Local citizens continue to embrace and invigorate the local political scene. Their commitment to change and democracy was apparent and in full force at a satnding-room mayoral candidates’ forum—co-sponsored by the North Valley Coalition and Weekly Alibi—that happened Tuesday night, Aug. 23, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.5 of 8 candidates (Brian Colón, Dan Lewis, Tim Keller, Gus Pedrotty and Susan Wheeler-Deichsel) participated in a lively and informative event that featured questions about issues that ranged from hyper-local, such as problems related to the Edith Transfer Station, to those with a more national impact, including a discussion of the role federal immigration authorities should play in defining local law enforcement priorities (and vice-versa).With only a few weeks before the big day, the candidates strove to demonstrate their civic knowledge, commitment to the democratic process as well as their deep connections to the Burque community.While the slew of issues facing candidates and voters this year is notoriously huge, it was clear that the candidates in attendance were each earnestly questing for city-wide improvement.The fact that three of the candidates were no-shows (Wayne Johnson, Ricardo Chaves and Michelle Garcia Holmes) may point to trend that sees the engaged hopefuls rising in prominence and populariaty, eclipsing their non-present rivals as voting day approaches.In other words, you have to be there to make things happen. That’s how democracy works in Albuquerque. And that’s a good thing.The City of Albuquerque Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Early voting begins on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 and runs through Friday, Sept. 29, 2017.
Election News
The Election Is Oct. 3
2 min read
