Opinion

Letter To The Editor: Dog Encounter Terrifying To Family

by

Read More

Letter To The Editor: Council Needs To Tackle Off-Leash Dog Issue And Enforcement Needs Teeth

by

By TJ TAUB
Los Alamos

In college, I lived next door to some folks who had a very nice, sweet, goofy dog named Broccoli. They sneered at me when I quit letting my dog run free after she and Broccoli sauntered down an ally and across a busy street where my pup was nicked by a car. Broccoli continued to be able to run free – and ended up being dragged under a car for a mile. Still literally makes me sick to my stomach.

I share the frustration of not being able to take a relaxing walk with the dog in Los Alamos. Instead, I have to keep an eye out for unleashed dogs. While there are some responsible dog owners Read More

Letter To The Editor: Vote ‘For’ Bond To Continue Process To Upgrade School Facilities

by

By MORRIE PONGRATZ
Former County Councilor and former School Board member

One of the frustrations during my years on the School Board was that all school district operational funds are allocated by the state on a per-pupil basis, regardless of local cost-of-living. Teachers are paid from the operational fund and it costs more to live in Los Alamos. We found that needed maintenance and utility costs for our aging facilities were robbing the operational fund of money that could go to staff salaries.

We formed a team to examine the difference between continuing to patch buildings with operational Read More

Sheehey: Support LA Public Schools And UNM-LA

by

By PETE SHEEHEY
Los Alamos County Councilor

Having hada scientific career in Los Alamos, I know I owe a lot to good public education. That’s one of the reasons I will vote Yes for the 2017 Los Alamos Public Schools Bond and the UNM-LA 1-mil levy. Both institutions have solid records of getting maximum value for taxpayers’ dollars. These two funding sources will allow them to continue their important contributions to our community.

The LAPS Bond will not increase our property taxes. It will continue the Schools’ strategic funding plan approved by voters in 2009 and 2013. This stage of the plan will Read More

Letter To The Editor: Dispelling Subtle Lie And Scaremonger Tactics

by

By TERRY GOLDMAN
Los Alamos

No, Brady Burke does NOT pay enough in taxes. (link)

Compared to most of New Mexico, Los Alamos County property tax rates are low; compared to most of the developed part of the country, our rate is absurdly low. I once looked into the big LA rate, which was about five times ours, if I recall correctly.

And we get more and better municipal services.
Even more irritating is the subtle lie that your property taxes would double — classic scaremonger tactics. Only the very tiny part that goes to UNM-LA is going up in this bond election, currently 1/10th of what we pay for our
Read More

Letter To The Editor: It’s Time To Reclaim Our Streets, Parks And Trails!

by

Read More

Letter To The Editor: Vote NO To Doubling A Property Tax

by

By BRADY BURKE
Los Alamos 

It’s true. You are being asked to double one of your property taxes. Your property taxes are made up of lots of individual tax burdens. 

This whole LAPS Bond issue has been focusing on how there will not be a Tax Rate increase.  Just look at the front page of Thursday’s Los Alamos Daily Post, first article (link) on the Front Page, continues onto Page 8; LAPS: No Tax Rate Increase. Only one line buried in a paragraph says that LAPS Bond is one of two items on the ballot.

The second item on the ballot is the Property Tax Poison Pill. It is the UNM-LA Read More

LAPS ‘No Tax Rate Increase’ Bond Election

by

Barranca Elementary students give a thumbs up. Courtesy photo
 

By DR. KURT STEINHAUS
LAPS Superintendent

• It is All about the Students
 
Ballots for the Los Alamos Public Schools bond election were mailed to voters Jan. 3, 2017. They are due in the County Clerk’s Office no later than 7 p.m. Jan. 24.  The LAPS bond is the first question on the two-item ballot. This is a continuation bond that does not increase tax rates.

All funds raised through the bond election are for school facilities to support student learning. Because of New Mexico law, the only public school funds that can Read More

Letter To The Editor: Off-Leash Dog Incidents Mount! Who Is Safe?

by

By NYLEA BUTLER-MOORE
Resident of Quemazon
Los Alamos

In recent days, my husband, two dogs, and I have experienced AT LEAST 23 incidences with unleashed dogs in neighborhoods and on nearby trails. Three of these encounters resulted in injuries to myself and two resulted in injuries to our leashed dogs. What can be done to stop this?

Despite the county’s leash law, many dog owners do not see the need for leashes, letting their dogs, which are not under voice control, run wild. We have been rushed and/or attacked so often by off-leash dogs, that this has become an almost daily occurrence. Consequently, Read More

Letter To The Editor: UNM-LA Advisory Board

by

By JAMES ROBINSON
Los Alamos
 
Recently, I announced my candidacy for the UNM-LA Advisory Board.
 
I had previously sought this position in 2013, but lost to Michael DiRosa. Then, earlier this year, I sought to replace Michael DiRosa after he accepted a new position in Washington DC. Although still unsuccessful, I vowed to keep on trying. So, third time’s the charm.
 
Before deciding to run again, I really wanted to continue to help UNM-LA. After the appointment of a new board member, I was approached by the Advisory Board and UNM-LA administration to
Read More