Opinion

Letter To The Editor: County Councilors Should Not Be Swayed By Bullying

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By CRISTINA OLDS and ELENA E. GIORGO
Los Alamos
 

In light of the threat of lawsuits against the County made at the July 26 council meeting, it seems ill-advised to discuss further the resolution to expand the Sheriff’s duties and authorities until the legal matters are resolved. Similarly, efforts to modify the County charter under the cloud of legal challenges should be postposed pending a resolution of those issues. The County should not be swayed by the bullying of a few county residents.

 

Furthermore, when Los Alamos citizens voted for the current Sheriff, they did so knowing

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Heinrich Viewpoint: New Mexico Must Build Homegrown Tech Workforce … Here’s One Way To Do It

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By U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
D-New Mexico
New Mexico has long been at the center of technology innovation. Research and development at our national laboratories, universities and military installations has led to major breakthroughs in computing, energy, health care and national security.
 
The technology industry is a driving force in creating jobs and expanding economic growth. In 2016 alone, the technology sector contributed more than $1 trillion to the U.S. economy, employed more than 7 million workers and added more than 100,000 new jobs. Almost 50,000 New Mexicans work in the
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Letter To The Editor: Response To Mr. Spencer

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By RICHARD NEBEL
Los Alamos
 
In response to Mr. Spencer (link):

 

First of all, I don’t get “unnerved” around firearms. I grew up around them. Down at the farm, Grandma had a double-barreled 12 gauge shotgun hanging over the back door. Obviously, that didn’t have a 30 round banana clip hanging off of it. The people who needed that kind of equipment were people who couldn’t hit what they were shooting at. Grandma didn’t have that problem.
 
So, do the police need that kind of equipment in their cruisers? An AR-15 or a mini-14 is easily lethal out to 500 yards. If they are using the military
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Letter To The Editor: Roaming Cats

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By KEN HANSON
Los Alamos
 
Teresa Chagrin recently posted a letter (link) about the “Dangers Of Allowing Cats Outside,” outlining the risks to their health.
 
But there is another consequence to roaming cats and that is on the bird population. It has been estimated [www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2380] that roaming cats kill more than a billion birds in the US every year; cats have a disastrous impact on birds!
 
I routinely see cats stalking birds in our neighborhood and have often seen piles of feathers where birds have been killed.
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Letter To The Editor: About The Sheriff’s Office

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By KHALIL SPENCER
Los Alamos
 
Reading Richard Nebel’s attack on the idea of a functional sheriff’s office left me wondering two things (link). One, whether discourse in Los Alamos has been reduced to ad hominem attacks and two, whether Mr. Nebel has any sense of history.
 
Apparently the mere appearance of less than innocuous guns on a LEO in Santa Fe rattled Mr. Nebel, because it does not appear these weapons were brought into play. But more importantly, the reason that police forces tossed aside their 38 Specials in favor of heavier firepower (usually high capacity semiautomatics
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Letter To The Editor: A Heart-Felt Thank You

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THE HUERTA FAMILY 
Ronnie, Francine & Gabriel
 
We just wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for all your support and all the donations that was sent for our son, Gabriel for his trip to Australia.
 
That was so very kind! We are so excited and proud of Gabriel for this amazing accomplishment, but all the fundraising does take a toll on us, and we would of never be able to get through this fundraising if it weren’t for all of our wonderful and generous family and friends like YOU! 
 
We really appreciate
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Letter To The Editor: Sheriff’s Office

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By RICHARD NEBEL
Los Alamos
 
I would like to commend the county council for tabling the resolution on determining the Sheriff’s responsibilities. 
 
While I don’t mind having a Sheriff, I don’t think he should have any policing powers. It doesn’t make any sense to transfer any policing powers from a professional police force to a patronage politician. If you want to see what that looks like, take a look at former Sheriff Tommy Rodella down in Rio Arriba county. 
 
He was convicted of pulling a gun on a citizen during a traffic stop. He’s now serving
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Letter To The Editor: Scams In Today’s Digital Age

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By LAUREN JOHNSON
Los Alamos
 
Today’s digital age comes with many opportunities never before seen or imagined. One can connect with friends and family across the world, have instantaneous access to a plethora of knowledge, and complete all shopping from the convenience of a handheld device.
 
Unfortunately, these modern conveniences can render users into victims of scams, thievery, and hackings without users even leaving their house or physically interacting with their perpetrator.
 
Gone are the days when a thief has to make a slit in your coin purse as you walk down the street
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Letter To The Editor: Can’t Get Better Than This!

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By ZENA THOMAS
Los Alamos
 
Wow, I think every country, waltz, and swing dancer was on the dance floor Friday night.
 
What a wonderful evening listening and dancing to Mike Heame, Jimmy Stadler and Shake Russel at the Friday night concert.
 
I just want to thank the county, the concert supporters, and the concert organizers for providing a safe, beautiful venue for our families.
 
Can’t get better than this!
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Letter To The Editor: Dangers Of Allowing Cats Outside

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By TERESA CHAGRIN
Animal Care & Control Specialist
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Norfolk, VA

The recent case of rabies in a bat who was caught by a cat near Espanola is a reminder about the dangers that allowing cats outdoors poses to wildlife, humans, and the cats themselves (“Child cuddles rabid bat” link).

Cats who roam outdoors are exposed to a variety of dangerous contagious diseases that are also transmissible to humans, including rabies, plague, tularemia, and toxoplasmosis. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are approximately 300 cases involving Read More