OP/ED

Teach Plus New Mexico: Don’t Take Away HS Electives

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By RACHEL WOODS
Teach Plus New Mexico

I was painfully shy when I started high school but luckily, I had the opportunity to take elective classes that helped me to come out of my shell.

Performing in drama class helped me get over my fear of public speaking. Competing at the state and national levels in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) furthered my self-confidence. Participating in the student council and becoming one of the yearbook editors developed my leadership skills. Learning Spanish enabled me to study abroad and travel the world. 

I am now a high school English Language Development Read More

Op-Ed: Answers, Background On Proposed Tennis Courts

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By Board of Directors
Los Alamos Tennis Club
Los Alamos Pickleball Club

The proposed new complex of 8 tennis courts at Overlook Park, which the Parks and Rec Board recently voted to deliver to County Council for their consideration, may cause some citizens to have questions, like “why now?” or “why do we need more tennis courts?” or “what about pickleball?” or “why is Overlook Park the right place?’’

Hopefully this letter can answer those questions and provide some background to explain the proposal.

We are blessed to have a variety of sporting activities in town and engaged community members Read More

Stradling: Kent Budge – A Great Friend, A Bright Intellect

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Kent Budge, left, and Gary Stradling volunteering with Gretchen Gürtler at the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu. Courtesy/Stradling

By GARY STRADLING
Los Alamos

I am deeply saddened by Kent Grimmett Budge’s early departure from mortality. We are very good friends. We shared numerous field trips—weekends to weeks long—to study southwest geology, to search for interesting rocks and fossils. We also share a love for God and people, especially family. 

This was certainly not the outcome we expected, though we joked about the possibility the last time I sat with him. Read More

Ceballos: Pending D.C. Legislation Jeopardizes Affordable Banking Options In New Mexico

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By JUAN FERNANDEZ CEBALLOS 
CEO
Credit Union Association of New Mexico

In New Mexico, we care about community. We look out for our neighbors and come together to support one another. That spirit of community is what brought like-minded community members together to establish the 40 credit unions that serve one million New Mexicans everyday—from providing a mortgage for their first home to cashing their hard-earned paycheck.

Credit unions are part of the communities they serve. They know their members by name. And, as democratically governed financial cooperatives owned by their members Read More

Op-Ed: Nuisance Code

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By JOHN GUSTAFSON
Chairperson
Community Development Advisory Board

The Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) has spent much of its time this year informing ourselves about and discussing, debating, and tussling over details of Chapter 18 of the Los Alamos County Municipal code, aka the Nuisance Code, and the rewrite of it led by contractor Dekker/Perich/Sabatini.

The Chapter 18 rewrite has been presented to the County Council along with CDAB’s recommendations.

I wanted to let the community know that CDAB’s recommendations are available on the County website.

It was a challenge

Read More

Op-Ed: Response To Gurule And Ryti Letters

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By ELLEN WALTON
Los Alamos

In response to Nov. 14 letters from Robin Gurule (link) and Randall Ryti (link) on state of public properties in Los Alamos:

First, I hope that everyone will attend the public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers to voice their concerns regarding the rezoning and plans for a developer-based comprehensive plan in our County.

Second, Robin Gurule is correct in her statements from Nov. 14, and I am in agreement with her letter about the lack of maintenance and poor planning for the growth of our communities. I can personally refute Council Chair Ryti’s Read More

Op-Ed: Thank You Los Alamos Interfaith & Community

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By FARID SHARIFI
Albuquerque

I hope this letter finds you all well. My name is Farid Sharifi and I am the programs director for Albuquerque office. With the recent burglary of our storage facility, we were devastated to learn that the perpetrators had taken so many items from our storage unit.

The items that were stolen included winter coats, jackets, hats, gloves and beddings amongst other things. The loss of winter clothing was especially hard to bear knowing the winter weather was upon us and so many families that had recently arrived would be left without this vital support.

Upon communicating Read More

Op-Ed: LANL Potentially Jeopardizes Local Childcare Businesses

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By Los Alamos And White Rock Site Childcare Providers

In late September, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) officials met with local childcare owners and directors to announce that the University of California, one of the Triad National Security parent organizations, has committed $500,000 in initial funding for the planning of a potential off-site child care facility in Los Alamos for Triad employees.

A lack of adequate childcare resources was identified as a key challenge facing the Laboratory in attracting and retaining talented staff. They also announced that a possible location Read More

Op-Ed: As Small Business Owners In Los Alamos, We Are Voting Democrat

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By DAVID SAYRE
CTO/Cofounder Attack Research LLC

By TADEUSZ RAVEN
CEO/Cofounder Attack Research LLC

As small business owners, we support the current Democratic platform over the Republican platform for the reasons discussed below:

Healthcare

The current healthcare system favors big business over small or single owner business. Big business gets extremely favorable group pricing, custom group plans, and have dedicated healthcare representatives. One in six people are staying in jobs solely on the fear of losing and being unable to obtain healthcare coverage. When the founding partners Read More

DeVolder: Los Alamos Bus Service – Evenings & Weekends

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By MARK DEVOLDER
Los Alamos

I can understand when an infant cries they might want a bottle of milk. However, a little more homework (analysis) is needed when someone living in Los Alamos County submits a proposal for bus service on evenings and weekends.

A simple analysis is not beyond the capability of an average high school student. Of course, it is always easier to sit around and say “give me this and give me that.”

The following is a simple framework for analysis purposes.

Bus Service Description – A description of the requested bus service needs to address the capacity / size of the bus, potential Read More