Opinion

Op-Ed: To Grow Up And Leave Los Alamos…

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By Sal DeWitt
From Los Alamos 

I never knew there was a part of life I was missing until I left Los Alamos.

Maybe it’s a part of becoming an adult, but now I understand what everyone meant

When they talked about it being a 

Sheltered,
Quiet,
Town.

Los Alamos is like a ray of sunshine hidden in a dark alley. Sometimes even unnoticed, but too small to see beyond the walls of the buildings surrounding it. Not able to reveal how dark the world could really get.

I moved to Los Angeles
After rehab,
After the drugs,
After realizing the darkest addiction existed in places people call “perfect.”

And now I find myself Read More

Op-Ed: Don’t Join The Flock

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By JIM RICKMAN
Los Alamos

Big Brother is relentlessly watching the citizens of little Los Alamos, but who is watching Big Brother?

Over the past months, a growing network of surveillance cameras have been mysteriously installed on lamp posts along Trinity and Diamond drives. These cameras ostensibly are automatic license plate readers, Flock cameras, or some cheaper knock off. Regardless of the brand, these systems are entirely self-contained, never blinking or running out of power—watching every coming and going every minute of every day.

Data about your travels, the configuration of Read More

Taylor Endorses Reelection Of Melanee Hand For County Council

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By TONI TAYLOR
Los Alamos

I enthusiastically support Melanee Hand to serve a second term on the Los Alamos County Council. I encourage Los Alamos citizens to vote for her in the upcoming election.

Melanee has been a positive force on the County Council, advocating for environmental sustainability and conservation, wildlife and animal welfare, recreational opportunities, and small businesses. She has facilitated communication between residents and the County and fostered collaboration with neighboring communities.

However, I want to focus on my personal interactions with Melanee Read More

Rose Endorses Melanee Hand’s Re-election To Council

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By EVAN ROSE
Los Alamos

My family moved to rural Santa Fe in 1986 so that I could work at LANL on a laser fusion project. I met Melanee Hand through a co-worker. At the time, they lived in Sierra Los Pinos. Our children were about the same age, and we would get together socially.

Eventually, both families moved to Los Alamos. Long commutes with children are difficult. Both families gained an appreciation for the high quality of Los Alamos schools and the ongoing difficulties of finding modern and affordable housing. Both families gained an appreciation for living in safe communities with constructive Read More

Hand: What Have I Done For You Lately?

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By MELANEE HAND
Candidate For Re-Election
Los Alamos County Councilor

As I seek the opportunity to continue serving Los Alamos County, I want to share how I have contributed behind the scenes over the past four-plus years. Anyone can see how I voted on hundreds of issues and initiatives in Council Sessions over the four plus years I have already served, and to mention only a few popular topics does not encompass the full scope of the job as a County Councilor.

The work of a County Councilor is often constrained by the Open Meetings Act and by the structure of our government, where no Councilor can direct Read More

Op-Ed: Sacred Space Should Be Safe Space

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By Rabbi Jack Shlachter
Los Alamos

As a rabbi, I am sadly and keenly aware of the appalling rise in antisemitism in this country and around the world. And as a human being, I mourn alongside our Muslim neighbors in the wake of the tragic event in San Diego on Monday. Beginning with my move to New York in 2019 and continuing after my return to Los Alamos,  I’ve been a member of the New York Board of Rabbis (NYBOR). Rather than try to express my own thoughts on the terrible shooting at the San Diego mosque, I reproduce here the message sent out by NYBOR earlier today and strongly encourage all of us to reflect Read More

Peggy Dare Endorses Antonio Maggiore For Sheriff

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By PEGGY DARE
Los Alamos 

My vote is for Maggiore for Sheriff. Although his opponent has a respected history of service to Los Alamos, his opponent is running to eliminate the position of Sheriff totally. Taxpayers should not be funding him to pursue this.

Maggiore wants to do positive work for the community with the position.

The argument is made that the Sheriff in our unusual town no longer has a significant role. Well whose fault is that? We hear: “The police department does all the law enforcement duties.”  But that cannot be.

What is “law enforcement”? Public employees in general work in law Read More

McCormick: Discovering ‘Angels’ In White Rock

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By Linda McCormick
Albuquerque
I would like to publicly thank Nick and Lisa, strangers who came to my aid after a fall on the Los Conchas Trail on Monday, May 11.
Without hesitation, they brought me ice to put on my wound, and then provided me with blankets when I became cold despite the warm day.
They were cheerful and calming, and even stationed themselves at the parking lot to flag down the emergency services.
I regret that it took a fall to discover that there are still good, neighborly, caring people in the world. Consuming daily news, we sometimes tend to forget that fact.
Read More

Rep. Chandler Endorses McQueen For Land Commissioner

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Rep. CHRISTINE CHANDLER
District 43
Los Alamos, Sandoval & Santa Fe Counties

I write to express my unequivocal endorsement of Matthew McQueen as the Democratic nominee for Commissioner of Public Lands.

The New Mexico Constitution assigns to the office the important responsibility of providing a strong and reliable revenue stream to support our public schools, hospitals and other public institutions. It currently relies heavily on the mineral extraction sector, while at the same time striving to diversify its economic base to meet its constitutional obligations. The revenue generated Read More

Izraelevitz: Clarifying Reasons Behind Run For Sheriff

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By DAVID IZRAELEVITZ 
Candidate For County Sheriff

It is unfortunate that online discussion about the merits of an elected Sheriff for Los Alamos, specifically regarding my campaign, has devolved into questions about my ethical compass. I would like to take a moment to be clear and factual about the reasons behind my effort to be elected as our Sheriff.

First of all, I am frank about my opposition to a Los Alamos County Sheriff, as I have been for a decade as County Councilor and in multiple communications. The position has evolved into one with no duties, is a waste of taxpayers’ money, and, for this Read More