Opinion

Letter To The Editor: Take Two – Letter To The School Board

by

By Lori Heimdahl Gibson
Los Alamos

Dear President Hall, Board Members and Superintendent Steinhaus:

Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak in favor of the XQ Odyssey Initiative Tuesday night. It is apparent to me that there is no easy path forward. However difficult it is, I feel very strongly that this opportunity cannot be dismissed or delayed. Too many students and teachers are in need of what Odyssey offers. This is not an option, but a necessity. If I can be of further help, please let me know.

Attached is the letter I sent out in late July. I’m sorry that it did not get to everyone, so let’s Read More

Letter To The Editor: A Scary But Interesting Election

by

By E. ALAN WADLINGER
Los Alamos

I find this election to be both interesting and scary. On one side we have Hillary Clinton who can act at times as an ethically flawed individual but who does seem dedicated to helping the disadvantaged. 

On the other side we have Donald Trump to whom ethics appears to be a meaningless concept and acts as if he were the anti-Christ sent to fool the true believers.

Apparently ethically damaged individuals can even become saints, so Hillary will get my vote for President but not sainthood. I guess this implies that I am not one of Donald’s true believers.

Question, Read More

Letter To The Editor: Teachers Are Trained To Teach

by

By JUDITH BJARKE-MCKENZIE
Los Alamos
 
As a woman and mother, I rely on professionals daily. When my car needs servicing, I go to a trained mechanic. When I need a haircut or visit the dentist, I expect to see a license certifying training displayed on the wall. As a parent, I trust that the professionals that teach my children have an education degree. 

Jane Gordon’s Letter To The Editor: Importance Of House Bill 145 Concerning Adjunct Instructors – is short sighted at best and potentially devastating to our children’s future at worst.

The research doesn’t lie. Placing people Read More

Letter To The Editor: Los Alamos County Proposals

by

By ALLEN COGBILL
Los Alamos
 
So, two recent proposals from the autocratic bureaucrats of Los Alamos County scream at me.
 
First, the County has established a “snitch” site, whereby neighbors can snitch on one another. Shades of the USSR! We used to make fun of the commissars of the USSR for encouraging such anti-social behavior, but evidently the Commissars of Los Alamos County have no problem with such horrible behavior. I think this website is shameful, makes the County a laughingstock, and should be taken down immediately.
 
Second, the Los Alamos County Commissars
Read More

Milder: Risk Of Maintaining Sheriff’s Department

by

By KEN MILDER
Former County Councilor

What does the lawsuit stemming from former Governor Gary Johnson’s support of Indian gaming have to do with the current risk associated with retention of the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Office? As it turns out, quite a lot.

During Gary Johnson’s first campaign for governor he promised New Mexico’s tribal nations that he would support their efforts to establish casinos. Once elected, and without authorization from the NM legislature, Governor Johnson executed gaming compacts with the reservations. He did this against advice from state legislators and the attorney Read More

Senator Padilla: When Is The Special Session?

by

By SEN. MICHAEL PADILLA
Majority Whip
 
New Mexico is facing a budget crisis of historic proportions, one that must be dealt with now, not later. The state budget crisis requires responsible cuts and reliable revenue sources.
 
For reasons that are difficult to fathom, the Governor and her Republican allies in the House of Representatives have been downplaying the seriousness of the budget crisis. Both the Governor and the Legislature have an obligation to fix the problem, not to pretend it doesn’t exist.
 
Now is the time for democrats and republicans to come together
Read More

Letter To The Editor: Proposed Tennis Court Construction

by

By BRINT PERERA
Los Alamos
 
In the past week or so, there was a letter describing why Urban Park would not be a good location for additional tennis courts.
 
The reasons given were sound. The letter suggested the Western Area would be a better choice. I beg to differ with that opinion.
 
Several years ago, playground equipment was removed from the Western Area Park on land adjacent to the existing, High School tennis courts. What remains on this former play area is a copse of stately Ponderosa pine trees that probably pre-date Los Alamos. Would these trees be felled for the new courts?
Read More

Letter To The Editor: Importance Of House Bill 145 Concerning Adjunct Instructors

by

By JANE M. GORDON
Los Alamos
 
Earlier this year when the New Mexico Legislature was in session, the Adjunct Secondary Instructors Bill (HB 145) passed in the House with a vote of 37-25. It was, however, defeated in the Senate.
 
Had the bill passed, it would have allowed the Public Education Department (PED) to issue an adjunct secondary instructor license to an applicant who has earned at least a bachelor’s degree and has a minimum of three years experience in the subject matter expertise area to teach that subject in the public schools. The bill permitted
Read More

Letter To The Editor: Fight For Economic Equality Far From Over

by

By HELENA WHYTE and SYLVIA FINK
AAUW NM CO-PRESIDENTS
 
While Labor Day is the time when we recognize the social and economic achievements of American workers, the fight for economic equality is far from over.
 
Only 13 percent of American workers have access to paid leave through their employer. Two-thirds of minimum wage workers in the U.S. are women, and their income remains below the federal poverty line. Couple this with the fact a woman working full time on average still only makes 79 cents to a white, non-Hispanic man’s dollar. It’s easy to see that we still
Read More

Letter To The Editor: Fiesta Los Alamos Says Gracias!

by

By KIMBERLY SELVAGE
2016 Fiesta Los Alamos Committee Chair
Los Alamos Rotary STARS

The 2nd Annual Fiesta Los Alamos was celebrated in August. The Rotary STARS, with the support of our community, made this event a success. A special thanks goes to our Gold Sponsors: Blue Window Bistro, Bennett’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts and D.L. Lawrence “Images of Fine Light” for their generous contributions and support.

The event had three Silver Sponsors that included Buffalo Thunder, Zia Credit Union and the Los Alamos Daily Post. The support for this event was overwhelming. The following are the other sponsors Read More