Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Reporters Without Borders Releases 2017 World Press Freedom Index

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 2, 2017

RSF News:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released its 2017 World Press Freedom Index.

The 2017 World Press Freedom Index compiled by RSF reflects a world in which attacks on the media have become commonplace and strongmen are on the rise … an age of post-truth, propaganda and suppression of freedoms – especially in democracies.

RSF’s latest World Press Freedom Index highlights the danger of a tipping point in the state of media freedom in many countries. Media freedom has retreated wherever the authoritarian strongman model has triumphed. The

Letter To The Editor: Let’s Split The Pot

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 2, 2017

By GERALD M. ANTOS
Los Alamos

Having grown up here in Los Alamos, I hold the local golf course as my second home and if there is anything that it needs (real need and not a want) it is a revamped watering system.

And I would vote yes for doing that but since it is coupled with a bunch of non needs (also known as greeds), I’m going to have to vote NO on the bond issue.

Now if our wonderful county leadership would have split the pot and made each alleged need or want a separate issue to be voted on separately then the whole pot would not have to die on the vine!

Rec Bond Opposition Launches ‘A Better Way For LA’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 2, 2017

Planting Rec Bond opposition signs recently, Lisa Brenner of ‘A Better Way For LA’, her son Patrick Brenner, Dr. Lisa Shin and James Whitehead are the group setting up a Political Action Committee to rally voters against the Rec Bond. Courtesy/Facebook photo

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

Organized opposition to the Los Alamos County $20 million recreation bond has surfaced with the placing of five large signs in Los Alamos and White Rock. Slogans on the signs state, “Vote No Rec Bond”, and, “Splash your cash. Just Say No. Vote No Rec Bond”. The signs are on Trinity Read More

Letter To The Editor: Support For Rec Bond

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 2, 2017

By REBECCA HOWARD

Los Alamos

I support the upcoming Rec Bond. Among many positives offered by living in Los Alamos is a safe community at the foot of the beautiful Jemez Mountains.

While I agree that there are many opportunities for recreation, I noticed last summer when my young granddaughters were visiting that the lack of a “toddler friendly” public swimming pool was a disappointment.

The proposed improvements to our public swimming pool and the addition of a Splash Park in White Rock will provide fun, easy to enjoy recreational opportunities

Gibson: Recreation Bond Is Not Justified

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 2, 2017

By ROBERT GIBSON

Former County Councilor

Like any tax increase, the “Recreation Bond” deserves careful scrutiny. A tax should be for a legitimate valuable public purpose. There should be reasonable expectation the funds will be well used. And there should be no other reasonable alternative to further burdening citizen taxpayers. The Public School and UNM-LA mill levies in January were among the rare tax proposals that satisfy these three criteria (link). This one does not.

“More recreation facilities” sounds good. What we really need is a different mix of recreational venues. We Read More

Pinon Park Pool Association Questions Need For White Rock Splash Pad

Submitted by Chris Clark on May 2, 2017

Pinon Park Pool Association members at site of proposed White Rock Splash Pad. Courtesy photo

PPPA News:

Board members of Pinon Park Pool Association have questioned the need for a Splash Pad in White Rock, proposed as part of the Los Alamos County 2017 Recreational Bond.

Pinon Park Pool is a private outdoor pool that has been a part of the White Rock community for over 50 years. Located on Bryce Avenue, just east of Rover Boulevard, Pinon Park Pool is less than a mile from the proposed Splash Pad site at Rocket Park.

Quote from Leilani Christensen,

Letter To The Editor: Do We Need Or Want A Bicycle Flow Trail?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 1, 2017

By BRUCE WARREN

Los Alamos

If you didn’t see the announcement for the Parks and Recreation Board meeting April 13 regarding a proposal for a “Bicycle Flow Trail”, or if you saw it and thought it wasn’t important to you because you aren’t a bicyclist, or you are a bicyclist and thought any bike trail is a good trail, I’m here to tell you that you should pay attention to this proposal. It will affect the entire community and has some ramifications that may raise some alarm in your mind.

There was another County meeting regarding the bicycle flow trail April 26, at Fuller Lodge. Read More

GOP Hosts Senate Candidate Mick Rich Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 1, 2017

U.S. Senatorial candidate Mick Rich. Photo by James Robinson

GOP News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos is hosting a presentation by U.S. Senatorial candidate Mick Rich of Taos.

Rich is running for the seat held by Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich.

The local GOP meeting begins at 6 p.m., Thursday in the Jeannette Wallace Lecture Hall at UNM-Los Alamos. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Reply To Reply To Sen. Heinrich

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 1, 2017

By KHALIL J. SPENCER
Los Alamos

I read James Griffin’s reply to Sen. Martin Heinrich in utter disbelief (letter). Sure, a 42,000 gallon spill is a drop in the proverbial oceanic bucket.

But as far as the risks of drilling offshore, and especially in the harsh waters of the Arctic, it’s not the often but small disasters that will kill you. Like Fukushima, it’s the big ones.

I will utter two phrases and let readers judge for themselves:

1. Exxon Valdez shipwreck.

2. Deepwater Horizion Oil Spill.

Letter To The Editor: Reply To Senator Heinrich

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 1, 2017

By JAMES GRIFFIN

Los Alamos

Sen. Martin Heinrich predicts doom if drilling in the arctic for oil is permitted (link). He uses amazing statistics from the Department of Interior to back up this claim.

Evidently there is a 75 percent chance of a 42,000-gallon spill. Let’s pretend to be rational. Assume this to be true. How large is the arctic?

Will 42,000 gallons have any impact! No!

US underwater drilling for oil began in 1891, approximately 126 years ago. Notice that the oceans are devastated. Notice that there are no fish left, no living things can exist in that black tarry mess that used to

Letter To The Editor: Overtly Exclusionary National Day Of Prayer At Ashley Pond?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 30, 2017

By AMY STOREY

And

STEPHANIE NAKLEH

Los Alamos

In an April 27 press release published in the Los Alamos Daily Post (link), Leilani Christensen is quoted as saying,“Our forefathers founded National Day Of Prayer. Many of them had escaped persecution for their beliefs in their homeland. In the news today, we see that people are still fleeing their homeland because of persecution.” [sic]

Our forefathers, the ones fleeing persecution, didn’t found the National Day of Prayer. (They also didn’t found this nation on prayer itself; in fact, they explicitly stated, in the Treaty of Tripoli, “the Government Read More

FBI: 2016 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 30, 2017

Recipients of the 2016 Director’s Community Leadership Awards were honored in a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Courtesy/FBI

FBI News:

FBI Director James Comey formally recognized 58 individuals and organizations from around the country Friday for their efforts to build stronger, safer, and more cohesive communities.

“This is one of the very best days in the life of this organization,” Director Comey said during the April 28 ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. “We get to recognize and thank people who made the FBI better and the country better.”

The annual Director’s

Letter To The Editor: 2017 Rec Bond

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 30, 2017

By MELANEE HAND

Los Alamos

This message reflects my personal view about the upcoming 2017 Rec Bond and does not represent a statement or position from any other organization where I am involved, including the Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation Board. I currently serve as the chair of the Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation Board.

On Feb. 14, Los Alamos County Council unanimously passed the resolution to hold a special election for a $20 million recreation bond. The special election will be

held through mail-in ballots due May 23, 2017.

Garcia Richard: Legislative Update Continued

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 30, 2017

By Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Sandoval

Two weeks ago, I wrote a story for the Los Alamos Daily Post outlining the Governor’s damaging vetoes to the state budget and the actions that the legislature could take to remedy those cuts, including a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the vetoes.

This week the New Mexico Supreme Court has agreed to take up the petition from the legislature, challenging the Governor’s vetoes. A hearing is scheduled for May 15.

In the meantime, legislators from both the House and Senate are signing on to call themselves back Read More

April LAFRW Meeting Includes Teen Center Tour

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 30, 2017

GOP County Councilors James Chrobocinski, right, and Rick Reiss presented a County update to members of the LAFRW during their April 13 meeting at the Los ALamos Teen Center where the group also toured the facility. Courtesy photo

LAFRW News:

The Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) hosted its monthly meeting during the lunch hour Thursday, April 13 at the Los Alamos Teen Center.

The group had a very informative tour from Teen Center Director Sylvan Sierra Argo and Assistant Director George Marsden. Members expressed that they were very impressed with

Letter To The Editor: We Can’t Ignore Oil And Gas Pollution’s Harm To Our Tourism Industry

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 29, 2017

By Ron Trujillo

Santa Fe City Councilor for District 4,

and

Amber Espinosa-Trujillo, Grant Manager

Library Services and Technology Act Federal

New Mexico State Library

Our state is known for breathtaking views, unique public lands and ancient cultures within reach.

Tourists choose New Mexico as a destination because of ample opportunities to experience these assets. We’ve built a bustling and successful tourism industry that depends on our state being in its natural state – an industry that injected $6.1 billion into New Mexico’s economy

Heinrich: Opening Up Arctic Ocean To Drilling Poses Serious Risks

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 29, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to President Trump’s executive orders removing protections and moving to reopen risky offshore drilling, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to introduce the Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act, a major piece of legislation to permanently protect the Arctic from offshore drilling.

The legislation would prevent any new or renewed leases for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in the Arctic Ocean planning Read More

New Mexicans March For Climate, Jobs And Justice

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 28, 2017

SIERRA CLUB News:

New Mexicans are invited to take to the streets Saturday, April 29, to call for a strong government response to the global climate crisis.

People’s Climate Marches are planned in the state’s largest three cities: Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe. New Mexicans will join more than 100,000 people nationwide in more than 300 cities, representing a growing popular movement for climate justice.

From the disruption of ecosystems, a loss of biodiversity, an increase in extreme weather, rising seas, and the spread of new diseases, to resource scarcity that

Transforming Empty Parcel Into Rec Center

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 27, 2017

Rendering of proposed recreation center on DP Road. Courtesy/LAC

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

One side of DP Road is a blank slate; a plot of land with a purpose yet to be determined. However, if voters pass the Recreation Bond question next month, this parcel could transform from an undefined space to the site of a new community recreation center.

Conceptual designs for the recreation center propose that it include two gymnasiums, an indoor walking/running track running the perimeter of the building, team locker rooms and a multi-use arena that would house a half-year indoor Read More

Udall Statement On Trump Dropping Demands For Border Wall Money In Funding Bill

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 27, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 25, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall released the following statement after President Trump reportedly backed off his threat to force a government shutdown unless a funding bill to keep the government open included money for his plans to build a wall along the entire border with Mexico:

“Last week, I visited with New Mexicans on the border — business owners, immigrants, community leaders, farmers and others — and the overwhelming message I heard was that they oppose President Trump’s

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