(New Mexico) Councilors extol Kerry's urban plan

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By Iliana Limon
Tribune Reporter
http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/news04/011204_news_kerry.shtml

John Garcia, president of the Albuquerque firefighters union, said Kerry has a strong relationship with public safety workers. "He's been supporting firefighters for many years and always has kept his promises to us," Garcia said after the news conference near Fire Station No. 1 on Eighth Street and Silver Avenue Southwest.

Espa§ola City Councilor Joseph Maestas, who sits on the state and federal league of city governments, traveled to Albuquerque Sunday to praise Kerry's agenda.

"A lot of the plans are out of touch with our basic needs. Sen. Kerry is offering the most detailed plan to address the needs of all New Mexico communities," Maestas said. Cadigan, the Albuquerque City Council president and a Massachusetts native, said Kerry would rely on fiscal responsibility to pay for his urban agenda.

"President Bush has been spending like a drunken sailor, leaving taxpayers in cities like Albuquerque to foot the bill," Cadigan said. "I'm confident John Kerry will be the responsible leader we need who will spend money where it's actually needed."