Letters to the Editor

By ERIC SCHALLER
Los Alamos

To the chairman of the Republican Party of Los Alamos:

I am very glad to hear that you condemn the violence that occurred at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6. If this viewpoint is consistent throughout the Republican Party, then our country will be OK. We will get through this, as long as cooler heads prevail.

However, I would like to respond to your arguments in the context of the current state of affairs in the United States of America.

People on all sides are very concerned. People are scared that their democracy is on the verge of failing, either by disenfranchising

By KELLY WEAVER
Los Alamos

I was disappointed, though not surprised, when I read Bill McKerley’s response (link) to the insurrection by the faction of Trump Republican Party supporters who are extremist seditionists.  

While it is admirable that he does not condone nor “…justify violence or mob action”, he proceeds to reiterate some of the same falsehoods regarding the 2020 election that fomented riots. Why? Why perpetuate the Big Lie?

I am not sure which cases he was referencing in his comments; I have researched the post-election lawsuits and I think I have discerned to what he was referring.

By GEORGE CHANDLER
Los Alamos

As a member of the New Mexico Access to Justice Commission, I am aware of many of the self-help and legal assistance programs in New Mexico. I would like to bring to the attention of your readers a free webinar for renters facing eviction or persons facing foreclosures, especially those related to the COVID-19 financial crisis. 

The webinar will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. The Zoom information is ZOOM.US/J/829042862.

It is sponsored by a non-profit called Impact and Coffee, in cooperation with the City of Albuquerque Family and Community Services, Homewise,

By TERRY GOLDMAN
Los Alamos

It was a pleasure to read Mary Beth Bloser’s post regarding gifted children (link).

It has been famously said that it takes a village to raise a child. The availability of support groups like SENG recognizes that it can be very important which village is available.

By SUSAN HALL
White Rock

This year has been one of the most difficult in World history. It has forced all of us to cease ordinary activities and review and reset our priorities, our values in many areas of our lives.

What have you discovered: that what seemed important before has shifted dramatically, or not at all? What have you learned about yourself?

As we approach a new year, hopefully into some version of a fresh start, I’m asking you to consider taking one step to be kinder to each other no matter what your religious beliefs (or not) or political philosophy; to set aside your own pain, anger, or frustration

By BRIAN KLIESEN
White Rock

In the Dec. 17 issue of the Los Alamos Daily Post on the front page, “Council considers buying CB Fox & Reel Deal Buildings” (link). In the article it speaks of the County wanting to purchase the Reel Deal Movie Building and the CB Fox building for $4 million. Am I the only one who thinks this is a monumentally bad idea?

Why does the County want to go into the real estate business? If the current owner is having problems attracting buyers or renters of the buildings or spaces, how does the County hope to do any better?

The only plan seems to be “Let’s buy it before anyone else

By AARON WALKER
Chair
Community Development Advisory Board

Under normal circumstances I would be giving a speech at the beginning of our Community Development Advisory Board meeting recognizing any outgoing board members and wishing them well.

This year, our meeting fell a little too close to Christmas and the decision was made to cancel the meeting to allow board members some extra time to enjoy the holidays without obligation.

In lieu of that speech, I am writing this to ensure that Denise (Derkacs) gets the send-off she deserves.

Denise has been on CDAB since its inception in 2018, and has

By MARI JORGENSEN
Los Alamos

Public Banking Legislation is to be introduced during the January legislative session.

We need your support! If you are not familiar with this issue, please read on…

New Mexico Can’t Afford to Bank on Wall Street! We don’t have much water. We don’t have much grass, our timber is limited, and our mineral resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. These limited resources are being exploited for the benefit of very few people – many of whom have no interest in what makes New Mexicans proud of the state we call home.

The same is true of our money. Right

By JIM COBBLE
White Rock

A couple of months ago, the Los Alamos Daily Post carried a story about art in Fuller Lodge (link). Included in the article was a Los Alamos County Councilor’s criticism of a picture of Ranch School Boy Scouts that, given the immorality of the Boy Scouts, was inappropriate to display. This open letter to the community is a rebuttal to this idea.

Pedophilia is a difficult issue, and until ~20 years ago, it was not taken seriously enough. Presently, I am over 70 years old. I was a youth participant in Boy Scouts from ages 9 to 18. From ages 46 to 70, I served (>23 years) as Scout Master

By BOB WEEKS
Los Alamos

…Is today like days of old “you’re not a real man unless you drive drunk” but today “you’re not a real man if you wear a mask”?

…With all of the computer/modeling firepower that LANL and/or SNL have, could this be used to predict how many deaths would have been avoided if 90-95 percent of those who should have been wearing a mask actually did wear a mask?

…My understanding is that there is executive branch authority requiring masks be worn in public, e.g., an authorization akin to “must close no later than 10 p.m.” … Why is this not being enforced?

Concerned Citizen
Los Alamos 

I am not a bit surprised that Los Alamos is currently the only county that isn’t red on the governor’s tiered “Red to Green” reopening plan. I see our science minded citizens social distancing,  wearing our masks and washing our hands.

We should not be closed for business the same as the counties with the high infection rates. However, I am very concerned that COVID carrying shoppers and diners from the closed “red” counties will seek us out for entertainment in the governor’s new plan. I am not sure she has thought this through.

I remember growing up in a small

By ED KETTERING
Los Alamos

In regard to the Susan Henninger letter (link) in last Thursday’s edition, I believe she hit the nail on the head.

Our great granddaughter was telling us that a young man of color that she works with was asked for his ID when he went to vote. She said she was not asked for her ID and neither were my wife or me.

Actually, I don’t know of any of our friends/family that was asked for an ID to vote.

In regard to voting, I believe that everyone should be required to show their ID when voting.

Thank you.

By SUSAN BARNS
Los Alamos

Dear Community of Los Alamos,

A group of knowledgeable, concerned citizens is gathering signatures for a petition asking the County Council to appoint a committee to develop a comprehensive resiliency, energy and sustainability plan for our community: Petition.

Similar plans have already been crafted for Santa Fe, Albuquerque and other New Mexico cities, to address anticipated effects of climate change, and to help meet New Mexico State Climate Change Task Force goals.

Our community has already seen the devastating effects of climate change in the form of heat,

By Dotty Reilly, RN, MSN
Retired Pinon School Nurse

Saturday, I had to make a quick trip to the grocery store. As I was heading into the Smith’s in White Rock, three young teenage boys were exiting the store.

One of the three wore a mask, the other two did not and they were not social distancing.  This is of particular concern to me even though I am in good health despite my 77+ years of age.

Looking at today’s virus count for Los Alamos County as listed by the New Mexico Department of Health, our county has 75 known cases of the virus. Guess which age group has the highest number of cases – the 10-19 year olds.

By RICHARD NEBEL
Los Alamos

Apparently the governor has decided to shut down “non-essential” businesses again. As I explained in an earlier letter, it is highly unlikely that shutting down “non-essential” businesses prevented a single case of coronavirus in Los Alamos the last time the governor shut us down.

At least this time the governor claims that she will look at reopening on a county-by-county basis. I hope that her policies show some success.

The thing that is irritating about this is that it is so unfair to small businesses. Big box stores get to remain open, but small retail stores have

By CELINA MORGAN
Los Alamos

Dear Chairwoman Ben-Naim, members of the School Board, and Dr. Steinhaus,

I have three school-aged children and am sincerely concerned with the board’s plans to develop housing on North Mesa, and most presently with the vote to approve the MOA.

This land is not well suited as a development opportunity for the many reasons noted by the community at large: traffic, infrastructure, evacuation, lack of revenue streams, and more. But I’d rather depict the image of what this land represents, which is the opportunity for our children, for the school’s students.

Many of our

By LISA READER
Los Alamos

Dear Chairwoman Ben-Naim, members of the School Board, and Dr. Steinhaus,

I am writing to address the issue of the possible MOA between LAPS and Los Alamos County on the issue of the LAPS land on North Mesa.

I know you are aware of the many concerns that have been raised regarding safety, traffic, infrastructure, and the loss of more open space. I would like to address this from a different perspective.

This is the last large parcel of vacant school land. The Pinon Trails property in White Rock was sold and developed with minimal benefit to LAPS, and did nothing to alleviate

By SUSAN HENNINGER
Los Alamos

Dear Community of Los Alamos:

This past week a treasured member of our community was assaulted verbally by an individual simply for being a person of color – here at our own Smith’s in Los Alamos. The vile language that the person used is inexcusable.

Unfortunately, this incident points out very clearly that racism and hatred are alive and well even in our own community. My hope is that we can be bigger than that. I am ashamed that this would happen right in our own neighborhood.

Our community should be one that doesn’t tolerate hatred. We should be able to care about each

By ADELAIDE JACOBSON
Los Alamos

• That corporations, which are creations of state laws, and humans, are distinct and should not possess the same rights under our Constitution;
• That campaign finance in our country needs reform;
• That the cost of campaigning in our country is excessive;
• That campaign finance should be transparent; and
  
• That all citizens should have the ability to participate effectively in the electoral process and have fair access to representation.

It is for the above reasons