This time last year, the Torrance County Commission held an eleven-and-a-half-hour session addressing the county’s interim budget and the use of ARPA funding before a feared clawback of federal funds. This year’s interim budget session was much shorter: just seven hours long. Torrance County Clerk and 3rd District Torrance County Commission candidate Linda Jaramillo reported […]
Housing & Homelessness
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
‘It’s About the Kids’
After serving his community for almost 13 years, Milton Harbert is retiring from his role as an agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor for the Estancia Municipal School District (EMSD). Harbert began his career in the FFA program because of several influential FFA advisors growing up, one being his brother. “I looked […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government, Opinion & Analysis, Uncategorized
Commissioners: Input wanted on ordinance to prioritize county behavioral health funds
This letter is provided as opinion/commentary from the authors. Commissioner Adriann Barboa represents District 3 which includes the SE heights, UNM, and the International District. Commissioner Eric Olivas represents District 5 including much of the NE Heights, Uptown, the Foothills and the East Mountains. You can submit your own opinion: editor@citydesk.org We have a homelessness […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Local Government
Demolition begins at Downtown’s unsightly pedestrian tunnel
Two projects that have been discussed for many years across multiple city administrations took a physical step toward reality Wednesday when demolition began at the pedestrian tunnel linking East Downtown under the railroad tracks to the Central Avenue corridor at First Street. The project also marks the first phase of construction for the highly-anticipated Rail […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
Albuquerque City Council approves $1.4 billion budget
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 […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
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 […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
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 […]