Opinion

Robinson: Reflections On Elections

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By JAMES ROBINSON
Los Alamos

I want to begin by congratulating Sheila Shiferl on her election last night. It was a great contest, and I wish her all the luck in her new position. UNM-LA deserves no less than all of her energy and talents going into the future.

It is always hard to wake up the day after all the hard work, time and energy spent suddenly ended. Just over two weeks ago, I got to celebrate the approval of the Mil Levy for UNM-LA. Today, however, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed, BUT, there are things I can say I am proud of.

Just two year ago, I finished the race with only 147 votes. Last Read More

Letter To The Editor: Ellen Ben-Naim Is The One For LAPS Board

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By JEFF WAUSON
Los Alamos

The LAPS school board needs compassionate, yet knowledgeable leadership with new ideas, different points of view, and someone who can spur the board into action while working collegially with all stakeholders.

Balancing what the staff and students truly need is important and so necessary at this time when teacher morale is at an all time low. Ellen herself is an educator with first hand experience of the constant demands the profession faces. She has also been an LAPS parent, and has seen first hand what our school district needs to better bridge the gap between school Read More

Letter To The Editor: I Endorse Ellen Ben-Naim For Multiple Strengths She’ll Bring To School Board

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By BILL HARGRAVES
LAPS Board Member
 
As a LAPS School Board member, I endorse Ellen Ben-Naim for School Board in the Pinon District.
 
My support is based on strengths Ellen brings in the following areas:
  • New ideas, thoughts and questions about youth and education based on her experience as an educator;
  • First hand understanding of emotional and social needs and struggles of our youth;
  • Support for our teachers who work in a constrained and demoralizing environment;
  • Leadership to team with other Board members; and
  • Move forward together with new members to the School Board to bring fresh
Read More

Loy: Why UNM-LA Advisory Board Election Is Relevant To You, And James Robinson Is Right For The Job

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By LAURA LOY
Los Alamos

Only two weeks ago, we finished an election in Los Alamos, and now there’s another one this Tuesday, Feb. 7. I’m sure election-fatigue has set in with some, but please let me tell you why I think the UNM-LA Advisory Board election is relevant to you, and why I support James Robinson for the position.

The election Jan. 24 had two questions, which both passed. One was to support a bond for Los Alamos Public Schools, and the other was for a mil levy for UNM-Los Alamos. For the latter, Los Alamos residents voted to support our community college and branch UNM campus with a property tax

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Letter To The Editor: Why I Support Jim Hall For School Board From Pinon District

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By NORMA PUCKETT
Los Alamos

I am a retired teacher who often substitutes in the schools, often at Pinon. I live in the Pinon district, and am a strong supporter of Jim Hall for School Board. I have both professional and personal knowledge of his skills and contributions. 

I was still teaching when he was first on the Board and watched as he guided the Board through very contentious discussions about the Sex Education Policy. Whether as board president or member, his professional experience in group facilitation and building consensus greatly assists Board decision making. He always demonstrated Read More

Letter To The Editor: Ben-Naim Is Our Opportunity For Fresh, Community-minded Leadership On School Board

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By SUSAN BENJAMIN
Former New Mexico Teacher of the Year
 
Los Alamos has an opportunity for fresh, community-minded leadership on the School Board. Ellen Ben-Naim will provide new insights and vigorous advocacy for teachers and students.
 
As a professional educator with an MA degree and enormous community experience, Ellen will provide leadership to improve mental health, increase teacher salaries and reduce oppressive teacher evaluation.
 
Ellen is an excellent people-connector and communicator. She will serve our community well.
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Letter To The Editor: That Gut-Wrenching Pain…

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By Bob Fuselier
Los Alamos

Have you felt that painful,tightening, gut-wrenching feeling when you hear someone state something that infringes upon your rights or beliefs?

Good, that means you’re human. The feeling comes from an emotional system that helps us survive.

Have you allowed that feeling to develop into anger toward the one expressing the statement?

That’s not good. It’s true that anger is part of our humanity, but it comes from the lowest and most ancient parts of our brain, one we share with lizards.

Have you taken an oppositional stance of the idea or policy that was stated?

That’s good. Read More

Hall: LAPS School Board – Looking Ahead

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LAPS Board: Why I Am Running For Re-election – Looking Ahead

 

By JIM HALL
LAPS Board President
 

Editor’s note: this is the final column in a three-part series.

This is the final articleon why I am running for re-election to the LAPS Board. My first article provided basic information about LAPS as an institution, the Board, and some major accomplishments of the Board and administration (https://ladailypost.comcontent/laps-board-why-i-am-running-re-election). The second article focused on current issues facing LAPS(https://ladailypost.comcontent/hall-why-i-am-running-re-election).This Read More

Michelle Hall: Why I’m Running For UNM-LA Advisory Board

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By MICHELLE K. HALL, Incumbent
UNM-LA Advisory Board

The community of Los Alamos is a place I am lucky to call home. It has splendorous beauty and passionate and caring people. I cannot thank Los Alamos voters enough for their approval of the UNM-LA mil levy. With passage of the levy, it is critical for the campus to have strong advisory board members that bring a diversity of knowledge and experience to guide them toward a strong and vibrant future. I bring the skills and experience of a small business leader, former faculty member at the University of Arizona, and grant writer to help guide the institution. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Trump’s Misleading Attacks On Mex­ico

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By JOSEPH A. D’ANNA
Los Alamos

Throughout the election process and now as President, Donald Trump has viciously and relentlessly attacked Mexico and its people over trade and immigration. In reality, Trump’s attacks are baseless and contrived.

First, there is no rational basis to blame Mexico for the NAFTA trade agreement involving the US, Mexico and Canada. Mexico did not initiate NAFTA, and it did not coerce the US government to sign the trade agreement.

The Reagan administration initiated negotiations with Mexico to expand the global economy, the negotiations were concluded with Mexico Read More