Airport fight rumbles into mayor's race

ALBUQUREQUE (KRQE) - Video tape showing the sometimes tense contract negotiations between city officials and Bode Aero Services that led to a federal lawsuit and allegations against the Mayor has now popped up in the city's mayoral campaign.

The security video was recorded in 2007 and 2008 at Bode as the company was trying to extend its contract to operate at the city's Double Eagle II Airport.

Company officials have claimed the city retaliated against them because Bode raised safety concerns, questioned how the city spent public money at the airport and because the company refused to provide free or discounted flights to the Mayor Martin Chávez when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2007.

"(Staff) repeatedly asked for the trips to Mexico during the senatorial campaign," John Bode Jr. told KRQE News 13.

Chávez was not present during the negotiating meetings although he seemed to be the sticking point in reaching an agreement.

"We've tried to meet with the mayor," Christina Pica, a partner at Bode, says on the tape. "He won't meet with us, but he's making these decisions and won't interact with us."

City Aviation Director Nick Bakas can be heard commenting on Chávez.

"Yeah, yeah, it's his show," Bakas said. "I think he's a real good mayor. A good person is another issue."

John Bode Sr. then responds, "I won't even argue whether he's a good person, but I will say he is not the king."

When News 13 asked John Bode Jr. about the tone of the meetings with the city, he said they were contentious. He described the current relationship with the city as "volatile."

The tapes are posted on the Web site of mayoral candidate Richard Romero turning this contract dispute into a political dispute. A Romero staff person said he got the tapes from the city through a public records request.

The city confirmed it released several copies.

Chávez declined to discuss the tapes, but a campaign spokesperson accused Romero of slinging mud instead of talking about issues.  Albuquerque business owner Richard Berry also is running for mayor.

City officials have tried to downplay the dispute as a simple contract fight and accused Bode of using the allegations to gain leverage in the negotiations.

Bode has sued the city. The case is currently in federal court.