Opinion

By Los Alamos resident, seasoned dog owner and park frequenter, veteran

After recent events at a popular gathering area for dogs and their owners here in Los Alamos, which resulted in two women who did not understand the dynamic of public dog socializing areas to leave the park angrily and a friendly puppy nearly harmed in the process, it was made apparent that insight on the subject was needed.

This situation was such a shame as well informed owners and their dogs can have a great time together at local parks.

In order to prevent future recurrences, here are a few general thoughts (several of them Read More

By GEOFF RODGERS

In a recent letter to the editor, Ms. Marvel Harrison mischaracterized my comments concerning the First Born Program. She was not present at the time, giving rise to the distortion.

My comments were in response to statements made by Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard during the League of Women Voters forum. She stated that her “dream legislation” would be to fund a Universal Home Visit program.

Rep. Garcia Richard stated, “No matter who you are, no matter your education background, no matter what your economic status is, you have a visitor come in when you Read More

By Two Los Alamos Families

Elected and other County officials – please address failure to control or enforce nuisance dog barking as described by the County Animal Control Ordinance (Section 6-6 and 6-12).

This letter is being written by two Los Alamos families who, like another recent editorial writer (“Actions on animal ordinance short-sighted and harmful to community”, Oct. 6), are frustrated by nuisance dog barking in our town, which has gone unaddressed for too long.

For over a year now we have been corresponding with animal control concerning nuisance barking Read More

By RALPH L. PHELPS

The proposed changes to restructure the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) have the potential to cause collateral damage that may not be evident as voters consider their positions on this Charter Change issue.

I have the perspectives of former County Councilor, former Chair of the Utility Board and of a senior manager for a public power utility in Nebraska, and also had the opportunity to participate on the first Charter Change Committee when we initially discussed the issue.

Since most of the obvious pros and cons will Read More

By VERNON KERR

Constitutional Amendment 5 is a sleeper. It deals with investment of the Land Grant Permanent Fund assets.

Currently Investments are to be made on each proposed investment under the Prudent Man Rule which states that the investment is to be considered as one that a prudent man would make for his own investment being careful to avoid unreasonable risk, with care.

The amendment would change that to assign the Uniform Prudent Investor Act as the rule by which assets are to be handled. This is an Act that was passed by the legislature and that could be altered at any time by a legislature. Read More

By DAVID IZRAELEVITZ, member

The issues raised by the proposed changes to the County Charter regarding the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) have been the subject of multiple letters to the editor. Those against this amendment seem to strike an overriding theme: some County Council will abuse a strengthened oversight function over the BPU to the ultimate harm of the electorate; specifically, it could increase transfers from utilities to the general fund, resulting in higher taxes disguised as increased utility rates.

As a current member of the County Council, I know Read More

By KHALIL SPENCER

In a recent letter, Tina Andres indicates she will vote to retain Judge Sheri Raphaelson on the 1st Judicial District. Ms. Andres also referred to my “Catch and Release” editorial a few months back referring, of course, to Judge Raphaelson’s decisions in the matter of a local case that repeatedly came before her, first at trial and later because of a probation violation.

Readers should be aware that criticism of Judge Raphaelson’s performance on the bench go beyond those offered by citizens of Los Alamos who were impacted by a single case. Read More