Budget bumps, popsicles and postponed charter changes dominated the lengthy Albuquerque City Council meeting May 20. In the end, a $1.4 billion budget was approved for fiscal year 2025. Budget Ups and Downs A big chunk of the five-plus hour meeting was spent working out the dollar details. After a couple of hours of discussion […]
Housing & Homelessness
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Officials who flagged asbestos dangers at Gateway Center told to stay home, given sick leave as city fined by state
At least two senior officials who raised concerns about the city’s mishandling of asbestos exposure during the construction of the Gibson Health Hub were threatened with reassignment and then quietly placed on sick leave. Both officials were made unavailable to answer questions from the city council and others about the administration’s actions that resulted in […]
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City charter changes could create chaos
Proposed changes to the city’s charter have stirred up an old-time controversy. Several Albuquerque city councilors are asking for a slew of changes to the city’s charter that would go to the voters. The stack of charter amendment proposals will be debated at their May 20 regular meeting. If approved, the changes will go to […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Shortage of Law Enforcement Addressed by Estancia Trustees
Perhaps it was a sign of spring fever, but the audience, mostly municipal employees, was jovial at the start of the May 6 meeting of the Estancia Board of Trustees. Jokes were shared amongst members of the town’s maintenance staff, town clerk, and board members. As the meeting got underway, town clerk Michelle Jones explained […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Shortage of Law Enforcement Addressed by Estancia Trustees
Perhaps it was a sign of spring fever, but the audience, mostly municipal employees, was jovial at the start of the May 6 meeting of the Estancia Board of Trustees. Jokes were shared amongst members of the town’s maintenance staff, town clerk, and board members. As the meeting got underway, town clerk Michelle Jones explained […]
Posted inEdgewood, Housing & Homelessness, Pueblos, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Letter to the Editor: Estancia Valley Classical Academy Violated the Open Meetings Act
Submitted by Craig Springer, concerned citizen One year ago the Estancia Valley Classical Academy’s unelected governing council (school board) fundamentally transformed the public charter school in Edgewood. In doing so they violated state law, the Open Meetings Act, the school’s own charter, and have blasphemed America’s founding principles they claim to take very seriously. The […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Torrance County Stays Red
Following its last election cycle, Torrance County is one of the few counties in New Mexico that will remain red this election cycle. The political climate in Torrance County has been conservative in recent years but it will now be fully Republican with no Democratic candidates running for any open seats. Although New Mexico is […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Torrance County Stays Red
Following its last election cycle, Torrance County is one of the few counties in New Mexico that will remain red this election cycle. The political climate in Torrance County has been conservative in recent years but it will now be fully Republican with no Democratic candidates running for any open seats. Although New Mexico is […]
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Albuquerque Is Throwing Out the Belongings of Homeless People, Violating City Policy
This story is published in partnership with ProPublica as a part of our commitment to bringing you the best in independent news coverage that matters to Albuquerque. By Nicole Santa Cruz | ProPublica ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power, co-published this story with New Mexico in Depth. On a recent morning, Christian Smith ran […]
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200 seniors, 90 veterans housed at Westside shelter — some for years
The city’s Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) is home to about 200 seniors and 90 veterans seeking shelter among hundreds more who are experiencing homelessness. While the number who sleep there fluctuates throughout the year, during the winter months officials say it’s not uncommon to reach its capacity of 600. City officials and advocates for […]