ABQ Times

City Councilor Klarissa Peña, City Officials, and the Guardians of the Children Unveil the Ken Sanchez Community Pillar on Civic Plaza

ALBUQUERQUE - On Monday, May 6, 2024, City Councilors Klarissa Peña, Louie Sanchez, Mayor Tim Keller, the family of the late City Councilor Ken Sanchez, and the Guardians of the Children celebrated the unveiling of the "Ken Sanchez Pillar of the Community” on Civic Plaza. Scores of residents, former constituents, fellow councilors, and officials attended the unveiling – a testament to the life of service Sanchez exhibited. The plaque featuring the likeness of Councilor Sanchez is located at the Auxiliary Stage at the west end of Civic Plaza.

The late City Councilor Ken Sanchez took pride in serving the community as Bernalillo County Commissioner from 1996-2002, and as Albuquerque City Councilor from 2005 until his death on January 1, 2020. He enjoyed working with the Guardians of the Children on many projects that assisted our youth, but especially the Annual Angel Tree Lighting which he first sponsored in 2016 and until his passing in 2020. The Annual Angel Tree Lighting event was very important to Councilor Sanchez. He believed that the young lives lost to abuse and violence should never be forgotten. The Annual Angel Tree Lighting will now be held adjacent to the Ken Sanchez Community Pillar. To Honor the late City Councilor Ken Sanchez and his dedication to the community, Councilor Peña worked with the Guardians of Children to name pillars on Civic Plaza after community leaders and advocates.

“Councilor Ken Sanchez was an exemplary public servant who has made a lasting impact on our community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “In our city, we believe it is important that we honor those, like Ken, who have helped shape Albuquerque into what it is today, an innovative and inclusive city full of promise and potential.”

“Ken and I worked on many projects, like the Angel Tree Lighting together for many years, as well as the naming of the Al Hurricane Pavilion on this very Civic Plaza,” said Klarissa Peña, City Councilor for District 3. “I saw his passion for helping our youth and the future of our city.”

Councilor Sanchez is the first City Councilor to have a pillar named in his honor. The full Council and Mayor Tim Keller supported Resolution 23-111, sponsored by Councilors Klarissa Peña, Louie Sanchez, and former Councilor Trudy Jones. Councilor Louie Sanchez, District 1 recalls working with the late Councilor Sanchez. “I admired his dedication and willingness to work with the community and make Albuquerque a better place for all of us.”