PRIEM CONDEMNS LATEST SOCIAL MEDIA SMEAR CAMPAIGN

P.O. Box 21308 u Albuquerque, New Mexico 87154-1308 u 505-369-4233

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Peter Shams-Avari

                (505) 369-4233

                peter@priem.us

PRIEM CONDEMNS LATEST SOCIAL MEDIA SMEAR CAMPAIGN

Albuquerque, NM – Republican Candidate for the First Congressional District, Richard Priem today condemned the latest attempt by left wing ideologues to use social media to attack his reputation and misrepresent his background, experiences and beliefs.   

In a series of messages on Twitter that appeared last night and this morning, it was alleged by several authors that Priem supported all use of deadly force by the Albuquerque Police Department and actually was involved in training Albuquerque police officers in use of force policies and procedures. Priem has done neither.

“First and foremost, I only support use of deadly force in situations where it is required to protect officers or bystanders from death or serious bodily harm (and legally justified),” Priem said. “I believe that the new leadership at APD should be given an opportunity to address any problems they find before the heavy hand of the Federal government orders actions that may not be fully justified.”

Priem went on to say that “The vast majority of police officers in Albuquerque are responsible public servants, committed to protecting our community from those who would do us harm. To label the entire police department as a ‘problem’ represents a gross distortion of reality.”

Priem is a long-time law enforcement manager, having served as the Provost Marshal (chief of police) at what was the largest military installation in the “free” world at the time and as Executive Officer of a forward-deployed Military Police Brigade. He also provided oversight for all military police and combating terrorism training conducted by the U.S. Army. “We had an enviable record in the Army when I served in these roles,” Priem stated. “I am proud of the fact that we had no unjustified law enforcement shooting incidents during my term in that position.”

Priem also managed development and delivery of training for civilian first responders responsible for preventing terrorist bombing attacks and conducting effective operations during bombing incidents that actually occur. Commenting on that training, Priem stated that “We had a complex use of force policy for suicide bombing scenarios that was reviewed and approved by government lawyers. To the best of my knowledge, none of our graduates has been accused of inappropriate use of force in any incident.” These training courses brought over $250M into the New Mexico economy during Priem’s tenure as contract manager.

“I sincerely hope that the misrepresentations that emerged last night and today don’t reflect approval by the Michelle Lujan-Grisham campaign,” according to Priem. “I suspect that she doesn’t want to face me in the general election but I hope that her campaign will deliver only responsible, truthful statements designed to highlight the differences in our political positions. The voters of this District deserve that.”

Priem believes that all the citizens of our community should allow the leadership at APD to identify and make any necessary changes to policies, procedures and training based on their analyses of the regrettable shooting incidents of the recent past. ”The police department in Albuquerque stands between us and the chaos that would occur without their presence and support,” according to Priem. “Let’s tone down the rhetoric and solve problems responsibly and professionally.” 

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Priem Dismayed by Frese’s Derogatory Comments About New Mexico Burger Chains

March 17, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Peter Shams-Avari

                  505-369-4233 (Office)

                  505-410-1171 (Cell)

Priem Dismayed by Frese’s Derogatory Comments About New Mexico Burger Chains

Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico GOP Congressional Candidate Richard Priem expressed dismay at comments posted by his GOP Primary election opponent Mike Frese on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MichaelFreseforCongress) which contained some derogatory  statements regarding burger chains in New Mexico, the quality of beef raised in New Mexico, and overall business practices of New Mexico Fast Food Burger chains.  “I have to say when the post first caught my eye I though he was advertising In–n–Out Burgers,” Priem commented.  “Upon reading his comments I was dismayed that he would have such a low opinion of New Mexico based burger chains as well as those regional and national chains with significant operations in New Mexico.”  Frese’s comments regarding In-n-Out burgers contained statements speculating that perhaps New Mexico raised beef did not meet In-n-Out Burger’s standards, or perhaps there was a monopoly in the burger busness in New Mexico.  Frese claimed that overregulation has kept the California based chain out of New Mexico.  “Given that California is arguably the most regulated state when it comes to business operations I would say that Mr. Frese may be reaching in this claim,” Priem added.  “If he is saying that as a member of Congress he can change New Mexico’s stae regulatory environment I submit that perhaps he’s running for the wrong office and he should take a serious look at seeking a state office.” Priem said.  Priem concluded, “I guess what really took me aback was his statement implying that New Mexico burger chains were substandard businesses.  These comments are a slap in the face to everyone operating a burger restaurant in New Mexico.  New Mexico does not have ‘substandard beef’ or ‘substandard business,’ and one only need look around to see that the burger chain business is very competitive – so any thought of monopoly is completely ludicrous.”

The text and screen clip of the actual post follows:

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelFreseforCongress

Mike Frese for Congress's photo.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=369681519841319&set=a.369389049870566.1073741833.313477935461678&type=1https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=369681519841319&set=a.369389049870566.1073741833.313477935461678&type=1

I wanted to touch on an off-beat topic today - hamburgers - and more specifically fast food.

If you've been anywhere west of New Mexico, you have probably been able to enjoy In-N-Out Burger. They're a chain that began in the late 40's in California and spread east in the 70's. That eastward expansion took a big leap. So big, in fact, that it skipped right past New Mexico and on to Texas.

Now I've heard that this is because the chain has standards for its beef that New Mexico can't meet, and I've also heard that it's because there are other burger chains that have a monopoly on the NM fast foot market. But I suspect that In-N-Out is most likely keeping its feet out of the kiddie pool that is our highly regulated and overly taxed economy.

There should be no reason that a business wouldn't want to dive headfirst into a prosperous market - a market in which it could easily run neck-and-neck with sub-standard competitors.

Anyhow, take that as today's good food for thought.

 

  

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Don't Cut Military Benefits

I am extremely concerned about serious attempts in our government to significantly reduce benefits to military personnel and veterans—including active duty personnel, retirees and those who have service-connected disabilities as a painful consequence of their service.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently recommended consideration of increasing TRICARE (insurance) fees, deductibles and co-pays, which would significantly increase out-of-pocket medical expenses. TRICARE for Life users would have to pay a greater share of costs not covered by Medicare.  In addition, the CBO recommended capping military pay raises and tightening VA compensation for a number of serious medical problems, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Crohn’s disease. 

Active Duty military personnel and those who have served honorably in the past have all paid a significant price for their service. They shouldn’t be the bill-payers for irresponsible spending at the Federal level. The Pentagon is full of bureaucrats who contribute nothing to building our capabilities at the “point of the spear.” Many receive huge salaries and demand expensive mahogany desks and leather furniture in their offices—something that most Americans could only hope to afford for their offices and homes. Eliminate the superfluous bureaucrats and their attendant costs. Focus on paying for expenses that support military capabilities at the “point of the spear.” Fulfill the promises made over many years to those who have served. Don’t reduce medical benefits to the military while simultaneously trying to provide “affordable” health care for the general public. It doesn’t make sense. And it’s an unfair attack on those who have served and suffered with honor and without complaint for this country.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 CONTACT:  PETER SHAMS-AVARI

MONDAY, NOV. 11, 2013                                                                          505.410.1171

                                                                                                                       peter@priem.us

RICHARD PRIEM ENTERS NM-1

CONGRESSIONAL RACE

ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque businessman and retired Army veteran Richard Priem today announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress in the 1^st Congressional District of New Mexico, citing his desire to run for the office “as the Country needs new leadership to restore the American dream which seems to be slipping away as overly partisan bickering adversely threatens the future of our Country.”

Priem (pronounced “Preem”), a former Army Lieutenant Colonel served as a Commander and Staff Officer from 1973-1994, before retiring to work in the private sector for the last two decades as a program manager and corporate officer overseeing law enforcement training and national priority installation security programs. In these roles, for over 15 years Priem had oversight of contractor support for First Responder training at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico, and the International Law Enforcement Academy in Roswell, New Mexico. Priem, who currently resides in Albuquerque, relocated from Washington, D.C. in 2003 to manage these programs on a full-time basis. 

“New Mexico and New Mexicans play a vital role in our national defense. Whether we talk about defense-related companies based here, or individual New Mexicans serving on active duty, the National Guard, or in Reserve units, I bring extensive knowledge and experience-based perspectives that will permit me to represent New Mexico and New Mexicans well in Congress,” Priem said.  “I also wanted to thank our veterans for their service to our county on this day of recognition and stand with them as a candidate who will represent their concerns as the Government continues to break its promises and commitments made throughout the years. That must stop and I will work hard to ensure the U.S. Government keeps its promises to all military personnel-those who currently serve and those that have served our country in the past with honor.”

Priem has interests in three small businesses in New Mexico which provide leadership training, law enforcement training and operational security support to the U.S. Coast Guard and overseas clients.  The businesses will employ over 40 individuals. “I am not a career bureaucrat or politician. Through my experience as a small businessman I know what it means to meet a payroll. I have employed people who rely on their paychecks to support their families. I know only too well what impact the actions of government have on our economy. I also know that, as a businessman, I can’t ask taxpayers to pay every time I make a bad decision. The federal government should work the same way. There has to be accountability from top to bottom.”

Priem referenced the importance of Kirtland Air Force Base and the Sandia National Laboratories, noting “the $8 billion in economic support to our local economy from these facilities are vital to our community, our State and our Nation.  We must ensure that, as the Federal Government refocuses its spending programs’ we don’t make foolish decisions to downsize these important programs, thus jeopardizing our national security.”

Priem is an internationally-recognized combating terrorism expert and consulted with the U.S. Capitol Police Board and the House Appropriations Committee after the 9/11 attacks to the U.S. in 2001 and the U.S. Capitol Police shootings in the 1990s. Priem’s experiences have helped him understand the complexities of the Legislative Branch of government. He has worked with member of Congress, Congressional committees and their staffs providing him unique opportunities to view how they all operate. “I’ve seen firsthand how Congress can perform for the American people and how it can fail to meet our expectations,” Priem reports. “There is potential to do good things for the American people, but it takes exceptional people to keep us on the right track.” Among his many awards, Priem was awarded the “Police Service Award” by the U.S. Capitol Police for his work in supporting their critical law enforcement and security roles.

Priem and his wife Janice have two children and another who passed away in 1995.

“I look forward to meeting with the people of the 1^st Congressional District in the days and months ahead as we campaign for this important office. I plan to do more listening than talking because I believe that all of us are smarter than one of us. In that regard, it is important that our citizens have a Congressman who can hit the ground running to solve our nation’s problems on day one. We don’t have time for the endless bickering that occurs today. Our citizens want action, not politics. We’re in the new fiscal year and our Federal government doesn’t have a budget; none of the Appropriation bills have been passed; and our nation’s debt limit continues to soar upward. Young Americans are graduating from college with huge debts. Many don’t have prospects for good jobs. The government is engaging in unheralded spy operations against honest, law-abiding U.S. citizens. We can’t afford to continue an agenda of paralysis and inaction.”

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MEDIA ADVISORY

November 11, 2013

Contact: Peter Shams-Avari, (505) 410-1171

              peter@priem.us

RICHARD PRIEM TO ANNOUNCE ENTRY INTO NM-1 CONGRESSIONAL RACE

ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque businessman and retired Army veteran Richard Priem will announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress in the 1st Congressional District of New Mexico at an event this evening at 5:30 PM, Monday November 11, 2013 at the home of Veronica and Kim Kemper 10500 Holly Avenue N.E. Albuquerque, New Mexico 87122.  (North of Paseo del Norte and East of Eubank)

Priem (pronounced “Preem”), a former Army Lieutenant Colonel served as a Commander and Staff Officer from 1973-1994, before retiring to work in the private sector for the last two decades as a program manager and corporate officer overseeing law enforcement training and national priority installation security programs.  He is making his first run for public office.

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