Politics

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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NACo Reappoints Sandoval County Treasurer Laura M. Montoya To National Leadership Position On FPIGA

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NACo News:
 
WASHINGTON/BERNAILLO ― National Association of Counties (NACo) President Mary Ann Borgeson reappointed Sandoval County Treasurer Laura M. Montoya to a seventh term as Vice Chair of NACo’s Finance, Pensions & Intergovernmental Affairs (FPIGA) Steering Committee.
 
Borgeson, a Douglas County, Neb. commissioner, made her leadership appointments shortly after being sworn in as NACo’s president, the final day of NACo’s 84th Annual Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas/Clark County, Nev.
 
“I am thrilled to continue the work we have been doing on NACo’s
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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Introduces Growth Act To Generate Workforce Opportunities

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to introduce S. 2620, the Generating Real Opportunities for Workforce Training and Hiring (GROWTH) Act.
 
This bipartisan legislation will support career and technical education opportunities, consistent communication between career and technical education institutions regarding curriculum, and the importance for elementary and secondary education institutions to highlight enrollment in these professions as desirable
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Letter To The Editor: Melanie Colgan – A Lot To Like About This School Board Candidate

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By KEVIN HONNELL
Los Alamos School Board (2011-2015)

Residents of North and Barranca Mesas (District 4) are fortunate to have two strong candidates for the upcoming school board election. 

But, based on my experience as a former school board member for this district as well as former school board president, I concur with our current member, Andrea Cunningham, that one candidate stands out above the other — Melanie Colgan (link).

I’ve known Melanie Colgan for more than a dozen years, and throughout that time I’ve been amazed by the extent to which she has poured her talent and energy into Read More

Letter To The Editor: Parent And Teacher Melanie Colgan Will Be A Great Addition To Our School Board

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By MARGI HARRACH
Los Alamos

How nice it is to see that Melanie Colgan is running for School Board District 4 (Barranca and North Mesa communities). From my experience, I always appreciate any time I get to see or work with Melanie.

Our families moved to Los Alamos within a year of each other and her children were a few years behind mine at Barranca Mesa Elementary, so our time on Barranca PTO overlapped. I saw Melanie inspire a sense of balance, calm, enthusiasm and focus to each group she was part of.

She was an exceptional PTO vice president, president and coordinator of the Bobcat Bonanza fundraiser. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Julia Baker Is The Way To Go!

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By AMELIA EPPERSON
Los Alamos

As I contemplate which candidate would be best suited to serve on the school board for District 3, I can’t help but feel jealous of my friends in District 4 who have, by far, the best candidate for school board. Julia Baker, I wish I could vote for you!

I have had the privilege of knowing Julia Baker for over ten years. In those years, I have seen her in myriad roles: as my child’s preschool teacher, as a dedicated mother to her five children, as a volunteer serving on PTO and PTA at different schools, and as a mentor to youth in the community. Even with all this, she still finds Read More

USDA Announces Infrastructure Projects Across Nation Including Belen And San Ysidro In New Mexico

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USDA State Director Arthur A. Garcia 
 
USDA News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced that USDA is investing $201 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 31 states.
   
“Modern, reliable and accessible infrastructure is critical to economic development and quality of life,” LaVoy said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help them improve their infrastructure,
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NMDHSEM Cabinet Secretary Jackie Lindsey Appointed To FEMA National Advisory Committee

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NMDHSEM Cabinet Secretary Jackie Lindsey
 
NMDHSEM News:
 
SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Cabinet Secretary Jackie Lindsey has been appointed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Advisory Committee (NAC), the state emergency preparedness agency announced Friday.
 
The NAC is an advisory committee established by federal law to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal emergency management activities. The NAC advises the FEMA Administrator through recommendations on all aspects
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Letter To The Editor: Vote For David Hampton, A New Voice And Vision For UNM-LA

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By DONNA MACDONALD
Los Alamos
 

I ask the community to vote David Hampton for the UNM-LA Advisory Board, position 3. We need new and fresh voices at the table to move our community forward. 

I certainly appreciate his vision to push UNM-LA towards becoming a 4-year Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) university. We keep losing our brightest and best students to out-of-state colleges, and a local 4-year college par excellence could encourage them to stay.

There would be stubborn resistance from UNM Main Campus, of course, so this initiative would require strong community

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