Letters

A while back, I read a letter to the editor thanking all the people who fought the fire when the Tony Apodaca residence burned in the Gascon Valley. I wanted to echo that thanks. As bad as it was, I know it could have been a lot worse if the high winds had carried that fire down the valley.

Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to the voters of the Mora Independent School District for electing me to an unprecedented fifth term to the Board of Education. It has been an honor, a privilege and a joy to serve in this capacity for 16 years and I will continue to do my best to validate those who believe in my capabilities and who have entrusted me with this awesome responsibility.

I attended the second Mora County Commission meeting of the new administration on Jan. 11.  I was very impressed by the tone of openness, transparency and professionalism that was set by the new commission composed of Paula Garcia, chair, John Olivas and incumbent Laudente Quintana.

The meeting room was full to overflowing and the citizens were able to witness and participate in an extended morning and afternoon session that covered a lot of urgent and important topics, including a presentation by state Rep. Thomas Garcia.

I thought Gov. Susana Martinez was concerned about the cost of government and a record revenue shortfall. Now I hear she wants to bring back capital punishment?

One person, a “volunteer,” has been executed in New Mexico since 1960 at a cost of well over $200 million. Death penalty cases in New Mexico cost about six times as much as other murder cases. The public Defender’s office alone will save several million dollars a year.