo County Clerk's Office at 1 Civic Plaza, 6th floor, downtown
• APS City Center, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, near Coronado Mall,
• Seven Bar Elementary School, 4501 Seven Bar Loop NW
• Plaza Ladera,  5300 Sequoia NW,  Ste. G

Sites will be open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM through Friday, September 15.

Absentee voting began August 25th. The last day to request an absentee ballot for this election will be on Thursday, September 14. To request an absentee ballot, please visit the clerk's office or call 468-1291. The ballots must be returned to the clerk's office or your local voting precinct by the close of Election Day, September 19th at 7 PM. 

Voter registration for this election has closed. If you are not registered to vote, please contact the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office at 468-1291.  Voter registration forms are available at the clerk's office or any public library or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.

Where do I vote? It is important that you are registered to vote in the precinct in which you live. To check your precinct or polling location call the County Clerk's office at 468-1291.

CUSA Initiates Drive Aimed at Keeping Higher Education Within Reach of New Mexico Students

Preparing for petition drive canvassing at
CUSA's Albuquerque office

Report and photo by guest blogger Suzanne Prescott:
A massive petition drive to stop an increase in student loan rates and stop major cuts in higher education funding has been launched by the Albuquerque office of Communities United to Strengthen America (CUSA).  The petition is aimed at getting Heather Wilson to pledge her support to cutting NOT raising student loan interest rates and NOT supporting the Bush administration proposed cuts to Pell Grants and Work Study funds.

Initial figures, not widely released, reveal higher education enrolments this Fall in New Mexico may show significant declines. The declines can be linked to ever increasing student debt, and increasing pressure on New Mexico family income.

A hard look at the facts:

• Heather Wilson in March of 2006 voted against a measure which would have cut student loan rates in half.
• College graduates earn 73% more than high school graduates
• If the proposed Bush budget passes 5,756 students in Albuquerque alone would not receive enough Pell grant money to meet their tuition needs.
• If the proposed Bush budget passes, 1700 Albuquerque students would be denied the full benefits of Work-Study.
• Only 14% of New Mexico students are awarded Lottery Success Scholarships
• Lottery Success scholarships only cover 20% of students college costs
• Tuition and fees at public four-year public colleges and universities swelled 8 percent, faster than the 7 percent national average.
• At the University of New Mexico the number of students receiving federal loans grew 29% between 2001-02 and 2004-05.

An educated citizenry is not only a necessity in a democracy, it's an necessary building block in the foundation of a modern New Mexico economy  - an economy where the skills and knowledge of the labor pool attract businesses to New Mexico and grow businesses which are already here.  These concerns are expressed in a CUSA news release dated Friday, August 25, 2006.

"This is a major concern to me not only as a parent with college age kids, but because it adversely affects the population that I serve,” El Centro Director Veronica Mendez-Cruz said Friday. “If these cuts hit they are going to make things harder for middle-class and lower-income students throughout the state.  We need our delegation to understand that these cuts will not help our community become educated. This is an insult to hard working families who are working two or more jobs to try to make ends meet and to ensure that their children have a better life.”

What you can do:
Go to the CUSA site and ask Heather Wilson to look out for the interests of students and restore funding to higher education.

Editor's Note: This post is from guest blogger Suzanne Prescott. If you'd like to submit a guest post, please contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand side of the main page.