City Councillor Brad Winter issued the following public statement today:

“Last week, I was pleased to vote for a tax cut for the people of Albuquerque – twice. The attack ads running against me are ridiculous and completely false.”

Winter was responding to a radio campaign currently running on KKOB AM claiming Winter voted against a tax decrease. Winter voted FOR Ordinance 07-84 calling for a 1/8 cent tax decrease. He was also the sponsor of another 1/8 cent tax decrease that went into effect January 1, 2007.

“The budget battle this year is no different than in years past. Mayor Chavez continues to fight for panda bear and SCUBA tank-type priorities instead of fully funding public safety. It is laughable that this Mayor plays these kinds of games when just months ago he tried to sneak in a higher tax to pay for a streetcar,” said Winter.

The Amendment to delay the tax cut for O-07-84 passed (5-4) with Councilors Winter, Loy, Sanchez, and Mayer voting NO on the delay. The tax cut bill (O-07-84) passed the council 7-2, with Councilors Loy and Sanchez voting NO on the tax cut.

The City Council voted 8-1 on Monday May 21, 2007 to reduce the fines for the red light camera program.

Now the red light camera program fines are as follows:

• $100 for the first offense. This fine has stayed the same.
• $200 for second offense within two years. Originally set at $250.
• $300 fine for the third and subsequent offenses. Originally set at $500.

City Councilor Brad Winter announced today that based on a report received from Police Chief Ray Schultz, the Albuquerque Police Department has only 927 full-time sworn police officers. While the report indicates that there are 947 full-time sworn officers, this amount includes 20 Open Space Officers.

For the past two fiscal years, and once again in the upcoming budget, the City has authorized 1,100 full-time sworn police officers – a number the City has never come near to reaching. APD staff reports, which Councilor Winter believes were also padded with part-time, open space and on-leave officers, indicate that in the last five years the maximum number of officers on the force in any given month was 1,007 for June 2005, a number which included 30 cadets that had just graduated that month. The report for July 2005 showed only 998 on the force. In addition, the most recent report indicated that of the 927 full-time officers on the force, only 433 are available to actually respond to calls for service.

“The Mayor and the Chief have contended since 2005 that APD will reach a staffing level of 1,100 sworn officers, and for months they’ve been telling the Council that they’ve reached a staffing level of 1,000 officers,” said Councilor Winter, “but the fact is that we’ve only broken through the 1,000 officer ceiling once in the last five years.” “Given that, we have to ask the question,” he said “why are the numbers being provided so skewed?”

“What these numbers tell me is that APD has not grown at all for many years,” said Councilor Winter, “recruiting has fallen flat, and were it not for legislation in 2003 that allowed retired officers to come back full time, APD would be short even more full-time officers.” “Staffing issues at APD are at a critical juncture, and it’s time the Administration developed a meaningful plan to put more officers on the street for the safety of the residents of the City of Albuquerque. I would recommend that rather than trying to pad their numbers to mask the real issue, the City could develop a process for filling administrative positions within APD with civilians. Or maybe the Mayor could hire private security guards, which would free up the sworn officers in his security detail to do what they do best - protect and serve the citizens of the City of Albuquerque.”

Proposed changes to the Mayor’s Operating budget were delivered to his office today by Council President Debbie O’Malley. The changes were submitted in the form of a floor substitute which will be sponsored by Committee of the Whole Chair Don Harris at next Monday’s (May 21, 2007) Council meeting.

“This is essentially a public safety budget” said Councilor Heinrich. “It puts the emphasis on crime prevention.”

Michael Cadigan, City Councilor for District 5, agrees and has sponsored funding for a much needed Paramedic/Rescue unit for Fire Station 21 on Albuquerque’s west side.

The APD Party Patrol program will receive an additional $250,000 in this proposed budget. States Councilor Winter, “We need to do what we can to keep our young people from drinking and driving, and this program has been very effective”.

The proposed floor substitute also includes operational start-up funds for the Teen Arts Center in Councilor Isaac Benton’s district and adds funding for the renovation of the Center to the 2007 G. O. Bond program.

“I am very proud to sponsor this floor substitute”, said Chairman Don Harris. “Our staff did an amazing job analyzing the Mayor’s budget, and working with all of the Councilors to address their concerns and incorporate their priorities in the floor substitute.”

Councilor Ken Sanchez, the Albuquerque Planning Department and West Central Community Development Group will have a follow-up planning Charrette for the NW corner of Central and Unser on May 15, 2007 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at West Mesa Community Center. For any questions, please contact Elaine Romero @ (505)768-3183.