Richard Berry (Photo by Enrique C. Knell)
Mayor-elect prepares transition, will also attend special session before resigning his legislative seat
Albuquerque Mayor-Elect Richard “R.J.” Berry hit the ground running the morning after defeating incumbent Mayor Martin J. Chávez and Richard Romero in the city’s 2009 municipal election.
“We’re really excited,” Berry said Wednesday. “We rolled up our sleeves last night about midnight, worked until about 4 o’clock, got up this morning, and made breakfast for the family.”
Berry was to spend part of Wednesday meeting with mayors from surrounding cities at their monthly meeting. During a morning phone call with 770KKOB talk show host Bob Clark, Berry said he was still working out scheduling details but was also going to have lunch with Chávez.
“I’m very pleased that Mayor Chávez has extended a hand,” said Berry, who will have to have a majority of his administration team in place by the time he’s sworn in on Dec. 1. “I’m going to ask if I could have some access to the city departments and make sure I can start having some discussions.”
As a state representative, Berry will have to go to Santa Fe beginning Oct. 17 for a special session focused on plugging the state’s $433 million budget gap.
He is expected to resign his District 20 seat following the special session to prepare to become mayor.
“It’s vital,” said Berry. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Berry, a Republican, is crediting his business and legislative experience for his election over two well-known Democrats.
“It was a matter of putting the message out there and trying to share my vision with Albuquerque, and it resonated with the voters,” Berry said. “I think people are ready for a commonsense style of leadership, which is something I offer. “
Berry also thinks his pledge to limit himself to two terms played a role in his election.
“I heard from a lot of people that was important to them,” he said. “When I stood up and took that pledge, I did hear from a lot of people that was something they were very interested in. I think that helps.”
Some department heads could stay
Berry says he’ll take time to make the right staffing decisions.
“We’ve got a number of people that I want to talk to,” Berry said. “The fact of the matter is that I want to make sure that I’m making an informed management decision.”
“As I sit here today those positions are not filled — they are not picked,” he said. “Today, I’m going to be having discussions and we’re going to move forward with a pace that is reasonable for the transitions. ”
He also said some city department directors will be retained, but didn’t mention who he thought would make the cut. Berry said each will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
“I believe that there are people that get up everyday and really do great work,” Berry said. “I think there are folks who do a great job, and I want them on my team.”
St. Cyr is a contributing writer for this site and an Albuquerque radio reporter. He can be reached at peter.stcyr@gmail.com. By way of disclosure, St. Cyr has been, until Wednesday, a paid subcontractor through Mayor Martin Chávez’s campaign spokeswoman on a publicity contract that had nothing to do with the Albuquerque election.