OPINION: City councilor mischaracterized mayor, rally

There is nothing quite as obvious as a failed mayoral candidate criticizing the candidate who defeated him. Such is the case in the recent column by City Councilor Dan Lewis.

As has become the custom of Lewis and other Republicans, he’s making up his own set of facts. He couldn’t wait to get started by claiming the crowd which gathered on Civic Plaza on April 5th was made up of “far-left political allies.” Far from it. I was there and here is what I saw.

There were people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, religions and political parties. People on walkers and in wheelchairs who are worried about their Medicaid, Social Security and food security. There were young people who are worried about their futures, their hopes and dreams and the right to vote.

I talked with mothers worried about childcare programs that threaten to be cut by President Donald Trump and teachers who were protesting cuts to public education.

Mayor Tim Keller spoke, talking turkey about the impacts of the Trump tariffs, Trump budget cuts and Trump immigration “disappearing” efforts of ICE and the freezing of small business loans to minority and women startup businesses.

“Agitate, legislate, and litigate” might sound like sloganeering to Lewis, but wrapped up in those three words is the mayor’s courage to speak out and speak up to defend Albuquerque and our families. His determination to use all the tools in the toolbox to keep the city safe and a place of opportunity was on display.

Lewis asserts that Keller has “nothing to show” for the resources the council has provided. That is not true. The Gateway Network now provides overnight beds and support, medical, housing help, recovery services and job training. The Albuquerque Community Safety program which Lewis derides has completed 100,000 calls to nonviolent situations, freeing up officers to pay attention to violent crimes across the city.

The number of affordable housing units has increased during Keller’s tenure. (Sadly due to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration these units and all housing is about to become less affordable.)

The Railyard, a treasured piece of Albuquerque history, has languished for years. Thanks to the mayor, Central New Mexico Community College and the University of New Mexico, it is becoming a hub for film education, bringing young people Downtown to live, learn and get a job in film.

There is no “stoking fear” about funding cuts by the federal government. The threats are real — taking $25 million for housing, cutting grants for road safety, and most of all the threat of losing fifty federally funded Albuquerque Police Department officers. Some of these actions are already in progress. Small Loan Programs funds are being frozen stifling Albuquerque’s entrepreneurial community.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program used by 155,000 Bernalillo County families and $41 million in funding is at risk. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, providing health care to 270,000 people, are at risk. And New Mexico federal employees are being fired willy-nilly. Some of them are our friends and neighbors.

Being mayor is a tough job, especially now. It requires competence, courage, compassion and continuity. Keller isn’t stoking fear, councilor, he’s confronting the reality of Trump slash and burn. Albuquerque won’t let you get away with the blame game. Readers who want to know which of these threats, cuts and tactics Lewis supports should call his office. See if he’ll take your call.