Letters to the Editor

By NONA GIRARDI
Los Alamos

I am writing in support of Stephanie Garcia Richard for Lieutenant Governor, and to encourage the Democratic State Central Committee to choose her as the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, now that this position has become vacant after the primary.

Here in Los Alamos, we know how great Stephanie was as our Representative in the state legislature, understanding local, state and national issues and concerns, and working with her colleagues to enact effective legislation. And, as Commissioner of Public Lands, she has done a great job statewide to protect Read More

By MIKE MCNAUGHTON
Los Alamos

Thank you for the Los Alamos Daily Post article and for discussions with Leslie Bucklin and county employees about bear-resistant roll carts. I have found that the “Kodiak-Products” roll carts are not difficult to fix.

If it doesn’t lock properly, I have found that inserting one or two ¼ inch washers fixes the most common problem. 

The lid opens by moving a lever from left to right and then pulling up using the small handle attached to the lid. It should close and lock with a satisfying click. 

A ¼ inch bolt fixes the handle to the lid. If the cart or the lid is slightly distorted Read More

By ANNIKA OLSEN
Los Alamos

Flock Cameras are popping up all over the nation, and Los Alamos County is no exception, but is this a trend we want to be a part of? Or are these cameras causing more harm than they’re stopping?

You may be familiar with regular traffic light cameras. The kind that snap a photo of you running a red light or committing some other type of traffic violation, then send you a fine in the mail. Not everyone’s favorite system, but generally considered culturally acceptable, right? You could be forgiven for assuming the Flock cameras that our county has put up at the intersections of Read More

By KOKHEONG MCNAUGHTEN
Los Alamos

In the past few years, I have had three yard signs stolen: two from the Food Forest at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, and just last week, a sign was stolen from the Pollinator raised bed at the Los Alamos Co+op Market. This last sign was stolen sometime between mid-day Wednesday June 10 and mid-day Friday June 12, the two days that I was able to work on the raised bed.

The first sign stolen from the Unitarian Church was a “Black Lives Matter” sign, which we have now replaced with a painted mural on a utility box in the center of our parking lot. The second sign, stolen Read More

By CHRISTOPHER FORTSON
Formerly of Los Alamos

Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities is moving toward Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing, with electricity rates reportedly set to vary from $0.11/kWh during off-peak hours to nearly $0.197/kWh during the evening peak window of 5 to 11 p.m. This shift makes sense for utilities. Managing when power is produced & consumed is a smarter tool than simply charging everyone the same flat rate regardless of grid conditions. That dynamic is exactly what led DPU to restructure solar net metering benefits in 2024, citing load management concerns.

But TOU Read More

By MATTHEW JEREMY
Formerly of Los Alamos

There was a lot of uninformed statements in James Rickman’s Op-Ed (link) but I will address maybe one or two.

James states and I quote: “Have the police discovered some new threat in Los Alamos that necessitates tap dancing on the Fourth Amendment and the fundamental presumption of innocence?”

Let’s take a look at said Amendment. As it reads verbatim:

“The right of people to be secure in their person’s, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported Read More

By RICHARD NEBEL
Los Alamos

Response To Julia Robins Op-Ed (link).

My recollection is that gas turbines for generating electricity are about 49% efficient.

The best your fuel cell solution could possibly do is reduce carbon-dioxide production by a factor of 2.

Would you mind clarifying that?

  Read More

By LYNN HANRAHAN
Los Alamos

If men had babies our local maternity department would not be on the chopping block. When I read this a few days ago my first thought was just have the babies at home. My daughters were born over on Walnut Canyon in the living room. Then I remembered had it not been for the services available at LAMC’s delivery room my oldest and I might never had made it that far.

We’re heading up to Durango this weekend for a bike race.  It’s our first mother/son adventure in years. I am glad we are alive to enjoy it.

It is Primary season. Showing up matters. Who we vote for matters. All the kids have Read More

By JOHN ROBERTS
Los Alamos

It’s time to stop wasting money and energy on the geese at the pond. There are too many people around them, especially during the concerts, that they’re probably traumatized from.

I’ve seen multiple kids harass and throw stuff at them, people constantly trying to touch them, then be chased and bitten by them. I’ve seen multiple people hit and kick them once they start being chased. Plus, there is geese crap everywhere!

Send the last goose somewhere calmer and safer from the pond. The idea is great to have them, but it’s just not worth terrorizing and abusing a couple of birds. Read More

By CHRIS JORDAN
Los Alamos

I just found out that Immaculate Auto Total Car Care closed last month, since their landlord sold their building at 99 DP Road.

Started by CEO Barbara Jones, Immaculate Auto had been open for six years. I’ve taken my car there for about the last three years and they provided good service. 

They will be missed. Read More

By KARYL ANN ARMBRUSTER
Los Aamos

It is a little known fact, but the vast power and autonomy of the State Land Office truly rest in the decisions that come before the land commissioner every day.  The decisions rest solely on the discretion of the land commissioner and their ability to resist undue pressure and fear mongering from special interests.

Decisions that will directly impact the future of responsible development and revenue in our state. Decisions that certainly have input and recommendations from land office experts, but that are ultimately at the sole discretion of the land commissioner.  Read More

By ROBERT GIBSON
Chair
Board of Public Utilities

Tom Tierney’s thoughtful op-ed piece “When the Power Goes Out, Natural Gas Still Works” (https://ladptest2.ortizaudio.net/op-ed-when-the-power-goes-out-natural-gas-still-works/) contains many valid points. But it leaves out two large ones that should also be considered.

Gas stoves can be lit with a match. Gas furnaces and boilers have electric control systems and use electric fans, blowers or pumps to distribute the heated air or water. Most gas water heaters also have electric control systems. Gas clothes dryers need electricity Read More

By HARRY MONTOYA
Nambé

Recently, it came to my attention that New Mexico’s US senators Heinrich and Lujan have introduced a bill called the “Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act.”

If adopted, the plan would eliminate a $1,700 credit for donations made to provide tax credits for “school choice” and also tutoring and special education services, educational therapies, and online materials for children nationwide benefiting traditional, charter, and schools of choice.

Heinrich and Lujan are attempting to kill the best opportunity for New Mexico children to see an improvement in educational Read More

Girl Scouts Nora and Cece with Pollyanna statue outside of Mesa Public Library. Courtesy photo

By NORA and CECE
Los Alamos Girl Scouts

Becky was a normal 12-year-old girl with lots of cheerfulness, talents, and interests. She also played music, she did swimming, and was in Girl Scouts, which is what we want to do, now and today. But sadly, Becky was hit by a car and killed coming home from piano lessons in 1988.

She died from her injuries, which worries us because of how that could have been anyone. But the county made improvements to the road to make it safe. After Becky was hit, they took action, they Read More

By MICHAEL SMITH 
Los Alamos

I personally don’t care if we have a sheriff or not, but I feel there are some misconceptions going around about the sheriff’s office. If we’re going to make a decision about this it should be based on accurate information.

First, the assertion has been made that the sheriff’s office is required by the state constitution under Article X Section 2. While that is true for most counties, Los Alamos has an exception because it is an incorporated county under Article X Section 5. This allows us to operate under a county charter, which is where the Read More

By SARA and BRIAN SCOTT
Los Alamos

We support David Izraelevitz for the position of Los Alamos County Sheriff in the upcoming primary and general elections.  We have known David for over a decade, having served with him on multiple community service organizations. 

David cares deeply about our community, has in-depth knowledge of our government, and a high level of integrity and transparency. 

We support his idea of putting the question of whether having a Sheriff’s office in Los Alamos County is still needed to the community for a vote in 2028.

Over the last decade, the primary role of Sheriff Read More

By MIKE and KYLE WHEELER 
Former Los Alamos County Councilors

We support David Izraelevitz for Sheriff. We have known David for quite a few years now. He has served 11 years on the council (he was appointed to fill a vacant position, then was elected twice to four-year terms). As former county councilors, we know what a commitment to the community that is. In addition, he was a founding member of the Los Alamos Community Foundation, which has turned into a force for good in our little town, surpassing our expectations in many positive ways. He is a volunteer in numerous non-profits and his dedication Read More

By MORRIS PONGRATZ
Former County Councilor

I am writing to endorse my friend, David Izraelevitz, for election to Sheriff.

I have known David for many, many years and I even served with him on the county council.

David has been a real leader in our community. Besides his many years of service on the council, he was a founder of the Los Alamos Community Foundation, and he served on the Charter Review Committee.

David is a bright, kind, and generous person.

We are fortunate that he has volunteered to renew his service to Los Alamos County!

Please vote for David Izraelevitz for Sheriff! Read More

By DAVID HAMPTON
Member, LACM 

My friends, our Co-op needs your help! Last year sales ran at $60k/week, which is enough to sustain, this year we’re running only $50k/week and will close in June without improvement.

If you had problems in the past, please check us out again. Our selection is better, produce is better, prices are more competitive, and it’s only 2 minutes farther away from our downtown than the other alternatives. AND…there is rarely a line! 

Also, did you know that you can now donate to the Co-op through a 501c3 and deduct your donation on next year’s taxes? Read More