THE BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMISSION RECENTLY LEFT OFF THE NOVEMBER BALLOT SOME ITEMS THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL WANTED TO PUT TO A PUBLIC VOTE. BUT ON MONDAY NIGHT, THE COUNCIL VOTED AGAINST HOLDING A SPECIAL MAIL-IN ELECTION IN DECEMBER TO ALLOW VOTERS TO DECIDE THOSE ISSUES.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KEN SANCHEZ … WHO SPONSORED THE SPECIAL ELECTION PROPOSAL … ASKED THAT THE COUNCIL REJECT THE IDEA, MAINLY BECAUSE SUCH ELECTIONS ARE EXPENSIVE. HE SAYS THEY CAN COST AS MUCH AS HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.
SANCHEZ SAYS IT'S BETTER TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT CITY ELECTION IN ONE YEAR.
IRONICALLY, THE AIM OF ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THE BALLOT IS TO AVOID SPECIAL ELECTIONS. ANOTHER BALLOT MEASURE WOULD GIVE THE COUNCIL MORE INPUT ON HIRING AND FIRING FOR THE POSITIONS OF POLICE AND FIRE CHIEF.
