Letters to the Editor

By DIANA MARTINEZ
Los Alamos

Should the issue of Dark Skies and N.M. 502 lighting come before you, I hope you will consider my experience.

I appreciate efforts by the Pajarito Astronomers Club to discuss the Los Alamos County Light Ordinance and Dark Sky protection. I missed their March 4 meeting, and am also not versed on our County’s stance at this point or what can be done now, but I would like to share another point of fact.  

As a resident on Manhattan Loop near the Canyon Road turnoff, our home is adjacent to N.M. 502 and the long row of bright lights that were installed. Besides those street lights Read More

By GEORGE CHANDLER
Los Alamos

I want to call your attention to the survey now being taken by the County on the topic of Short Term Rentals (STR’s). The last council decided that the County should allow for STR’s and set up a study as to how they should be regulated.

The consultant, through an online survey, asks for your opinion, at https://www.losalamosnm.us/cms/one.aspx?portalId=6435810&pageId=19369327. They do not want your opinion as to whether STR’s should be allowed at all, only how they should be regulated.

I urge you to participate in this poll, which terminates on Friday and has Read More

By SARA ANN MASON
Los Alamos

Climate pollution reduction is coming to New Mexico! Act now to make sure it comes to Albuquerque metropolitan area, too.

Great news: New Mexico has confirmed its participation in the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program! This program is part of the Inflation Reduction Act which will support states, tribes, territories, and metropolitan areas in creating or updating plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

However, while Albuquerque is also eligible for participation as a metropolitan area, it has not yet confirmed its participation and only has until Read More

By VALERIE FOX
Los Alamos

Dear School Board Members and Jennifer Guy,

In a letter to the editor, Giana Delorey came up with the most logical solution for the extra school hours added by HB130, full days on Wednesdays for elementary school students.

This proposal would have the least negative impact on the physical and emotional well-being of our younger students and their families. We could even look at letting kids out of school earlier and/or having a later school start date, allowing for a better summer break. I am in full support of this idea. Please give us this option.

In addition, I would like Read More

Read More

By CATHERINE OZMENT
Los Alamos

Today, March 14, Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull will present on items related to Council Operations and Outreach.

Based on the staff report, I am optimistic that there will be good discussion about potentially valuable Council actions, and I have a lot of trust in Vice Chair Cull to move toward transparency and openness.

Agenda item 17707-23 attachment B (resolution on reasonable notification for meetings, etc.) also provides an opportunity to increase by one day the amount of time the public–and Council–has to review a final agenda and agenda Read More

By RHETA MOAZZAMI
Los Alamos

I read the referenced story (link) in the paper copy of the Los Alamos Daily Post of Thursday, March 9.

This story contains a quote by Senator Cliff Pirtle, a Roswell Republican who owns a dairy farm. Pirtle is arguing against passing a bill that would protect workers by providing them bonding time with their infants, sick leave when they’re sick, and time to deal with domestic violence, when it impacts them. He says, to justify his argument, “Most small businesses, if not almost all, treat their employees like family…”

Most caring family members, I would think, would Read More

By JIM STEIN
Los Alamos

I completely agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter “Concern with Access to the Valles Caldera.” When the National Park Service assumed control of the Valles Caldera, they promised better access to the public. They started on a good foot. People were able enjoy the expanse and beauty of the place with reasonable controls and reasonable access. Local organizations and events were treated as community partners and welcomed. The hours in the early days started at 8am-8pm during the summer, consistent with other NPS units. They also partnered with local clubs Read More

By AARON WALKER
White Rock

There is a lot to unpack from the glyphosate discussion from council last night (3/7/23). Bad faith arguments were brought to the table, and there was an attempt to overturn a decision made by council in December 2021 without any significant public input. Transparency, poor (and bad faith) arguments, and a general lack of preparation are to blame for this.

Councilor Lepsch brought the item to council because he wanted to make sure that the county had “tools in the toolbox”. He stated that his estimation was that approximately 30% of the county opposed glyphosate usage. Read More

By JESSIE EMERSON (RN)
Previous Resident Of Los Alamos

When I lived in Los Alamos I was on the ESB when it did research on glyphosate. 

It was being used on county property. Information on this toxic product was presented to the county council, who subsequently voted to ban its use.

I am outraged that someone or somones have suggested that it be used again. As a nurse of 57 years I am especially concerned about the health issues that come from its use, most notably causing cancer and its neurotoxicity.

Monsanto has had to pay out millions to those people who used it and then became cancer victims. The Read More