Opinion

Letter To The Editor: Donations Pour In Following Theft At Los Alamos Historical Museum

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By HEATHER MCCLENAHAN
Executive Director
Los Alamos Historical Society

By now many of your readers may know that a theft occurred at the Los Alamos Historical Museum Friday, Sept. 25.

The good news is no one was hurt and no objects were taken from the museum. However, we did have a beautifully crafted, wooden donation box—made by one of our volunteers—which was torn apart, and the cash donations inside were stolen.

The theft received a significant amount of attention on social media over the weekend, and the response from the community, both far and near, has been tremendous. We have received donations Read More

Letter To The Editor: Sheriff Or No Sheriff – That Is The Question

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By JOEL WILLIAMS
Los Alamos

If the Los Alamos County Sheriff is nothing more than a “hollow-shell”, as George Chandler would have us believe, then the council should put it to the citizens to have that position removed from the LAC charter and ALL of that position’s responsibilities (paper pushing is how I imagine Chandler sees the position) given to the LAC Police Department. New full-time LAC employee?

Until that position is removed, however, the LAC Sheriff is an elected position by us citizens and deserves the amenities that such an elected position warrants. To me, the Read More

Letter To The Editor: Council Has Indisputably Assigned Police Department All Law Enforcement Authority

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By GEORGE CHANDLER
Los Alamos

My friend and County Councilor Pete Sheehey wrote recently in this space concluding that the Los Alamos County Sheriff retains “powers of a peace officer” and cites County Ordinance 38-97(C): “… nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the arrest, without warrant, by a peace officer of any person when probable cause exists to believe that a felony crime has been committed or in non-traffic cases.” 

Unfortunately this quote is taken out of context – what is contained in the leading ellipsis is critical – and misinterprets

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Letter To The Editor: Fuel Prices – A Larger Picture

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By SHEILA K. SCHIFERL
Los Alamos

It’s not necessarily a Los Alamos, or Smith’s conspiracy.

Santa Fe prices are currently comparable to Los Alamos. Totavi is similar to other valley prices (~40 cents less), and Albuquerque is lower still. 

For an overview, look up GASBUDDY.COM online for gas prices in any locality in the country. People send in prices that they see, and it lists how long ago the postings are. Read More

Letter To The Editor: High Local Fuel Prices

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By ALLEN COGBILL
Los Alamos

Buy local? Perhaps not, at least when it comes to purchasing fuel.

Fuel prices in Los Alamos presently bottom out at 255.9¢/gal (it’s very slightly lower in White Rock), with Smith’s MarkupPlace apparently setting the prevailing price. In contrast, in Pojoaque the price is 219.9¢/gal and just slightly further east, at Nambé Falls Travel Center, the price is only 200.9¢/gal!

While I’m not suggesting that residents make special trips to the valley to purchase fuel, it may be cost-effective to plan to purchase fuel elsewhere as long as prices stay Read More

Letter To The Editor: Being Alert For Bears

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By JOHN STEPHENSON
White Rock

Forest Rangers are advising hikers in the Los Alamos area to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter. 

They advise hikers to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them. This might cause a bear to charge. 

Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear’s sensitive nose and it Read More

Letter To The Editor: Should Bear Encounter Guidelines Be Amended?

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By JANE NORDHOLT
Los Alamos

First let me send my best wishes to the gentleman who recently suffered a bear attack. Have a full and speedy recovery!

I am writing to ask the people at Fish and Game, the Wildlife Center, and any other bear experts, if the guidelines for bear encounters need to be amended. I understand the reasoning behind the guidance for meeting a bear that says: “Don’t run; try to make yourself look bigger; back away slowly,” but I wonder if these are the best instructions when encountering a bear with a cub. After all the bear is likely to already be bigger than the human and normally does Read More

Letter To The Editor: Comment On Bear ‘Attack’

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By SHEILA ARMSTRONG
Los Alamos
 
I’m continually amazed by the folks who come forward to destroy an animal that is protecting its young from human invaders to their environment. It’s just wrong!

It’s also sad that someone was injured – everyone in Los Alamos needs to know that when you venture into the woodlands around us you may encounter wildlife of all sorts.

You are the one invading their space and need to pay attention and behave in a manner that is conducive to reducing defense mechanisms by the wildlife. Obviously, if there is a critter stalking you as their source

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Letter To The Editor: Heartfelt Thanks To All At Sombrillo

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By PEGGY CHAMBERS
Los Alamos

 

By way of introduction, I’m the gray-haired lady who cruises Central and Trinity in her electric wheelchair. Living at Aspen Ridge, I pass our companion facility, Sombrillo Nursing & Rehab, on my way, always glad my health is such that I don’t need to be there.

But then a little over a month ago I had a serious fall which resulted in major surgery and several weeks of recovery & rehab at (guess where!) Sombrillo Nursing & Rehab. And (guess what!) I found myself most pleasantly surprised. At a time of personal helplessness, I was surrounded by a competent, Read More

Letter To The Editor: Fire Hazard Mitigated For Veteran

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By ED MCDARIS
Los Alamos
 
Some dedicated citizens of Los Alamos spent part of their Saturday this past weekend trimming back bushes and trees to mitigate a potential fire hazard identified by the Los Alamos Fire Department. 
 
Legion post 90 and Boy Scout troop 122 had representatives manning clippers and rakes, making quick work of the task. 
 
One truck load of organic waste was hauled to the Eco Station. 
 
A BIG thanks to the Boy Scouts, the American Legion, and even one unnamed county employee, now a veteran can rest easier for another
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