OP/ED

Shiv: Support Children’s Health Through Public Health Climate Resiliency Act

by

By DIVYA SHIV
Research and Policy Analyst
New Mexico Voices for Children

In the Land of Enchantment, families should be able to enjoy our state’s natural beauty without worrying about whether worsening environmental conditions will harm their children’s health.

Unfortunately, children are especially vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, which include extreme heat, poor air quality, drought, flooding, and wildfires. However, this legislative session, lawmakers have the opportunity to protect New Mexicans from these threats to public health by passing the Public Health Read More

Op-Ed: Steps To Reduce Impact Of Climate Change On New Mexico’s Forests And Surrounding Communities

by

By LAURA MCCARTHY
New Mexico State Forester

For years, climate experts have been warning that our planet is undergoing changes that would make extreme weather events more common—and this past year, New Mexico saw those predictions come true. Extremely dry and windy weather in the spring and early summer created the perfect conditions for what proved to be the worst wildfire season in our state’s modern history. Then, a mere few weeks later, heavier than normal monsoon rains dropped nearly 20 inches of rain on parts of the state, flooding areas that had been scorched by the fires.

As our neighbors—many Read More

Reilly: Oppie’s Clearance

by

By DOUG REILLY
Los Alamos

On December 18, 2022, the Los Alamos Daily Post published, “Energy Secretary Announces Decision To Revoke Security Clearance Of J. Robert Oppenheimer Finally Nullified” (link). This has been covered by many other media. I wish to add some information relative to this issue.

The 1954 AEC hearing reached the decision to revoke Oppie’s Q-Clearance one day before it was to expire. The hearing lasted three weeks; the AEC attorney was Roger Robb, a D.C. prosecutor, and Oppie’s was William K. Garrison, a well-known New York lawyer. Several years ago, when I was the docent in Read More

Op/Ed: This Isn’t Politics … This Is About Our Health

by

Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics

By Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics & Rep. Elizabeth Thomson
New Mexico

The start of a new year is always special. This is when we remember laughter and celebrations and reflect on our struggles and times of sadness. What we love most about this time of year is thinking about what is possible next year. 

As legislators with years of experience working to keep New Mexicans as healthy as possible, when we look ahead, we think of the opportunities this coming session to make New Mexico more resilient to climate changes and extreme weather and protect the health of the people of Read More

Op-Ed: It Has Been An Electrifying Year – Advancing Policies In Congress To Accelerate Electrification

by

By U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich & Tina Smith
U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko & Kathy Castor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an op-ed published by The Hill, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), the founders and co-chairs of the bicameral Electrification Caucus, describe how they have advanced policies in Congress to accelerate widespread electrification, which will cut costs for Americans, improve public health, create jobs and tackle the climate crisis.

It has been an electrifying Read More

Teach Plus New Mexico: Don’t Take Away HS Electives

by

By RACHEL WOODS
Teach Plus New Mexico

I was painfully shy when I started high school but luckily, I had the opportunity to take elective classes that helped me to come out of my shell.

Performing in drama class helped me get over my fear of public speaking. Competing at the state and national levels in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) furthered my self-confidence. Participating in the student council and becoming one of the yearbook editors developed my leadership skills. Learning Spanish enabled me to study abroad and travel the world. 

I am now a high school English Language Development Read More

Op-Ed: Answers, Background On Proposed Tennis Courts

by

By Board of Directors
Los Alamos Tennis Club
Los Alamos Pickleball Club

The proposed new complex of 8 tennis courts at Overlook Park, which the Parks and Rec Board recently voted to deliver to County Council for their consideration, may cause some citizens to have questions, like “why now?” or “why do we need more tennis courts?” or “what about pickleball?” or “why is Overlook Park the right place?’’

Hopefully this letter can answer those questions and provide some background to explain the proposal.

We are blessed to have a variety of sporting activities in town and engaged community members Read More

Stradling: Kent Budge – A Great Friend, A Bright Intellect

by

Kent Budge, left, and Gary Stradling volunteering with Gretchen Gürtler at the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu. Courtesy/Stradling

By GARY STRADLING
Los Alamos

I am deeply saddened by Kent Grimmett Budge’s early departure from mortality. We are very good friends. We shared numerous field trips—weekends to weeks long—to study southwest geology, to search for interesting rocks and fossils. We also share a love for God and people, especially family. 

This was certainly not the outcome we expected, though we joked about the possibility the last time I sat with him. Read More

Ceballos: Pending D.C. Legislation Jeopardizes Affordable Banking Options In New Mexico

by

By JUAN FERNANDEZ CEBALLOS 
CEO
Credit Union Association of New Mexico

In New Mexico, we care about community. We look out for our neighbors and come together to support one another. That spirit of community is what brought like-minded community members together to establish the 40 credit unions that serve one million New Mexicans everyday—from providing a mortgage for their first home to cashing their hard-earned paycheck.

Credit unions are part of the communities they serve. They know their members by name. And, as democratically governed financial cooperatives owned by their members Read More

Op-Ed: Nuisance Code

by

By JOHN GUSTAFSON
Chairperson
Community Development Advisory Board

The Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) has spent much of its time this year informing ourselves about and discussing, debating, and tussling over details of Chapter 18 of the Los Alamos County Municipal code, aka the Nuisance Code, and the rewrite of it led by contractor Dekker/Perich/Sabatini.

The Chapter 18 rewrite has been presented to the County Council along with CDAB’s recommendations.

I wanted to let the community know that CDAB’s recommendations are available on the County website.

It was a challenge

Read More