Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Grateful School Board Has Listened to Teachers

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By Jonathan Lathrop and Jenny Diesburg-Lathrop
Los Alamos
 
We were disappointed with the tone of the story “Is Los Alamos School Board Imploding?” regarding the school board, and in particular its mockery of Mr. Williams. While scores of teachers welcomed the announcement of Dr. Schmidt’s choice to resign we also chose to stay out of the public spat that ensued. 
 
We assumed the public and trained journalists would recognize that the relative silence of teachers and those who actually work under Dr. Schmidt would speak for itself. We were wrong. If there
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Letter to the Editor: Give Support for School Board Members to Speak Out Without Fear

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By LINDA GOFORTH
Los Alamos

I am very concerned about the lack of transparency around the sudden show of little confidence in the Superintendent, who apparently was strongly insulted by a vote of lack of confidence.

It is something that should be examined with the intent to work out problems, and if the Board of Education has become rigid, then there is more to the problem than the superintendent. It is that simple.

If he did something wrong according to the nearly half of board members, then it should have been discussed publicly after being discussed thoroughly with some show of confidence in all Read More

Yang: Viscerally Annoying, Cerebrally Dissatisfying – My Reaction to ‘The Triple Package,’ Part I

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Viscerally Annoying, Cerebrally Dissatisfying – My Reaction to “The Triple Package,” Part I
By ELENA Yang

Yet, there are facts and truths one cannot ignore in “The Triple Package: How three unlikely traits explain the rise and fall of cultural groups in America,” by Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld. 

The authors are a married couple, and law professors at Yale; they both have established their academic standings, in addition to “international best seller” status from published novels/memoir. 

Their thesis in “The Triple Package” is fairly simple. In US, success favors groups that believe Read More

Letter to the Editor: Rural New Mexico Not Forgotten

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By TERRY BRUNNER, Director
State USDA Rural Development

The recent economic recession hit New Mexico’s rural communities especially hard. Its impacts are reflected in New Mexico’s frequently reported grim social and economic statistics.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Mission area, the only federal agency with a specifically rural mission, is working hard to help rural communities help recover of from the recession.

Last week, USDA Rural Development issued our annual report for fiscal year 2013. During the last five fiscal years, USDA Rural Development Read More

Letter to the Editor: Thanks to Our Great Community

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By JIM NESMITH
President, Rotary Club of Los Alamos

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Rotary Club of Los Alamos held its fifth annual Crabfest. As you may have seen in the media, it broke all records for both attendance and the amount of money raised to support Rotary’s many projects, both local and international.

As president of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos, I simply want to say thank you. Thank you to a community that is compassionate and fun loving. Thank you to the many sponsors and to the contributors to the silent and live auction participants who were generous beyond measure. Thank you to the members
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Letter to the Editor: Gratitude to Generous Community and Empty Bowls Project Contributors

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ELLEN MORRIS BOND
Executive Director, Self Help, Inc.

Our gratitude to our wonderfully generous community and those who helped sponsor the Empty Bowls Project on March 15.

Thank you to our primary sponsors: KRSN 1490 Radio, LANB, Zia Credit Union, Thrivent Care Abounds in Communities, The Blue Window Bistro, Los Alamos MainStreet and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Many thanks!

We are grateful to the restaurants and businesses that contributed to the delicious lunch: Amy’s Intergalactic Bakery, Aspen Lodge, Bob’s Bodacious BBQ, CAT’s Cafe, CB FOX, China Moon, El Parasol, Read More

Letter to the Editor: Governor Vetoes Our Boys’ State Bill

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By VERNON KERR
Los Alamos
 
The governor once again pocket vetoed our Boys’ State / Girls’ State bill that would have given the opportunity to high school juniors who participated in the programs.
 
This would have allowed a one semester of credit in an elective course along with three already existing courses, i.e., Financial Literacy, Media Literacy and Pre-Apprentice Programs.

Somewhere along the line the governor has developed a dislike for the programs. The pocket veto does not have to carry a reason why she vetoed the bill so when she is on the campaign trail, she
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Letter to the Editor: Having Trouble Understanding School Board’s Decision

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By SUE and RUDY HENNINGER
Los Alamos

To Dr. Kevin Honnell
March 13, 2014

Dear Kevin,

This letter has taken so long to compose because I was so angry about our school board’s treatment of Dr. Schmidt that I have needed time to be more civil. You are our representative, and having worked with you on the Barranca Mesa Pool Board I have seen that you have the capacity to consider things carefully. I am therefore hoping that you will take our comments to heart and consider what we have to say.

When we look at the last five years we see so many positive things that have happened in the schools due to Dr. Schmidt’s Read More

Letter to the Editor: UNM-LA Board Chair’s Response a Masterpiece of Spin

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By GEORGE CHANDLER

I want to thank UNM-LA Advisory Board Chairman Boerigter for his thoughtful response to our letter regarding the UNM-LA development on Ninth Street. It is a masterpiece of spin.

Contrary to the letter’s implication that UNM-LA sought and responded to neighborhood input, UNM-LA had no intention of holding neighborhood meetings, in spite of the fact that we had suggested they do that over a year ago in casual discussions about the future of their neglected apartments. After the rezoning request was filed and we were notified in December, I approached county planners and in Read More

Letter to the Editor: Rest In Peace Aime’ Thurlo

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By DIANA NORWOOD

Many of you know Aime’ Thurlo, through the books written with her husband David. They’ve written several series of southwest mysteries, and other great series over the years.

They visited us a couple of years ago, here at the library during the “authors speak” session. Aime’ passed away peacefully, Friday, Feb. 28. Aime’ and I have been friends for nearly 20 years. She was a great woman; a bundle of energy, and a “force to be reckoned with.” She’s survived by husband David, and their two dogs, Marlowe and Ella.  Read More