Politics

Letter To The Editor: To Bond Or Not To Bond

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By EDWARD BIRNBAUM
Los Alamos

I attended almost all of the public meetings that addressed the projects whose funding is a part of the $20 million bond issue now up for a vote. It was pretty obvious from attending these meetings that each project has a significant cadre of dedicated and passionate supporters. It was also pretty obvious that if funding was restricted only to CIP funds, only one or possibly two major projects could be funded, so much like individuals opting to obtain a mortgage to fund their home purchases, County Council opted to combine CIP dollars with dollars from a bond issue to Read More

Letter To The Editor: Just Say No To Rec Bond

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By BILL GENTILE
Los Alamos
 
When looking at the controversial Los Alamos Proposed Recreational Bond Project, I believe it is important to focus on the two big-ticket items in the proposal: the recreational center and the multi-generational pool.
 
These two projects account for 81 percent of the construction costs and 94 percent of the projected annual operations/maintenance budget.
 
The recreational center has two major parts; the gym and the ice rink. Regarding the gym, is anyone making the argument that we need more gym space than what is available at LAHS (main
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Recreation Bond Election: Questions & Answers

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Courtesy image
 
By Los Alamos Future PAC Executive Board:
James Chrobocinski, Tony Fox, Darren Meadows, Susan O’Leary

Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked with hundreds of people in our town to inform the decision making process that resulted in the upcoming bond election. We love Los Alamos and want to see it improve in ways that matter to the people who live here. We think the bond package resonates with many people for two key reasons: The process to get to this point has been incredibly inclusive and deliberative; and the projects included in the bond package are focused on tremendous Read More

Letter To The Editor: Investing In Our Children And Paying It Forward For Future Generations

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By JENNY and DAVID MCCUMBER
Los Alamos

We received our ballots in yesterday’s mail and voted FOR the county recreation bond.

Los Alamos has been a great place to raise our sons. The Aquatic Center in particular significantly benefits our family.

We want to continue to invest in our children and current Los Alamos students and also pay it forward for future generations of children in our community.

Thank you Los Alamos. Read More

Letter To The Editor: In Support Of The Rec Bond

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By JOYCE ANDERSON
Los Alamos
 
I am writing in support of the Rec Bond election, which starts today, (May 2). I encourage all Los Alamos voters to send their ballots in.
 
My husband and I have chosen to make Los Alamos our home and to raise our family here. We support the bond as an investment in the future of Los Alamos. So much of the time the mournful refrain of Los Alamos is that we need to clean things up and make Los Alamos attractive to new residents and tourists.
 
Instead of going off the Hill to spend our recreational dollars, we’d like to spend them in Los Alamos. We’d
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New Mexico Has New Democratic Party Leadership

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DPNM News:
 
The Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) elected a new leadership team Saturday to guide the Party into the 2018 election. Richard Ellenberg (Santa Fe) will serve as state Party chair, Naomi Martinez Parra (Lordsburg) will serve as vice chair, Katharine Clark will serve as secretary, and Robert Lara (Las Cruces) will continue to serve as Treasurer. 
 
“Democrats are united and working hard to make sure we never have another governor like Governor Susana Martinez nor a disaster like Donald Trump,” said Richard Ellenberg, the newly-elected chair of
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Letter To The Editor: What Might Not Be Realized About Rec Bond

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By JESSICA CHIPERA
Los Alamos
 
I wish someone else had brought up these important notes on the recreation bond because I try not to get political. But I also think it’s irresponsible for me to leave these remarks unsaid.
 
It is disappointing to see Los Alamos county suggest a general obligation bond to pay for income-producing facilities. This essentially means that people in Los Alamos will be paying for the amenities twice if they vote yes. I don’t know about you, but I tend to only pay for purchases once.
 
The way this bond appears to be set up, the increase in property tax
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Udall: Omnibus Appropriations Bill Includes Key Funding For New Mexico

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and lead Democrat on the subcommittee overseeing funding for the Interior Department, environment and arts and culture programs, issued the following statement on the bipartisan agreement to fund the government through September 2017.
 
“At a time when Washington is more polarized than I’ve ever seen it, I’m pleased that we were able to reach this agreement for New Mexicans and the American people. This agreement keeps
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State GOP On Defeat Of Sugary Beverage Tax

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GOP News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Republican Party of New Mexico released the following statement on the results of the vote on Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales’ proposed tax on sugary beverages:

“Santa Fe voters made the right choice today,” GOP spokesman Tucker Keene said. “This tax would have hurt local businesses and working families while doing nothing to increase access to healthier beverage options. The Santa Fe County Republican Party worked tirelessly to defeat this misguided tax hike with phone calls, letters to the editor, and research showcasing why Read More

Udall, Luján, Lujan Grisham Join Over 130 Members Of Congress Urging Education Secretary To Reinstate Student Loan Protections

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, Congressman Ben Ray Luján and Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham this week joined more than 130 members of Congress in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos urging her to reverse a recent decision to rescind Obama-era efforts on student loan servicing reforms.
 
The reforms include new consumer protections for borrowers and improvements to the quality of federal loan servicing.
 
“Your decision to rescind these [initiatives]—including the guidance making
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