I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Rob Dickson
A well-known Albuquerque in-fill developer, Rob Dickson, is running for mayor of New Mexico’s largest city as a privately financed candidate.
Dickson, who is a registered Democrat, told the Independent he’ll have an announcement out soon. In the meantime he’s picked up petition forms from the city clerk so he can get started gathering the roughly 6,500 signatures needed to get on the ballot.
Dickson is the developer behind the revitalization of the old Albuquerque High School, on Central Avenue just east of downtown, into loft apartments. He’s known for emphasizing smart growth and Albuquerque’s “sense of place” as key to the city’s future.
In addition to Dickson, two others have picked up petition packets from the city clerk.
One, Rudolph Serrano, indicated he would privately finance a campaign, according to a report by the Albuquerque Journal’s Dan McKay.
The other, James Thomas, said he’ll go for public financing, and on top of that he may sue the city. Thomas told KOB Channel 4 that the public financing system shuts out “underdogs” who don’t have large bases of support to help collect the necessary $5 contributions from 1 percent of registered voters in the city.
So far, City Councilors Debbie O’Malley and Michael Cadigan, former state Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero and local activist Donna Rowe have announced they’ll run for mayor using public financing. Current Mayor Marty Chavez hasn’t announced, but along with the others picked up the contribution booklets for gathering the $5 qualifying contributions when they were made available Feb. 17.
