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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Berry Keeping Schultz, Hiring Reporters
By Dan McKay
Journal Staff Writer
Mayor-elect Richard Berry's administration will employ some familiar faces.
He announced plans late Tuesday to keep Ray Schultz on the job as Albuquerque's police chief, and he has tapped two former reporters to serve as city spokesmen — Chris Ramirez of KOAT-TV and T.J. Wilham of the Journal.
Berry said his administration also will promote two police commanders to deputy police chief — Beth Paiz and Allen Banks. Paiz will be the second woman to hold that job, and Banks will be the first African-American to do so since the 1970s, officials said.
"I think people are going to see a tremendous team in place," Berry said.
Berry also, over the last week, has been considering whether to appoint Ed Adams to a high-level position, perhaps as chief operations officer, the Journal has learned. That job usually involves overseeing most city departments and reporting directly to the chief administrative officer — the highest job under the mayor and Adams' current title.
Although Adams' job is considered an "at will" position that can be changed with administrations, he has the right to keep a job of some kind because he is a longtime city employee.
Berry said late Tuesday that he wasn't ready to say whether Adams would have a top role in his administration.
"I'm really taking it one step at a time," Berry said. "... A lot of people are under consideration for a lot of different things at this point in the process. I'm not ready to discuss any more than what I've got on the table today."
Berry has already announced that he wants former City Attorney David Campbell to fill Adams' current position as CAO.
Berry takes office in two weeks, and City Hall has been awash in rumors about changes.
Berry moved to shore up one of his priorities — he campaigned on reducing property crime — by naming Schultz as the police chief, a position he's held since 2005.
Berry said Schultz is adept at analyzing data and coming up with innovative ways to tackle public safety problems. The police union and others supported the appointment, Berry said.
"He brings experience, and I think that's important," Berry said. "As I look at my platform during the mayor's race and property crime, I think he has some innovative ideas in that particular area."
The council's longest-serving member, Brad Winter, said he's disappointed Berry didn't pick a new face for the police department.
"The people voted for change," Winter said in an interview. But "we're going to get more of the same."
Council President Isaac Benton, meanwhile, said he likes the chief.
"I think Schultz has been pretty good," Benton said, "and under new leadership in the Mayor's Office, I think he can be even better."
Terri Cole of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce also spoke highly of Schultz. She is helping with the Berry transition.
"We believe Ray Schultz has done a great job and has worked exceedingly well with the business community, particularly in trying to decrease property crime," Cole said.
Schultz now makes about $145,000 a year, and he also draws a retirement pension. He will give up the pension, but his new salary hasn't been determined.
Berry said that in talking to police officers and ordinary residents, the names of Paiz and Banks came up as "rising stars in the police department." He didn't know them before the campaign.
Earlier this year, Banks became the first African-American promoted to the rank of commander.
Ramirez, who covered City Hall, animal cruelty and other topics for KOAT, will serve as the city's communications director. He will "make sure residents get the information they need about city services, especially during emergency situations," Berry said in a written statement.
Wilham, who resigned from the Journal on Tuesday, had covered crime, public safety and breaking news. He will oversee communications for the police and fire departments, as well as other public safety functions.
Ramirez and Wilham will make about $75,000 a year, which is less than their predecessors.
Adams is an engineer who oversaw construction of Montaño Bridge and Isotopes Park. He also has served as chief operations officer and as director of municipal development.
Berry said he will announce more appointments in the coming days.
"You're going to see some new and some existing" officials tapped for jobs, he said.
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