Skolnik: What ‘Else’ We Need In Our Elected Officials
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock
I thank Kevin Holsapple for his recent letter: “What I Wish For in Our County Councilors” (link).
All of the points Mr. Holsapple raised are fundamental.
However, they are not sufficient to ensure effective public service. For this, we need people who possess one additional trait:
The ability to focus unrelentingly on solving problems, in sustainable, cost-effective, and fair ways, despite the constraints to doing so.
This is in stark contrast, of course, to people who focus on telling us, often over and over again, “why problems can’t be solved”.
As someone who Read More
McQuiston: Car Safety Technologies That May Save Your Life
By Allen McQuiston
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
We take it for granted, the automatic way we take the wheel and set out to drive from Point A to Point B expecting to have a smooth, uneventful ride. Since the introduction of the automobile, driving has been a convenience that has transformed our lives. But driving comes with no guarantees of avoiding mishaps, and unseen, unpredictable safety challenges can occur.
Fortunately, in the many decades in which driving has become a given, a number of innovative technologies have been introduced to help make driving a safer experience Read More
Skolnik: New Mexico’s Healthcare Workforce – Clever Ads Are Not Healthcare Policy
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock
In September 2023, the Albuquerque Journal published an article I wrote called Dear Red State Physicians, Please Move to New Mexico (link).
Thus, I was pleased to see the Governor launch in August 2024 an advertising campaign along the lines of my article.
My article was written in a somewhat humorous style, since I understand there are a number of critical policy constraints that discourage physicians from wanting to practice in New Mexico. Unhappiness over a physician’s ability to practice in Texas or elsewhere according to the standards of care of her field will Read More
Catch Of The Week: Hurricane Misinformation
By REBECCA RUTHERDORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
In our digital age, we have access to pretty much anything online, which is great, but also…not so great when so much of what is available online are inflammatory posts on social media, meant to get clicks and views. Misinformation is running rampant.
Viral news is, well, viral. It’s like a bad stomach bug. Your kid gets it and throws up all over you. Before you know it, you’re throwing up all over the place, it gets all over your house, your other kids get it, your husband gets it, vomit everywhere. Yeah this literally happened when my oldest Read More
Hampton: Update On Oct. 3 County T-Board Meeting
By DAVID HAMPTON
Chair
Los Alamos County Transportation Board
At our last Transportation Board meeting, Oct. 3, 2024, we received a presentation and took public comments on the FY25 Snow and Ice Control Plan. The plan was largely the same as last year, adding Camp May Road unconditionally as a Priority 2.
There will also be an enhanced educational outreach regarding public expectations on snow days. For example, do not park on the street if possible, as this inhibits snow removal. We approved the plan unanimously with the recommendation to move the North Mesa Stables to Priority 2 (from Priority Read More
Amateur Naturalist: The Autumn Leaves
By ROBERT DRYJA
Los Alamos
Autumn now is arriving. The most obvious sign is with leaves. The leaves of trees and bushes are turning yellow or red. Another sign is with birds. Hummingbirds drink flower nectar not only to meet their needs from day to day, but also to store nutrients for their migration flight south. As an example hummingbirds drank a pint of sugar water in a feeder on a daily basis at the start of September. This suddenly came to a stop toward the end of September when the first cool front of autumn arrived. The feeder now remains full, day after day. The hummingbirds have flown south. They Read More
Robinson: How Do We Attract Doctors And Healthcare Workers? Think Tank Has A Plan
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
©2024 New Mexico News Services
How long does it take you to get an appointment with your doctor? If your answer is weeks or months, or “What doctor?” Think New Mexico has you in mind.
The nonpartisan think tank recently published a plan to solve New Mexico’s healthcare worker shortage. The group has done its usual thorough work of defining the problem and presenting a potentially do-able solution.
Most riveting, I thought, is the part about reforming the state’s medical malpractice act. This 48-year-old law, its changes and loopholes are a giveaway to malpractice Read More
