Letters to the Editor

By REID PRIEDHORSKY
Los Alamos

Dear citizens of Los Alamos:

This fall brings an important school board election. Early voting starts Oct. 5, the last day to register (and immediately vote) is Oct. 30, and the last day to vote is Nov. 2.

Three of the seats are contested. While the election is technically non-partisan, there is quite a contrast between standard-issue, mainstream Los Alamos citizen-servants on one hand and extremely right-wing candidates on the other. Voters might not realize how radical the Republican slate really is.

District 5 is in my view the most exciting, because the incumbent Read More

By ERIN GREEN
District 5 Candidate
Los Alamos School Board

Because I keep seeing these expressions again and again, I wanted to take an opportunity to validate and engage with the public statements in concern of academic issues in our public schools.

To everyone who has shared their feelings publicly; I hear you, I understand you are frustrated, I can sit with your frustration, you are allowed to feel what you are feeling.

As a clinician I have come to practice a “yes and” approach. Basically, yes one thing is true. And another thing can be true, and need attention and care at the same time. Yes, the Read More

By ZHEN HUANG
Los Alamos

Over the years, LANL employees have made great contributions to national security and world peace, while many of them suffered serious health damages because of scientific ignorance and administrative negligence by our LANL Management.

Here is statistical data with some warning numbers for Director Mason to think about what LANL Management should learn from the unfortunate history with regard to the LANL Mandatory Vaccination Policy:

https://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/statistics/WebPages/LOS_ALAMOS_LAB.htm

 

Editor’s Note: Readers Read More

By ZHEN HUANG
Los Alamos

First, I want to be very clear: I Support Vaccination. Ever since I was a school kid, the story about Dr. Edward Jenne was always fascinating to me, and his thinking out of the box that led to his invention of the first vaccine for smallpox has also inspired me all these years.

As for mandatory vaccination, I am not necessarily against it. However, I don’t think that LANL has a Management Mechanism required for the mandatory vaccination policy working to its goodwill, in addition to its built-in defects. 

The LANL Management mechanism is built upon a power-tiered Responsible Read More

By AARON and JULIE WALKER
White Rock

We cannot think of a more qualified person to elect to the District 2 School Board seat than Antonio Jaurigue. We have been neighbors of the Jaurigue family for a few years now, and are constantly impressed by Antonio’s drive and desire to be involved with the Chamisa School.

Recently, his garage was filled to the brim with items being gathered for the Chamisa PTO yard sale. Antonio devoted many hours canvassing for items, gathering, staging, and selling the items to raise money for the PTO. This is the sort of devotion we need in a school board member. Someone who Read More

By BILL WADT
Board Vice President
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation

From October 5 to November 2, Los Alamos voters can approve the continuation of the Public Schools Building Act Tax to support the Los Alamos Public Schools. 

Approval will NOT increase property tax rates.  Approval WILL provide over $15 million across 6 years for student technology and network infrastructure as well as money for musical instruments, playgrounds, supplies, equipment, and general maintenance projects.

These funds enable the schools to focus operating dollars on paying and supporting teachers, Read More

By PERRY KLARE Esq.
Former LANL Employee
Hilltopper, Class of 1998

I write this as a Hilltopper, class of 1998, and a former LANL employee who worked on Critical Infrastructure Protection. My parents are pillars in this community. They received lifetime achievement awards for being an Orchestra Teacher at the LA Public Schools and for being a Particle Physicist at LANL for over 30 years.

I do not say this lightly. AVANGRID. Please do your own research. They want to be in control of New Mexico’s utilities, where they will have power over the best two Laboratories in the world, three military bases, Read More

By LISABETH LUENINGHOENER
Los Alamos

This year’s Los Alamos School Board Election is more contested and partisan than I have ever seen it. Candidates have diametrically opposed views on everything from COVID to which students are most vulnerable in our schools.

Lately, I’ve noticed an alarming trend. Conversations around important topics have been increasingly shut down. Instead of engaging in challenging conversations, we’re supposed to accept that others see the world through a different lens and simply have a difference of opinion, even when those opinions cause harm.

We’ve been told Read More

By BENJAMIN BACA
Los Alamos

When I received the memorandum mandating leave for religious exemptions, I was disheartened and, frankly, nauseated.

In an environment where work-from-home is maximized, and people have successfully been working from home for this length of time, it is unnecessary to force those so exempted into leave without pay status or to burn hard-earned benefits.

It is technologically feasible for much of the workforce to work from home, and there is no business, ethical, or moral case to support this decision as it is written today.

While I do not know your heart or motives Read More

By ERIN GREEN
Representative & Candidate
School Board District 5 

Recently a member of our community asked the very valid and important question of candidates for school board election. I feel it is important to provide the community with my response. The original letter to the editor can be read by clicking this link. 

Q: The district has added several new programs and policies to support LGBTQ+ student in the past few years. These include the Safe Spaces Initiative at all school sites, the adoption of a policy specifically addressing the rights of transgender students, and a club at the Read More