Ep. 143: New Mexico's Census Undercount

I was trying this morning at breakfast to explain to my husband, in a few sentences, all about the Census and why it's so important for New Mexico to get its count right in 2010, since the undercount in 2000 has lost our state over $100 million.

"Watch the show," I finally said. Because Dr. Adélamar Alcántara and Laird Graeser, a senior demographer and chief economist, do it much better than I. And Gerry Bradley, with New Mexico Voices for Children, can help you understand how the lost money means lost services, especially to those who need them most.

Until next time!
Kathy Wimmer

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Ep. 143: New Mexico's Census Undercount

Cumulatively, New Mexico stands to lose an estimated total of $100 million dollars in federal funding, between 2000 and 2012, due to being undercounted in the 2000 decennial census. This week, co-host David Alire Garcia takes a look at the undercount's impact, especially on New Mexico's children, and what is being done to ensure a more accurate Census 2010. Gene Grant and The Line panelists tackle Barack Obama's decision to break from public financing, letting Elton John Richard go free, and much more.

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New Mexico inFOCUS: Ep 143 - 2000 Census Undercount (Intro)



New Mexico inFOCUS: Ep 143 - 2000 Census Undercount (In Focus)



New Mexico inFOCUS: Ep 143 - 2000 Census Undercount (Tax Rebate)



New Mexico inFOCUS: Ep 143 - 2000 Census Undercount (The Line)



New Mexico inFOCUS: Ep 143 - 2000 Census Undercount (White Sands)



New Mexico inFOCUS: Ep 143 - 2000 Census Undercount (Outro)

"Gold Project Follow-Up," by co-host Gene Grant

For a lot of, people sitting through a city council hearing is a long way down the list of things they like to do. No argument here, but it’s hard to argue how important a body city council is when it comes to the basic premise of being represented, not in the broad strokes, but for the kind of decisions that impact lives.

And so it was last Monday as the council took on the 2000 Gold condo project.

From my seat in the audience, sitting with Marjorie Childress from the wonderful New Mexico Independent blog, and Nerissa Whittington, whose family develops commercial properties here, there was much to glean from a lot of fronts.

I must say first that in hindsight, New Mexico In Focus panelists Margaret Montoya got it exactly right when she framed the position from the Silver Hill Neighborhood Association as, and I’m paraphrasing, being about, “civic engagement” in what the neighborhood was essentially seeking. When you take that premise and apply it to the ramifications of not just the impact of the project in the neighborhood, but as a harbinger of how we consider density in the city, perhaps we have seen a new era of this kind of decision making.

That said, my observation is that the neighborhood and their advocates against the project made a more compelling case in their testimony. By laying out a narrative on the day to day, minute to minute impact of a structure that size in their neighborhood, they were able to give councilors pause.

On the other side of it, my sense of the argument from the developer side was a tad too esoteric in comparison. Additionally, the framework of the debate, as laid out in the opening, was to determine if the EPC, “erred,” in it’s ruling to turn down the project. That was a big hill to climb, and obviously did not do so given the results.

Scott Darnell made a solid point on this during our segment last week. While we are all concerned about carbon footprint and the environment - and that would include the residents in that neighborhood - density and such, at the end of the day it is and was not a compelling enough case. It hit me as a bit too abstract, and as Scott pointed out, did not include the classic ‘kitchen table” elements it could have, such as how their property values could potentially rise with this project.

One aspect is now abundantly clear however. Some, if not many, neighborhoods are working under 20 plus year old sector plans that are now in conflict with the goals of the Planned growth Strategy, among others. The EPC and council both are profoundly hamstrung on its decision making for infill projects because of it.

So, where do we go from here? It was a watershed moment, as pointed out by councilor Benton. And by sending the situation back to the drawing table, so to speak, the moment continues.

- Gene Grant

Ep. 142: An Author, Two Peace Activists, and Israel's 60th

It's always great to have an author in our studio - and I admire anyone who can tackle a subject like Michael Benanav did. His book, published last month to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, is called Joshua & Isadora: A Tale of Loss and Love in the Holocaust. It's excellently written.



David Alire Garcia also speaks with two peace activists who started the Muslim-Jewish PeaceWalk. You can read more the co-founders of that movement, and Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb and Abdul Rauf Campos-Marquetti.



Then The Line panelists took on topics as varied as the importance of the Latino vote in the presidential election, to California's recent ruling on gay marriage.



There were also a lot of comments in reaction to our show last week, about a proposed building in the Silver Hills Neighborhood, called the "Gold Street Project."
Although we tried our best to present both sides - which also included a strong opponent at our round-table discussion, a member of the EPC who voted against the project - some of you thought we didn't do a very good balancing act. Our co-host, Gene Grant, who went to the city council meeting where the EPC's negative vote was upheld, adds his thoughts in his blog entry called "Gold Project Follow-up."

Thanks for watching!
Kathy Wimmer

NM inFOCUS: Ep 141 - Green Building Issues

The Gold Street Project was the direct result of a challenge issued by Mayor Chavez to developers for high density, "green" buildings in the city's main traffic corridors. But some area residents say the proposed project is just too massive for their neighborhood. This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, Gene Grant talks to residents both for and against the project, as well as developers and city planners. Then THE LINE panelists take an in-depth look at the role sexism played in Hillary Clinton's lost bid for the presidency, and discuss New Mexico's ranking in the new National KIDS COUNT Data Report.

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NM inFOCUS: Ep 141 - Green Building Issues (Intro)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 141 - Green Building Issues (The Gold Street Project)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 141 - Green Building Issues (inFOCUS)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 141 - Green Building Issues (The Line)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 141 - Green Building Issues (Outro)

Episode 141 - Green Giant?

Hello from your summertime producer of New Mexico In Focus! That was wonderfully warm welcome from Kevin McDonald, but I know that I'll have the best help around -- our great hosts, panelists, and guests make the show. I'll just do what I can to give them some good ingredients - they are the real masters in the kitchen.

Planning the growth of our city by creating sustainable "green" building - it sounds like a no-brainer. But getting things built in Albuquerque involves more than putting a good building on a piece of land. This week on New Mexico In Focus, hosts Gene Grant and David Alire Garcia talk to builders, neighbors, city planners, and others concerning a proposed project near UNM that is causing a lot of controversy, especially over the size of the building. Listen to both sides of the issue, and then check back for our follow-up information on the city council meeting that will take place Monday, June 16, where city councillors will vote on whether or not to adopt a zoning change that will determine the future of the project.

If you miss our TV broadcast, and want to learn more about this issue and other topics The Line panelists take on in their lively discussion, check back on our home page in the next day or so. We'll have it up soon. Meanwhile, you can check out a Powerpoint summary of Albuquerque's Planned Growth Strategy that's chock full of information about our city.

And before you leave this blog, make sure to view Josh Keenan's entry on The Cradle Project and the excellent video that accompanies it.

Until next time!
Kathy Wimmer

The Cradle Project

The Cradle Project is a fundraising art installation designed to represent the plight of the estimated 48 million children who have been orphaned by disease and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

As a father, its hard for me to imagine my daughter as an orphan.

When I arrived at the art installation known as The Cradle Project, I was blown away by the enormity of the symbolic nature of so many empty cradles.

While the exhibit runs from June 7-28, we wanted to make a video to give the movement a place on the long tail of the internet, so that the message will continue to inspire action, to help these innocent victims in what has become, the African orphan crisis.



To learn more about The Cradle Project click HERE.

Summer Changes

It wasn't that long ago that KNME's Public Affairs shows actually took the summer off. While it was nice to use that time getting caught up on our work, we know that our viewers depend on our weekly presence every Friday night at 7pm. We respect that opinion, and are excited to be bringing you a new slate of episodes this summer!

There are a few changes in store, however, over the next few months. Nothing that you should notice at home. Primarily, there will be a new creative voice calling the shots behind the scenes. I am taking the next three months to work on another project for KNME. Look for more details on that project a little later. Filling in for me will be the very capable and creative Kathy Wimmer, who is the Production Unit Coordinator here at KNME. Kathy has already been helping out a great deal with the show over the last year or so, and many of you out there already know her.

I know that I always appreciate your feedback and suggestions for the show, and Kathy feels the same way. So, if you have any of those suggestions or ideas, please don't hesitate to email, or leave your thoughts in the comments section of this blog.

Have a great summer, and we'll see you all on T.V.!!!


Kevin McDonald
Public Affairs Producer
kmcdonald@knme.org
(505) 277-1242


Kathy Wimmer
Production Unit Coordinator
kwimmer@knme.org
(505) 277-6539

Episode 140 - Video now available

Sorry this took so long to post. Sometimes you have to work through technology, instead of with it, as I'm sure you all realize!

NM inFOCUS: Ep 40 - Primary Wrap-Up (Intro)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 40 - Primary Wrap-Up (The Line 1of3)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 40 - Primary Wrap-Up (DEM Primary)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 40 - Primary Wrap-Up (The Line 2of3)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 40 - Primary Wrap-Up (GOP Primary)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 40 - Primary Wrap-Up (The Line 3of3)



NM inFOCUS: Ep 40 - Primary Wrap-Up (Outro)

Episode 140: After the Primaries

What a wild week in New Mexico politics! The long-awaited primary elections had a little bit of everything, from a mammoth battle between Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce, to a slew of overthrow of a string of state lawmakers. It's obvious that on a local and national level, things are about to change in a big way! It will be an exciting general election, and one that will definitely keep all of us at NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS hopping.

One thing I do wish for in the general election is a better turnout. I honestly expected us to break records on Tuesday, and that just didn't happen. With so many monumental races, I just can't understand why more people didn't get out and vote. With absentee voting and early voting growing in popularity, there is just no excuse for not getting involved in the process. We can only hope that this year's historic presidential election will help to drive people to the polls in November. Only time will tell.

We're still working on getting video of this week's show up for you to watch, in case you missed any. Check back on our home page in the next day or two for the full episode. And, be sure to share it with a friend! Or, better yet, explore some of our past episodes that you may have missed, or possibly enjoyed so much you want to watch again! And, as always, leave us your thoughts and comments. Who knows? We may just share your opinions on-air in an upcoming show!

Jon Adams Interview

We promised one-on-one interviews with all of the Democrats running for the Third Congressional District. We conducted our last remaining interview last Thursday with Congressional hopeful Jon Adams. Unfortuntely, we've had one technical problem after another. But, not to worry... those problems have now been solved. Without further ado, here is David Alire Garcia's interview with Jon Adams.