Opinion

Letter To The Editor: Investing In Our Community

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By TERRY FOXX
Los Alamos

I am not a golfer. I don’t play baseball, and I don’t ice skate. I won’t use the White Rock Splash Pad. I don’t have children at home anymore. But I do use the Larry Walkup Therapy Pool. So why would I vote yes for the Rec Bond? Because I believe that to have the type of community that is attractive, we must invest in it. Beyond that children are the future and providing places for them to learn, exercise, and enjoy is a life-long gift. And adults are healthier and happier if they have physical outlets that bring them joy and pleasure.

I said I use the Therapy Pool multiple times a week. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Why I Am Voting No On Rec Bond

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By ROB BARAN
Los Alamos

I have been heavily debating my vote on the 2017 Recreation Bond for some time, but I have decided that I will vote “No”. After reading several opinion letters in the Post, it is clear to me that the funds generated by this Bond could be used elsewhere. My rationale:

  • There are plenty of options for recreation that already exist in town, catering to many demographics of the residents that live here.  Investing in recreational facilities, while continuing to turn a blind eye to potentially economic stimulating efforts is simply ‘head in the sand’ politics. 
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Letter To The Editor: Of Roads And Rec Bonds

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By STEPHANIE NAKHLEH
Los Alamos

When I read the objections to the 2017 Recreation Bond, I am sympathetic. I also drive down Trinity and despair at the crumbling curbs. I also drive down into Rendija Canyon and worry about losing a filling. I also look at Mari-Mac, which resembles a war zone more by the day, and I think, how can we be such a wealthy county and have infrastructure like this? I get it. The thing is, none of those irksome things has to do with county government, and none of them will be resolved by refusing to vote for the Rec Bond.

Trinity Drive is a state road. So is NM 502, which runs from Trinity Read More

Letter To The Editor: Let’s Split The Pot

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By GERALD M. ANTOS
Los Alamos
 
Having grown up here in Los Alamos, I hold the local golf course as my second home and if there is anything that it needs (real need and not a want) it is a revamped watering system.
 
And I would vote yes for doing that but since it is coupled with a bunch of non needs (also known as greeds), I’m going to have to vote NO on the bond issue.
 
Now if our wonderful county leadership would have split the pot and made each alleged need or want a separate issue to be voted on separately then the whole pot would not have to die on the vine!
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Letter To The Editor: Mexico Mission Thanks Businesses

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By LAURA and RANDY ERICKSON
Mexico Mission Trip Directors
 
We would like to express our appreciation to all of our wonderful local businesses for their support of the annual Mexico Mission Auction, sponsored by The United Church of Los Alamos.
 
Since 1986, youth and adults from Los Alamos have been traveling to Mexico each Spring Break to build houses for families in need. Thanks to the generous donations of local businesses and community members, 145 houses have been built! Thank you for your support of Los Alamos youth and adults!
 
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Letter To The Editor: Support For Rec Bond

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By REBECCA HOWARD
Los Alamos
 
I support the upcoming Rec Bond. Among many positives offered by living in Los Alamos is a safe community at the foot of the beautiful Jemez Mountains.
 
While I agree that there are many opportunities for recreation, I noticed last summer when my young granddaughters were visiting that the lack of a “toddler friendly” public swimming pool was a disappointment.
 
The proposed improvements to our public swimming pool and the addition of a Splash Park in White Rock will provide fun, easy to enjoy recreational opportunities
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Gibson: Recreation Bond Is Not Justified

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By ROBERT GIBSON
Former County Councilor

Like any tax increase, the “Recreation Bond” deserves careful scrutiny. A tax should be for a legitimate valuable public purpose. There should be reasonable expectation the funds will be well used. And there should be no other reasonable alternative to further burdening citizen taxpayers. The Public School and UNM-LA mill levies in January were among the rare tax proposals that satisfy these three criteria (link). This one does not.

“More recreation facilities” sounds good.  What we really need is a different mix of recreational venues. We Read More

Letter To The Editor: Do We Need Or Want A Bicycle Flow Trail?

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By BRUCE WARREN
Los Alamos

If you didn’t see the announcement for the Parks and Recreation Board meeting April 13 regarding a proposal for a “Bicycle Flow Trail”, or if you saw it and thought it wasn’t important to you because you aren’t a bicyclist, or you are a bicyclist and thought any bike trail is a good trail, I’m here to tell you that you should pay attention to this proposal. It will affect the entire community and has some ramifications that may raise some alarm in your mind.

There was another County meeting regarding the bicycle flow trail April 26, at Fuller Lodge. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Reply To Reply To Sen. Heinrich

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By KHALIL J. SPENCER
Los Alamos

 

I read James Griffin’s reply to Sen. Martin Heinrich in utter disbelief (letter). Sure, a 42,000 gallon spill is a drop in the proverbial oceanic bucket.
 
But as far as the risks of drilling offshore, and especially in the harsh waters of the Arctic, it’s not the often but small disasters that will kill you. Like Fukushima, it’s the big ones.
 
I will utter two phrases and let readers judge for themselves:
 
1. Exxon Valdez shipwreck.
 
2. Deepwater Horizion Oil Spill.
 
 
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Letter To The Editor: Reply To Senator Heinrich

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By JAMES GRIFFIN
Los Alamos

Sen. Martin Heinrich predicts doom if drilling in the arctic for oil is permitted (link). He uses amazing statistics from the Department of Interior to back up this claim.

Evidently there is a 75 percent chance of a 42,000-gallon spill. Let’s pretend to be rational. Assume this to be true. How large is the arctic?

Will 42,000 gallons have any impact! No!

US underwater drilling for oil began in 1891, approximately 126 years ago. Notice that the oceans are devastated. Notice that there are no fish left, no living things can exist in that black tarry mess that used to

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