Berry pick generates political concern

Albuquerque Mayor-elect Richard "RJ" Berry Tuesday named one Democrat and one well-known Republican to fill the two most powerful city positions prompting the Bernalillo County Democratic Party to call the latter appointments divisive and frightening.

"These are gentlemen that love this city, that want to make this city safer and run more like a business," Berry said at an afternoon news conference Tuesday.

The Republican crossed party lines designating David Campbell, a registered Democrat, as his chief administrative officer, the No. 2 man in city hall.

"I've had 28 years of experience inside and out of city hall in the city of Albuquerque," Campbell told KRQE News 13.

Twenty-eight years ago the Albuquerque lawyer served as an assistant to Republican Mayor Harry Kinney and later was named city attorney. He said he'll put all city spending and departments under a microscope.

"We're not saying yes to layoffs; we're not saying no to layoffs," he said. "We're saying that there are a number of things that have to be done in order to make sure the city is solvent."

Berry also appointed Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, a Republican, as the city's new director of public safety to replace Pete Dinelli.

We "need to go into this transition with an open mind," White said.

White is a former state cabinet secretary for public safety and was a reporter at KRQE News 13. He said city residents should expect him to follow through on his new boss's campaign promises regarding crime including increased efforts to fight property crime and gangs.

However it's concerns about the city's immigrant population that has the Bernalillo County Democratic Party crying foul over the appointment.

"Sheriff White, in his current position, is extremely controversial, and it's scary," Bernalillo County Democratic Party Vice-chair Victor Raigoza said. "Frankly, it's scary."

Raigoza is worried White will institute a more stringent policy towards policing illegal immigrants.

Berry campaigned criticizing the current administration calling the city a sanctuary for illegal immigrants and criminals. TV ads attacking Mayor Martin Chávez attacked a city policy that prohibits officers from questioning immigration status when dealing with people who may be witnesses to crimes.

"I want a well respected lawman to make this city safer, and I can think of no one better than Sheriff White to do that," said Berry.

It's unclear if the Albuquerque Police Department policy of only questioning immigration status if it's pertinent to a criminal investigation will change. Much of that policy is court-ordered as part of a lawsuit settlement.

Campbell's appointment as CAO is subject to approval by the Albuquerque City Council while White's appointment is not.

Officially the election of Albuquerque's mayor is nonpartisan although Democrats and Republican groups were active in the recent campaign.  Berry, a Republican legislator from the city's Northeast Heights, resigned his seat in the state House on Monday.