Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Atomic City Transit Cuts Some White Rock Service

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By ALISON GRIEGGS
White Rock

Los Alamos County’s Transportation Division sponsors Atomic City Transit to serve the residents of our County.

On May 24, ACT modified its schedule and services, and the announcement included the statement “White Rock service will be enhanced … [and lists new routes].” LINK https:////www.losalamosnm.us/transit/Documents/ACT_ScheduleChanges_EffectiveMay24.pdf

Discontinuing service to ~1/3 of White Rock homes does not constitute a service enhancement to those of us who live in the La Senda and Pajarito Acres neighborhoods. Compounding our aggravation, Read More

Letter to the Editor: Every Student Deserves Applause

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By Leslie Esquibel
Los Alamos
 
I went to the Middle School Athletic Awards Ceremony the other day. I was uncomfortable going, expecting the same awkward ceremony as last year.
 
I got what I expected, and worse. There was the usual announcing of each team, their story for the year, and announcement of each athlete, 270+ at the school. This was preceeded by a slide show of some of the athletes and new football field and track.
 
What was the saddest, most awkward part, was the audience reaction. About 10 percent of the kids received significant applause from peers and families. Another
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Letter to the Editor: Perhaps Religious and Charitable Donations Shouldn’t be Tax Deductible

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By DON NEEPER
Los Alamos

Thurman Talley suggested (5/16/13 Los Alamos Daily Post) any 501c organization that made political contributions should lose its tax-exempt status.

 
At the risk of seeming obstreperous, I’ll make a bolder suggestion. Although charitable and religious organizations themselves should not be taxed, perhaps donations to such organizations should not be tax-deductible.
 
Why should other citizens collectively have to pay more tax just because I choose to donate to my favorite charity or church?
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Letter to the Editor: 501c4 Organizations!

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501c4 Organizations!
By THURMAN TALLEY
Los Alamos

I believe the IRS should withdraw all tax exempt status from any organization which endorses any political candidate.

This should extend to other categories in addition to this particular 501c organization group, including religious and social organizations!

No 501c organization should be allowed to make contributions to PACs or to candidates. Certainly political action groups are allowed to do whatever they want but they should not be tax exempt. Any tax exempt 501c organization should make public their financial contributors!

Other Read More

Letter to the Editor: I’m ‘Noisy; Unpleasant Child’s’ Parent

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By MANDY MARKSTEINER
Trumpet player and parent of two
Los Alamos
 
I’m coming clean. I am the parent of the “noisy and unpleasant child” at the performance of Beethoven’s Ninth. Shame on me for not keeping her under control!
 
I would have liked to remove her from the audience, but my husband and I were both playing in the band. We spend a lot of time rehearsing, and our kids wanted to hear us play. We want to teach them about music and give them opportunities to hear live music.
 
But they were noisy. I heard it, too.
 
Unfortunately, it was a situation where
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Letter to the Editor: Thanks for Week Full of Resplendent Examples of Music in Los Alamos

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By TINA F. DERR
Los Alamos
 
This past week has been filled with resplendent examples of music in our community!
 
I have not been able to attend all, however of special note was the LAMS combined music program Monday, May 6 when band, orchestra and choir came together for one excellent performance of their talents.
 

The band and orchestra were outstanding! And finally, combining them into a symphonic orchestra for the 4th movement of Dvorak’s New World Symphony was just delightful.
 

The choir was much smaller than I remember. Thank you for introducing me to the unfamiliar

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Letter to the Editor: Appreciation for Piñon Elementary Teacher & Staff

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By LEEANN FOSTER, Coordinator
2013 Piñon Elementary PTO Teacher & Staff Appreciation Luncheon

May 6-10 was Teacher Appreciation week, and I again had the privilege of organizing Piñon Elementary’s Teacher & Staff Appreciation Luncheon.

This reminded me how many people at Piñon work together to provide a good educational experience for the children. This includes teachers of preschool through 6th grade, special education, gifted & talented education, English language learners, art, library, PE, music/band, and orchestra; instructional assistants; principal; secretary; Read More

Letter to the Editor: Show Consideration for Artists; Audience

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By JOYCE WOLFF
Los Alamos

I want to congratulate Nancy Wurden on her excellent review in the Los Alamos Daily Post of the Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 concert Sunday at Duane Smith Auditorium.

She described the event beautifully. It was a grand performance. The four vocalists were indeed a lovely blend. Perhaps because of the rewrite for winds only, I heard sounds and melodies that I have not picked out before in listening to this symphony.

I appreciated the addition of the Los Alamos High School Chorus to the Los Alamos Community Winds and Los Alamos Choral Society. It was indeed a “goose bump” Read More

Letter to the Editor: Thank You For Dog Jog Support

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By Wendee Brunish and Pattie Baucom
Co-chairs, Los Alamos Dog Jog 2013

Sunshine and clear skies greeted all of the runners and walkers and their eager dogs for the 16 Annual Dog Jog April 27, 2013.

This year’s Dog Jog, organized by the Atomic City Roadrunners, the Los Alamos Dog Obedience Club and the Mountain Canine Corps (MC2) search and rescue team raised more than $10,000 for Friends of the Shelter. 

Friends of the Shelter (FOS) is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to abandoned animals and to pets and their owners in northern New Mexico. Our catastrophic care program pays Read More

Letter to the Editor: Clean Up Los Alamos Day Great Success

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By TOM NAGAWIECKI
Los Alamos County

The 10th Annual Clean Up Los Alamos Day held Saturday April 27 drew more than 500 participants who helped beautify the community and prepare for wildfire season. 

Los Alamos County Environmental Services would first like to thank the other event sponsors that make this wonderful community event possible: Los Alamos National Bank, Los Alamos County Community Wildfire Protection, and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Santa Fe.

This year we had around 500 participants. All the sponsors would like to thank the following groups for their participation: Read More