Opinion

Letter to the Editor: A Shelter Dog Shows Her Thanks

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DOROTHY BROWN
Shelter Volunteer

Our animal shelter tries to minimze euthanasia by keeping our adoption rate as high as possible.

Some of the animals who come to us end up staying a long time until we can match them with homes in which they will succeed. Some of them need a little help to show their best side in order to be noticed. In addition to help from our local media, all of our local veterinarians, and the generosity of Pet Pangea, two local businesses help our dogs strut their beauty. 

Yours Truly Diana has donated grooming to many dogs and done so with great compassion for their issues such Read More

Letter to the Editor: Enjoy WGN’s ‘Manhattan’ But Don’t Believe A Word Of It

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By ALAN HACK
Los Alamos

With the finish of this year’s episodes of “Manhattan” I have a few comments.

There was indeed friction between the Army and civilians involving cutting down trees and other issues. But when the story gets to the scientific and technical issues almost everything shown is wrong.

A key issue was the need to develop an implosion system when reactor generated Pu proved to have too much spontaneous fission to be used in a gun type assembly. But rather than there being resistance to developing implosion, the Lab was immediately reorganized and enlarged to Read More

Letter to the Editor: Crossed-poles

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By TRAVIS NAIBERT
Los Alamos

I appreciate Rando Manley for advocating an exciting new use of the old Smith’s location in his recent letter to the editor, but I think he is treading on dangerous ground by suggesting that we house both penguins and polar bears in the old ice cream section.

Since these animals live at opposite ends of the globe there is no telling what would happen if we combined them here in our community.

I would seriously advocate that we stick to our own hemisphere!

Read More

Letter to the Editor: Knights of Columbus Thanks Community for Support of Golf Tournament

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JEFF BROWN, Chair
2014 Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament

Los Alamos Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council 3137 held our annual scholarship fund raising golf tournament on Friday Sept. 16 at the Los Alamos golf course with over 80 golfers participating, followed by a wonderful steak dinner at the Hall. 

The tournament raised nearly $10,000, all of which will be used to award scholarships to worthy Los Alamos High School students. As the Knights look to support students with potential but from disadvantaged backgrounds, these scholarships have a real impact. 

We are Read More

Letter to the Editor: We Could Make Something Special Happen At Old Smiths

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By RANDO MANLEY
Los Alamos

While having a whale and jellyfish would be an awesome attraction I’d like to expand on that idea to include a tank containing sharks with laser beams on their heads and if we can get in touch with John Hammond, the owner of Jurassic Park, maybe he can create a Plesiosaurs or Mososaurus.

In the freezer storage area we could leave the freezers intact and operational so to allow for an Arctic climate. That area could house a colony of penguins, walrus, polar bears and some Siberian Huskies. 

The options are endless and as a community of highly educated and unique Read More

Letter to the Editor: Ads Distort Proven Benefits Of First Born Program

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By KRISTINE COBLENTZ
Founder First Born Program

As the founder and former Program Manager of the First Born Program of Los Alamos County, I feel compelled to respond to negative print and radio ads attacking home visiting programs. Recent ads depicting government monitors and mandatory home visits are pure distortion and demonstrate either a frightening ignorance of (or a deliberate choice to ignore) the proven benefits of early childhood development programs.

Across our state, home visitation is supported by Republicans and Democrats alike because it works. The science is clear that Read More

Letter to the Editor: Who Cares If LAHS Is #1 If Your Child Hates Going To School Every Day?

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By MICHELLE WORLEY
Los Alamos

I read the article about how Los Alamos High School is the #1 high school in the state. I guess that’s great if that is what is important to the school district. After all, their goal is to be in the top 100 schools in the nation.

What concerns me is that the district cares so much about getting recognition for what they do rather than simply serving the students in our community well and making sure that ALL of them have the chance to succeed.

I’ve been an educator in this state for 30 years and I have worked in many New Mexico communities. Other school districts, if you look at Read More

Letter to the Editor: DPU Commended For Improvement Efforts Through QNM

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By BILL WADT

Immediate past chair of the QNM Board

I commend the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities on their continued efforts at systematic and systemic improvement using independent, third-party feedback through the New Mexico Performance Excellence Award process administered by Quality New Mexico.

In 2008, DPU received Roadrunner recognition for demonstrated performance improvements and this year DPU is pursuing the process again in their quest to achieve performance excellence. As the immediate past chair of the QNM Board and a former lead judge in the awards process, I have

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Letter to the Editor: Suggestion For Use Of Old Smith’s Building

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By NICOLAS PILAT
Los Alamos
 
Our Smiths’ recent and sudden movement across the street has left Los Alamos with a large vacant property.
 
Since the old Smith’s building provides ample interior space, it’s clear that it offers many options as to what could go inside. This space could be used as a car dealer, a fishing tackle store, a Blockbuster’s, and an almost infinite number of other things!
 
One option, however, strikes me as the one which would contribute the most to Los Alamos. I can’t tell you how many times I think ‘Man, I wish Los Alamos
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Letter to the Editor: Read Fine Print On PAC Ads Before Blaming Candidates

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By JOANN JOHNSON
Los Alamos

Political Action Committees (PACS) are running amok. I have been a political activist since the early 1980s. I have never seen campaigning so out of control as it is now. Political parties such as the Democrat and Republican Party have financial limits on spending. Not so – PACS.

PACS are free to advertise for candidates without the candidate’s authorization. Most of the time the candidate isn’t even aware of what the PAC has planned.

I do not have a suggestion for fixing this problem. For every law, there is someone who will find a loophole to get around the law.

I can only Read More