Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Lunch With A Leader: Martineau And Linke Nov. 19

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 3, 2019

LWV News:

The November League of Women Voters Lunch with a Leader features Los Alamos Historical Society Executive Director Liz Martineau and Los Alamos Historic Preservation Advisory Board Chairwoman Leslie Linke.

The meeting is 11:45 a.m., Nov. 19 at Mesa Public Library and is open to the public.

Liz Martineau was born into a military family and believes that her early travels led to a life-long love of people, cultures, and lifelong learning. She has family in Kentucky, Indiana, and Kansas. She graduated from Kansas State University and has a Master’s degree

New Mexico Republican Party Sues Secretary Of State, Clerk, Board Over Failure To Fix Absentee Ballot Issue

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 3, 2019

RPNM News:

The Republican Party of New Mexico and Las Cruces mayoral candidate Mike Tellez have filed suit against New Mexico’s Secretary of State, the Dona Ana County Clerk and the County’s Absent Voter Precinct Board.

The RPNM and Tellez claim the defendants are ignoring a 2019 law that requires absentee voters to provide their name, address and date of birth.

The lawsuit charges that The AVPB had been instructed by the County Clerk, who herself was acting on the advice of the Secretary of State Maggie Oliver, to count the ballots despite at least one of the three qualifications

Santa Fe City Becomes 10th Jurisdiction To Pass Resolution Supporting Wildlife Corridors

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 3, 2019

Santa Fe City Board of Commisioners. Courtesy/HECHO

HECHO News:

SANTA FE ― The City of Santa Fe voted unanimously Oct. 30 to pass a resolution supporting the protection of wildlife corridors in the upper Rio Grande Basin, as well as supporting pending legislation to protect wildlife corridors nationwide.

The City becomes the 10th jurisdiction in New Mexico to support such a resolution, joining Mora, Colfax, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe County, Taos County, as well as the Town of Taos, the Village of Pecos, and the City of Española.

The resolution encourages the U.S. Forest

Richard Nebel: Impeachment…

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 1, 2019

By RICHARD NEBEL

Los Alamos

“In a lonely grave, forgotten and unknown, lies ‘the man who saved a president,’ and as a result may well have preserved for ourselves and our posterity constitutional government in the United States…”. These words were written in 1956 by Senator John F. Kennedy in his Pulitzer Prize winning book “Profiles in Courage”. That forgotten man is Edmund G. Ross and that lonely grave is in the Fairview Cemetery in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Edmund Ross was an abolitionist and a Senator from Kansas. He was the Senator who cast the deciding vote to acquit Andrew Johnson Read More

Sen. Heinrich Taps Rebecca Avitia For Chief Of Staff

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 1, 2019

Rebecca L. Avitia

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced this morning that Rebecca L. Avitia will serve as his chief of staff in Washington, D.C.

Avitia is a native New Mexican and will be one of three Latino chiefs of staff serving in the Senate. She is transitioning next week from her role as Heinrich’s state director.

Before joining Heinrich’s state leadership team, Avitia served as the executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

“Throughout her career, Rebecca has been a strong advocate Read More

New Mexico Commits To Outdoor Recreation Principles

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 1, 2019

Director of Outdoor Recreation Axie Navas (bottom row at right), joins with representatives from four other states Oct. 24 to be the latest signatories of the Confluence Accords. Courtesy/NMED

Courtesy/NMED

NMED News:

SANTA FE ― Outdoor recreation leaders from Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, and Virginia committed to advance the principles contained in the Outdoor Recreation Industry Confluence Accords, on behalf of their governors, at a signing ceremony yesterday. That brings the total number of states to an historic 13.

The signing took place in St.

Q&A With Congressional Candidate Marco Serna

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 1, 2019

CD3 Candidate Marco Serna

By CAROL A. CLARK

Los Alamos Daily Post

caclark@ladailypost.com

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series in which the Los Alamos Daily Post presents the same set of questions to each of the candidates running for Congressional District 3, which serves the northern half of New Mexico.

Democratic candidate Marco Serna provided the following answers:

POST: Why do you believe you are qualified to represent New Mexico in Congress?

SERNA: A Member of Congress must embody the characteristics of their constituents. The people from my district are passionate, honest, Read More

RSF Calls For Release Of Chinese Reporter Huang Xueqin Who Covered Hong Kong Protests

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 1, 2019

Journalist Huang Xueqin

RSF News:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the immediate release of Chinese independent journalist Huang Xueqin, also known under the name of Sophia Huang, who covered the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong last summer and the #MeToo movement in 2018.

She was arrested Oct. 17 in her home province of Guangdong under the vague charge of “making trouble and picking quarrels”, an accusation often used by the regime against journalists, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

“Huang bravely addressed societal

Gessing: Santa Fe Spending Binge Kicks Into High Gear

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 1, 2019

By PAUL J. GESSING

Rio Grande Foundation

The Legislative Finance Committee recently reported the requests of New Mexico government agencies for FY 2021.

Last year the Legislature increased general fund spending by a robust 12 percent, but with oil production growing rapidly and prices per-barrel holding stable, New Mexico government is planning for another year of massive growth.

In fact, (not including funding requests for public school support and from higher education institutions) agencies are looking to further increase their budgets in Fiscal Year 2021 by

CBC PAC Endorses Ben Ray Luján For US Senate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

CONGRESSIONAL News:

NAMBE ― The Congressional Black Caucus PAC, Wednesday endorsed Ben Ray Luján for the U.S. Senate:

“The Congressional Black Caucus is proud to support Ben Ray Luján to be the next Senator from New Mexico. A progressive champion for people of color, Ben Ray helped elect the most diverse Congress in history that is now legislating on priorities that will help uplift all Americans,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Gregory Meeks. “We know that with Ben Ray in the Senate, we’ll have a partner who champions health care, education,

Udall, Kaine: Resolution To Reinforce U.S. Leadership In Peaceful Use Of Space & Technology Innovation

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution to maintain U.S. leadership in protecting satellites and spacecraft in Earth’s orbit from space debris and ensuring that all nations cooperate to promote the peaceful use of space for research and commercial purposes.

The resolution prioritizes the implementation of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space guidelines negotiated between the U.S. delegation to the United

New Mexico Delegation Celebrates House Passage Of Permanent Chaco Canyon Protections

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, along with U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small, joined Tribal leaders and conservation advocates Wednesday to celebrate the House passage of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, a bipartisan bill to prevent future mineral leasing on federally-owned lands around Chaco Canyon.

Introduced in April by the New Mexico Delegation, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Protection Act

Letter To The Editor: Morris Pongratz Would Be Wonderful Addition To School Board

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

Miriam Wallstrom and Sydne Ashford attend the Espanola Foster Children’s Christmas party, a Key Club event sponsored by Kiwanis. Courtesy photo

By MIRIAM WALLSTROM

Los Alamos

Morrie Pongratz would be a wonderful addition to the Los Alamos School Board. I was honored to have the opportunity to work with Morrie for four years during my time in the Los Alamos High School Key Club.

As a timid first-year member, I felt more welcome in the club after interacting with Morrie’s warm and spirited personality. Each meeting, I noticed him in the back of the room, taking scrupulous notes and Read More

Call For Letters Of Interest: Replacement For Unexpired Term Of Sen. Carlos Cisneros Deadline Nov. 7

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council is seeking Letters of Interest from those interested in filling the unexpired term of State Senator Carlos Cisneros, who passed away recently.

The Council, together with the Commissions of Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Taos Counties, has the responsibility of providing the Governor with the name of a recommended individual for the position.

They plan to take action on this matter at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at their Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Letters of interest should include the individual’s name, address, job/organization Read More

Letter To The Editor: Janecky Endorses Baker

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

By LOUISE A. JANECKY (LOUI)

Los Alamos

District 4 Voters,

I am writing this letter to ask that you first and foremost vote in the current election.

I am also writing to ask that you support Julia Baker for our LAPS District School board seat. She is the candidate most able to serve you well.

I held this seat and served as your school board member (secretary, vice president and president) in the past. I know how much work it takes to be an effective school board member. School board members attend multiple meetings a month (not just school board meetings and work sessions, but they also attend joint meetings

Letter To The Editor: Hargraves Endorses Bernstein

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

By BILL HARGRAVES

School Board Member

Los Alamos Public Schools

I am a member of the LAPS School Board and I endorse Christine Bernstein for the LAPS School Board (District 3 Aspen).

Christine has been an active, in-the-classroom teacher for over 20 years, including several years in Los Alamos Public Schools, giving her an expertise in areas that distinguish her from her opponent. If elected, Christine would be the only Board member also actively teaching students.

As a teacher, she has the knowledge and the skills to work effectively with other Board members, lead committees, and make real

Los Alamos Branch Of AAUW Meets Nov. 7

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

AAUW News:

The Los Alamos Branch of the American Association of University Women is having its fall meeting 7:15-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at White Rock Branch Library on Longview Drive and N.M. 4.

New Mexico Commissioner for Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard will present a talk on the challenges and opportunities she faces as land commissioner.

The meeting is open to the public.

Luján On Toulouse Oliver Opting Out Of Senate Race

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

NAMBE ― Democratic Senate Candidate Ben Ray Luján issued the following statement Tuesday evening on Secretary Toulouse Oliver’s decision to end her campaign for the U.S. Senate:

“First and foremost, Maggie Toulouse Oliver is a friend. In this campaign, Maggie stood up for our values – like health care for all and addressing the climate crisis. Her voice made our democratic process stronger, and I’m honored to have her support for my U.S. Senate campaign.

“Over the next year, I will continue

Governor Honors CNN HERO Roger Montoya

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

CNN Hero Roger Montoya of Moving Arts Española was honored by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham with a statewide proclamation declaring Tuesday, Oct. 29: Roger Montoya Art as Medicine Day. Courtesy/CNN

STATE News:

ESPAÑOLA ― The Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham honored CNN Hero Roger Montoya, co-founder of Moving Arts Española, with a statewide proclamation declaring Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019 “Roger Montoya Art as Medicine Day”.

The City of Santa also has declared through a formal proclamation Nov. 1, 2019 as its own “Roger Montoya Art as Medicine Day”. Rio Arriba

Udall Presses Boeing Executives On Lax Safety Culture Resulting In Two Fatal Crashes

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and Vice President John Hamilton about the company’s “cozy” relationship with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulators and commitments to reform in the aftermath of two fatal crashes involving the 737 MAX 8 jet.

Udall pressed the Boeing leaders to take responsibility for their company’s culture and business processes in order to prevent future accidents.

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