Politics

Column: Checks and Balances

October 3, 2012 by Submitted by Staff Report

By George Chandler

“Checks and balances” is the phrase that describes the interactions among the branches of a government that provides for limiting governmental excess by the separation of powers into legislative, executive and judicial sectors.

For example in the first instance, the federal government, the legislature passes laws but those laws can only be enforced by the executive and interpreted by the judicial, the legislature can remove judges or presidents and controls their budgets but is itself greatly constrained by being bifurcated.

And so on. In the extreme these Read More

Find Complete Election Coverage on the Los Alamos Daily Post

October 3, 2012 by Submitted by Staff Report

2012 Election News:

The Los Alamos Daily Post’s Election 2012 page has a wealth of information, including:

A complete list of local candidates including email, website and phone number;
League of Women Voters’ 2012 Voters Guide;
Link to the County Clerk 2012 Voter Information Page;
Los Alamos Daily Post Video Candidate Conversations; and
Election 2012 News Stories.

Check out the Election 2012 page by clicking HERE or via the red menu bar at the top of each page. Read More

Los Alamos Daily Post Launches Candidate Video Series

October 3, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Today the Los Alamos Daily Post launched its first of four sets of video-taped conversations with candidates running for office in the 2012 election cycle.

New Mexico House Dist. 43 Republican candidate Jim Hall and Democratic opponent Stephanie Garcia Richard are featured in this video discussing the issues in a conversational format conducted this evening at the Los Alamos Daily Post headquarters in the Small Business Development Center in downtown Los Alamos.

The video series concludes Wednesday evening with the Los Alamos County Council candidates including Democrats Kristin Read More

County Clerks Office Certifies Voting Machines

September 29, 2012 by Submitted by CSTadmin

From left, County Council candidates Michael Redondo and Kristin Henderson with Los Alamos Canvasing Committee member Bill McKerley and observer Marie Chiravalle, review voting machine procedures Friday at the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com

Bill McKerley, a member of the Los Alamos Canvasing Committee and Los Alamos County Chief Deputy Clerk Sheryl Nichols stand among voting machines to be certified by the County Clerk’s Office Friday. McKerley stated that he was recently in Starbucks and saw a uniformed soldier. McKerley thanked Read More

Garcia Richard: State Education Reform Must Start with Early Reading

September 27, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Column by Stephanie Garcia Richard, Democratic Candidate for State Rep, District 43

As kids from Los Alamos and around the state get back to school, and the election season begins to gear up, the important role of education in our state’s future becomes more and more apparent.

Schools and classrooms may not share top billing in this season’s political debates, but it’s one of the most important issues for me.

Maybe that’s because I’m on the front lines. I teach third grade and have been a classroom teacher for over ten years. I have taught in charter schools, BIA schools and public schools. Read More

McCain, Graham and Ayotte Stump for Heather Wilson

September 27, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

From left, Heather Wilson’s husband Jay Hone, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, Sen. John McCain, R-AZ, US. Senatorial candidate Heather Wilson, Wilson’s son Josh Hone and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-NC. Courtesy photo

News release:

ALBUQUERQUE — Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte stumped for Heather Wilson Tuesday, telling New Mexico voters that she is the only candidate who will stand up to protect jobs at New Mexico’s labs and bases.

“Massive across-the-board cuts in defense spending would have a devastating effect here in New Mexico — 20,000 jobs lost here Read More

CLARIFICATION: Democratic Senators Expressed Support of – But Have Not Endorsed Republican Rep. Jim Hall

September 27, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

UPDATE: Sen. Richard Martinez has responded to the Los Alamos Daily Post request for comment regarding information from a Hall Campaign news release published here Tuesday:

“I haven’t endorsed anyone in that race. I like Jim Hall a lot. He is a very nice gentleman and he works well with both parties. I used to be Democratic Party Chair and I am not supporting anyone in that race.”

Staff report

After receiving calls from area democrats insisting that Democratic State Senators Carlos Cisneros and Richard Martinez have not endorsed Republican Rep. Jim Hall for Dist. 43, the Los

Stephanie Garcia Richard Lectures at UNM-LA

September 27, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

House District 43 candidate Stephanie Garcia Richard explains to Los Alamos County Councilor Mike Wismer’s American Politics Class recently that the New Mexico Constitution specifically calls for an unpaid citizen’s legislature so that working mothers and fathers, and every sort of profession could be represented, not just the wealthy or retired. Courtesy photo Read More

House Education Chairman Joins Tuesday’s Forum

September 26, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

New Mexico House Education Committee Chairman Endorses Stephanie Garcia Richard For Dist. 43

Staff report

The Los Alamos Federation of School Employees sponsored a House Dist. 43 Candidate Forum Tuesday evening at Los Alamos High School in which Rep. Rick Miera, Chairman of the New Mexico House Education Committee addressed the audience about school funding issues.

RICK MIERA

Miera also endorsed Dist. 43 Democratic candidate Stephanie Garcia Richard.

“I came to Los Alamos to support Stephanie today,” Miera told audience members after the forum ended. “She’s

Council Tightens Confidentiality Rules

September 25, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Los Alamos County Councilor Vincent Chiravalle voted in favor of an amendment proposed by Councilor Michael Wismer following Chiravalle’s disclosure of information discussed in a closed door session earlier this month. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Councilor Michael Wismer spoke of Councilor Vincent Chiravalle’s “breach of confidentiaility” recently and requested that staff place an item on this evening’s agenda so that Council could consider amending its procedural rules to more clearly define its members’ responsibilities Read More