Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Q&A With Congressional Candidate Valerie Plame

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 24, 2019

CD3 Candidate Valerie Plame

By CAROL A. CLARK

Los Alamos Daily Post

caclark@ladailypost.com

Editor’s note: This is the second 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 Valerie Plame provided the following answers:

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

Plame: I served my country for many years as a covert CIA operations officer. My expertise was in nuclear counterproliferation Read More

Letter To The Editor: Sharon Stover Endorses Pongratz

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 24, 2019

By SHARON STOVER

Former Los Alamos County Clerk

One exemplary attribute that no one can take away from Morrie Pongratz is that he has never sat on the sidelines relative to service to his community.

Since early 1980s, he has been actively involved including serving on the County Council and School Board. Below follow a couple reasons to consider why Morrie should be elected to the School Board.

Recall and think about in the early 1980s, when young people needed safe activities, Morrie was there to spearhead, secure funding, and chaperone events for teens. Morrie has

Balderas, Colón, Eichenberg: ‘Dream Bigger’ Summit To Focus On Issues Impacting People With Disabilities

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2019

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas, with State Auditor Brian Colón and Treasurer Tim Eichenberg announced Tuesday that they will be holding the Dream Bigger Summit on disability rights and issues impacting people with disabilities.

Taking place Monday, Oct. 28 at Hotel Albuquerque in Albuquerque, the full day summit will focus on creating a more inclusive New Mexico. Presentations will include in-depth discussion from subject matter experts in multiple focus areas, highlighting when people with disabilities

Udall, Bennet Introduce Major Resolution To Set National Conservation Goal: Conserve 30% Of U.S. Lands And Ocean By 2030

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2019

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tuesday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced a major Senate resolution to set a national goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the land and 30 percent of the ocean within the territory of the United States by 2030.

The Udall-Bennet Thirty by Thirty Resolution to Save Nature recognizes that nature – like climate change – has reached a tipping point. The resolution responds to a growing group of scientists, who say that conserving at least 30% of the ocean and land by 2030 is the minimum step necessary to adequately

Letter To The Editor: The Big Questions Communities & Parents Face Is How Programs Will Be Funded…

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2019

By DIANA MARTINEZ

Development Director

The Family YMCA

I too read the after-school editorial by Lt. Gov. Howie Morales that Morrie Pongratz referred to in his letter to the editor (link).

My first thought was, “I’m so glad Howie recognizes that!” There is a massive body of studies that essentially says youth should be given resources to help them develop. Dr. David DuBois of the Institute for Health Research and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago has research that examines the contribution of protective factors, particularly self-esteem and mentoring relationships, to resilience Read More

Letter To The Editor: Rock The Bond For White Rock Schools

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2019

By MATT SCHMIDT

CEO/President

Los Alamos Schools Credit Union

In a time when education budgets are tight, it takes the full might of a mindful community to prioritize education. As a parent of three current Los Alamos Public School students, I’m thankful to have witnessed firsthand how modern facilities can inspire a love for learning.

It is our duty to promote health, security, and learning for all current and future students in Los Alamos. Not only is investing in aging school infrastructure the right thing to do for our children and teachers, but it also has lasting economic value

NACo Reappoints Sandoval County Treasurer Laura M. Montoya To National Leadership Position On FPIGA

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 22, 2019

NACo News:

WASHINGTON/BERNAILLO ― National Association of Counties (NACo) President Mary Ann Borgeson reappointed Sandoval County Treasurer Laura M. Montoya to a seventh term as Vice Chair of NACo’s Finance, Pensions & Intergovernmental Affairs (FPIGA) Steering Committee.

Borgeson, a Douglas County, Neb. commissioner, made her leadership appointments shortly after being sworn in as NACo’s president, the final day of NACo’s 84th Annual Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas/Clark County, Nev.

“I am thrilled to continue the work we have been doing on NACo’s

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Introduces Growth Act To Generate Workforce Opportunities

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 22, 2019

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to introduce S. 2620, the Generating Real Opportunities for Workforce Training and Hiring (GROWTH) Act.

This bipartisan legislation will support career and technical education opportunities, consistent communication between career and technical education institutions regarding curriculum, and the importance for elementary and secondary education institutions to highlight enrollment in these professions as desirable

Letter To The Editor: Melanie Colgan – A Lot To Like About This School Board Candidate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 22, 2019

By KEVIN HONNELL

Los Alamos School Board (2011-2015)

Residents of North and Barranca Mesas (District 4) are fortunate to have two strong candidates for the upcoming school board election.

But, based on my experience as a former school board member for this district as well as former school board president, I concur with our current member, Andrea Cunningham, that one candidate stands out above the other — Melanie Colgan (link).

I’ve known Melanie Colgan for more than a dozen years, and throughout that time I’ve been amazed by the extent to which she has poured her talent and energy into Read More

Letter To The Editor: Parent And Teacher Melanie Colgan Will Be A Great Addition To Our School Board

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 21, 2019

By MARGI HARRACH

Los Alamos

How nice it is to see that Melanie Colgan is running for School Board District 4 (Barranca and North Mesa communities). From my experience, I always appreciate any time I get to see or work with Melanie.

Our families moved to Los Alamos within a year of each other and her children were a few years behind mine at Barranca Mesa Elementary, so our time on Barranca PTO overlapped. I saw Melanie inspire a sense of balance, calm, enthusiasm and focus to each group she was part of.

She was an exceptional PTO vice president, president and coordinator of the Bobcat Bonanza fundraiser. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Julia Baker Is The Way To Go!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 21, 2019

By AMELIA EPPERSON

Los Alamos

As I contemplate which candidate would be best suited to serve on the school board for District 3, I can’t help but feel jealous of my friends in District 4 who have, by far, the best candidate for school board. Julia Baker, I wish I could vote for you!

I have had the privilege of knowing Julia Baker for over ten years. In those years, I have seen her in myriad roles: as my child’s preschool teacher, as a dedicated mother to her five children, as a volunteer serving on PTO and PTA at different schools, and as a mentor to youth in the community. Even with all this, she still finds Read More

USDA Announces Infrastructure Projects Across Nation Including Belen And San Ysidro In New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 20, 2019

USDA State Director Arthur A. Garcia

USDA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced that USDA is investing $201 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 31 states.

“Modern, reliable and accessible infrastructure is critical to economic development and quality of life,” LaVoy said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help them improve their infrastructure,

NMDHSEM Cabinet Secretary Jackie Lindsey Appointed To FEMA National Advisory Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 20, 2019

NMDHSEM Cabinet Secretary Jackie Lindsey

NMDHSEM News:

SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Cabinet Secretary Jackie Lindsey has been appointed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Advisory Committee (NAC), the state emergency preparedness agency announced Friday.

The NAC is an advisory committee established by federal law to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal emergency management activities. The NAC advises the FEMA Administrator through recommendations on all aspects

Letter To The Editor: Vote For David Hampton, A New Voice And Vision For UNM-LA

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 20, 2019

By DONNA MACDONALD

Los Alamos

I ask the community to vote David Hampton for the UNM-LA Advisory Board, position 3. We need new and fresh voices at the table to move our community forward.

I certainly appreciate his vision to push UNM-LA towards becoming a 4-year Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) university. We keep losing our brightest and best students to out-of-state colleges, and a local 4-year college par excellence could encourage them to stay.

There would be stubborn resistance from UNM Main Campus, of course, so this initiative would require strong community

American Federation Of Teachers Congratulates University Of New Mexico Faculty On Vote To Unionize

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2019

AFT News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A decisive majority of faculty at the University of New Mexico voted for a union this week in a historic election victory overseen by the UNM Labor Management Relations Board, with votes counted this afternoon.

Two UNM bargaining units consisting of more than 1,600 full- and part-time faculty across five campuses—UNM’s main campus, in Albuquerque; UNM-Gallup; UNM-Los Alamos; UNM-Taos; and UNM-Valencia—voted by a 70 percent margin to join the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors.

The victory

LANL Waste Management Services Group Leader Speaks At Voices Of Los Alamos Meeting Monday Oct. 28

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2019

VOLA News:

Voices of Los Alamos is hosting its next meeting is 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 at the Unitarian Church, 1738 N. Sage Loop.

Guest Speaker Steven Singledecker will present a talk on Los Alamos National Laboratory waste shipments to offsite disposal facilities.

Singledecker is the Waste Management Services Group Leader at LANL and has more than 29 years of experience in the waste management industry. He also worked at Brookhaven and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He has been working the last 20 years within the DOE complex on a variety of waste management issues, particularly Read More

As Threat Of Foreign Interference Grows, Udall, Van Hollen Introduce Legislation to End FEC Deadlock And Strengthen Campaign Finance Violations Enforcement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2019

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Thursday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced legislation that will revitalize the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by breaking the deadlock of its leadership structure and restoring its role as an effective and timely enforcer of campaign finance regulations.

The introduction of the legislation comes as election experts continue to sound the alarm about the inability of the FEC as it is currently structured to effectively enforce our campaign finance laws and protect our elections from

Letter To The Editor: Time To Improve Our More Than 50 Year Old White Rock Schools

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2019

By CRAIG WASHNOK

Principal, Chamisa Elementary School

I have the pleasure of becoming the next principal at Chamisa Elementary School.

It has been a truly amazing experience. The community culture is one of the best aspects of Chamisa. Our community is what makes Chamisa unique. Chamisa Elementary School’s culture is entwined with the community.

The culture of Chamisa has stood the test of time. It’s now time to enhance the culture of Chamisa with structural upgrades.

Both Chamisa and Pinon elementary schools have stood relatively unchanged for over 50 years. Chamisa continues to Read More

Udall, Scott Unveil Major Bipartisan Legislation To Help Prevent Drunk Driving And Save Thousands Of Lives

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), joined by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), unveiled bipartisan legislation Wednesday to help prevent drunk driving and save thousands of lives.

The Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone Act of 2019 (RIDE Act) will promote the research and development of advanced alcohol detection technology and will require the implementation of such technology in new motor vehicles.

“The fact is that deaths from drunk driving are completely preventable

Q&A With Congressional Candidate Laura Montoya

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2019

CD3 Candidate Laura Montoya

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 Laura Montoya provided the following answers:

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

MONTOYA: I was born, raised and educated in Northern New Mexico. I know the people and the struggles New Mexicans face because Read More