Mayor Chávez announced today that during the June meeting of the US Conference of Mayors he will introduce a resolution in Support of the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act of 2008 (SB 1200 and HB 1328). “The United States Government has a legal trust responsibility, based on treaties, statutes and long-standing practice, to provide healthcare to the estimated 4.4 million Native Americans,” said the Mayor.

Native Americans experience higher disease rates and lower life expectancy than any other racial or ethnic group in the country. Native Americans also experience exponentially higher rates of diabetes, mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, influenza and injuries. This is according to the National Congress of the American Indians. The proposed act will benefit many Native Americans by:

• Increase recruitment and scholarship programs for Indian Health Professionals
• Expands current cancer screening programs for Native Americans
• Improves communicable and infectious disease monitoring
• Expands the program to prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse among Native American communities

Mayor Chávez announced today the first solar heated pool in Albuquerque had been completed. The city is upgrading the electrical equipment and installing solar thermal panels at 5 pools across the City to heat the water. Those pools are Highland, Sandia, Valley, West Mesa, and Los Altos.

“Today, we’re pleased to announce the solar panels at Highland Pool are working and heating the water to a very comfortable 84.5 degrees,” said the Mayor, “the boiler is not on and pool is being heated by the sun only.” Electrical upgrades and solar panels save the City electric & natural gas costs an annual savings of $20,000 a year, just at Highland.

Funding Source: 1% for Energy in the 2005 GO Bond Package.

Mayor Martin J. Chavez will be featured on the Sundance Channel April 29, 2008 in a program raising environmental awareness about climate change. The Sundance Channel will broadcast episodes of “Big Ideas for a Small Planet,” a 13 part series.

Mayor Chávez will be profiled as one of ten Mayors who are at the forefront of innovative thinking and action on climate change

The program will be hosted by Robert Redford on your local Sundance channel provider.

Mayor Chávez accepted the inaugural, Siemens Sustainable Community Award in the category; of "Large Community." The Program AlbuquerqueGreen, created by Mayor Chavez, was cited as being one of the most a comprehensive sustainability plan in a large city. This plan is going to make Albuquerque a national model for energy conservation, clean energy production and use, and conservation. Awards were given to communities that have successfully taken on challenges in environmental stewardship, economic growth, and social capital. "I am proud to accept this award, but the honor belongs to the proud and hard working citizens of Albuquerque," said the Mayor.

Continue reading "Siemens Sustainability Award Given To Albuquerque" »

Mayor Chavez will be having open office hours this Friday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. The Mayor’s offices are on the 11th floor of One Civic Plaza. Please bring your questions and concerns; all that is needed is a valid state picture ID. Mayor Chavez will meet with constituents on a first-come, first served basis. Each meeting will be limited to five minutes.

Your pets are more then welcome to meet with Dukes to discuss their concerns with the first dog, but if you or your four legged friend have questions about the event please call 311.

Here is where One Civic Plaza is located.

View Larger Map

Mayor Chavez was pleased to announce that City of Albuquerque received rating upgrades from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Services, while Fitch Ratings affirmed the existing bond rating. The City’s gross receipts tax bonds were upgraded to AAA by Standard and Poor's, their highest possible rating and the highest rating the City of Albuquerque has ever received.

Moody's upgrade cites the City of Albuquerque’s prudent fiscal management: and our ability to address revenue and expenditure pressures through conservative budgeting and conservative forecasting of revenues and expenditures

Standard & Poor's cited the City of Albuquerque's strong gross receipts tax base that has been resilient through economic cycles.

Fitch Ratings said the City of Albuquerque is developing into a “high-technology hub” with an expanding economic base and positive debt profile.

All three agencies will monitor reserves as the City navigates through a tight budget. Standard and Poor’s AAA rating is the highest ever for the City of Albuquerque and the highest possible.

On April 10th, 2008, at 6:30pm, the communities of New Mexico will fight back against Meth. In a historic and unprecedented event, a 30-minute documentary titled 'Crystal Darkness' will air in a roadblock, which means it will be broadcast simultaneously on all stations in the area, among them KOB TV, KRQE TV, My50-TV, New Mexico’s CW, KASA Fox TV, and Telemundo. A simultaneous training program will be introduced into all the schools in New Mexico to educate our children. Follow up recovery efforts, fundraising, and awareness raising could make this the most important community campaign to hit our state in decades.

Mayor Chávez last week announced a new Striping Project through out the city with Municipal Development Director John Castillo. “This is an example where people can see their tax dollars at work,” said the Mayor. Since last summer, City Traffic Engineering crews have been re-painting curbs, median noses, and lanes markings on streets. “We will paint every street designated as a ‘collector’ or higher” (minor arterial, major arterial), said director John Castillo.” The city is on target to finish by the end of this summer. Mayor Marty said, “We are now aiming to repaint these markings at least once, and most likely, twice a year.”

Continue reading "Painting the Streets" »

Mayor Chavez is hosting a People to People at Cottonwood Mall on Saturday April 5, 2008 from 11am to 1pm in the center court lower level. “City Hall service should not be confined to City Hall walls,” Mayor Chavez stated.

People to People is an event designed to be an open, informative forum for conversation and to help you, your family and your neighborhoods. All the city’s directors and department heads will be attending, including the Chief Administrative Officer, Parks & Recreation Director and Solid Waste Director, and all the other Department heads.

Here is your invitation for your family and friends, and more importantly your neighborhood.

We hope to see you on Saturday, April 5, and if you should have any questions please feel free to call 311.

Join Mayor Marty for the 16th Annual Heart and Stroke Fun Walk on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the Albuquerque Academy’s Scenic Walk Trail.

Registration is at 9:00 am the Opening Ceremonies are at 9:45 am and the Walk Starts at 10:00 am. The money raised from this event will support vital research, community education, and advocacy efforts aimed at fighting heart disease and stroke in New Mexico.

Start! Living a healthy life! Just follow the quick and easy steps to sign up online at www.heartwalk.kintera.org/albuquerque or call 505-353-5800.