Politics

Letter To The Editor: Responsible Local Government Listens To Their Voters

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By MEGAN FOX
Los Alamos

I’d like to weigh in from the “other side” on this Rec Bond topic.

To say the Rec Bond was “defeated” last year is a bit of a stretch. It was nearly a tie, 47 percent of those who voted were in favor of proceeding with all Rec Bond projects and the associated costs, and 53 percent of those who voted were opposed, for a variety of reasons. Many of those who opposed were in favor of improving or building some of the proposed Rec Bond projects, but were opposed to the huge bundle of all the projects together.

Some voters who voted against the Rec Bond were in favor of all the projects, but didn’t

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Letter To The Editor: Clearing Up Confusion On Rec Projects

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By STEPHANIE NAKHLEH
Los Alamos

Recent letters to the editor reveal some confusion about the results of the May 2017 Rec Bond election. To be clear, the Rec Bond question was whether to raise property taxes to proceed with five recreation projects. By a narrow vote, the town declined to support a property-tax increase. However, many citizens—those who voted for the bond and quite a few who voted against it—made it very clear that they want to see individual projects move forward.

Some of the most vocal critics of the Rec Bond pleaded with Council to find “a better way” to fund the projects, in fact—they Read More

Spencer: Is ‘Bombs For Profits’ A Good Model For A Nuclear Weapons Lab?

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By KHALIL SPENCER
Los Alamos

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist.” –Dwight Eisenhower

The County Manager and Council Chair have both submitted comments to NNSA regarding the draft solicitation for the LANL M&O Request for Proposals. The letters sent to NNSA can be found in this Daily Post article. There is a lot there, but the parts that I find objectionable are the statements “The Read More

Pearce Applauds Repeal Of ONRR Valuation Rule

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U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released the following statement after the Department of the Interior released a formal notice of their plans to repeal the Obama-era regulation on royalties for coal, natural gas, and oil extracted on federal lands.
 
“The Office of Natural Resource Revenue (ONRR) valuation rule was a direct attack on state’s like New Mexico that rely on the production of energy resources. Without repealing this rule, taxpayers in New Mexico and across the nation would
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Letter To The Editor: Questions On Rec Project Funding

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By JOYCE ANDERSON
Los Alamos
 

In the past few days there has been a lot of uproar here in the Los Alamos Daily Post and on social media about the County Council’s efforts to move forward and fund some of the recreation projects that would have been funded had the Rec Bond passed in May.

 
Cries of ignoring the will of the people are hanging in the air this morning as people slug it out on social media, and members of the County Council are being excoriated for their efforts to make much needed improvements to the town. I’m as frustrated with this as the next person, so I’m asking
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Secretary Zinke Recommends No Modifications To Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument

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U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke
 
DOI News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Aug. 4, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced Arizona’s Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is no longer under review​ and that he will recommend that no modifications be made to the monument.
 
The monument was under review in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017, executive order. 
 
“Today I’m announcing that​ Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument’s review process has concluded and I am recommending
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Letter To The Editor: Unfathomable That Council Would Even Consider Proceeding With Rec Projects

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By ROBERT PELAK
Los Alamos
 
Dear Councillors:
 
After the bond for the five recreation projects was defeated in the recent election, it seems unfathomable to me that the County Council should consider proceeding with these projects anyway. It is especially galling to attempt to move forward so soon after the election and to use every last bit of available funding.
 
Going forward risks cementing into people’s hearts and minds the belief the Council is deaf to the citizens. It also appears to be fiscally irresponsible as it would leave us with very little funding left for
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DOE, Industry, Community Representatives To Join 2017 National Cleanup Workshop

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DOE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Senior DOE officials, industry executives and community representatives from across the U.S. are set to participate in the 2017 National Cleanup Workshop, scheduled for Sept. 13-14 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia.
 
Planned participants include:
  • Jim Owendoff, Acting Assistant Energy Secretary for EM
  • Roger Jarrell, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Energy for EM
  • Stacy Charboneau, EM Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Field Operations
  • Ralph Holland,
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