Opinion

Letter to the Editor: We Have a Wonderful Opportunity at this Cross Road for UNM-LA … I Would Like to be a Part of the Solution

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By Michelle Hall
President, Science Education Solutions
Los Alamos

Our college, UNM-LA as we most often refer to it, has met or exceeded each of 10 metrics set by the state for two-year colleges for many years running.

It ranks first in the state in four of the 10 metrics (New Mexico Association of Community Colleges Annual Report, 2012.)

For example, of the two-year colleges in the state, UNM-LA had the highest percentage of students (92.7 percent) who obtained employment or continued their education at a four-year school upon completion of their studies at UNM-LA.

It is a gem in the rough that Read More

Letter to the Editor: School Bond – No Conspiracy … Just Good Business Sense

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By Mike Lippiatt
Los Alamos

While I am elated that Peter Heimdahl voted for the school bond, I am in total disagreement with his conspiracy theory about its timing.

One of the main reasons the bond is now coming up is because the old bond is being paid off and a new bond is needed … and although we will not see lower taxes … we also will not see our taxes increase.

Why? … because the old bond retires and the new bond kicks in. So, taxes won’t go down if approved but they won’t go up either. Does that make sense?

We retire one debt, and in a timely manner, start a new debt – Read More

Letter to the Editor: School Bond Timing Questioned

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Peter Heimdahl
Los Alamos

This letter is not intended as a pro or con for the School Bond Vote, but a disclosure of information that the pro bond contingent has neglected to make public.

According to the County Clerk’s Office, the cost of this special election to taxpayers is approximately $30,000.

The Los Alamos Public Schools administration could have saved taxpayers a large sum of money by holding this election on the same date as the general November 2012 election, but opted not to.

Why? It is a common strategy throughout the U.S. for special interests to hold elections (mostly to raise taxes)

Read More

Letter to the Editor: On Naming Los Alamos County Public Facilities

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By Joel M. Williams
Los Alamos

Los Alamos County is unique in also being a municipality. “In the United States, a ‘municipality’is usually understood as a city, town, village.”

 
Los Alamos County Municipal Building and Los Alamos County Town Hall are names that convey this uniqueness.
 
Los Alamos Citizens’ Building and Los Alamos Community Town Hall are good in that they convey citizenry and community. We already have a Los Alamos Community Building. The County Council is the governing body, however, and County includes both WR and Townsite.
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Letter to the Editor: Approving School Bond is Good Investment for Future

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By Pete Sheehey
Los Alamos County Councilor

I ask the citizens of Los Alamos to join me in voting “yes” in the 2013 Los Alamos Public Schools bond election.

These are challenging times for our local and national economy, but we can still afford to pay for the most important things for our community, such as good schools.

Passing the 2013 bond will not increase property tax rates; it will maintain them at the level set in 2009. The school board and administration have done a good job of planning and prioritizing how this money will be spent; see details at laschools.net/2013BondElection

Read More

Letter to the Editor: Drop ‘Municipal’ … Consider ‘The County of Los Alamos Building’

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By Linda Goforth
Los Alamos

As much as I like Jeanette Wallace, I think the new county government building should be named without mystery.

Perhaps leaving “municipal” out of it covers its true purpose, too. The County Government of Los Alamos, or perhaps The County of Los Alamos Building. I like the second of these.

  Read More

Letter to the Editor: Voting Yes for School Bond Makes Sense

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By Kathryn E. Thomas
Retired LAPS Assistant Superintendent

My name is Kate Thomas, and I resigned in 2010 from Los Alamos Public Schools as Assistant Superintendent. Since then I have worked closely in different situations related to the schools. 

I have been involved in education for 42 years, either as a teacher or an administrator. I am writing this letter to strongly urge Los Alamos voters to vote “Yes” to continue the funding of school renovation in our school district.

Learning is a complex activity, which supremely tests students’ motivation and physical condition. Teaching Read More

Letter to the Editor: Just Name It ‘The Los Alamos County Municipal Building’

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By Joel M. Williams
Los Alamos

The new municipal/administration building is THE Los Alamos citizens’ building! As such, it should not be a memorial to any one person, dead or alive.

While a few previous, and some current, councilors doggedly refused to allow LA citizens to vote on it, the building is still the citizens’ building and not the council’s building.

If a nickname is needed, make something like “The GRT (Golden Revenue Trove or Gross Receipt Tax-windfall) Building” as that is what enabled it.

Councilor (Fran) Berting put forth the request that the building be named in memory of Jeanette Read More

Letter to the Editor: Call Municipal Building What it is!

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By Christine Weaver
Los Alamos

I definitely agree with Ms. (Diana) Stepan. Why does Los Alamos feel they need to name every building after someone?

 
If that person didn’t personally finance the building just call it what it is!
 
Sooner or later the “honoree” is long forgotten thus Civic Auditorium, Aquatic Center, Municipal Building, etc., all make plenty of sense.
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Letter to the Editor: Name Municipal Building ‘Citizens’ Municipal Building’

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By Diana Stepan
Los Alamos

In my opinion, the new Municipal Building should be named the “Citizens’ Municipal Building,” since the citizens paid for it and the citizens are the ones who are supposed to be served by the employees who work at the Municipal Building.

If that is not acceptable, please simply name it the “Los Alamos Municipal Building.”

There is no one I can think of that deserves the honor except for the citizens of Los Alamos County. Read More