your vote, your future. You still have something on this election. It's so much bigger than people think it is. This is a statewide election. It's the final days until new mexicans cast their ballots in local elections. Thank you for joining us our commitment 2021 your vote your future. I'm Shelley ra bando and I'm doug Fernandez tonight. A look at the candidates and the issues we started Albuquerque where three men want your vote, each hoping to gain at least 50% of the ballots cast for them. Tim Keller says four years as mayor of Albuquerque isn't enough to accomplish what he wants. Sure. Covid is the cause of some setbacks, but it can't be the reason given for other important projects not getting to the finish line. You know, I want to see us through a strong recovery and we're really just partially through that, whether it's the thousands of new jobs that are coming online or it's our gateway center to deal with homelessness. Keller believes all of those things happening or about to happen will reap benefits for Albuquerque residents with him as the mayor, not in another political office. There's been a house opening, There's been a Senate opening. Not that you consider this a springboard. Not putting words in your mouth, but did you consider those and why did you choose not to? You know, I've been fortunate, I've had a lot of options, at least to try and run for Congress and Senate and governor and things like that. And you know, when I decided to run for mayor. I remember having this conversation with my wife and you know, this job has always been a dead end job. There has not been an Albuquerque mayor that has gone on to do anything substantial in public service still, he admits he wants that to be different for him, just not now, if not Covid Keller knows what else is on the voter's minds. Four years ago, when I interviewed you, you brought me a shell casing, you said on the way to this interview, I found this on the road. Crime is always going to be top of mind for voters and it seems to be that way again, whether it's shootings at our schools or it's the violent crime that we see all around the city. It's very frustrating now, I think the challenging part is Mayor is that, you know, there's some things you can control and things you also have to deal with. And one thing is coming out of the pandemic. I mean, this is literally the highest spike in violent crime in America ever separating from recovering from covid trying to tackle crime. What would be on top of your list if it wasn't for those two items. One thing that I think experience brings is you are able to move faster once you're up that learning curve and so I do believe I am a much better mayor than I was when I came in and part of it is because I know how to move faster and I can change priorities. One of his ideas, the community safety department just hit the streets, an agency to take the load off of officers. But that's not all. We also have to get our crime fighting initiative through the legislature. So this is about stopping the revolving door changing some of those rules and laws and it's also about gun crime to make sure that if you commit a crime with a violent weapon, you are held accountable in the judicial system. The pandemic changed so much, so many of his ideas, pretty much from day one. I think the biggest thing was actually the Gateway center. You know, we were ready to pull the trigger on that. I remember the day the pandemic hit was, the day that you and em said they didn't want it on their property, but we were ready to months down that road to buy the old Gibson center and do what we're doing. Now, kelly says the gateway center will lead to fewer homeless and mental health calls equaling not as many problems for officers and citizens. He's the Sheriff of Bernalillo County and now many Gonzalez wants to switch elected positions to become the mayor of Albuquerque. He says he has served his entire life and he would like to keep doing that as the mayor of New Mexico's biggest city, you know, I feel like I've been preparing for this up this moment all my life, not only in his heart and mind, but with guidance from his mother and father, I was raised by two very caring and loving parents that taught me two things to work hard And serve other people. Gonzales served in the military, ran a small business, then got into law enforcement, becoming the sheriff of Bernalillo County in 2014. He says crime in Albuquerque is worse than it's ever been. So can he fix it for the undecided voter out there who has not made his or her decision? Is there a perception in some of their minds that a law enforcement official can solve the crime problem or better solve the crime problem? I would say, uh, absolutely. I think any elected official needs to realize when they take office at the prerequisite for being mayor is you have to understand public safety and you have to, because that's a, it's a bipartisan issue. While crime is leading newscasts and making headlines, Gonzales says, there is another safety and health issue dominating our streets, homelessness, a sad issue made worse by Covid, mental health struggles and the economy. I understand that there is very intelligent, committed people in Albuquerque that want to see Albuquerque go in a different direction and I understand that I'm willing to work with those people regardless of their party affiliation. He understands Covid is a big part of the city struggles, but many of the programs to try and turn this around are being funded by the Feds. This is not an endless supply of money. Eventually the city, the county, the state are going to take in the reins of having to do that. Do you see that as a potential economic disaster? Or is it doable? I think they see it as a possible economic disaster. And that's why I say that we need to figure out how to support small businesses, rip off some of the red tape that makes it very difficult to do business in Albuquerque. You have to have business friendly policies. As for the citizens who can't even vote for him, Gonzales would have wanted them in school in class. From the beginning of Covid saying it would have protected their mental health and allowed so many parents who had to stay home to continue to work because so many couldn't do both in four years after the end of what would be a first term for Mayor Manny Gonzales, what will? The city look like? The city will look like a much safer city. It will look like a lot more bolstering and thriving cities to uh, to manage and uplift the downtown area. It will look a lot like a city that is frequented by by citizens and families and Children. Many says at the end of this election, no matter what happens, he can hold his head high and be proud of the fact he gave it his all, you may know his name, but now you're starting to see his face. But chances are you've heard his voice, his conservative voice on the radio here in Albuquerque. Eddy Aragon says he has the ideas and the drive to lead our biggest city. Here's why, Why 2021? Why is it time for Eddie are going to be mayor of Albuquerque? I'm the right man for the job is one is I'm not either one of them to I'm a Republican. Three deep passion and a commitment to the city for I have a plan and a vision, five have no reason to go anyplace else. This is where I live, even though candidates in the mayoral race do not have to declare their political party. He says he is the only conservative to choose from. But I actually jumped into the race is because nobody else did. We need a good Conservative Republican to jump into the race. I think of my kids six and nine, and what they're doing here today. Gone also ran for mayor four years ago, but dropped out relatively quickly saying it wasn't the right time. So why now, what has been the easiest and or most surprising aspect of a mayoral run this time around? He knows this is a Blue state and a blue city, but he thinks a purpose and proven plans not politics can help him win in november. I don't want to see the city shrink. We've had a lost decade. And so, you know, it is an uphill battle, but I think the worst uphill battle is the number of people who are picking up and leaving Albuquerque. And I don't want to see that happen to our city Doug. What is the number one issue facing the city? Many voters would expect with all the lights and sirens? His answer would be crime, but it's not. But I really want to start to focus more on business and these ideas that we have with 36% of our population dominated by government employees. That's not a bad thing. But it could be a lot better if we had more private businesses wanted to go ahead and invest here in the city of Albuquerque. He knows some of the problems facing Albuquerque recently are driven by Covid, but he doesn't believe those were addressed the way they should have been. I think we would have done more of what florida is doing and we would have done more what other states are doing on a bigger scale and we let people have their medical choice and we let the science truly lead us. I think there's a disparate um opinions on the science he knows in a liberal leaning city his views are not the norm. So he is often challenged both on his radio show and in person. That's probably the most difficult thing is the personal attacks, that sort of exposed who you are. But I'm fine with it. We've got a city to save saving it so businesses can thrive. And he says a common target. A PD can be a place where men and women want to protect and serve and stay. So if Erdogan wins, what will this city look like in four years, what will its residents feel like people would have a new attitude? You have a smile on your face, you'd have a spring in your step and you love everything about you're doing article and says if he is elected and he does not meet his violent crime reduction numbers, he would not seek a second term. There's a good chance the mayor's race will go to a runoff. That's because the candidate with the most votes has to get at least 50% of the vote. The reason for that is, let's say five or six people were running for mayor by having a runoff. You ensure that a fringe candidate, perhaps somebody with 10 or 20% of the vote, doesn't become mayor. If no candidate gets at least half the votes, then the top two candidates in the race will hold a runoff election in december in santa fe instead of a runoff race. They use what's called ranked choice voting to select a winner on the ballot, voters select a first choice candidate, then they mark or rank the other candidates in order of how much they want them for the job. If no candidate gets the majority and first choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. If you voted for the person eliminated, your second choice vote is used. This continues until a single candidate gets a majority. Three people want that job in santa fe. That's right, nancy. Laflin has a look at the candidates and tells us what each one wants to focus on. It is called the city different and three different people want the top job in santa fe. I am currently the mayor santa fe and very grateful for that opportunity to serve. Alan Webber is running for reelection. He says he's proud of his record, how the city handled covid and focused on the environment and climate change. Four more years with me as mayor will continue that progress in the right direction and I'm asking people to vote for me on that basis. One of his opponents also has experience as a city leader, Joanne video cobbler is a city councilor. She also has years of experience in government, in management, human resources and the judicial system. I'm running for mayor of santa fe because as as a native santa fe and born and raised here, I have seen some change in this last administration. This administration that is really not becoming to the city that I grew up in video cobbler says she would focus on fiscal accountability, that she would beef up the city's airport and work on getting more affordable housing in santa fe And affordable housing is something all three candidates say must be addressed including barrel candidate Alexis Martinez johnson. So we are looking for employees that can be here in saturday and not have to commute Martinez johnson says she is a mother of four and an environmental engineer. She has never held a public office but says she's qualified to lead the city. I would really like to see the return to the voice of the everyday new mexican and I can bring that the election to decide who will leave the city different is november 2nd nancy Laflin kott action seven news. When you vote in the mayor's race in New Mexico, you won't see an R or D next to the names. That's because the races are nonpartisan. The intention here is to remove the political divisiveness from that race from the local politics arena. Because of this, you'll see mayoral candidates stand more on their personal platforms and leaning with party lines as our election coverage continues. There is also the vote to support a stadium for New Mexico United Plus. So it's a desirable area before the stadium. Uh, it became a very explosive, very uh, magnetic location because of the stadium. Albuquerque voters will be casting a ballot on the controversial stadium proposal, the neighborhood impact of a similar project serving the team in Louisville and schools on the ballot. The funding request from area school districts commitment 2021 your vote, your future continue. You're watching your vote, your future on the ballot, you will see a proposal for a $50 million bond that would help pay for a soccer stadium for new Mexico United. The project is expected to cost as much as $70 million. The team is dedicating 10 million of its own money and another eight is coming from the state. A bond is actually alone. Taxpayers take out and pay off in 25 years with interest. City leaders have said it doesn't raise taxes, but if the economy turns and there's less tax revenue, the city will still have to find some way to pay for. The bond supporters say it is worth the risk because they claim building a soccer stadium can improve the economy and reduce crime. I'd say, go look at Louisville, That's a great one. To compare Albuquerque to target seven investigators checked out those claims traveling across the country to see what building stadiums can do for a city. Here's john Cardinali building a soccer stadium just like this one has been a topic of debate in Albuquerque. Our city leaders say that placing one downtown could revitalize the area and change troubled neighborhoods. We traveled more than 1100 miles right here to Louisville to find out if this stadium had a positive impact on their community and in searching for answers. Target seven took a look at Louisville's crime, homelessness, property values and whether or not the neighborhood around the stadium has changed for the better Andy bleedin real estate developer, unofficial mayor of Butcher town, unelected Andy bleeding has made a killing off of revitalization efforts in the Butcher Town neighborhood. I own about 28 buildings in the neighborhood. Butcher Town was in the process of revitalizing long before plans were even announced to build a soccer stadium for its team. Loose city. Business owners tell us that once the stadium was built, even more started to come. Ever since the stadium opened, Five breweries have opened up in Butcher Town, just like this one. This is about a $5.5 million project. That's how much jim acquire and his partners invested in the 10 20 brewery. And you will see like the two hours right before game time. This place will be packed. Uh, well at those two hours will be doubling our typical volume and sales volume from where I'm standing right now. The stadium is just a few blocks away and business leaders tell me that since it's arrived, construction has been booming example of it is right here at the corner of Campbell in Washington where they're currently building a hotel. It has increased the value of our home, approximately 300%,, Arthur Vance has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and the stadium now is about a year and a half old and it's helped the neighborhood a lot of times. These older neighborhoods will have a lot of buildings that are just kind of floundering or the owners don't really know what to do with them. This has enabled us to go in, clean them up and get people in them and it really has stabilized. The economy Property manager Tyler smith has been filling some of those buildings in Butcher town. He even located his office there. So it's a desirable area. Before the stadium, it became a very explosive, very magnetic location because of the stadium back home in Albuquerque. Our leaders have said that a stadium could help with the city's crime problem. So we decided to take a look at crime statistics in the quarter mile radius around the soccer stadium in Louisville Kentucky. We compared crime before and after the stadium. Drug crimes and robberies are down in this area. But car thefts and vandalism, czar up. And for the first time in three years there was a homicide at that nightclub right there. Two people were shot. One of them died. Now, we're not that far from the stadium. The stadium is just right over there. Now, despite all this police in the area tell us that crime is relatively low. Crime is very low. We see little blips on the radar. Our biggest problem I would say is car break ins, major Shannon lauder is in charge of policing the area. When you look over the numbers, that things have stayed pretty neutral across the board. But when you look at how many more people were bringing in because of the soccer stadium and stuff and the fact that we haven't seen a change in the numbers, I think means we're doing something right. But Louisville still has its problems not too far from the stadium and closer to downtown, there's still this homeless camps, a familiar sight to Albuquerque. So where the soccer stadium is exactly, there was homeless encampments in there and that there was arrangements made to house those people who were displaced due to the stadium putting in. So should Albuquerque build the stadium, we asked that question to nearly everyone we met on our trip seems to me like a great idea. But guess what? I'm in Louisville and I got my stadium. So, you know, I think people are crazy. I've looked at the deal and stuff. It to me it's crazy not to have the stadium. You have to think about what kind of city that you want to have and what about the city's mayor? What do you want to be is the image of your city, You know, do you want to be a big league soccer city? And if so, the city, whether it's the citizens of government, the ownership group, you're gonna have to take some risk to do that. Whether a stadium like this one is built in Albuquerque is ultimately up to taxpayers One last pulled by the city, 63% of people said there were four building a new stadium. However, when asked if taxpayer dollars would be involved, that number dropped to 50% in Louisville for Target seven. I'm John Carnell Lee. A September poll found a divide in support of the stadium. Nearly 60% of those polled by the paper say they oppose the measure and the opposition comes from all political parties. The Rio Grande Foundation, which also opposes the stadium, says the poll proves it's an issue that crosses party lines. I've seen a lot of twitter traffic and social media from across the political spectrum, so it's gratifying to see that these arguments are really taking hold regardless of your political persuasion because this doesn't fit in with a neat little partisan box as so many issues do. The foundation says the city has other priorities to address with taxpayer money supports of the stadium pointed the potential for money raised by the stadium in the long term. When Albuquerque voters head to the polls, they'll find nearly a dozen bonds and questions on the ballot. One from a P. S. Ask voters to approve a six year extension on an existing property tax, that money will be used for school renovation projects, new equipment and new vehicles. Financial experts tell us that if approved, homeowners will see no change to their taxes. If it's voted down, most will see a slight decrease, voters in santa fe will be asked to vote for to school funding questions, one will renew the district's $100 million general obligation bond that pays for new school buildings and improvements to existing buildings. The other will renew an existing mill levy tax to pay for school maintenance, playground equipment and fencing. If the measures passed, voters will see no change to their taxes, voters in Sandoval County will make a decision about schools as well. The bond allows for 18 million spending for things like remodeling, refurbishing buildings and buying software and it will also pay for some teacher housing. There is a school in the coach of the pueblo that is so remote, they build homes for them. Next on seven more than half the seats on the Albuquerque school board up for grabs. It's very unusual that four of the members of the school board have decided not to seek reelection. The issues facing the candidates who want to shape the future in new Mexico's largest school district, you're watching your vote, your future, They make decisions that impact your kids every day. And the group will have new faces after this election. Four seats up for grabs and the incumbents are not running Ko 80 reporter Stephanie Monis has that story. There are seven members of the school board for Albuquerque public schools, four terms end this year and those incumbents aren't on the ballot, ko 80 political expert brian Sandrov says it's unusual for so many not to run and give up. Their seat. Being a school board member is very difficult. It's stressful. These are tough times, frankly, it's a thankless position where they get more criticism than praise. So I'm not surprised that many of them have decided not to run on the ballot. District three that area covers Albuquerque and Valley High School's Alvarado, Manzano and Sandia High School. All fall in District six. District five includes West Mesa and District seven represents Del Norte and La cueva. So what this means is we're going to have a lot of new members on the school board. Being a school board member is a big job. Albuquerque public schools is a big district. It's the largest employer in Albuquerque with 12,000 workers, including about 5500 teachers. It's a very important body. It hires the superintendent, it approves the budget, it deals with all of the overall policies and directions of the school district. School board meetings have sparked some protests over covid policies. Mass mandates and remote versus in person. Learning board members have sometimes been on the receiving end of passionate frustration from parents and community members. This has been a really stressful time for school board members, issues dealing with covid declining student enrollment budget pressures have all made it very difficult to be a school board member reporting in Albuquerque Stephanie, Monis. K weighty action seven News. District three has four candidates on the ballot. All other districts have three candidates running. You can hear from all of them and candidate forums posted online. We have put a link to that information on our website. You can find it in the as seen on seven section at K O A T dot com. There are a number of ways you can cast your ballot requests for absentee ballots must be received by seven p.m. October 28th in person. Early voting is available through october 30th. That's also the last day to register since same day. Voter registration is not available this year on election day which is november 2nd and absentee ballots must be received by seven p.m. That day to be counted. Polls will be open for 12 hours starting at seven a.m. If there's a line at your location, remember for yours to count. You have to be in line by that time. So you can vote. Polling locations can be found on the clerk of courts web site in your county. Most voters in New Mexico won't need an I. D. To vote. But there are I. D. Requirements in some cities like Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. First time voters may also need to bring an ID, voters will be asked to prove a statement of identification including name, year of birth and current address. Thank you for joining us for this. Look at the candidates and the issues you'll face at the ballot box. You can find information on all of these issues at scale 80.com SPECIAL PRESENTATION. YOUR VOT YE,OUR FUTURE. >> IT IS SO MHUC BIGGER THAN PEOPLE THINK IT IS. THIS IS A STATEWIDE ELECTION. SHELBY: THE FINAL DAYS UNTIL NEW MEXICANS CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THE MAYORAL ELECTIONS. THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR COMMITMENT 2021. DO:UG I LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES AND ISSUES. THREE MEN WANT YOUR VOTE, HOPING TO GAIN AT LEAST 50% OF THE BALLOTS CAST FOR THEM. SHELBY: TIM KELLER SAYS FOUR YEARS AS MAYOR OF ALBUQUERQUE IS NOT ENOUGH TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE WANTS. DOUG: COVIDS A I SETBACK THAT IT CANNOT BTHEE REASON TO NOT GET TO THE FINHIS LINE. >>HE WTHER IT IS THE THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS THAT AREOM CING ONLINE OR IT IS OUR GATEWAY CENTER TO DEAL WITH HOMELESSNESS. DOUG: KELLE BRELIEVES ALL OF THOSE THINGS HPEAPNING WILL REAP BENEFITS FOR ALBUQUERQUE RESIDENTS WITH HIM AS A MAYOR. THERE HAS BEEN A HOUSE OPENING, SENATE OPENING. NOT THAT YOU CONSIDER THIS A SPRINGBOARD, NOT PUTTING WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH, BUT DID YOU CONSIDER THO?SE OR IT ISHE T VIOLENT CRIME WE SEE ALL OVER THE CITY. ITS IVERY FRUSTRATING. THE CHALLENGING PART AS MAYOR IS THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL, THINGS YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH. ONE THING IS COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, THIS IS THE HIGHEST IKSPE IN VIOLENT CRIME IN AMERICA EVER. DOUG RECOVERING FROM COVID, TACKLING CRIME, WHAT IS ON TOP OF THE LIST IF NOT FOR THOSE ITEMS? >> ONE THING EXPERIENCE BRINGS IS YOU ARE AEBL TO MOVE FASTER ONCE YOU ARE ON THE LEARNING CURVE. I BELIEVE I’M A MUCH BETTER MAYOR THAN WHEN I CAME IN. PART OF IT IS BECAUSE I CAN MOVE FASTER AND CHANGE PRIORITIES. DO:UG ONE OF HIS IDEAS, THE COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT, JUST HIT T SHETREETS. >> WE ALSO VEHA TO GET OUR CRIME-FIGHTING INITIATIVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE. THIS IS ABOUT STOPPING THE REVOLVING DOOR, CHANGING THE RULEANS D LAWS. IT’S ALSO ABOUT GUN CRIME TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU COMM AIT CRIME WITH A VIOLENT WEAPON, YOU ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. DOUG: THE PANDEMIC CHANGED SO MUCH. >> THE BIGGEST THING WAS THE GATEWAY CENTER. WE WERE READY TO PULL THE TRIGGER ON THAT. I REMEMBER THE DAY THE PANDEMIC HIT WAS THE DAY THATNM U SAID THEY DIDN’T WANT IT ON THEIR PROPER.TY WE WERE READY TO MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD TO BUY THE OLD GIBSON CENTER AND DO WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW. DO:UG KELLER SAYS THE GATEWAY CENTER WILL LEAD TO FEWER MENTAL HEALTH CALLS. SHELBY: HE IS THE SHERIFF A- BERNALILLO COUNTY.SHERIFF A- MANNY GONZALES WANTS TO BECOME THE MAYOR OF ALBUQUERQUE. DO:UG HE SAYS HE HAS SERVED HIS ENTIRE LIFE AND WANTS TO KEEP DOING THAT AS THE MAYOR OF NEW MEXICO’S BIGGEST CITY. >> I FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS MOMENT ALL MY LIFE. DOUG:OT N ONLY IN HIS HEART AND MIND BUT WITH GUIDANCE FROM HIS MOTHER AND FATHER. >> I WAS RAISEDY B PARENTS WHO TAUGHT ME TO WORK HARD AND SERVE OTHER PEOPLE. DOUG: GONZALEZ SERVED IN THE MILITARY,AN R A SMALL BUSINESS, AND THEN BECAME ETH SHERIFF IN BERNALILLO COUNTY. HE SAYS CRIME IS THE WORST IT’S EVER BEEN, SO CAN HE FIX IT? DO:UG FOR THE UNDECIDED VOTER, IS THE ARE PERCEPTION IN SOME OF THREI MINDS THAT A WLA ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL CAN SOLVE THE CRIME PROBLEM OR BETTER SOLVE THE CRIME PROBLEM? >> ABSOLUTELY. ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL NEEDS TO REALIZE WHEN TY TAHEKE OFFICE IN PREREQUISITE FOR BEING MAYOR IS YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND PUBLIC SAFETY. YOU HAVE TO BECAUSE IT IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE. DO:UG WHILE CRIME IS MAKING HEADLINES, GONZALEZ SAYS THERE IS ANOTHER SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUE DOMINATING THE STREETS, HOMELESSNESS, AND ISSUE MADE WORSE BY COVID, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND THE ECONOMY. >> THEY ARE INTELLIGENT, COMMITTED PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SEE ALBUQUERQUE GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. I AM WILLING TO WORK WITH THOSE PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION. DOUG: HE UNDSTERANDS COVID IS A PART OF THE CITY’S STRUGGLES BUT MANY OF THE CIESTI PROGRAMS TO TURN THIS AROUND IS BEING FUNDED BY THE FED’S. EVENTUALLY, THE CITY, COUNTY, STATE WILL TAKE INHE T REINS OF VIHANG TO DO THAT. DOHANG TO DO THAT. YOU SEE THAT AS A POTENTIAL ECONOMIC DISASTER OR DOABLE? >> A POTENTIAL ECONOMIC DISASTER. WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES. RI OFF SOME OF THE RED TAPE THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DO BUSINESS IN ALBUQUERQUE. DO:UG AS FOR THE CITIZSEN WHO CANNOT EVEN VOTE FOR HIM, GONZALEZ WOULD HAVE WAONNT TMHE IN SCHOOL IN CLASS FROM THE BEGINNING, SAYGIN IT WOULD HAVE PROTECTED THEIR MEALNT HEALTH AND WOULD HAVE LET PARENTS CONTINUE TO WORK BECAUSE SO MANY COULD NOT DO BOTH. DOUG: AFTER THE END OF WHAT ULDWO BE A FIRST TERM FOR MAYOR MANNY GONZALES, WHAT WITH THE CITY LOOK LIKE? >> A MUCH SAFER CITY, A THRIVING CITY THAT WILL MANAGE AND UPLIFT THE DOWNTOWN AREA. IT WILL LOOK A LOT LIKE A CITY THAT IS FREQUENTED BY CITIZENS AND FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. DOUG: HE SAYS ATHE T END OF THE ELECTION, HE CAN HOLD HIS HEAD HIGH AND BE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT HE GAVE IT SHI ALL. DOUG:OU Y- SHELBY: YOU MAY KNOW HIS NAME BUT NOW YOU SEE HIS FACE. DOUG: EYDD ARAGON SAYS HE WANTS TO LEAD OUR BIGGEST CITY. >> Y 2021, WHY IS IT TIME FOR EDDY ARAGON TO BE MAYOR OF ALBUQUERQUE? >> I AM THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB. I AM A REPUBLICAN. DEEP PASSION AND COMMITMENT TO THE CITY. I HAVE A PLAN AND VISION. I HAVE NO REASON TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE, THIS IS WHERE I LIVE. DOUG: EVEN THOUGH CANDIDASTE DO NOT HAVE TO DECLARE THEIR POLICATIL PARTY, HE SAYS HE IS THE ONLY CONSERVATIVE TO CHOEOS FROM. >> WE NEEDED A GOOD CONSERVATIVE, REPUBLICAN TO JUMP INTO THE RICE. I THINK OF MY KIDS, SIX AND NINE. DOUG: ARAGON ALSO RAN FOR MAYOR YEARS AGO BUT DROPPED OUT QUICKLY, SAYING IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT TIME. SOHY W NOW? WHAT HAS BEEN THE EASIEST OR MOST SURPRISING ASPECT OF A MAYORAL N RUTHIS TIME AROUND? HE KNOWS THIS IS A BLUE STATE AND CITY BUTE H THINKS A PURPOSE AND PROVEN PLANS CAN HELP HIM WIN IN NOVEMBER. >> I DON’T WANT TO SEE THE CITY SHRINK. WE HAVE HAD A LOST DECADE. IT IS AN UPHILL BATTLE, BUT THE WORST UPHILL BATTLE IS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LEAVING ALBUQUERQUE. DO:UG WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING THE CITY? MANY VOTERS WOULD EXPECT HIS ANSWER WOULD BE CRIME, BUT IT IS NOT. >> I WANT TO FOCUS MORE ON BUSINESS. THEES IDEAS THAT WE HAVE WITH 36% OF OUR POPULATION DOMINATED BY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, THAT IS NOT A BAD THING, BUT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE COULD HAVE PRIVATE BUSINESSES INVEST IN ALBUQUERQUE. DOUG: YOU KNOW SEOM OF THE PROBLEMS ARE DRIVEN BY COVID, BUT HE BELIEVES SOME OF THOSE WERE NOT ADDRESSED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. >> IF WE DID MORE OF WHAT FLORIDA DID. LETTING PEOPLE HAVE THEIR MEDICAL CHOICE, LET THE SCIENCE TRULY LEAD US. I THINK THERE IS A DISPARATE OPINION ON THE SCIENCE. DO:UG HE KNSOW IN A LIBERAL LEANING CITY, HIS VIEWS ARE NOT THE NORM, SO HE IS OFTEN CHALLENGED ON HIS RADIO SHOW AND IN PERSON. >> THE PERSONAL ATTACKS THAT EXPOSE WHO YOU ARE. BUT I AM FINE WITH IT. UG:DO HE SAYS A COMMON TARGET, APD, CAN BE A PLACE WHERE MEN AND WOMEN WANT TO PROTECT AND SERVANE D STAY. IF ARAGON WINS, WHAT WITH THE CITY LOOK LIKE IN FOUR YEARS, WHAT WOULD THE CITY FEEL LIKE? >> YOU WOULD HAVE A SMILE ON YOUR FACE, SPRINGING YR OUSTEP, AND YOU WOULD LOVE EVERYTHING. DOUG: ARAGON YSSA THATF I HE IS ELECTED AND DOES NOT MEET HIS VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION NUMBERS, HE WOULDN’T SEEK A SECOND TERM. SHEL:BY THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE THE RACE WILL GO TO A RUNOFF BECAUSE A CANDIDATE HAS TO GET AT LEAST 50% OF THE VOTE. >> IF FIVE OR SIX PEOPLE ARE RUNNING FOR MAYOR, BY HAVING A RUNOFF, YOU ENSURE A FRINGE CANDIDATE DOES NOT BECOME MAYOR. SHEL:BY IF NO CANDIDATE GETS HALF OF THE BOATS COME THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES WILL HOLD A RUNOFF ELECTNION I DECEMBER. IN SANTA FE, THEY USE RANKED CHOICE VOTING TO SELECT A WINNER VOTER SELECT A FIRST CHOICE AND THEN RANK THE OTHERS IN ORDERF O HOW MUCH THEY WANT THEM FOR THE JOB. IF NO CANDIDATE GETS THE MAJORITY IN FIRST CHOICE VOTES, ETH CANDIDATE WITH THE FEWEST VOTES IS ELIMINATED. IF YOU VOTED FOR THE PERSON ELIMINATED, YOUR SECOND CHOICE IS USED. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL I CANDIDATE GETS THE MAJORITY. NANCY LAFLIN HAS A LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES AND WHAT EACH ONE WANTS TO FOCUS ON. >> IT IS CALLED THE CITY DIFFERENT AND THREE PEOPLE WANT THE JOB IN SANTA FE. >> I AM CURRENT TLYHE MAYOR OF SANTA FE, GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE. >> ALAN WEBER SAYS HE IS PROUD OF HIS RECORD, HOW THE CITY HANDDLE COVID, AND FOCUSED ON THE ENVIRONME ANTND CLIMATE CHANGE. >> FOUR MORE YEARS OF ME AS MAYOR WILL CONTINUE THAT PROGRESS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I’M ASKING PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR ME ON THAT BASIS. >>NE O OF HIS OPPONENTS ALSO HAS EXPERIENCE AS A CITY LEADER. SHE ALSO HAS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT, MANAGEMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. >> I AM RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF SANTA FE BECAUSE AS A NATIVE BORN AND RAISED HERE, I HAVE SEEN SOME CHANGE IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION AND TSHI ADMINISTRATION THAT IS REALLY NOT BE COMING TO THE CITY THAT I GREW UP IN. >>HE S SAYS SHE WOULD FOCUS ON FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY, THAT SHE WOULD BEEF UP THE CITY’S AIRPORT, AND WORK ON GETTING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SANTA FE. AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SOMETHING ALL THREE CANDIDATES SAY MUST BE ADDRESSED, INCLUDING MAYORAL CANDIDATE ALEXIS MARTINEZ JOHNSON. >> WE ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES THATAN C BE HERE IN SANTA FE, NOT COMMUTE. >> JOHNSON IS A MOTHER OF FOUR AND ENVIRONMENLTA ENGINEER. SHE HAS NEVER HELD PUBLIC OFFICE BUT SAYS SHE IS QUALIFIED TO RUN THE CITY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RETURN TO TH VEOICE OF THE EVERYDAY NEW MEXICAN. I CAN BRING THAT. >> THE ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 2. SHELBY: WHEN YOU GO IN A MAYOR’S RACE IN NEW MEXICO, YOU WON’T SEE AN R OR D NEXT TO THE NAMES BECAUSE THE RACES ARE NONPARTISAN. >> THE INTENTION IS TO REMOVE THE POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS FROM THE RACE, FROM THE LOCAL POLITICS ARENA. SHELBY: YOU WILL SEE MAYORAL CANDIDATES STAND MORE ON THEIR PERSONAL PLATFORMS. DOUG: AS COVERAGE CONTINUES, THERE IS ALSO A VOTE TO SUPPORT A STADIUM FOR MEXICO UNITED. >> IT WAS A DESIRABLE AREA BEFORE THE STADIUM. IT BECAME A RYVE MAGNECTI LOCATION BECAUSE OF THE STADIUM. DOUG: ALBUQUERQUE VOTERS WILL BE CASTING A BALLOT ON THE CONTROVERSIASTL ADIA PROPOSAL. SHELBY: SCHOOLS ON THE BALLOT. THE FUNDING REQUEST FROM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS. COMMITMENT 2021, YOUR VOTE, YROU FUTURE CONTINUES. YOU ARE WATCHING YOUR VOTE, YOUR FUTURE. DOUG: THE BALLOT YOU’LL SEE A PROPOSAL FOR A $50 MILLION BOND THAT WOULD PAY FOR A SOCCER ADSTIUM FOR NEW MEXICO UNITED. SHEL:BY THE TEAM IS DEDICATING $10 MILLION OF ITS MONEY AND $8 MILLION COMES FROM THE STATE. A BOND IS A LOAN TAXPAYERS TAKE OUT AND PAY OFF IN 25 YEARS WITH INTEREST. CITY LEADERS SAYT I DOES NOT RAISE TAXES BUT IF THE ECONOMY TURNS AND THERE IS LESS REVENUE, TH E CITY WILL HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO PAY FOR THE BOND. DO:UG SUPPORTERS CLAIMED THAT BUILDING A SOCCER STADIUM CAN IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND REDUCE CRIME. >> LOOK AT LOUISVILLE. THAT IS A GREAT WANT TO COMPARE TO. DOUG: TARGET 7 CHECKED ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SAW WHAT TILTING A STADIUM CAN DO FOR A CITY. >> BUILDGIN A STADIUM LIKE THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF DEBATE IN ALBUQUERQUE. LEADERS SAY PLACING ONE DOWNTOWN COULD RETAVILIZE THE AREA AND CHANGE NEIGHBORHOODS. WE TRAVELED HERE TO LOUISVILLE TO FIND OUT IF THIS STADIUM HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITY. IN SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS, TARGET 7 TOOK A LOOK AT LOUISVILLE’S CRIME, HOMELESSNESS, PROPERTY VALUES, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND THE STADIUM CHANGED FOR THE BETTER. >> ANY REAL ESTEAT DEVELOPER, UNOFFIALCI MAYOR OF BUTCHER TOWN. >> HE HAS MADE A KILLING OFF I READ BILO’S AGE AND IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. >> I OWN 20 BUILDINGINS THE >> BUTCHER TOWN WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REVITALIZING BEFORE PLANS REWE ANNOUNCED TO BUILD A SOCCER STADIUM FOR ITS TEAM. BUSINESS OWNER SAY THAT ONCE THE STADIUM WAS BUILT, EVEN MORE STTED ARTO COME. >> EVER SINCE THE STAUMDI OPEN, FIVE BREWERIES HAVE OPENED UP IN BU TCHER TOWN LIKE THIS ONE. >> THIS IS A $5.5 MILLION PROJECT. >> THAT IS HOW MUCH HE ANDIS H PARTNERS INVESTED INTO THE BREWERY. >> RIGHT BEFORE GAMEE, T THIS PLACE IS PACKED. THOSE TWO HOURS WILL DOUBLE OUR TYPICAL VOLUME AND SALES VOLUME. >>PICAL VOLUME AND SALES VOLUME. FROM WHERE I’M STANDING, THE STADIUM IS A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. BUSINESS LEADERS TELL ME SINCE IT HAS ARRIVED, CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN BOOMING. AN EXAMPLE IS HERE AT THE CORNER OF CAMPBELL DAN WASHINGTON, WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY BUILDING A HOTEL. >> IT HAS INCREASED THE VALLEY OF OUR HOME APPROXIMATELY 300%. >> ARTHUR HAD LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOODOR F 30 YEARS. >> THE STADIUM IS A YEAR AND A HALFLD O AND IT HAS HELPED THE NEIGHBORHOOD. >> THESE OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS WILL HAVE A LOT OF BUILDINGS THAT ARE JUST KIND OF FLOUNDERING OR THE OWNERS DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEM. THIS HAS ENABLED US TO GO IN, CLEAN THEM UP, AND GET PEOPLE IN THEM, AND IT HAS STABILIZE THE ECONOMY. >> PROPERTY MANERAG TYLER SMITH HAS BEEN FILLING SOME OF THOSE BUILDINGS. HE EVEN LOCATED HIS OFFICE THERE. >> IT WAS A DESIRABLE AREA BEFORE THE STADIUM. IT BECAME A VERY MAGNETIC LOCATION BECAUSE OF THE STADIUM. IN ALBUQUERQUE, OUR LEADERS HAVE SAID A STADIUM CANEL HP WITH THE CITY’S CRIME PROBLEM, SO WE DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK AT CREIM STATISTICS IN THE QUARTER MILE RADIUS AROUND THE SOCCER ADSTIUM IN LOUISVIE,LL KENTUCKY, COMPARING CRIME AN BEFORE AND AFTER. >> CAR THEFTS AND VANDALISM’S EAR UP. FOR THE FIRSTIME T IN THREE YEARS, THERE WAS A HOMICIDE AT THAT NIGHTCLUB. WE ARE NOT FAR FROM THE STADIUM. THE STADIUM IS RIGHT OVER THERE. DESPITE ALL THIS, POLICE IN THE AREA TELL US CRIME IS RELATIVELY LOW. >> CRIME IS RYVE LOW. WE SEE LITTLE BLIPS ON THE RAR.DA IOU WLD SAY THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS CAR BREAK-INS. WHEN YOU LOOK OVER THE NUMBERS, THINGS STAY PRETTY NEUTRAL ACRS-OSTHE-BOARD. WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE WE ARE BRINGING IT CABEUSE OF THE SOCCER STADIUM, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN A CHANGE IN THE NUMBERS, MEANS WE ARE DOINSOG METHING RIGHT. >> BUT LOUISVILLE STILL HAS ITS PROBLEMS. CLOSER TO DOWNTOWN, THERE IS STILL THIS, HOMESSLE CAMPS, A FAMILIAR SIGHT TO ALBUQUERQUE. >> WHERE THE STADIUM IS, THERE WERE HOMELESS AND CAN’T MISS THEIR,HERE T WERE ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO HOUSE THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE DISPLACED DUE TO THE STADIUM. >> SHOULD ALBUQUERQUE BUILD A STADIUM? WE ASK THE QUESTION TO NEARLY EVERYONE WE MET ON THE TRIP. >> SEEMS LIKE A GREAT IDEA, BUT I AM IN LOUISLLE,VI AND I HAVE MY STADIUM. I THINK PEOPLE ARE CRAZY. I HAVE LOOKED AT THE DEAL. TO ME, IT IS CRAZY NOT TO HAVE A STADIUM. >> YOU HAVE TO TNKHI ABOUT WHAT KIND OF CITY YOU WANT TO HAVE. >> WHAT ABOUT THE CITY’S MAYOR? >> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HAVE AS THE IMAGE OF YOUR CITY? DO YOU WANT TO BE A SOCCER CITY? YOU ARE GOI TNGO HAVE TO TAKE SOME BRICKS TO DO THAT. >> WHETHER A STADIUM LEIK THIS IS BUILT IN ALBUQUERQUE IS UP TO TAXPAYERS. 63% OF PEOPLE SAID THEY WERE FOR BUILDING A NEW STADIUM. HOWEVER, WHEN ASKED IF TAXPAYERS WOULD BE INVOLVED, THAT NUMBER DROPPED TO 50%. SHELBY: A SEPTEMBER POLL FOUND A DIVIDED SUPPORT OF THE STADIUM. NEARLY 60% OF THOSE POLLED BY THE PAPER SAID THEY OPPOSE THE MEASURE, AND THE OPPOSITION COMES OMFR ALL POLITICAL PARTIES. THE RIO GRANDE FOUNDATION IS SAYS IT PROVES THE ISSUE CROSSES PARTY LINES. >> I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF TWITTER TRAFFIC, SOCIAL MEDIA FROM ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTM.RU IT IS GRATIFYING TO ESE THESE ARGUMENTS ARE TAKING HOLD REGARDLESS OF YOUR POLITICAL PERSUASION. THIS DOES NOT FIT IN WITH A NEAT PARTISAN BOX, AS SO MANY ISSUES TO. SHEL:BY THE FOUNDATION SAYS THE CITY HAS OTHER ISSUES TO ADDRESS. DOUG: WHEALN BUQUERQUE VOTERS HEAD TO THE POLLS, THEY WILL FIND NEARLY A DOZEN QUESTIONS AND BONDS ON THE BALLOT. ONE ASKED TO APPROVE A SIX-YEAR EXTENSION ON AN EXISTING PROPTYER TAX. THE MONEY WOULD BE USED FOR A NEW EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES FOR THE POLICE. IF IT IS VOTED DOWN, MOST WOULD SEE A SLIGHT DECREASINE TAXES. SHELBY: VOTERS IN SANTA FE WILL BE ASKED TO VOTE ON TWO FUNNGDI QUESTIONS. ONE WOULD RENEWING THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND THAT PAYSOR F NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING ILBUDINGS. THE OTRHE WOULD PAY FOR SCHOOL MAINTENANCE, FENCING, AND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. DO:UG VOTERS IN SANIBEL COUNTY WILL MAKE A DECISION ABOUT SCHOOLS. THE BOND ALLOWS FOR $18 MILLION ON SPENDING FOR REMODELING, REFURBISHING, AND BUYING SOFTWARE. IT WOULD ALSO PAY FOR SOME TEACHER HOUSING. THERE IS A SCHOOL THAT IS SO REMOTE, THEY BUILT HOMES FOR THEM. ELSH:BY HALF THE SEATS ON THE ALBUQUERQUE SCHOOL BOARD ARE UP FOR GRABS. >>. UNUSUAL TTHA FOUR MEMBERS OTHEF SCHOOL BOARD HAD DECIDED NOT TO SEEK REELECTION. SHELBY: THE IUESSS FACING THE CANDIDATES THAT WANT TO SHAPE THE FUTURE IN NEW MEXICO’S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT. >> YOU ARE WATCHING YOUR VOTE, YOUR FUTURE. DO:UG DECISIONS IMPACT YOUR KIDS EVERY DAY. SHELBY: FOUR SEATSRE A UP FOR GRABS AND THE INCUMBENTS ARE NOT RUNNING. >> THERE ARE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR ALBUQUEREQU PUBLIC SCHOOLS. BOARDED TERMS AND THIS YEAR, AND THOSE INCUMBENTS ARE NOT ON THE BALLOT. A POLITICAL EXPERT SAYS IT IS UNUSUAL FOSOR MANY NOT TO RUN AND GIVE UP THEIR SEAT. >> BEING A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IS VERY DIFFICULT, STRESSFUL, THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES. FRANKLY, IT IS A THANKLESS POSITION WHERE THEY GET MORE CRITICISM THAN PRAISE. I’M NOT SURPRISED THAT MYAN HAVE DECIDED NOT TO RUN. >> TO STICK THREE COVSER ALBUQUERQUE AND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL’S, EL DORADO, MANZANO, AND SANDIA HIGH SCHOOL FALL IN DISTRICT SIX. DISTRICT FIVE INCLUDES WEST MESA. DISTRICT SEVEN INCLUDES DEL NORTE. >> WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD. >> BEING A MEMBER IS A BIG JOB. ALBUQUERQUE’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS A BIG DISTRICT. THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN ALBUQUERQUE WITH 12,000 WORKERS INCLUDING ABOUT 5500 TEACHERS. >> IS AN IMPORTANT BODY. IT HIRES THE SUPERINTENDENT, APPROVES THE BUDGET. IT DEALS WITH ALL OF THE OVERALL POLICY AD DIRECTIONS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. >>HOOL DISTRICT. SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS HAVE SPARKED SOME PROTESTS OVER COVID POLICIES. MASK MANDATES AND REMOTE VERSUS IN-PERSON LEARNIN G. BOARD MEMBERS HAVE SOMETIME BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF PASSNAIOTE FRUSTRATION FROM PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. >> THIS HAS BEEN A STRESSFUL TIME FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. ISSUES DEALING WITH COVID, DECLINING STUDENT ENROLLMENT, BUDGET PRESSURES, HAVE ALL MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO BE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER. SHEL:BY DISTRICT THREE HAS FOUR CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT. ALL OTHER DISTRICTS HAVE THREE CANDIDATES RUNNI.NG YOU CAN HEAR FROM THEM IN FORUMS POSTED ONLINE. WE HAVE PUT A LINKO T IT TTHA INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE ON KOAT.COM. DO:UG THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS TO CAST YOUR BLOT.AL ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS. IN PERSON. ABSENTEE BALANCE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 70 :0P.M. THAT DAY TO BE COUNTED. POLLS WILL BE OPEN FOR 12 HOURS STARTING AT 7:00. IF THERE IS A LINE IN YOUR LOCATION, YOU HAVE TO BE IN LINE BY THAT TIME SO YOU CAN VOTE. SHEL:BY EARLY LOCATIONS CAN BE FOUND ONHE T CLERK WEBSITE FOR EACH COUNTY. THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS IN SOME CITIES. FIRST-TIME VOTERS MAY ALSO NEED TO BRINGN A ID. VOTERS WILL BE ASKED TO PROVE A STATEMENT OF IDENTIFICATION INCLUDING NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND CURRENT ADDRESS. THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR TSHI LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES AND A LOOK AT THE ISSUES THAT YOU’LL SEE THAT THE BALLOT BOX. DOUG: YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THIS ON KOAT.CO