Letters to the Editor

By Mark DeVolder
Los Alamos

Reference 1:
Clarification on Jan. 14 Council Work Session Agenda (link). Los Alamos County would like to clarify a previous press release that incorrectly indicated the County Council would discuss a potential future ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags at its next work session scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave. Instead, the Council is set to begin an early discussion about whether a fee should be imposed for single-use plastic bags and how any revenue generated might be utilized.

Reference 2:
Blumberg, Louis and Gottlieb, Read More

By DAVID REAGOR
Los Alamos County Councilor

(Background on this reply: link #1 Hampton, link #2 Reagor, link #3 Hampton.)

I am repeating myself; 97 hours is what we do now (Friday COB). This is plenty of time for all the small items. We could add a day for that rare case when a Monday holiday intervenes.

The big items should be spread over several meetings!

As for meetings with staff, I meet with the manager at least once a month. I always ask about broadband, Mari-Mac and downtown White Rock. She will not give out any information that is relevant to incomplete negotiations. Not the names of vendors or Read More

By DAVID HAMPTON
Chair
Los Alamos County Transportation Board

Councilor Reagor is conflating his responsibility as an elected representative of the people to prepare himself on the issues to be discussed before Council meetings with County Government’s responsibility to give reasonable notice to the public for meetings and agendas (link Hampton) (link Reagor).

While I agree that we need to bring big items up sooner in their entirety, to both Councilors and the public, Councilor Reagor could have at any time during the 5 months he states that the broadband contract was being looked Read More

By DAVID REAGOR
Los Alamos County Councilor

Ref: Letter to the Editor: Reasonable Notice To Public For County Council Meetings (link)

First, I just want to point out that the agendas are released on Friday afternoon, more than 96 hours from the meeting. Thursday at 5 p.m. is 121 hours before the meeting. Your numbers are all shifted.

Second, Friday is a work day and staff are often preparing documents for the agenda. If something is not ready it is typically kicked back two weeks. Things are already slow enough  and this change could add delays.

Third, we usually avoid the weeks with a holiday on Monday. Read More

By DAVID HAMPTON
Chair
Los Alamos County Transportation Board

Dear County Councilors,

This Tuesday at our next County Council Meeting we are addressing a resolution to establish minimum standards of reasonable notice to the public for County Council, County Boards and Commissions, and other public bodies under County jurisdiction.

While I believe this is to clarify that these standards apply to all County public bodies in addition to our County Council, this is an excellent time to make a beneficial change.

Seventy two hours is not enough notice to the public for our County Council meetings Read More

By RICHARD GADDIS
White Rock

I read with interest the article from Dec. 19, 2024, regarding “Public Weighs in on N.M. 4 Crossing…”  As a resident of the Mirador community, I took keen interest in the proposal and attended the meeting to express my opinions and provide a few suggestions.

The article correctly points out that there were various objections to the proposed project, not the least of which was a matter of priorities. (“The public’s response to the project revealed that many supported making improvements for pedestrians but favored a traffic signal over the HAWK signal.”) 

In an effort Read More

By SALLY FELLERS
Los Alamos

Thank you Dr. Ken Werley for your recent letter to the editor! (link) I was very relieved to read an intelligent and heart felt response rebuking the knee jerk reaction to wild animals feeding in the town site, which Los Alamos County has promoted!!

I too am a long time resident from back in the early 50’s when as a small child I enjoyed watching a bear in a tree on canyon road across from the Catholic Church!

Animals have flourished in this area long before we started building weapons of mass distraction! The changes man brought here, including the devastating out of control Read More

By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

The County does many things well, which I greatly appreciate. Few enjoy our wonderful parks, for example, as much as I do. However, the County also does some things poorly, such as the management of its wastewater surveillance program.

Despite extensive advocacy by community members, the County appears perpetually unable to manage competently its small wastewater surveillance program.

We are in RSV season. In addition, we have entered flu season. We also expect a “winter wave” of COVID.

Yet, despite these facts and the immediate importance of timely surveillance Read More

By Dr. Ken Werley
Los Alamos

Human feeding of wildlife can be defined as humans placing edible material where wildlife has access to it.

The County of Los Alamos is by far the biggest feeder of wild animals. The golf course, the parks, the ball fields and the schools all feed wildlife all year long through its fertilizing and heavily watering. Ashley Pond and the Nature Center are both big feeders of wildlife, including fish, birds, reptiles and mammals. Probably the second biggest human-supplied source of food for wildlife are the town’s fruit trees. Yards and gardens also supply much food to Read More

By ANNA DILLANE
Los Alamos

First of all, I’m writing this letter as a local business owner and a private citizen. My comments and viewpoints are mine and mine alone. 

After reading Russell Ross’s letter to the community (Diamond Drive property  owner), I realize that I owe County Manager Anne Laurent an apology. 

Anne, I am sorry that I questioned your leadership in pursuing the purchase on behalf of the County. 

I (and the rest of the community) did not know that you were directed by County Council in a closed session on August 20 to negotiate a purchase agreement for this property. Had it been made Read More