OP/ED

DeVolder: Reducing Plastics In Environment – Part II

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By MARK DEVOLDER
Los Alamos

Reference: US Environmental Protection Agency (link).

I am trying to determine if plastic bags and containers are friend or foe.

When I was growing up, my lunch sandwiches were typically wrapped in waxed paper. Sometimes the bread dried out. However, even a dried-out sandwich was a treat for a hungry kid like me. Image the thrill when plastic sandwich bags came on the market and my sandwiches stayed nice and fresh.

As time went on, plastic containers and bags supplanted metal, glass and paper containers. I thought this was an improvement because metal containers got Read More

Op/Ed: Response To Mr. Hanson On Draft Climate Action Plan

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By BARBARA SMITH
Los Alamos

I was reading Mr. David Hanson’s Op-Ed published July 14 in the Los Alamos Daily Post (link) and would like to comment and dissect his points. As Mr. Hanson pointed out, we should all read and put forth our comments to the County Council on the CAP document before August 6 when it is presented to the Council. Otherwise it will be forced upon us whether we like it or not.

(1) “The focus of the plan on CO2 tracking and reduction will provide no benefit to Los Alamos residents unless the rest of the world participates with us. It distracts our attention and consumes funding that could Read More

Op-Ed: Homage To Educators

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By MARVIN BLAIR
Los Alamos

As we approach the first week of school, we must pause and recognize the educators, assistants, custodians, and administrators who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to caring for our children. While we go about our daily routines—it is work, errands, rest, or family responsibilities—they tirelessly nurture young minds. Teaching children gratitude and appreciation is a precious gift that transcends ethnicity, values, gender, and socioeconomic status. Although we often hear about combating racism, promoting justice, and ensuring equity, we sometimes Read More

Reconductoring Is Solution To Los Alamos Energy Needs

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By JOHN BUCHSER
Chair
Northern Group of Sierra Club
Rio Grande Chapter

Over the last 10 years, new designs of wire for high voltage power lines have resulted in an over 85% capacity increase as compared to older wire design. This wire can be used to replace older wire at a cost 50% less than building new power lines.

If both power lines feeding LANL that cross the Rio Grande are reconductored, the total power capacity available to LANL will nearly double, without the disruption of a new power line that adds to the visual clutter across the canyon and traverses across a presently undisturbed section Read More

Op/Ed: A Bit Of History Behind ‘The Boys Of The Pajarito Plateau’

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By LIZ MARTINEAU
Los Alamos

Dear Community,

This week the Art in Public Places Advisory Board is scheduled to discuss a piece of artwork called “The Boys of the Pajarito Plateau.” This community treasures Fuller Lodge, which is one reason I think this subject has generated such interest. (As someone who believes in historic preservation this warms my heart!) However, I want to provide some background information about the Los Alamos Ranch School students and dispel some inaccuracies that I have heard circulating in the community.

  • The subject matter of this painting is a group of Los Alamos Ranch
Read More

Op/Ed: MRA And Tools In The Toolkit

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By KEVIN HOLSAPPLE
Los Alamos

The current MRA discussion about adding another “tool” to the “toolkit” for encouraging development to satisfy community needs and desires and the call for citizen input prompted me to provide input to the County.  Several friends encouraged me to share the input in an Op-Ed in our local media.

Three tools already in the County toolkit are the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), the Los Alamos Creative District, and the White Rock MRA. All of these provide paths for the County to help projects that will help our community achieve our plans and goals without violation

Read More

Shin: Los Alamos Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Commission Necessary For An Open And Transparent Government  

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By LISA SHIN
Los Alamos Family Eyecare

On May 9, 2024, our County Council voted to approve the boundaries of a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA). Now, it is time for our Council to establish an MRA Commission which complies with the New Mexico Redevelopment Code. This Commission should not include County Councilors or County employees, but rather key members from the community with experience in commercial property development, affordable housing, finances/banking and environmental sustainability. Additionally, there should be representatives from the small business community Read More

Española Mayor: Strength In Unity

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By JOHN RAMON VIGIL
Mayor of Española

There is an old saying, “there is strength in unity, and in unity there is progress…” Nothing can be stated that is more similar to the truth when discussing this in the aspects of our federal, state and local government systems. Most importantly these words should be valued even more so at the local government level where our citizens expect that of our local bodies of jurisdiction.

During my first two years serving as Mayor of Española, the Española City Council was evenly divided and it prevented the adoption of much needed ordinances and general consensus Read More

Op/Ed: Let’s Work Together Mayor

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By Sam LeDoux
City Councilor
Española’s 4th district

When I was campaigning for city council, the thing most often brought up by voters was that they didn’t feel the city was being honest. This is because, to put it kindly, we haven’t been the best at communicating our goals. What most people see is a city that is just trying to figure out how to make it through the day rather than a city that has a bold idea of where it wants to go.

Looking at the City of Española’s master plan, which was written almost 8 years ago, you can tell it was a different world. The current plan was filled with ideas about a city on the Read More

Op/Ed: Response To Mr. Hanson’s Letter Addressing Draft Climate Action Plan

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By SUE BARNS
Los Alamos

I have a few thoughts and clarifications regarding David E. Hanson’s Op/Ed of July 14 which addresses the draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) now open for public comment.

First off, I would like to clear up a misunderstanding of the emissions data that apparently caused Mr. Hanson to feel that the CAP is “misleading”. He states that “in 2022 the US emitted just 6,343 MTCO2”. In fact, US 2022 emissions were 6,343 *million* MTCO2. (MTCO2 stands for metric tons of CO2 [equivalents], not millions) [https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks Read More