Letter to the Editor: Jim Hall is a Trusted Leader
By Terry C. WallaceRepresentative Jim Hall is a true public servant; he has a long record of service on community committees, county government and state government.
Jim is deeply committed to bettering the lives of the citizens of northern New Mexico, and he has lived in our community for more than 35 years.
The hallmark of Jim’s long record of service is common sense and bipartisanship – whether discussing education issues, small business or environmental stewardship, Jim is a trusted leader.
I endorse Representative Hall to continue representing District 43 in the New Mexico Read More
Letter to the Editor: County Clerk Must be Neutral and Independent
Richard DunnThe Los Alamos County Clerk race has drawn very little attention. But it should.
In addition to keeping and providing records, the County Clerk is responsible for ensuring fair elections and fair initiative, referendum and recall petition processes.
The County Clerk, an elected position, is responsible to the New Mexico Secretary of State, not to the County Council.
As such, the County Clerk must be fair and independent of the Council.
Sharon Stover, currently Chair of the County Council, showed a strong Council bias in leading a 2009 ruling (that took a judicial Read More
Letter to the Editor: Local Jobs, Businesses Must Come First
By Stephanie Garcia RichardJobs, jobs, jobs. They are the first words out of every candidate’s mouth this election season, and I am no different.
But how to grow them and keep them for the residents of the many rural communities surrounding high tech centers like Los Alamos is the key question.
Even the residents of Los Alamos wait anxiously for word on whether lab jobs will be cut in a flood of partisan bickering in Washington.
We must diversify our economy so there are alternatives for everyone.
There is no quick, easy answer to the challenge Read More
Letter to the Editor: Reject Los Alamos Charter Amendments
By Robert A. PelakLike Albuquerque and Santa Fe, the structure of the government of Los Alamos is defined by a charter that was adopted by its citizens.
Also, like Albuquerque and Santa Fe, this charter allows its citizen to directly participate in their government by means of petitions for initiatives (proposing new ordinances), referenda (rejection of newly passed ordinances) and recall (removing elected officials) as well as amendment of the charter.
If a petition gathers enough signatures within the allotted time period, then the subject of the petition is put to a vote of all Read More
Who Calls the Shots When it Comes to Vaccines?
Local moms discuss parental rights with Rep. Jim Hall. Photo by Mandy Marksteiner
By Mandy Marksteiner
Kristy Mack had concerns about giving her son the chicken pox vaccine when she was eight months pregnant because she didn’t want to risk harming her unborn child.
The doctor agreed to delay the shot. Her son eventually received all of his shots. But if he had been attending preschool, he would have had to file a vaccination exemption with the State Department of Health.
If his waiver had been denied, he wouldn’t be able to go to preschool.
The waiver forms have been changed. Now parents are required Read More
Letter to the Editor: I Voted to Pass Torch to New Generation
By Carl NewtonHow sad that elections for New Mexico House seats have been tarnished by fictionalizing candidate positions and funded by donors that have no cultural connections with our residents.
I am further saddened when my chosen candidate, Stephanie Garcia Richard, is belittled by her opponent.
Don’t be misled into believing that Stephanie lacks the relevant accomplishments.
As a bilingual third grade teacher, subject to externally applied accountability rules, she is focused on developing “the living messengers to a time we will not see.”
Stephanie is able to be a bridge Read More
Letter to the Editor: Rhetoric Makes Charter Changes Sound Draconian
By Fran BertingThe rhetoric regarding the Charter ballot questions on initiative, referendum and recall is making the changes sound positively draconian!
Let’s look at what the most widely challenged changes actually do.
For Initiatives
1) No change in the percentage of voters needed (so not noted in the ballot question) but a change in the basis for the number of signatures required for initiatives from 15 percent of voters in the last general election to 15 percent of the number of voters in the arithmetic mean of the past two general elections. (Election Read More
Letter to the Editor: Crossing the Aisle for Kristin Henderson
By Dr. Michelle and David Carr We are conservative Republicans but we are crossing the aisle next Tuesday to vote for Kristin Henderson for County Council.
Her effort on the Trinity Site Committee and a well-run campaign demonstrate her work ethic.
She understands the needs of families with children and is committed to improving the already great quality of life in Los Alamos.
Because she is a realtor, Kristin has a good understanding of the local housing and real estate market, which is the main limiting factor to business expansion in our town.
Kristin is also an attorney, and understands Read More
Heather Wilson Jams with Al Hurricane in Northern New Mexico
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Heather Wilson performs on banjo with the ‘Godfather of New Mexican Music’ Al Hurricane Thursday in Las Vegas, N.M. Wilson is traveling through Northern New Mexico campaigning with New Mexico’s favorite musician. Courtesy photo Read More
Wilson to Visit GOP Headquarters Sunday
ELECTION 2012Ambassador Joe Wilson, Valerie Plame, Rep. Brian Egolf, Mayor David Coss Rally for Stephanie Garcia Richard
MAYOR DAVID COSS
ELECTION 2012 News:
Saturday, Nov. 3, Stephanie Garcia Richard will be joined by Rep. Brian Egolf and Santa Fe Mayor David Coss at the La Cienega Community Center, 50-A San Jose, for a Get Out The Vote Event following the La Cienega Community Breakfast. 
STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Supporters are encouraged to attend the breakfast at 9 a.m. and then join Garcia Richard, Coss and Egolf as they get ready around 11 a.m. to knock on doors in the area.
VALERIE PLAME
Sunday, Nov. 4, Garcia Richard will host a rally with special guests, Ambassador Joe Wilson and his wife former CIA agent Valerie Read More
Letter to the Editor: Experience Isn’t Everything
By Karyl Ann ArmbrusterSeveral ads list Jim Hall’s experiences. It wrongly assumes that a man 31 years older than his opponent would be a better qualified legislator.
In fact, the New Mexico Legislature was set up as a citizen’s legislature. The intent was for people from all walks of life and occupations to represent our diverse population.
Stephanie Garcia Richard is intelligent, already respected in the legislature, endorsed by both U.S. senators, several current legislators and came within 190 votes of unseating 20-year incumbent Jeannette Wallace in 2010. Read More
Early Voting Ends 6 p.m. Saturday
ELECTION 2012 News:
This is just a reminder that all Early Voting ends at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.
Voting locations include:
Los Alamos Community Building at 29th Street and Central Avenue;
White Rock Fire Station #3 on N.M. 4; and
Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office at Oppenheimer Drive and Central Avenue.
Nov. 6 General Election Day voting will be at three locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. including Los Alamos Community Building, White Rock Fire Station #3 and Trinity on the Hill Church-Kelly Hall.
Any registered voter in Los Alamos County may go to any one of these locations to vote. Read More
Letter to the Editor: Charter Amendments Deserve Community’s Support
By Betsy LucidoI support the amendments to the County’s Charter. The current initiative and referendum provisions are disjointed and confusing.
The lack of clarity has led to a number of illegal and/or illogical petition efforts that have frustrated everyone.
The Charter Review Committee consisting of John Hopkins, Larry Warner, Harry Ettinger, Morrie Pongratz, Ralph Phelps, Chris Chandler, David Izraelevitz, Richard Dunn and Kyle Wheeler brought a diversity of views and knowledge to the effort.
They proposed these amendments after working diligently to craft clear and Read More
Satirist Roy Zimmerman Entertains Crowd at LALT
Democratic Party of Los Alamos Co-chair Robyn Schultz in the lobby of the Los Alamos Little Theater with nationally renowned musician and satirist Roy Zimmerman who skewered conservatives with a smile during his performance Tuesday evening. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailyposttest.ortizaudio.net
Democratic Party of Los Alamos Chair Mike Wheeler welcomes the crowd to the Roy Zimmerman performance at the Los Alamos Little Theater Tuesday evening. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailyposttest.ortizaudio.net
Seats filled up fast for Tuesday’s Roy Zimmerman performance at the Los Alamos Read More
Letter to the Editor: Protect Our House
By Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.
I urge you to vote and to vote for Stephanie Garcia Richard for State Representative.
For a long time, our State has avoided much of the partisan politics that have divided our Nation.
With this election, things have obviously changed.
Our State is no longer shielded from third party groups infiltrating our elections, our legislature, and our local governments.
Out-of-state corporations have learned one thing over the last decade: to have influence you must control members of the state legislature.
This election is about more than just getting a good friend elected Read More
Letter to the Editor: Attack Ads
By Khalil J SpencerIf Citizens United is not overturned or modified, the County is going to have to send us larger recycling and garbage bins at election season to handle the third-party PAC attack ads in our mailboxes.
In local races, we have to see each other on the street the next morning. PACs, on
Bingaman and Udall Endorse Stephanie Garcia Richard
JEFF BINGAMAN
ELECTION 2012 News:
U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman and U.S. Sen. Tom Udall were in full support this weekend as they both announced endorsements of Stephanie Garcia Richard for House District 43.
“You have a lot of great candidates before you this election, but none more committed to the residents of HD43 than my friend, and your Democratic House candidate, Stephanie Garcia Richard,” Bingaman said in a news release. “I know Stephanie, I know she will work hard to provide tax relief to working families, bring jobs back to the district, and improve education.”
Bingaman had just finished Read More
Letter to the Editor: What Are We Voting On Anyway?
By Joel M. WilliamsOne would gather that the voters are voting on a bunch of amendments to the charter so that the revision is final and ratified by us.
Apparently, NOT SO. We have just gotten a new administrator whose input would be valuable, but there seems to be an effort to drive the CRC’s revision through with all haste.
So, why are we now in the throes of MORE amendments by the council while we are voting?
Sounds like the CRC and the council are piecemealing it to us and certainly do NOT have a firm grasp on the total situation/package. So much for a comprehensive review!
Are we to believe Read More
Governor Rallies For Heather Wilson Saturday
Rio Arriba Republican Party Chair Geraldine Sanchez introduces U.S. Senatorial candidate Heather Wilson, Gov. Susana Martinez and U.S. House District 3 candidate Jeff Byrd during a rally in the Convento at the plaza in Espanola Saturday. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailyposttest.ortizaudio.net
U.S. Senatorial candidate Heather Wilson speaks to the crowd inside the Convento in Espanola Saturday. The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico’s largest newspaper, endorsed Heather Wilson today, Oct. 28, saying that “national security and military experience give her the edge at Read More