Personal Information –

NAME: Patti J. Bushee

PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Mesa Vista Street, Santa Fe

DATE OF BIRTH: 52 years old

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts Degree, International Affairs, University of Maine (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), studied international economics at George Washington University; studied for a year at La Universidad de Sevilla, España.

OCCUPATION: Small business owner for close to 25 years

FAMILY: Single, with my Rat Terrier, “Skippy”

POLITICAL\GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE:
- District One City Councilor for 18 years
- Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee (Chair)
- Finance Committee
- Public Utilities Committee
- Public Works Committee
- Transportation Policy Board
- Founding member of Regional Planning Authority
- Legislative Council Service, NM State Legislature
- Senate Conservation Committee Staff, NM State Legislature
- Office of US Senator William Cohen, Maine, Intern
- Deputy Director, NM Film Office
- Public Outreach Administrator, Water Use & Conservation Bureau, NM Office of the State Engineer

COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES:

Questions:

1. Why are you running for city council?

I am a strong, independent, leader who has the ability, energy, and experience to do the job, and do it well. For 18 years I have played a significant role in developing the policies that have safeguarded our natural resources (water/renewable energy/alternative transportation), improved our quality of life (trails/open space), and protected neighborhoods (ENN, traffic-calming, public safety).
District One constituents urged me to run again; telling me my experience is needed now more than ever.

2. Do you support the city council’s decisions to stimulate the construction industry by temporarily reducing the amount of affordable housing required from developers and to temporarily suspend development impact fees?

The persistent problem of a workforce that cannot afford to live here impacts our community (studies show $300M loss to our local economy). I voted no to reducing our affordable housing requirement because during the economic downturn the construction of affordable housing has been sustained.
I also believe that a temporary impact fee waiver will not ‘jump-start” the local construction industry and will pass the costs of infrastructure on to the taxpayers (property tax increases).

3.What can city government do to create jobs and stimulate and diversify the local economy?

Step-up our support for small businesses, the backbone of our economy—in particular: spin-offs from our National labs, green technologies, medical field (including “alternative medicine”), art and design, film, and new facets of tourism (such as “outdoor enthusiasts”). Better utilize the resources of our existing support system: SF Complex, SF Institute, SF Business Incubator, SF Community College (including SCORE, SBDC and Sustainable Technologies Center), SF University of Art & Design, St. Johns College, and UNM.

4. Do you support or oppose the city’s “living wage” law and the scheduled increase of the local minimum wage to more than $10.20 an hour this year?

Yes. All of the economic studies to date show that our living wage has not had a negative impact on our local economy. As a small business owner, I have seen the difference it has made for workers trying to contend with our high cost of living. Coupled with our affordable housing programs, the living wage is needed to reverse the trend of our workers unable to live in the community they serve.

5. What is your position on current city policy allowing police officers to have police cars and city-paid fuel for commuting to homes as far away as Albuquerque and Las Vegas, N.M.?

I introduced a resolution that established a working group of police, fire, and affordable housing staff to explore incentive opportunities for public safety officers to live in Santa Fe. To maintain a fully staffed police department, the phasing out of the take-home-vehicle policy in favor of new incentives must apply primarily to new recruits. I am pleased that 7 out of 8 of our recent Police Academy hires plan to live in Santa Fe.

6. Do you support the proposed $23 million bond issue that the council is asking voters to support with a property tax increase?

I am grateful that the citizens of Santa Fe will have a chance to vote on the bond issues on March 6th. I had hoped for a better process of prioritizing the bond projects, with more community input. While I voted for a new fire station on the Southside, I am concerned that we currently do not have the operating funds to staff or maintain that facility or a number of the other bond projects.

7. Do you support Santa Fe’s immigrant-friendly policies, including the directive that the police not ask the people they deal with about immigration or citizenship status?

In 1996, I sponsored a resolution “Declaring a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of a person’s national origin and appointing an Immigration Task Force.” It passed unanimously. The resolution declared, “no municipal resources will be used to identify or apprehend any non-citizen resident on the sole basis of immigration status, unless otherwise lawfully required to do so.” I continue to celebrate our multi-cultural community and stand by the sentiments of that resolution.

8. Do you support allocating water every year for a “living” Santa Fe River?

As the original champion of the SF River Trail Master Plan, SF River Commission, and Coordinator position, I have been pleased to be able to see our river start to come back to life. I have supported, and will continue to support all Living River initiatives, including the current ordinance establishing target flows every year. Our River Corridor and watershed restoration efforts will ultimately result in a great amenity for our residents and visitors alike.

9. Alcohol sales on city property have been an issue, most recently with the City Council’s decision to allow beer sales during minor league baseball games at Fort Marcy Park. At the same time, the City Council made news last year by voting against allowing liquor licenses for the new Super Wal Mart and Airport Road Giant convenience store. What is your stance on allowing alcohol sales on city property?

After we tragically lost four teens in a car accident involving alcohol, I signed a pledge to not drink and drive, and co-sponsored the bill to prohibit alcohol sales on City-owned property. I will continue to vote against the sale of alcohol on City property for two reasons—concern over increased liability, and to serve as a role model in the face of sobering DWI statistics. I also introduced the City’s Vehicle Forfeiture Ordinance.

10. How should the city balance its budget as tax revenues fall? A property tax increase? Cuts to employee benefits, such as furloughs or pay cuts, or even lay offs? Reductions in city services?

The growth of city government cannot exceed our dwindling revenue stream. We must restructure our long-term debt to take advantage of better rates, conduct an efficiency audit to see how we can restructure City Hall to achieve cost savings, continue to maintain vacancy savings by only filling positions that are absolutely necessary, and further examine the potential of revenue-generating fees or passing on the true cost of some services.

11. Have you or your business – if you are a business owner – ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens? No

12. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding? No

13. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony? No