Mayor Richard J. Berry on APD Reforms; Kirtland Air Force Base Jet Fuel Spill; VA Hospitals

This week on New Mexico in Focus, NMiF Correspondent Gwyneth Doland asks Mayor Richard J. Berry about why it has taken so long to focus on the problems at the Albuquerque Police Department and what his plans for reform are in the wake of a damning Department of Justice report on the use of force by APD. Scott Greenwood and Tom Streicher, consultants hired by the city to negotiate with DOJ and oversee reforms, join the mayor talk about their experiences in Cincinnati, a city that went through similar issues a decade ago.

The Line opinion panel discusses the massive jet fuel spill at Kirtland Air Force Base and a national segment on the controversy that aired last week on the PBS NewsHour. The New Mexico Environment Department has given the Air Force a June 30th deadline to have a small pilot project cleanup system installed to remove contaminants from the spill or face fines of $10,000 per day. Meanwhile the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority is putting forth an additional plan that officials say is a “line in the sand” to prevent contamination of drinking water supplies.

The Line also looks at the growing scandal at the Veterans Administration hospitals in several states, including the facility in Albuquerque. There are allegations that schedulers are falsifying records to give the impression that patients were being treated in a timely manner when in fact there are ongoing huge delays. Senators Udall and Heinrich are pushing for more money to widen the investigation and the VA has begun an audit of the hospital in Albuquerque.

The Line also discusses the designation of the Organ Mountains as a national monument by President Barack Obama, the ongoing battle between ranchers and federal officials in Otero County, and a judge’s decision against state education officials who sought to put less toward special education funding. The group also delves into a shortfall in funding for jurors, due in large part to an increased need for interpreters in the courtroom.

Correspondent:
Gwyneth Doland, NMiF Correspondent

Guests:
Richard J. Berry, Mayor of Albuquerque
Scott Greenwood, Civil Rights Attorney
Tom Streicher, Former Police Chief of Cincinnati

Line Panelists:
Dan Foley, Former House Minority Leader
Rob Nikolewski, New Mexico Watchdog

Line Guest Panelists:
Javier Benavidez, Center for Civic Policy
Jeri Clausing, Associated Press

HOST/COMMENTATOR:
Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.

Episode 747 for air May 23, 2014