Democracy for New Mexico

Public Invited to Speech by Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff in ABQ

From the Kirtland Partnership Committee:
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking military officer in the United States, Marine four-star General Peter Pace, is coming to Albuquerque to speak on "America's Armed Forces" at a luncheon. The luncheon will be at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town (formerly Sheraton Old Town) on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at 11:30 AM. The invitation is to "the citizens of Albuquerque."

Cost is $23.00 total per person. Payment can be made by credit card, by calling 241-4810, or check can be mailed to Kirtland Partnership Committee, KPC, 320 Gold SW, Suite 300, Albuquerque NM 87102. The $23.00 per person payment covers the exact cost of the lunch; this is not a for-profit event. Questions? Call the Kirtland Partnership Committee, KPC, 241-4810 or 241-4812.

Governor Richardson's Eminent Domain Task Force to Hold Public Meeting, Take Comments

From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson's Task Force on the Responsible Use of Eminent Domain will hold a public meeting at 4:00 PM on September 28th at the Village Hall in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. The Village Hall is located at 6718 Rio Grande Blvd. NW. 

The purpose of the meeting is to allow members of the public to provide comments and suggestions to the Task Force. The Task Force was convened by Governor Bill Richardson following the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court in Kelo v. City of New London , to study the adequacy of New Mexico's eminent domain laws and determine whether there is currently sufficient legislative protection to prevent the abusive use of eminent domain for economic development purposes.  The Task Force is charged with making recommendations to the Governor by November 1, 2006 on whether changes to state law are needed. 

For those unable to attend the open meeting, the Governor encourages members of the public to send comments to the Task Force via mail, fax, or the Governor's website as follows:

Mail: Governor Bill Richardson
Attn: Task Force on the Responsible Use of Eminent Domain
State Capitol Building, Suite 400
Santa Fe , NM 87501
Fax: (505) 476-2207
Website: https://www.governor.state.nm.us (click on contact the Governor)

Questions concerning the Task Force can be directed to the Governor's Office at 476-2200.

Solar Fiesta Kickoff Celebrates 50th Anniversary of First Solar House

This post was submitted by guest blogger Suzanne Prescott, who has been contributing reports regularly to DFNM. She also shot the photos at the event.

Whether you call it solar energy, oil independence, or renewable energy, it may not be the issue that wins the fall election but an increasing number of people believe it's the issue we need to address in order to preserve our planet. Recognizing the issue’s significance, the 50th anniversary of the world's first commercial solar building was held today, Friday September 22, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The crowd included many of the state's renewable energy cognoscenti who came out to recognize the 1956 work of Frank Bridgers and Don Paxton whose bold experimental solar design was successful. 

The occasion also marked the inauguration of the first Equinox Award for contributions to an environmentally sustainable economy. Winner of the award was internationally known Santa Fe architect, Ed Mazria, pictured below. Presenting the award were Janet Briedgers, daughter of Frank Bridgers and city councilor, Ike Benton.

Pictured include (left to right:) Martin Heinrich, Jim Baca,  Ed Mazria, Janet Bridgers, Mrs. Frank Bridgers, and Ike Benton

Also in the crowd was Senator Dede Feldman, sponsor of the 2006 NM legislative energy tax credit legislation.

The event also marked the beginning of this year's Solar Fiesta which will be held at the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center on Saturday on Sunday. For more information about the fiesta visit https://www.nmsea.org. For more coverage of the 50th Anniversary celebration visit Jim Baca's blog at https://onlyinnewmexico.blogspot.com/.

This is a guest blog by Suzanne Prescott. If you'd like to submit material for possible publication as a guest blog, please contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of our main page. -- BW

Join the League of Conservation Voters Canvass and Meet Patricia Madrid

From the :
The League of Conservation Voters is having a community canvass and volunteer day Saturday, September 23.

Patricia Madrid will be speaking to and meeting with our volunteers at 10:00 AM. We will then have some snacks, and then get to work to win this election! We will be going door-to-door, making phone calls, and working in the office. This race will change the direction of the country, please help us get the work done to win this!

The office is located on the corner of Gold and 4th street, Simms Office Building, (505)244-1077. Contact Marshall for more information. 

Don't wake up November 8th, 2006 wishing you had done more!

Famed Comedian Paul Rodriguez to Perform at Benefit for Patricia Madrid

Mayor Martin Chavez Presents... Paul Rodriguez Live!

Legendary comedian Paul Rodriguez is coming to Albuquerque for a benefit in honor of Attorney General Patricia Madrid – and you're invited! The show will take place at the ABQ Convention Center's KIVA Auditorium (2nd & Marquette NE) on Wednesday, September 27th, 2006, 7:30 - 9:30 PM

Tickets are available only by calling Tickemaster at 505-883-7800. General admission tickets are $35 or $65. Your $1,000 donation includes an intimate pre-show celebrity bash, an after show party and the very best seats in the house! Your $300 donation includes a preferred seating and admission to the special after party.

If you cannot attend and would still like to make a contribution toward this event, click here.

Angela Chavez Selected for Women's Political Training Program

From Emerge NM:
Angela Chavez, of Socorro, has been selected to participate in the first Emerge New Mexico class - an intensive seven-month training program — co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Attorney General Patricia Madrid — that teaches Democratic women how to successfully run for public office.

"Angela Chavez has demonstrated leadership throughout her career and will make a strong candidate for public office," said emerge New Mexico board member Anathea Chino in a news release.

"Emerge New Mexico is dedicated to finding women like Angela and giving them the tools they need to run a successful campaign for public office at any level."

The rigorous and comprehensive training program began July 8, and teaches participants critical campaign skills, including how to organize a campaign, create a message and raise money. The emerge program has a strong record of success in other states.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to sit down with other Democratic women and work together to learn the skills I'm going to need to serve my community," said Chavezin the news release. \

More information on emergeNewMexico is available at www.emergenm.org.

SAVE THE DATE:  Emerge New Mexico Social and Program Update, October 14, 2007; 6:30-9:00 PM, details to come later this month.

UNM to Observe Constitution Day Sept. 18

From UNM Today:
The University of New Mexico will observe Constitution Day on Monday, Sept. 18, from 3:30 to 4:45 PM at the Student Union building, Lobo rooms A & B. The theme of this year's observance is judicial independence under the United States Constitution. Bruce Black, U.S. district court judge for the District of New Mexico, will be the keynote speaker.

The video "A Conversation on the Constitution: Judicial Independence" featuring Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Anthony Kennedy and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will be shown. The three will share their thoughts on a need for an independent judiciary.

UNM Assistant Professor of History Andrew Sandoval-Strausz and UNM Associate Professor of Law Norman Bay are also scheduled to speak. Free copies of the constitution will be distributed. For more information, call 277-0080.

Gov. Richardson & Diane Denish Reception to Benefit Statewide Coordinated Campaign

Event Chairs Frances Ray • Marie Sedillo • Mary Molina Mescall Invite you To Join

Governor Bill Richardson & Lt. Governor Diane Denish

For A Reception Benefiting the Statewide Coordinated Campaign

Monday, September 18, 2006
5:00 –  7:30 PM
Hotel Albuquerque
800 Rio Grande Blvd.

Suggested Contribution:  $50 per person or $500 per table. Contributions should be made payable and can be sent to: DPNM Coordinated Campaign, 1301 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

RSVP to Steve Fitzer: (505) 270-4079 or sfitzer@dianedenish.com. Or RSVP online 

Event Hosts: Alex & Yvone Abeyta, Mary Ann Armijo, Linda Barth,  Frank Chavez, kathy Chavez, Darva Chino, Francine Cordova & Jennifer Romero, Michelle Garcia & Earl Holmes, John Garcia, Lala Trujillo Garcia, Giant Industries, Janis Harkleroad, Hazel Herrera, Mary Herrera, Nancy Higgins & Cindy Dixon, Marilyn Hill, Terri Holland, Suzanne Jacobi, Kooch Jacobus, gary King, James Lewis, Nancy Laflin, Lt. Colonel Anna Lucero, Fred Mondragon & Connie Vance, Claudine Montano, Montgomery & Andrews David Montoya, Plumbers and Pipefitters, Patricia Rogers, Giovanna Rossi,
Dan Serrano, Kim Smith, Christine Trujillo, LaNelle Witt

First Annual ABQ Peace Out 9/17

Capricorn Music Productions Presents:

The First Annual Albuquerque Peace Out!
Sunday, September 17
Harlow's on the Hill
3523 Central NE
Call 505-268-0182 for info.
DOORS OPEN AT 7 PM

Featuring:
KiMo
Jasper Brown
Kenn Rodriguez
Ground Zero
Bob Anderson of Stop the War Machine
And Many Special Guests!

Click for flyer (doc).

Nobel Peace Prize Winner from Belfast to Speak in Santa Fe, ABQ

Pax Christi New Mexico Presents:
The Vision of Peace
An Evening With MAIREAD MAGUIRE
Nobel Peace Prize winner from Belfast
Monday, September 18 in Santa Fe
Tuesday, September 19 in Albuqueque
Click for .

"If we want to reap the harvest of peace and justice in the future, we will have to sow seeds of nonviolence, here and now, in the present." --Mairead Corrigan Maguire

Mairead Corrigan Maguire won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize award after her relatives were killed on the streets of Belfast, Ireland, and she organized the largest peace demonstrations in the history of Northern Ireland. She cofounded the Peace People Community in Belfast, and has dedicated her life to promoting nonviolence and peace in Northern Ireland and the world. She has travelled to Irag, Israel, India, Bosnia, Rwanda, Burundi, Burma, the Philippines, and other war zones in the world, speaking for peace. After her talk, she will sign copies of her book: The Vision of Peace: Faith and Hope in Northern Ireland. 

TWO APPEARANCES:

Monday, September 18th
7:00 PM in Santa Fe, NM
@ Santa Maria de la Paz Church
11 College Ave (close to Richards near I-25)
($10 Donation suggested)
Admission Free; All Welcome!
Call Bud for information: 505 264 2838 

Tuesday, September 19th
7:00 PM in Albuquerque, NM
@ Holy Rosary Church
5525 Fortuna Rd NW
($10 Donation suggested)
Admission Free; All Welcome!
Call Lisa for information: 505 839 0046