Letters to the Editor

By ANDREW PISTONE
Los Alamos

I find it refreshing to have a non-partisan candidate, with the best interest of all residents in mind, running for a seat on our County Council. It’s time we say no thanks to more of the same and get “new blood” into our County Government.

Why do I support Aaron Walker? I’ve worked with Aaron on the Community Development Advisory Board since it’s inception and have been able to get to know him and his family. I have been impressed by his reasonable demeanor, his openness to learning about the diverse neighborhoods and challenges, and his willingness to ask solid and hard Read More

By MARLA BROOKS
Los Alamos

Los Alamos County residents are fortunate that James Rickman is running for County Council.

I have known Jim for many years and fully support his candidacy for this position.

James is dedicated to Los Alamos and its residents. He will approach issues by gaining full knowledge of the topic and solicit the opinions of others. He is well balanced, caring, and very dedicated to making sure the citizens voices are heard. He is transparent in his approach and honest in his actions.

I will be voting for James Rickman and encourage fellow citizens to do the same. He will be an excellent Read More

By AARON WALKER
Independent Candidate
Los Alamos County Council

I know some people are going to ask the question “Why is a candidate supporting his opponent?” so I will answer that right off the bat.

The answer is quite simple, I believe in Sean Williams. I do not see him as my “opponent”, I see him as someone working toward very similar goals.

This election is not a resume bullet point or a goal, it is a pathway to a better community. Sean sees that, and that is why I am happy to endorse him.

Sean is a small business owner in Los Alamos, so he knows first-hand the struggles that come with that. He has been quite Read More

By CRISTINA OLDS
Los Alamos

I’m sure you know her: Christine Chandler is our current State House Representative (District 43). I encourage you to get to know her if you don’t already, and I know you’ll want to support her in her upcoming re-election.

Let me count the ways she cares for Los Alamos

Maybe you witnessed her filling trash bags in the latest trash clean up efforts—protecting our invaluable New Mexico environment is an issue she is willing to get her hands dirty for.

You’ve seen her at the pet store in town stocking up on kibbles for her dogs. She’s not surprisingly endorsed by the Animal Protection Read More

By Donna MacDonald
Los Alamos

This past summer, former County Councilor Morrie Pongratz suggested that our County Council should not be blamed for our town’s many woes.

CB Fox, Beals, Reel Deal, the Monitor and KRSN have closed their doors for good. With the demise of Mari Mac shopping center, we are about to lose even more restaurants, LA Fitness Center and Auto Zone.

That’s not even taking into account our Governor’s onerous, “one size fits all” COVID-19 lock downs.

It is painfully clear that our County Council does not prioritize the success of our locals: just look at UnQuarked, Family Strengths Read More

By KRISTY MACK
Los Alamos

I support Sean Williams for County Council. I have known Sean for over 10 years and believe he will be an important addition to the County Council. He has experience in many facets of town that gives him a unique perspective that is needed to represent us well. He worked at the lab as a PhD Computer Scientist, is a local home owner, is a successful local business co-owner of Automotive Professionals, and is a current Planning and Zoning Commissioner.

He understands the needs of our town and citizens and has our best interest at heart. This was certainly apparent during the last Read More

By MEGAN GREEN
Los Alamos

I am writing  to urge my friends and fellow Los Alamos citizens to re-elect Representative Christine Chandler for a second term!

I have been impressed with what she has accomplished in her first two years as our State House Representative.

Christine advocated for keeping the Environment Department office in Los Alamos, which helped keep those jobs in our community. While serving on the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee, she has been a strong voice in urging that DOE is held accountable for legacy waste cleanup milestones.

I have witnessed her in action Read More

By PETE SHEEHEY
Los Alamos County Councilor

I support Sean Williams for Los Alamos County Councilor.

After initially coming to LANL to work as a PhD computer scientist, Sean is now the co-owner of a successful Los Alamos small business, Automotive Professionals. He knows the challenges businesses face here, in an overpriced and under-available downtown, and as a homeowner in a community with a severe housing shortage.

Sean’s service on the County Planning and Zoning Commission has educated him on the need for county government to balance individual property rights and the goals of the community. Read More

By RANDALL RYTI
Los Alamos

Christine Chandler has accomplished much for House District 43 in her first term. During the 2019 state legislature, Rep. Chandler obtained a recurring $150,000 a year for a full-service public health facility in Los Alamos after the state reduced the hours and services in 2017.

This facility reopened as the Health Commons in August 2019 in collaboration with Los Alamos County and the Los Alamos Public Schools.

Having this resource was important to the community before the pandemic and has been essential in 2020. People have been able to get tested for COVID-19 and Read More

By LYNN HANRAHAN
Los Alamos

Winter of 1986 I wandered a small, snowy village in Central Europe killing time and working on my German. I thought I blended in but it seemed everyone knew who I was – Elsi and Erwin’s daughter in law from America. I was treated like visiting royalty. They liked Americans back then. At the village store people would help me find the tangerines without seeds or remind me to bring my Coke bottles back for the deposit.

I would recount my adventures to my in laws and learned to dread a certain look when describing who I had befriended. I can still see the look on my grandmother Read More