You are cordially invited to come join us as we watch the Election Night Returns this coming Tuesday, November 2nd. Come and cheer on your favorite candidates and meetup with fellow ATP'ers!

We will be at the Fox and Hound Pub & Grill, in the upstairs mezzanine from 6 PM to 10 PM. There will be food and beverages available for purchase. We will have access to 2 large projection TV screens, in addition to 5 smaller TV's.

Space is limited, so get there early!

I am writing to you today on behalf of the ATP Albuquerque City Council Team to request that you personally take action to write/email/call the Mayor and eight of our nine City Councilors to thank them in your own words for the recent resolution that was proposed and adopted concerning Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia Labs. Too often, our City leaders hear only complaints and requests from the public, so let's take this opportunity to thank them for 'doing the right thing'.

A significant and somewhat controversial vote was taken by our City Council on Monday night Oct. 18^th to recognize the importance of Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia Labs, and show continued support of their missions and express appreciation for the continued positive impact they have on our community and local economy.

The text of the resolution, voting details and the letter from Mayor Berry to City Council President Sanchez to launch the resolution are included at the bottom of this email (at the time of this email, the city website shows the bill has passed the Council, and I expect the Mayor's final signature shortly).

Here are the Mayor and Councilor contact details:

Mayor Richard Berry             (505) 768-3000      mayorberry@cabq.gov

D1 - Ken Sanchez                 (505) 768-3183      kensanchez@cabq.gov

D2 - Debbie O'Malley            (505) 768-3159      domalley@cabq.gov

D3 - Isaac Benton                 (505) 768-3186      ibenton@cabq.gov

(*note - Mr. Benton did not attend this meeting and did not vote)

D4 - Brad Winter                   (505) 768-3101      bwinter@cabq.gov

D5 - Dan Lewis                     (505) 768-3189      danlewis@cabq.gov

D6 - Rey Garduño                 (505) 768-3152      reygarduno@cabq.gov

D7 - Michael Cook                 (505) 768-3136      mcook@cabq.gov

D8 - Trudy Jones                   (505) 768-3106      trudyjones@cabq.gov

D9 - Dan Harris                     (505) 768-3123       dharris@cabq.gov

(you can use the map on the ABQ City Council website http://www.cabq.gov/council/ to find your district)

We encourage you to view for yourself the discussion and tension the councilors had in reaching the final vote by watching the GOVTV web rebroadcast of the meeting at this website:http://www.cabq.gov/govtv/ . Scroll down to the middle of the web page and click on the link for the Oct 18^th City Council Meeting. The full meeting ran 1 hour 53 minutes, and the critical councilor discussion starts at about 1h:38m and runs for 12 minutes to the final vote. The first 5 minutes of this section are Councilor Garduño's (sometimes referred to as "Grandstand Garduño) attempt to amend and water down the resolution, and when this fails to garner any support, he chastises the other councilors citing the many complaints he has received from constituents in his district and the councilors fears to 'raise their voice'/take a stand.

The introduction made by councilors Winter and Lewis to explain and support the bill starts at 1h:10m and runs for 4 minutes. There were 13 public speakers, mostly against the resolution, and that section starts at 1h:15m and runs for 23 minutes. I wouldn't be surprised if you view the entire meeting, and this bill in particular, that you become motivated to attend future meeting and speak your own views!

Good writing, speaking, and best regards,

Text of the bill

R-10-147

Sponsored by D4-Brad Winter and D5-Dan Lewis

Brought to the council for immediate action Oct. 18, 2010

Passed

For: 8 - D1-Sanchez, D2-O'Malley, D4-Winter, D5-Lewis, D6-Garduño, D7-Cook, D8-Jones, D9-Harris

Against: 0

Excused: 1 D3-Benton (not in attendance)

RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE AND SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES IN THE DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE.

WHEREAS, Kirtland Air Force Base has a long and distinguished record of providing leadership and support to United States Armed Forces who fight and sacrifice to keep America and the world free and safe; and

WHEREAS, the total value of Kirtland Air Force Base's economic impact is approximately $5.6 billion; and

WHEREAS, Kirtland Air Force Base employs nearly 25,500 individuals with high paying and highly skilled jobs in Albuquerque; and

WHEREAS, Sandia National Laboratories performs major research and development functions in the areas of homeland security, energy, science and environmental technologies, and economic research; and

WHEREAS, Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Labs play a key role in supporting our country's national security objectives and freedom around the world.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF ALBUQUERQUE THAT

Section 1. The City of Albuquerque expresses its appreciation to Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories. The City continues to support their mission and recognizes the vital contribution these patriotic service members and civilians make to our local economy and freedom.

[Dear _____,

The Tea Party is trying to steal this election.

In a letter to the Secretary of State reported by news organizations on October 20, the leader of the local Tea Party movement pledged the group will be "monitoring" voters as they cast their ballots.

Here's an excerpt from the letter: "The Albuquerque Tea Party is asserting its rights as an election-related organization, defining itself as an organization involved in voter turnout activities, as evidenced by our...get
out the vote rallies."

Fight Back! Sign Up Today To Become a Democratic Party Precinct Challenger by calling 505-830-3650 or clicking here!
Click on the photo below to see a video of some of the people we're up against:

(Photos omitted in our copy of letter.)

There's just one problem: they're not an officially recognized organization -- and they're just not observing the election -- but are already disrupting it.

As you read this e-mail, Tea Partiers are being trained by NM GOP in their offices to disrupt the election. You and I both know what's going on here -- the Tea Party is trying to sabotage this election and are hoping Democrats don't get out and vote. They know if we do, they lose the election.

But we can't let them, not this year. The stakes are too high.

CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR EARLY VOTING SITE.

New Mexico is at a crossroads, and this election will determine whether our state continues forward on a path of growth or if we allow Republicans to take control and return with their failed policies. And guess what? The Tea Party is doing everything they can to prevent your voice from being heard on November 2.

That is why every vote matters, and we need every Democrat to show the Teabaggers we won't be intimidated into not voting.  

Fight Back! Sign Up Today To Become a Democratic Party Precinct Challenger by calling 505-830-3650 or clicking here!

This election is up to you. Stand with us as we continue to grow our economy and create new jobs for New Mexicans. Don't be fooled by Tea Party activists who want to gut education funding and promote failed Bush economic policies.

Together, Democrats can prevail on November 2.

Sincerely,

Scott Forrester
Executive Director]