Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Letter To The Editor: Patrick Brenner’s Toxic Email

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 17, 2017

By KHALIL SPENCER

Los Alamos

Wow. I read former Los Alamos County Council candidate Patrick Brenner’s email to all seven councilors and immediately figured out why he never made it from council candidate to elected councilor.

Indeed, as Joyce Anderson stated, Mr. Brenner’s hostile rhetoric is definitely NOT a better way for LA!

Khal “a less toxic rabble rouser in LA” Spencer. Read More

Nuclear Security Training Center Opens In Kazakhstan

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 17, 2017

NNSA News:

The Republic of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), opened its Nuclear Security Training Center (NSTC) May 12 in Alatau, Kazakhstan.

The training center allows Kazakhstan to train personnel from local, regional, and international nuclear facilities and organizations. It will focus on fundamental and advanced nuclear security topics and provide a venue for discussing best practices.

“This training center demonstrates the Republic of Kazakhstan’s commitment

Letter To The Editor: CIP And Bonding Process Flawed

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 17, 2017

By JIM REDMAN

Los Alamos

The way Councils spend the taxpayer’s Capital Improvement Fund is flawed and the current bond process lays bare just about everything that is wrong with the CIP process.

Suggesting to softball players, golfers and others that unless they support the bond issue they won’t get improvements is misleading. Associated with the bond is $13 million of CIP money, so money available for recreation.

Nominally we’re supposed to consider that some sort of matching funds for the bond although it’s all taxpayer money. That

Letter To The Editor: In Appreciation Of The Post

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 17, 2017

By ROB BARAN

Los Alamos

I wanted to take a break from the lively debate to thank the editor of the Los Alamos Daily Post for posting all of these varied opinions in their unabridged, passionate entirety!

This is the first town I have ever seen where the Press is open and accessible, and so heavily relied on. I am glad to see such a healthy, vibrant, and civic forum.

You’ve been putting these opinion pieces up at your own cost, but it has been an invaluable service. Regardless of how the vote turns out, thank you for making ALL (pro and con) of our voices heard!

House GOP Releases Budget Plan For New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 16, 2017

HOUSE GOP News:

SANTA FE – Today, the House Republican Caucus announced their budget plan for fiscal year 2018 in advance of next week’s special legislative session in Santa Fe.

The Republican plan would meet the funding needs of state government operations and increase support for critical health and education programs without increasing the tax burden on New Mexicans.

The plan crafted by House Republican legislators will provide funding for critical government services like institutions of higher education, the legislative branch and magistrate courts for FY2018 and protect Read More

Letter To The Editor: Patrick Brenner Rant Clearly NOT A Better Way For LA

Submitted by CSTadmin on May 16, 2017

By JOYCE ANDERSON

Los Alamos

Over the last few weeks we’ve seen a healthy volley of letters to the editor in favor of, and opposed to the Rec Bond. For the most part the letters have been well thought out, well spoken and constructive in their approach to the issue. I think this is representative of Los Alamos as a whole. We discuss, we debate, but in the end, we’re still nice to our neighbors that have a different opinion. It’s what makes this community so great.

This is why the letter published Monday evening in the Los Alamos Daily Post from former Los Alamos County

Former County Council Candidate Berates Councilors

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 16, 2017

Former County Council Candidate Patrick Brenner

POLITICAL News:

Former Los Alamos County Council Candidate Patrick Brenner sent a strongly worded email today to all seven sitting councilors. The Los Alamos Daily Post received a copy of the email and spoke with Brenner by telephone in an effort to understand what spurred him to send such an email. Following a lengthy conversation in which it remains unclear why he sent the email, Brenner requested that he be quoted in regard to the email as saying, “I stand by every word I said.”

Brenner’s email to Councilors:

From: Patrick Brenner <patrick@edj.ink> Read More

Letter To The Editor: Still Saying No To Rec Bond

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 15, 2017

By TOM HARRIS

Los Alamos

Many have weighed in with their opinions on the Recreation Bond Proposal since I published my last letter April 21.

Until recently, most LA Daily Post letters on this topic have been authored by those strongly favoring the proposal. Only recently have we started to see contributions from those of us that oppose the bond proposal.

As alluded to in my earlier letter, it appears that those backing the recreational pool proposal which was soundly defeated several years ago have adopted a new strategy to achieve their goals.

Los Alamos Federated Republican Women Meet Friday

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 15, 2017

LAFRW News:

The next meeting for the Los Alamos Federated Republican Women is 1-3 p.m., Friday, May 19 at the Chamber of Commerce Office.

The guest speaker is Michael Grimler, a local National Rifle Association (NRA) Training Counselor who holds multiple firearm instructor certifications from the NRA. He will speak to firearm safety in general, defensive use of firearms both inside the home and out, and considerations needed if interested in becoming a concealed carry permit holder.

Seating is limited so come early. For further information,

Letter To The Editor: Still On Fence About Rec Bond

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 14, 2017

By ANNE MARIE PEETERS WEEM

Los Alamos

First of all, I love the idea of improving and adding to the recreation facilities in Los Alamos and have no problem paying more taxes to facilitate this.

The problem is with the allocation of funds: Only a little more that five percent ($1.8 million vs $31.6 million) is allocated to for White Rock, even though we have approximately one-third of Los Alamos County’s population. I know this issue was brought up in the community forums. When expressing my concerns, several reasons were given to justify the funding

Joint Effort To Look At DPU Finances Gets Thumbs Up

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on May 13, 2017

Members of the Board of Public Utilities and Department of Public Utilities staff listen to County Council suggest forming a joint effort to review the utilities department’s finances. The idea received strong support. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

During the Tuesday night Los Alamos County Council special session, the Council pitched its idea to facilitate a joint effort between the Council, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to do an independent review of DPU’s major Read More

NNSA Awards NNSS Site Management & Operating Contract To Mission Support And Test Services, LLC

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 13, 2017

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced today it has awarded Mission Support and Test Services LLC (MSTS) with the management and operating contract for the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) near Las Vegas, Nev.

MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and Stoller Newport News Nuclear, Inc. (SN3).

NNSA conducted a full and open competition for the follow-on NNSS M&O contract. The award is valued at $5 billion

Letter To The Editor: To Bond Or Not To Bond, That Is The Question

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 13, 2017

By KHAL SPENCER

Los Alamos

Ralph Chapman’s letter in the Los Alamos Daily Post (link) has been the latest in a long list of well written and thoughtful letters, both pro and con, regarding the Recreation Bond vote. If nothing else, we have once again proven that Los Alamos residents are thoughtful and engaged in our civic governance. I would expect a high “voter turnout”.

I would also offer to compare the discussion up here on The Hill regarding this bond question, which has been driven by engaged residents using their own thoughts, vs. the discussion of the failed

Udall, Heinrich Call On FCC To Protect Net Neutrality

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 13, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined in sending a letter led by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass) to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai expressing strong opposition to the Chairman’s plans to gut net neutrality protections.

In 2015, the FCC adopted the Open Internet Order which reclassified broadband as a telecommunication service and prohibited internet service providers from setting up internet fast and slow lanes, ensuring all online traffic is treated the same. Next week, the FCC plans

2017 Special Election Update: Los Alamos County Recreation Bond

Submitted by CSTadmin on May 12, 2017

Senior Deputy Clerk Francella Montoya and Deputy Clerk Victoria Martinez bundling returned ballot envelopes in batches of 25 to ensure that each returned envelope is scanned into the ballot tracking system for voter credit. Courtesy photo

COUNTY News:

For the upcoming County Bond Election, 13,484 ballots were mailed May 2 to registered voters to the address on file with the County Clerk. To date, the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office has received 4,050 returned ballot envelopes, 423 undeliverable ballots and one unsigned ballot.

Of the 423 undeliverable ballots, there were 23, which provided Read More

AG Balderas Calls For Federal Policy Change To Expand State’s Medicaid Fraud Authority To Address More Home Healthcare Abuse Cases

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 12, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

LAS CRUCES ― Attorney General Hector Balderas and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent a letter urging the U.S. government to change its policy so that state attorneys general can use federal funds to investigate and prosecute a wider range of Medicaid abuse and neglect cases, including those that happen at home.

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides free or low-cost medical benefits to millions of Americans. More than 6.4 million people enrolled in the Medicaid program are age 65 or older.

Udall Secures Commitment From Veterans Affairs Secretary Shulkin Not To Close Facilities That Provide Care For Veterans

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 12, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall questioned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin on the steps he is taking to ensure veterans are getting the health care and coverage they have earned.

At the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies hearing, “Reducing Burden & Increasing Access to Healthcare: Improving VA Community Care,” Udall asked Secretary Shulkin for clarification on his statements

NMED Seeks Appointees For Recycling And Illegal Dumping Alliance

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 12, 2017

NMED News:

SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is seeking appointees for the Recycling and Illegal Dumping (RAID) Alliance that supports a cleaner, healthier environment for New Mexicans.

The industry waste generator seat, the nonprofit organization seat, and the solid waste authority seat are open.

The RAID Alliance, established by the 2005 New Mexico RAID Act, provides recommendations to NMED to award grants designed to protect the health and welfare of the environment and current and future residents of New Mexico

Letter To The Editor: Why Future Generations Don’t Need Bond

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 12, 2017

By A Student

Los Alamos

I have heard a lot of people saying this bond would be an investment in future generations, to have more options, or that they just don’t want to travel to Santa Fe.

As a member of the future generation in Los Alamos, I am Voting no on the Rec Bond.

If investing in the community is someone’s goal then please invest in the housing problem; invest in making sure the future generation has the opportunity to have a roof over their heads and then and only then can anything else be considered. Students are being forced to live in their

AG Balderas Sues President To Properly Compensate State For Coal Extraction And Its Climate Change Impact On New Mexico

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 12, 2017

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas joined with the Attorneys General of California, Washington and New York to file a challenge in federal District Court in Montana to the Trump Administration’s decision to resume federal coal leasing without completing the required environmental impact statement as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

“Yet again, President Trump is breaking the law and New Mexicans stand to pay the price for his illegal actions,” Attorney General Hector Balderas said. “New Mexico taxpayers must be properly

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