Letter to the Editor

Will the Real Director of Municipal Development Please Stand Up?

Jeff Proctor’s page C-1 article on 2/9 about the top paid employees in the City says the highest is Ed Adams who Jeff and the City’s posted transparency press release identifies as the Director of Municipal Development (DMD).   Leslie Linthicum’s front page 2/9 article says that Mike Riordan is the Director-something that the cabq.gov website also states.  Mike testifies before the City Council as the Director.   Ed is just an overpaid $145K/year special projects guy in DMD under Riordan who was last identified as the one heading up Mayor Berry’s wasteful “ABQ-The Plan” initiative. 

Citizens should recall that a former Mayor Chavez CAO-UNM Academic-Bruce Pearlman signed a secret memo before leaving his post.   It promised his successor Ed Adams-then DMD Director, his $145K CAO salary for life-even if Mayor Berry decided to name a new CAO and put Adams in a flunky  job.   The City’s HR later claimed it had no knowledge of the Perlman memo and none of the City attorneys ever admitted preparing it-although DMD’s attorney Greg Smith-a close friend of Ed’s received a huge pay raise from CAO Adams right before Mayor Chavez left office.   Coincidental? 

When Mayor Berry had the opportunity to correct this blatant rip-off of taxpayers and challenge the legality of the Pearlman memo in court, the attorney or attorneys who prepared the memo for Pearlman asserted it was legally binding and to give in to Adams’s threat rather than risk a lawsuit.  So our Mayor backed down-as seems to be his common practice whenever he has the opportunity to save our tax dollars.   Recall him folding after APD’s Union leaders opposed White and Schultz eliminating take home cars for 150 APD officers who lived out of town and were not on call 24/7. 

Regarding Schultz’s officers who are making big bucks, Mayor Berry would again bless this saying that he “didn’t see any red flags.”  Really Mr. Mayor-no red flags?  With over 1000 officers in APD, it would appear that overtime for court appearances would seem unnecessary with proper planning-as businesses do when giving their employees compensatory time off when they have to work beyond their normal hours.  Of the 1000, one would think there would be some officers who could fill in for those given such compensatory time off.   We already see an excessive number- 10 or more officers in their cars reporting to most calls for service merely to justify their unreasonably high manning levels.  

As for the Chief’s overtime pool of money paid for by businesses and for sporting events, it would appear that both officers Simon Drobik and Sergeant Troy Luna (and likely others) had arranged a sweetheart deal with the Chief to be the preferred ones selected.  Are we to assume the other 900+ didn’t volunteer for this extra Chief’s overtime work? The whole situation with the high pay in APD and in other Departments stinks and it’s us taxpayers who are the ones being ripped off because this self-proclaimed tax saving Mayor simply doesn’t care. 

Regards,

Silvio Dell’Angela

Stop Police Atrocities Now (S.P.A.N.)

Burque blotter blocked by Mayor

By Pilar Armstrong

Sometime around Feb. 6, 2012 and Feb. 7, 2012 The Burque Blotter ceased receiving email notifications from the Albuquerque Police Department. On Feb. 8, 2012, both Public Information Officers Robert Gibbs and Tasia Martinez were contacted via email and phone as to inquire why The Burque Blotter was no longer receiving media alerts. Officer Martinez informed me (Pilar Armstrong) that I should address the Mayor's office with this issue since all media must first register through the Mayor's office. In informed Officer Martinez that I was currently on the City of Albuquerque's Media Release List and was currently receiving press releases from the Mayor's office. A voice mail message was left with Deputy Director of Information, Breannna Anderson, from the Mayor's office today, Feb. 9, 2012. As stated in an early posting for the Blotter, I had to wait several weeks before I was "approved" to be placed on the City's media release list. Accessibly to information by the media and individual citizens is linked to transparency and accountability in government. An inquiry as to what my rights were as an independent, online, journalist was made to New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. Executive Director, Sarah Welch, responded with the following comment.

"The key for me is transparency and consistency. Mistakes happen, of course, but it behooves agencies to have clear guidelines and policies that govern things like media advisory lists and press passes". 

It is unclear at this point in time as to whether or not the Blotter was intentionally taken off the media release list for APD. A list of guidelines and policies were never sent to the Blotter from the Mayor's office so it is unclear as to what policies were violated, if that is the case. 

The Burque Blotter currently follows APD SIG Alerts and general alerts on Twitter. 

Response to recent Deaton article

Absolutely the city needs to do a National search for this position. No-one in state can be trusted. Another question is WHERE IS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Why the DOJ has not publically come into the city to investigate the city and the police department is very offensive to this citizen and taxpayer, both state and federal.

Albuquerque has had far more questionable police killings than most or all of the cities the department of justice has recently entered. I am starting to think the department of justice cares more about African American cop killings (this is who police were killing in the other cities) than our Hispanic men. Are our lives valued less than that of an African American? This is the national and local message. We have 3 times as many shootings of citizens, citizen killings, criminal activity by police officers and fire officers than in Miami, where DOJ recently entered. What about us here in Albuquerque, NM? What about out men and children? Do we not have a state with enough electoral votes to cause enough concern for the DOJ to come here and asked, what is the problem?  All of us pay local, state, and federal taxes. I pay those taxes alongside the rest of the country and expect to be protected like the rest of the country. Where are you DOJ? Who at the Attorney General’s office is delaying the help? There is ample evidence that we have a problem from the Governor’s office on down. The governor gave White a job after his fiasco, The Attorney general had to fire the lawyer who was “in charge” of investigating police because he never did. Brandenburg’s daughter married wife murder Levi Chavez (why it took so long to file charges against him), Chief Shultz (enough said there), POC finds every shooting justified (what is the probability of that being the case when every other month a cop or police officer is on the news with yet another criminal activity being reported), and finally us – we are here walking around every day in the community with all these “administrators and public officials” dangling a puppet string. Whose string will be cut next? Where in God’s name is the Department of Justice? Who will penetrate this criminal covenant in Albuquerque, New Mexico?

Albuquerque has been under the control of a criminal state and local system since the 1970s. Administration after administration has failed us in cleaning up the city and firing criminal administrators and all criminal public safety officers, both fire and police. We have all read that for years one after another police men and woman along with firemen and fire woman, at all levels of public safety, have one way or another been involved with criminal activity. Honest police and fire public safety workers know they will never move up the ranks with the habitual criminal-like administration that has offended us for decades and have held honest public safety workers hostage.  I grew up back east. I grew up holding police and fire men and women in the highest regard. I never heard of any wrong doing by either. Then again I am a upper-class white woman. I move here to New Mexico and I feel I have been naive. I am physical disgusted with city councilors, the mayor, and administrators ignoring grieving family members – then again they are low-earning Hispanic community members – Getting the picture here? The state of affairs here sickens me and I pray that we find or another Martin Luther King-like person steps into the light and saves our people. Where is the department of Justice? Not only does the community who has been directly affected by the killings want and need intervention at the federal level many police and fire men and women want intervention also. I pray for our men and women in both the public safety department and community – I pray that all of us can come together and send a signal message to the puppet “master” – We will not take it anymore.  We are not going away.

 Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Deaton's retirement questioned

By Pilar Armstrong

When the City's IRO announced his retirement in an exclusive Albuquerque Journal article, many were skeptical. Some city critics claimed that William Deaton's retirement announcement was a crafty polictical maneuver fabricated after city councilors proposed a national search for a new Independent Review Officer at a public study session for the Police Oversight Commission. When asked if Deaton's retirement was effective immediately Deputy Director of Communications responded,
"We have not received a formal retirement letter from Mr. Deaton. He is required to stay in his position until a replacement has been named," said Breanna Anderson.

So far the former Chief Public Defender has not applied for or sought out any additional employment with the City of Albuquerque. The City IRO contract is up for renewal at he next City Council Meeting on Mon. Feb. 6.
Activists are demanding that the council reject the contact and commence a national search for a new IRO immediately.

"All POC reports and the mayors recommendation for a temporary IRO should also be rejected," suggests Silvio Dell'Angela.

"The contract is up right now. This is the time to proceed with a national search for a new IRO," said Councilor Dan Lewis the POC study session.

Citizen's and City Councilors have become disenchanted with Deaton's five year reign after a series of execution style shootings by the Albuquerque Police Department plagued the city. The majority of the shootings were deemed acceptable by both the POC and IRO enraging many and inciting praise from very few.  Police Chief Ray Schultz still feels that the system works despite intense scrutiny of police misconduct and an impending Department of Justice investigation.

"For every complaint (from a citizen) there are at least ten positive commendations," said Schultz at the study session.

Schultz also claimed that problematic police officers were dealt with disciplinary measures such as verbal reprimands and immediate suspension. Councilor Rey Garduno made a controversial suggestion as how to deal with such officers.

"We have a project of putting DWI offenders in the paper. Should we do that with police officers who are repeat offenders?" asked Garduno.

Bomb threat in NE ABQ

By Pilar Armstrong

On Wed., tonight, at 6:54 p.m., Albuquerque Police officers responded to suspicious activity at the US Post Office on 6255 San Antonio Dr. NE and San Pedro. According to an email alert from Officer Robert Gibbs, a postal customer became suspicious when they saw a latex glove wearing individual drop off a parcel into the exterior drive up post office box and drive away. The alleged suspect threw the gloves out the window as they drove away in a gray Mitsubishi SUV.

The APD Bomb Team closed off all traffic on westbound San Antonio Dr NE. between  Louisiana Blvd. NE  and San Pedro Dr. NE.

"Bomb Team officers were able to look inside the parcel drop box and did not find anything suspicious, just letters and apparently none of the letters appeared suspicious," stated Gibbs in an email update.

All closed streets were opened after the bomb threat was lifted.

MLK council celebration receives strong support from community

Today, on Mon. 16, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. the Dr. Martin Luther King Multicultural Council, Inc. celebrated it's 22 annual MLK celebration honoring the life and vision of  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Scores of people flocked to Congregational Albert in North East Albuquerque to enjoy the celebration. The event was highlighted by 29 scholarship recipients from high schools throughout New Mexico. Each student received a $1000 for submitting an outstanding essay  based on the teachings of Dr. Marin Luther King. Scholarship recipients entertained the audience with a talent show and read excerpts form their winning essays.

The MLK Council also awarded retired UMN Public Information Officer Mr. Frank D. Martinez, and the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico for their contributions to the Albuquerque community. An impressive list of  24 individuals and business were recognized for their generous contributions to the scholarship fund, including Bank of America and Smith's Food and Drug Stores.

The event was a success despite Mayor Richard Berry's recent action to lump all "Black Events" into one month. and ignore the significance of the celebration. A formal, written correction was attached to the last page of the program, denouncing Berry and the City of Albuquerque's lack of support.

A list of financial supporters follows:

Ann Yeck
Bank of America
Cathy Intemann
Congregational Albert
CORLEY'S Albuquerque Lincoln - Mercury - Volvo
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
Given by Jennifer C. Kruger in honor of Clarence P. Mitchell and Marianne Mitchell Olsen
In Memory of Christopher M. Torres
Dr. Jack and Betty Bobroff
Jeffery Pasquier
Dr. John B. Mondragon
Judy Basen Weinreb
Karen C. Limas
Karl Johnson and Michelle Ginger
Lockheed Martin/Sandia National Laboratories Corporation
McCune Charitable Foundation
Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk P.A.
New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League
PNM
Rio Rancho Community Foundation
Ruth Boulders

2

Second Presbyterian Church
Smith's Food and Drug Stores
University of New Mexico, Division for Equity and Inclusion
Wells Fargo

Scholarship recipients may not in order of picture: Le'Sean Amos, Shannon Archuleta, Evan Bleakly, James Boney, Somi Phaybouth, Nicolas Bryers, Ujwal Chada, Amber S. Chavez, Esperanza Coca, Shantel Cross, Andres Gallegos, Ashley M. Gee, Julissa Hunte, Nicole Kerperien, Abby Luu, Jaynie McConnell, Cesar Miranda, Duc Nguyen, Rachel Oestreich, Crystal Quintana, Katelynn R. Raney, Amanda Sanchez, Caress Simpson, Jessica Stoddard, Alexander J. Thomas, Marika Lois Ann Trujillo, Devont'e Kurt Watson Sheneille Wilson, Shuqi Xiao

Activist urge deferment of two APD reports

Some Albuquerque activists are urging councilors and citizens to defer two APD reports at tomorrow nights City Council meeting.

The reports that are raising criticism are council agenda items EC-11-613, IRO 3rd Quarter Report and OC-11-34, MGT Report of the Police Oversight Commission ordinance system. Activist, Silvio Dell'Angela claims that the latest commission report
"..has historical information likely cut and past from their previous report and their cut and paste of what other cities are doing from their other City reports.", in an email sent to the blotter.

The little known ,$39,219 study took place in Nov. of 2011 by consulting form MGT of America, Inc, from Texas.