1. Albuquerque has the second deadliest streets of any city in the US, with approximately 110 people killed by vehicles each year while walking, biking, or driving, and another 6,500 people injured. How important is it to you that Albuquerque maintain and act on its commitment to the Vision Zero goal of zero fatalities from traffic violence?
The Vision Zero goal is very important to me, especially after having a D6 Crossing Guard Hit recently. I would like to see more funding to help ensure that new Developments are building in safety for pedestrians, people riding Bikes and all other modes of transportation. I think we can do that by having protected bike lanes that actually keep people safe. In order to realize Vision Zero, we must sustain leadership, collaboration, and accountability among a diverse group of stakeholders that includes those most impacted by safety on our roads. Accountability includes fully implementing the Action Plan and providing updates to the documents so the community and stakeholders can measure progress with ease.
2. In 2019 Albuquerque updated its Complete Streets Ordinance to support safe and efficient street design for all users. What are the biggest remaining barriers to getting people to choose walking, biking, or public transit instead of personal vehicles, and what would you do to address these impediments?
The biggest barrier is we haven’t planned neighborhoods that prioritize walking, biking, and public transit. We also need to address the safety, environmental, and equity impacts of transportation. I will prioritize meaningful community engagement, including community member representation on the Vision Zero Advisory Group and Taskforce. I would engage those who have been doing this work in D6 for years like YOU Bike ABQ, International District Healthy Communities Coalition, East Central Ministries, CiQlovia, Active Streets ABQ, Together 4 Brothers and many others. My job as City Councilor is to align the Cities budget with the communities priorities around ensuring we reach our goal of ZERO fatalities.
3. ABQRide remains severely understaffed, with motorcoach operator vacancies more than double their pre-pandemic numbers despite severe reductions in service. Other facets of our transit system, including mechanics and stop maintenance, are also understaffed. What is your plan for filling the staffing shortage at ABQRide?
During my time at the City I learned that in order to fix the hiring shortage we must improve the work-life balance that is hard to achieve for new drivers who are often stuck working split shifts. We also need to improve the culture within the department that doesn’t always value the needs of its staff. I would first work on leadership development, then I would work with the union and drivers to identify barriers to retention and fix them through shared governance, a model I learned at UNM Hospital when working to improve the work environment for our nurses. If our drivers have a say in their work environment will stay on the team longer.
4. What is your plan for increasing housing supply in Albuquerque, particularly along useful transit corridors and near popular amenities? How do you plan to increase housing availability without requiring the occupants of those houses to own a car to participate in most aspects of city life?
My plan for increasing housing supply is multifaceted. First we must listen to the data that shows we actually need housing stock at all income levels. We need to work with developers to make sure every new development is designed for all modes of transportation. I was very vocal when I was employed by the City about the Rail Trail project and that the City should buy up all the available land around it so we can build housing that I also worked on CABQ’s Office of Equity & Inclusion Housing Equity Needs Assessment Report that examined Albuquerque's housing gap as a factor in racial wealth inequality. I learned through that work with MASS Designs that the built environment either heals or hurts. I want to see a City landscape and street design that heals and not kills. I believe strongly that we also need to incentivize homeownership to help renters secure their housing for their families and build generational wealth.
5. Albuquerque’s urban areas have limited space on streets. In order to increase safety and improve mobility, some modes of transportation must be prioritized over others to make the most of this limited space. Please rank how you would prioritize different modes of transportation on city streets, using numbers 1 through 7:
I always prioritize by thinking about the most impacted or most vulnerable by our limited space on Streets and often are not prioritized at all.
1. Walking & devices that aid people with a disability
2. Bicycles and Scooters
3. Public Transportation
4. Personal Automobiles
5. Parking
6. Ride Hailing Services (Taxi, Uber, Lyft)
7. Freight and Delivery