Letters to the Editor

By BOB WEEKS
Los Alamos

…Is today like days of old “you’re not a real man unless you drive drunk” but today “you’re not a real man if you wear a mask”?

…With all of the computer/modeling firepower that LANL and/or SNL have, could this be used to predict how many deaths would have been avoided if 90-95 percent of those who should have been wearing a mask actually did wear a mask?

…My understanding is that there is executive branch authority requiring masks be worn in public, e.g., an authorization akin to “must close no later than 10 p.m.” … Why is this not being enforced? Read More

Concerned Citizen
Los Alamos 

I am not a bit surprised that Los Alamos is currently the only county that isn’t red on the governor’s tiered “Red to Green” reopening plan. I see our science minded citizens social distancing,  wearing our masks and washing our hands.

We should not be closed for business the same as the counties with the high infection rates. However, I am very concerned that COVID carrying shoppers and diners from the closed “red” counties will seek us out for entertainment in the governor’s new plan. I am not sure she has thought this through.

I remember growing up in a small Read More

By ED KETTERING
Los Alamos

In regard to the Susan Henninger letter (link) in last Thursday’s edition, I believe she hit the nail on the head.

Our great granddaughter was telling us that a young man of color that she works with was asked for his ID when he went to vote. She said she was not asked for her ID and neither were my wife or me.

Actually, I don’t know of any of our friends/family that was asked for an ID to vote.

In regard to voting, I believe that everyone should be required to show their ID when voting.

Thank you. Read More

By SUSAN BARNS
Los Alamos

Dear Community of Los Alamos,

A group of knowledgeable, concerned citizens is gathering signatures for a petition asking the County Council to appoint a committee to develop a comprehensive resiliency, energy and sustainability plan for our community: Petition.

Similar plans have already been crafted for Santa Fe, Albuquerque and other New Mexico cities, to address anticipated effects of climate change, and to help meet New Mexico State Climate Change Task Force goals.

Our community has already seen the devastating effects of climate change in the form of heat, Read More

By Dotty Reilly, RN, MSN
Retired Pinon School Nurse

Saturday, I had to make a quick trip to the grocery store. As I was heading into the Smith’s in White Rock, three young teenage boys were exiting the store.

One of the three wore a mask, the other two did not and they were not social distancing.  This is of particular concern to me even though I am in good health despite my 77+ years of age.

Looking at today’s virus count for Los Alamos County as listed by the New Mexico Department of Health, our county has 75 known cases of the virus. Guess which age group has the highest number of cases – the 10-19 year olds. Read More

By RICHARD NEBEL
Los Alamos

Apparently the governor has decided to shut down “non-essential” businesses again. As I explained in an earlier letter, it is highly unlikely that shutting down “non-essential” businesses prevented a single case of coronavirus in Los Alamos the last time the governor shut us down.

At least this time the governor claims that she will look at reopening on a county-by-county basis. I hope that her policies show some success.

The thing that is irritating about this is that it is so unfair to small businesses. Big box stores get to remain open, but small retail stores have Read More

By CELINA MORGAN
Los Alamos

Dear Chairwoman Ben-Naim, members of the School Board, and Dr. Steinhaus,

I have three school-aged children and am sincerely concerned with the board’s plans to develop housing on North Mesa, and most presently with the vote to approve the MOA.

This land is not well suited as a development opportunity for the many reasons noted by the community at large: traffic, infrastructure, evacuation, lack of revenue streams, and more. But I’d rather depict the image of what this land represents, which is the opportunity for our children, for the school’s students.

Many of our Read More

By LISA READER
Los Alamos

Dear Chairwoman Ben-Naim, members of the School Board, and Dr. Steinhaus,

I am writing to address the issue of the possible MOA between LAPS and Los Alamos County on the issue of the LAPS land on North Mesa.

I know you are aware of the many concerns that have been raised regarding safety, traffic, infrastructure, and the loss of more open space. I would like to address this from a different perspective.

This is the last large parcel of vacant school land. The Pinon Trails property in White Rock was sold and developed with minimal benefit to LAPS, and did nothing to alleviate Read More

By SUSAN HENNINGER
Los Alamos

Dear Community of Los Alamos:

This past week a treasured member of our community was assaulted verbally by an individual simply for being a person of color – here at our own Smith’s in Los Alamos. The vile language that the person used is inexcusable.

Unfortunately, this incident points out very clearly that racism and hatred are alive and well even in our own community. My hope is that we can be bigger than that. I am ashamed that this would happen right in our own neighborhood.

Our community should be one that doesn’t tolerate hatred. We should be able to care about each Read More

By ADELAIDE JACOBSON
Los Alamos

• That corporations, which are creations of state laws, and humans, are distinct and should not possess the same rights under our Constitution;
• That campaign finance in our country needs reform;
• That the cost of campaigning in our country is excessive;
• That campaign finance should be transparent; and
  
• That all citizens should have the ability to participate effectively in the electoral process and have fair access to representation.

It is for the above reasons Read More