Albuquerque
Upcoming city election should focus on sustainability
As the mayoral election of 2009 approaches in the midst of the gravest economic crisis of last 75 years, I’m wondering if we’ll hear candidates parrot the old line about “inevitable” material growth, or if they’ll really start to explore steady state sustainability.
Rail Runner passengers want more parking
With the Rail Runner Express making its way up to Santa Fe for nearly two weeks now, it looks increasingly clear that the service is a hit — and that more parking is needed. The stories range from a pleasant experience from a first time rider to a horror story from a outright critic.
But one [...]
White Christmas in New Mexico?
John Fleck took a look at the possibility of a White Christmas here in New Mexico according to yesterday’s National Weather Service (NWS) forecast. Christmas, as you may know, is Thursday.
So what does the NWS forecast today for the weather on Christmas day in the Albuquerque area?
Christmas Day: A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly [...]
Mayor Marty’s infrastructure wish list comes in at $1.6 billion
Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez wants $1.6 billion from Barack Obama. Well, not in the way that Rod Blagojevich wanted money from politicians, but rather for the city government he leads.
KOB-TV reported that Chavez sent over the wish list at the request of Obama — for big-city mayors and the projects they want included in an [...]
Rail Runner to make inaugural run to Santa Fe Dec. 17
Travelers will be able to ride the Rail Runner Express to Santa Fe starting Dec. 17.
In a press release, Gov. Bill Richardson announced that he, state, local and tribal officials will make the inaugural ride from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. They will also be joined by “several” members of the public.
“This is a historic event [...]
ABQ bus ridership still up despite dropping gas prices
Even with gas prices plummeting from a July high of $4 per gallon to the current price of $1.84 per gallon — the lowest gas prices have been since 2004 — bus ridership in the Duke City is still up from this time last year.
Big solar plant planned for Mesa del Sol is still full steam… er, sunshine… ahead
The Associated Press is reporting that despite the current economic downturn, Schott Solar, a New York-based manufacturer and distributor, is still doing well and the plans for a 250,000-square-foot Albuquerque solar panel plant are going ahead as planned. The plant will be built in the Mesa Del Sol area on the southern end of Albuquerque.
Back to basics for city politics
In the October 2009 Albuquerque mayoral election, I really don’t think a centrist Democrat or an ankle biting attack dog Republican can make it through to the run off. It seems to me that the candidate of either party who represents what I’d call a return to party basics has the overwhelming chance to win.
ABQ City Council seems open to Downtown event center, but will we need a public education campaign?
As the Albuquerque City Council wound up its late-night hearing last night about the proposed Downtown event center complex, Councilor Don Harris questioned how the public would be educated about the project.
The $700,000 viability assessment commissioned by the council has now been completed and, despite stated concerns about the economic downturn we’re in, the council [...]