Opinion

Op-Ed: Flag Etiquette At NO KINGS

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By NEILL GOLTZ
Los Alamos

I am a recent immigrant to the Los Alamos community, but here long enough to have participated 3 times with the local “Indivisible” chapter at the “NO KINGS” rallies at Ashley Pond and along Trinity Drive and Central Avenue.

At a recent chapter meeting, I learned that a number of people in the community were upset with the upside-down display of two or three American flags.

I represent that this expression of my feelings is entirely my own, and in no way is the policy or advocacy of the “Indivisible” organization, or any of its other participants.

“NO KINGS” rally participants Read More

Op-Ed: Democrats – What Is Your Platform?

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By TJ TAUB
Los Alamos

Signs, some incredibly clever, crisply accurate, funny – are fine.

But another critical message is: Democrats – What Is Your Platform? “We’re Not Them” is NOT a platform!

Our politics have degenerated and warped into two views.

          • “Republican” bottom line is ‘Dems are evil, we’re here to save you’.
          • “Democrat” bottom line is ‘We’re not them, send money’.

Dem communications must change from five words to describing how policies/practices got us here, and fundamental actions required to survive this nightmare and rebuild our democracy.

If you fail to see how Dems Read More

Dermody: Rooftop Solar Remains Pragmatic Solution For Rising Energy Costs

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By CONNOR DERMODY
Clean Earth Consultants

As Spring begins, this is one of the more prominent times of the year where I experience an uptick in consultations for photovoltaic (PV) designs. Since I started working with homeowners in Los Alamos County four years ago, I have experienced quite a bit of change, from available incentives to how clients will be compensated for energy shared with the utility grid. Despite the ebbs and flows, I remain confident that the conscientious switch to rooftop solar is a sound solution for your current and ongoing energy needs.

Here are a few reasons why I believe Read More

Op-Ed: The Constitutional Promise … Why The Right To Counsel And A Day In Court Define Our Justice System

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By CYNTHIA FRY
Retired Judge
New Mexico Court of Appeals

Deb Haaland’s campaign for Governor has chosen a troubling line of attack, often used against lawyers, criticizing Sam Bregman for representing people accused of crimes. It may be convenient politics, but it is fundamentally at odds with our Constitution and with the very principles that define our justice system. Our system accepts that both the government and the accused have attorneys. They battle it out in a courtroom and a jury decides guilt or innocence. This system protects all of us from government abuse.

At the core of this system Read More

Op-Ed: Criticizing Government For Not Having More Small Businesses Is Totally Misguided

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By BILL ENLOE
Santa Fe

I read the letter written by Lisa Shin (link) criticizing the current County Council for not addressing the wishes of the community for more local businesses and a more vibrant downtown. It is not a surprise that Los Alamos residents would like to see those things happen. Criticism of the local government for not having them is totally misguided. I don’t believe government should or can successfully subsidize private businesses. Which ones do they pick to support? How long will the government continue to support the businesses? What about the local businesses we currently Read More

Op-Ed: Anti-Predatory Lending Law Working As Intended, But Threats Are Looming

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By KATIE GUTIERREZ
Tax, Budget, and Economic Reform Director
Think New Mexico

Despite the success of the anti-predatory lending law in keeping credit accessible to low-income New Mexicans at dramatically lower interest rates, threats to the law are looming.

In 2022, Think New Mexico worked with Representative Susan Herrera, Senator Bill Soules, and members of the Fair Lending Coalition to win passage of legislation reducing the maximum annual interest rates of small loans from 175% to 36%. The law is worded to prevent charges over 36% for any small loans made in the state—including interest Read More

Izraelevitz: All Public Safety In Los Alamos Should Be The Purview Of Professionals

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By DAVID IZRAELEVITZ
Candidate
Los Alamos County Sheriff

Los Alamos, alone among the 33 Counties in New Mexico, delegates all law enforcement responsibilities to the Chief of Police. Similarly, all summons, subpoenas, and similar civil actions are also handled by the Police Department. Finally, as a practical matter, Police staff handle the Sex Offenders Registry, even though that is formally the only remaining responsibility of the Sheriff.  

This makes sense because only Police staff have the training and expertise to monitor, update, and verify a database so important to our public Read More

Antos: An Open Letter To The No Kings Protestors In Los Alamos

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By GERALD M. ANTOS
Los Alamos

This letter is to all you No Kings protesters.

I admire your zeal, but it really seems as though something is missing. Maybe it’s just the fact that your protesting seems to be like a prize fighter trying to fight the wind or someone’s shadow! 

I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you are not winning any fans as your protests are just too childish to be believed!

That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it! Read More

Gessing: Is New Mexico Suffering From The Curley Effect?

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BY PAUL GESSING
President
New Mexico Rio Grande Foundation

I recently came across a concept called The Curley effect. It has nothing to do with Larry and Moe. After some research I learned that The Curley effect, coined by economists Edward L. Glaeser and Andrei Shleifer, is a real concept in political economy. It describes how politicians use wasteful redistributive policies and divisive rhetoric to drive opposing voters out of a city (or in our case a state), thus securing their electoral base.

Named after former Boston Mayor James Michael Curley, it explains how leaders can maintain power Read More