Letter: Ch†vez supporters blind to mayor's lack of action

Editor,

I am writing about the article "Students aid candidates," printed in last week's Daily Lobo. As a former president of the UNM College Democrats, I thought I would share some thoughts on the current mayor's race.

In the article, UNM student Brian Eagan made it clear he is an enthusiastic supporter of Mayor Martin Ch†vez, but I couldn't find any reasons. He claimed Ch†vez had made public safety a top priority, yet he took months to react to the evidence room debacle. If Ch†vez made public safety his first priority, why is it that we don't have better lighting in this city from local bus routes to the neighborhoods of those who are supposed to use those stops?

This administration waited months after it was in the headlines to react to the evidence room mess, and Ch†vez was kind enough to allow APD Chief Gilbert Gallegos to take the heat for it and resign. In my opinion, the buck stops at the top. Ch†vez should have been the first to step forward and say, as mayor, he would take responsibility for this problem and make sure it was fixed, not ignore it until it was politically impossible to do so.

Eagan also said he liked the mayor's vision for the city. What vision is this?

He has put no energy into the public transportation system, the backbone of any modern city. With the exception of the new - timed, appropriately, before an election - Rapid Ride, there have been no improvements on this system since Marty took office the second time.

A good public transit system would decrease the number of cars on the road, allowing for a faster flow of traffic. Better bus stops would encourage folks to ride the bus. Bus stops on Coors are still posts in the dirt with no benches and no shade.

Maybe the mayor's vision for the city is unchecked, unplanned and environmentally dangerous developments all over the land surrounding the city, rather than encouraging infill and better planning.

Consider Judy Espinosa, a transportation expert and a pioneer for women in New Mexico as the first Latina Secretary of Transportation and the first Environment Secretary in New Mexico. Espinosa has been on the forefront of the fight for healthier communities for years and she has the solutions for Albuquerque's problems, or will at least give them her attention.

I have heard from many that this mayor has integrity, leadership and vision. I say in response: ABQPAC, Paseo Del Norte, traffic and public transportation.

Think more about Espinosa, her work and experience, and next time you see a Marty supporter, ask them: Why?

Marshall Martinez

UNM student