Politics

Letter To The Editor: Elated To Vote For Bernstein

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By JAMES RICKMAN
Los Alamos

I’m pleased to share my elation after voting for Christine Bernstein for Los Alamos School Board, District 3.

I think it’s fantastic that an actual educator is running for a seat on the local Board of Education. Both of my parents were teachers—and excellent ones at that, based on the recollections of their former pupils—and I remember them talking often about administrators and policy makers who knew little about the realities they faced, yet who held the purse strings and the power to make meaningful changes on behalf of students and educators.

Electing a teacher Read More

Letter To The Editor: Thanks For LAFSE Endorsement

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By CHRISTINE BERNSTEIN
School Board Candidate
District 3 (Aspen)
 
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Los Alamos Federation of School Employees for their endorsement of my candidacy.
 
I feel very honored to have been chosen. As a school employee myself, I understand the importance of teachers’ unions. They not only advocate for teachers in difficulty, but also for students and for education overall. In a time when teachers are being asked to do so much, it is good to have support and advocates to help us and unions play a key role in that. There is power in numbers. 
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Calef: Now Is The Time For Redistricting Reform

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By BARBARA CALEF
Los Alamos

Following the 2020 census, New Mexico will be required to readjust its electoral districts to reflect changes in the distribution of the population. Now is the time for New Mexico to take steps to join the growing number of states that have created objective, fair, and transparent systems for redistricting.

In New Mexico, the legislature determines the congressional and state legislative districts, as well as the Public Education Commission and Public Regulation Commission districts. Our state has a long history of having the legislature’s redistricting maps Read More

Letter To The Editor: Sheehey Endorses Los Alamos Public School Bonds

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By PETE SHEEHEY
Vice Chair
Los Alamos County Council

Like many of us in Los Alamos, I know I owe a lot to good public education. 

Tax revenues spent wisely on education are a good investment in our future. That is why I urge Los Alamos citizens to vote yes for continuation of our Public Schools Bonds.

This vote will not increase property taxes; it will simply continue the present tax rates so that the schools can continue to rehabilitate and update our aging schools. 

Los Alamos support of these bond issues enables us to receive additional New Mexico state schools capital funding, multiplying Read More

Q&A With Congressional Candidate Valerie Plame

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CD3 Candidate Valerie Plame

 
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series in which the Los Alamos Daily Post presents the same set of questions to each of the candidates running for Congressional District 3, which serves the northern half of New Mexico.

Democratic candidate Valerie Plame provided the following answers:

POST: Why do you believe you are qualified to represent New Mexico in Congress?

Plame: I served my country for many years as a covert CIA operations officer. My expertise was in nuclear counterproliferation Read More

Letter To The Editor: Sharon Stover Endorses Pongratz

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By SHARON STOVER
Former Los Alamos County Clerk
 
One exemplary attribute that no one can take away from Morrie Pongratz is that he has never sat on the sidelines relative to service to his community. 
 
Since early 1980s, he has been actively involved including serving on the County Council and School Board. Below follow a couple reasons to consider why Morrie should be elected to the School Board.
 
Recall and think about in the early 1980s, when young people needed safe activities, Morrie was there to spearhead, secure funding, and chaperone events for teens. Morrie has
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Balderas, Colón, Eichenberg: ‘Dream Bigger’ Summit To Focus On Issues Impacting People With Disabilities

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Attorney General Hector Balderas
 
AG News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas, with State Auditor Brian Colón and Treasurer Tim Eichenberg announced Tuesday that they will be holding the Dream Bigger Summit on disability rights and issues impacting people with disabilities.
 
Taking place Monday, Oct. 28 at Hotel Albuquerque in Albuquerque, the full day summit will focus on creating a more inclusive New Mexico. Presentations will include in-depth discussion from subject matter experts in multiple focus areas, highlighting when people with disabilities
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Udall, Bennet Introduce Major Resolution To Set National Conservation Goal: Conserve 30% Of U.S. Lands And Ocean By 2030

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tuesday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced a major Senate resolution to set a national goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the land and 30 percent of the ocean within the territory of the United States by 2030.
 
The Udall-Bennet Thirty by Thirty Resolution to Save Nature recognizes that nature – like climate change – has reached a tipping point. The resolution responds to a growing group of scientists, who say that conserving at least 30% of the ocean and land by 2030 is the minimum step necessary to adequately
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Letter To The Editor: The Big Questions Communities & Parents Face Is How Programs Will Be Funded…

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By DIANA MARTINEZ
Development Director
The Family YMCA

I too read the after-school editorial by Lt. Gov. Howie Morales that Morrie Pongratz referred to in his letter to the editor (link).

My first thought was, “I’m so glad Howie recognizes that!” There is a massive body of studies that essentially says youth should be given resources to help them develop. Dr. David DuBois of the Institute for Health Research and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago has research that examines the contribution of protective factors, particularly self-esteem and mentoring relationships, to resilience Read More

Letter To The Editor: Rock The Bond For White Rock Schools

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By MATT SCHMIDT
CEO/President
Los Alamos Schools Credit Union
 
In a time when education budgets are tight, it takes the full might of a mindful community to prioritize education. As a parent of three current Los Alamos Public School students, I’m thankful to have witnessed firsthand how modern facilities can inspire a love for learning.
 
It is our duty to promote health, security, and learning for all current and future students in Los Alamos. Not only is investing in aging school infrastructure the right thing to do for our children and teachers, but it also has lasting economic value
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