Today's Opinions

In a recent letter to the editor, Kathleen Dudley from Ocate cited Farmington as an area devastated by the oil and gas industry. She speculates that Farmington was “most likely” a farming area which is now “vastly industrialized with... (no) sound of roosters crowing, or sight of a herd of sheep, or acequias open, flooding fields of alfalfa.”

I am puzzled and can only conclude that we see what we want to see. The last time I was in Farmington, I saw all the above (though I didn’t hear a rooster crow).

The SynergyFest committee wishes to thank the many businesses, organizations and individuals who helped to make this year’s fest a success. The fest drew over 500 attendees who talked with our exhibitors, attended workshops, and listened to music. The Sunshine Kids Village, sponsored by Amigos de Rio Gallinas School offered children’s games, crafts and other activities.

In another matter pending before the district, we don’t think high school teacher and coach Jay Quintana should be allowed back into the classroom — not as long as there are legal questions pending about his behavior with students. So far, no criminal charges have been filed against Quintana, but an outstanding tort claim alleges that he had sex, repeatedly and over several years, with a student.

As long as such a serious issue remains unresolved, parents would be understandably outraged if he were allowed back into the classroom with their children.