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>MORE JOBS
>ROADS COMPLETED & IN GOOD REPAIR
>PROTECT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS
>FISCAL DISCIPLINE
>SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS
>BUILD NEW ATHLETIC FIELDS
>MORE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
>COMPLETE THE NEW NORTHWEST YMCA COMMUNITY CENTER
>ETHICAL SERVICE AND INTEGRITY
>A FINAL NOTE: I'LL REMEMBER WHO I WORK FOR
 I would like to share with you a snapshot of my vision for the West Side and our community as a whole.
I’m raising my family on the West Side, and I understand from experience the challenges that families are going through right now.
I look at the needs of our City and district and it hits me deeply. A lot has changed in the past few years, and I seriously considered and decided that nothing is going to happen about my concerns unless I help make them better.
We need a strong, independent voice—without so many axes to grind—representing the West Side on the city council.
Our West Side District 5 is almost 50% larger than the other 8 city council districts. That means 50% more needs, 50% more tax-paying citizens, 50% more challenges.
I promise to hold the council and administration accountable, and at the same time work in a collaborative manner with all levels of government to achieve the greatest gains for our district and ensure the West Side’s concerns are prioritized and addressed.
There are many specific issues in District 5 that strike emotional chords among our neighbors. These are some of the issues and priorities that I’m looking forward to tackling for our people.
MORE JOBS
Jobs are my #1 priority. I will fight for good jobs on the West Side.
- I will promote an environment where small businesses can start, grow, and flourish because that’s where our local jobs come from. I will work with our governmental committees and boards and private industry to help remove obstacles hurting small business innovation and job creation.
- Over-regulating puts an undue burden on existing small businesses and discourages entrepreneurs. We can and should use the government’s power to help empower those it is designed to serve. The city must spend within its means and focus on policies that allow small businesses to do what they do best—create jobs.
ROADS COMPLETED AND IN GOOD REPAIR
- We need to improve and expand the network of West Side roads. The West Side suffers from poor planning and lack of funding priorities for transportation infrastructure. We need a bold vision, a clear plan, and a new councilor who will stop delaying these projects and using them as political pawns in his fights with other government officials. I will work to complete Unser Boulevard North, build a new interchange at I-25 & Paseo, and build the Northwest loop.
- COMPLETE UNSER BOULEVARD NORTH
- When it comes to alleviating West Side congestion, nothing is more important than completing the UNSER Boulevard North Extension. This extension will complete this major North – South road from I-40 to Rio Rancho and provide the long awaited relief for West Siders. We can complete this project right away without raising tax dollars, and it’s time District 5 had a councilor who will lead the way.
- The incumbent has ignored this need for eight years, and now, during re-election time, he suddenly has realized the need to complete Unser Boulevard. His record proves he cannot be trusted on this issue. Although the project is well known as one of the most important and outstanding transportation needs on the West Side, 8-year incumbent Cadigan has refused to make it a priority. I’ll help bring together the city, state, county, and federal funds to get crews on the ground as soon as possible.
- BUILD THE I-25 / PASEO INTERCHANGE
- I’ll lead the charge to build a new interchange at I-25 and Paseo. This vital transportation project will require leadership from every level of government in our state with Albuquerque leading way. We need a new councilor with a fresh set of eyes and the ability to work with—not alienate—others.
PROTECT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS
- For eight years District 5’s private property owners have been under a major assault led by Mr. Cadigan where over-regulation has resulted in unlawful property takings and zoning restrictions that have devastated property values.
- One example is a court decision (click here for link to case) just handed down July 24, 2009 by Judge Baca wherein the Judge found that Mr. Cadigan:
- acted “wrongfully” and “unreasonably” in interfering with a West Side zoning matter in which he had a conflict of interest and should have “disqualified himself.” (See pages 6, 7, 11, and 14)
- had allowed those on one side of the dispute to improperly “influence him” on the zoning matter. (See page 4)
- Improperly “added information” in the official record after-the-fact to favor the party he preferred. (See page 5)
- “conducted an appeal hearing in a manner that called his impartiality into question.” (See page 6)
- “had ex-parte (illegal, one-sided) communications” with the party he favored out of the presence and to the detriment of the innocent party. (See page 7)
- “demonstrated bias and prejudice” and “lack of impartiality” against the other party in the dispute. (See page 7)
- improperly “gave advice” behind the scenes to the party he favored. (P. 11)
- “was prejudicial and unfair” to the other party. (See pages 7, 14)
- “violated the court’s (previous) orders.” (See pages 14, 15), and
- cast “an appearance of impropriety” over the entire matter. (See page15)
- This Judge Baca case is estimated to eventually cost the taxpayers over a million dollars after legal fees, damages, and interest are all accounted for—all caused by Mr. Cadigan’s official misconduct.
- Another court case caused by Mr. Cadigan involves the Volcano Cliffs subdivision on the West mesa and the now dead Volcano Heights Sector Development Plan which was pushed through the council illegally by Mr. Cadigan. Acting as a city councilor, Mr. Cadigan fought various property owners on the zoning matters while at the same time also representing two of the property owners as their private lawyer. The non-Cadigan clients had to sue the City to protect themselves and their property from Mr. Cadigan and his clients. This case is now costing the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in Cadigan-caused litigation.
- I will work with the Volcano Heights property owners to make changes to the plan that are fair, and that will protect the investment of property owners and tax-payers.
FISCAL DISCIPLINE
- Most local forms of government are not living within their means like families are expected to. For small businesses to survive during these times they have to get lean and focus on what is absolutely necessary to stay healthy. We should expect nothing less from our city and those that represent us.
- As the city grows, government has the tendency to swell. I will make sure we stop the expansion of city government, cut wasteful spending, and keep taxes low. I will make sure that every dime spent by the City of Albuquerque goes to the public good. As Councilor, I will make sure the West Side gets our fair share and that the district’s concerns are heard and acted upon.
- Fiscal discipline only occurs when elected officials make hundreds of small money-saving steps. Any tax cut is a step in the right direction. I’ll fight for both tax cuts and fiscal restraint.
- I will advocate creating a user-friendly, online database of government spending in Albuquerque. This will enable citizens and community leaders to better keep track of how taxpayer dollars are used.
SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS
- I will help promote safer neighborhoods through community awareness and service, making our district safer, cleaner, more efficient, and more enjoyable for all of us I’ll work with police, fire firefighters and rescue teams, non-profits, our community centers, neighborhood associations and coalitions, and faith-based organizations to promote opportunities and events that improve safety in our neighborhoods and meet many of the unseen needs in our community.
- In District 5 we will track the areas experiencing the highest rate of property crimes including home burglaries and auto break-ins. We will educate our neighbors to report crime and streamline the process of reporting. We will work with the police and neighborhood associations to ensure that the right patrols are in the right areas. And we will track and regularly report our progress to the people, not just during re-election time with tax payer financed mailings promoting the incumbent’s name.
BUILD NEW ATHLETIC FIELDS
- I will work to create and expand facilities for our youth to play soccer, football, baseball, softball, and other outdoor/indoor sports and activities.
- We will work with families, schools, and community organizations to help make sure our children are given the best opportunities when it comes to fitness, sports, and recreation.
MORE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Some neighborhoods have waited long enough for parks and necessary services that improve our enjoyment of our city. There are many neighborhoods in our district where families do not have access to local parks and would have to travel too far to access others. One of my primary goals is to provide all of our neighborhoods access to safe and enjoyable family parks.
COMPLETE THE NEW NORTHWEST YMCA
COMMUNITY CENTER
I will partner with the YMCA to complete a new Westside Community Center. We will support a great organization like the YMCA to serve the many needs of our families on the Westside.
ETHICAL SERVICE AND INTEGRITY
I understand the disconnect that people have with elected officials who have betrayed our trust. It is shocking to me that the very people we have elected to protect the tax-payers money have stolen that money. Being elected by the voters should be a privilege, not a perk. Elected officials should be serving, not stealing; giving, not gouging; helping, not hurting.
A FINAL NOTE: I’LL REMEMBER FOR WHOM I WORK
I will remember for whom I work. As councilor, I will have an open-door, “I work for you” policy. I believe I have the discipline and temperament to remember who sent me to the city council, and why.
I look forward to the privilege of serving our families, our citizens, and our neighborhoods, and sincerely thank you for your consideration and the mutual interest and concern we share for our great city.
I’ll bring to my work on the City Council:
- experience
- commitment
- fiscal discipline
- a collaborative attitude
- a mindset of service and integrity, and
- a commitment to work hard for all the West Side
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