Albuquerque Mayor Chavez is Re-Elected, Makes History
October 31, 2005
Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez made history October 4, becoming the city’s first mayor to win consecutive terms since the city charter system began in 1974.
Chavez shook off two serious challengers and avoided a runoff by winning 47 per cent of the votes.
Chavez pledged in his term to enlarge the police department, seek a new relationship with the city’s schools and break ground on a light rail system.
Their endorsement added that voters “can see an administration that takes a hard line on the city’s worst aspects, the drunken drivers and red-light runners who threaten other motorists and the sexual offenders who prey on children.”
Chavez began his public career as the founding director of the New Mexico Workmen’s Compensation Administrator. From 1989 to 1993, he was in the New Mexico State Senate and in 1993 was elected to his first term as mayor.
He is an Advisory Board member of the Conference of Mayors.
McPherson New Key West Mayor
Morgan McPherson was elected new mayor of Key Kest (FL) in an October 4 election, defeating three-term incumbent Mayor Jimmy Weekly. McPherson won by 24 votes out of 5,388 votes cast.
McPherson, 36, was considered a long shot when he first announced his candidacy. A year ago, he was beaten for a spot on the Monroe County School Board.
US News and World Report Lists Atlanta Mayor Franklin, Los Angela’s Mayor Villaraigosa Among Top 25 Nation’s Leaders
U.S. News and World Report, in a special October 31 issue now on the newsstands, has a listing of America’s best leaders. The select group includes Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and new Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The independent panel of judges was assembled by the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Only 25 distinguished Americans made the select list and Franklin is first of the 25 to be noted.
Elected mayor in 2001, as the magazine writes, Franklin faced a major challenge of a crumbling sewer system. Franklin, 60, dubbed herself the “Sewer Mayor” and her persistence paid off when Atlanta voters passed a $3.2 billion overhaul of the aging water and sewer system.
The first African-American woman to serve as mayor of a major southern city, Franklin is a long-time city administrator under the late Mayor Maynard Jackson and former Mayor Andrew Young. She also was an organizer for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
She ran on a reform platform in 2000 during a time when city hall was under investigation by the FBI.
As Congressman John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and civil rights leader says, “She is a skillful negotiator, mediator, and a bridge builder.”
The new Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, 52, is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles in more than a century. A former labor organizer and lawyer, the mayor also is a former Speaker of the California State Assembly, and was a Los Angeles city councilman when he ran for mayor in 2001, losing to James Hahn, but winning in a 2005 rematch.
Chicago Mayor Daley is Big Winner in World Series
From City Hall Press Releases
The Chicago White Sox are not the only winners in the recent World Series; Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley won another bet placed on the out come of the playoffs. Baseball’s post season has been a very profitable venture for the mayor of the Windy City. Daley had already won from Boston Red Sox Supporter Mayor Thomas M. Menino; a lobster dinner for four at Legal Seafoods, Dunkin Donuts and coffee, Pearl Club frankfurters, Sam Adams Colonial Ale, Boston cream pie, and Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream. He also won from Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, home of Los Angels; Anaheim chile peppers, Sunkist California oranges, Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary merchandise, an autographed script from Fox Broadcasting Co.’s hit show “The OC”, a Jack’s Surfboard, Cleveland Golf’s Halo Hybrid Utility Club, Pacific Sunwear gift certificates, Toes on the Nose surf apparel, Hoven sunglasses, Tyler Rose swimwear, Diedrich’s coffee, and Knott’s Berry Farm boysenberry jam and Mrs. Knott’s chicken.
Houston Mayor Bill White was the victim of the latest wager placed by Daley. Daley bet a priceless collection of Chicago artifacts and food delicacies against the Houston Astros. He had enough faith in his team that he wagered such artifacts as; a Bulls jersey autographed by Michael Jordan, a history of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company autographed by the entire ensemble in 2000, a Fender Stratocaster guitar that would be autographed by blues legend Buddy Guy, a hand-tailored suit from Oxxford Clothing. Some of the food items included; Eli’s Cheesecake, Original Rainbow Cones, Tootsie Rolls, Lemonheads and Fireballs, and steak from Gibson’s Steakhouse.
In response to the wager White offered two round-trip tickets to Houston to attend the Art Car Parade in May, a two-night stay at the Hilton hotel, theater tickets and meals at top Houston restaurants.
Although the Chicago White Sox won the World Series, they weren’t the only winners in town.
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