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Today's Opinions

  • Work of Art: Grand Avenue in the '50s

    The construction that made Grand Avenue a true four-lane highway took place in the early ‘50s. Traffic got routed through Railroad Avenue and even New Mexico Avenue during the several months that improvements took place.

    This month, a $4.4 million project began on the same stretch of road. The news of the project has sparked memories about the major job some 60 years ago.

    Before the ‘50s project, the pavement covered only two lanes, the rest being dirt and gravel, and even the slightest sprinkle of rain managed to get cars stuck.

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  • Letter: A nationwide crisis in our schools

    I’m sure you’ve seen and read many news reports lately regarding the crisis our schools are facing nationally and locally. The lack of money to support our current educational system is most often the major concern. Approximately $98 billion in stimulus funding was provided states to support education throughout the nation. New Mexico also received support from the stimulus monies. When the stimulus monies run out this next year, some states are projecting a meltdown of schools and universities.

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  • Mil Gracias letter

    I am writing this thank you letter to the people of  Las Vegas who have kept me in their prayers. I suffered a number of strokes and have cancer (in remission) and a terrible fall which required a number of procedures from Dr. Mario Leyba and Dr. Salman Malik. I wish to thank these wonderful doctors and their staff, Cynthia Ridgeway and Frances Morales, for their care and professionalism. Thank you also to Dr.

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  • As It Is: Endorsement's effect unclear

    Last week, San Miguel County Commissioner June Garcia ran an advertisement in our newspaper. In it, she announced that her four colleagues on the commission had endorsed her re-election bid. 

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  • Editorial: Why fire Jim Abreu?

    More than a week ago, the majority of the West Las Vegas school board voted against renewing Superintendent Jim Abreu’s employment contract. No reasons were given for this decision.  In our perspective, Abreu did a good job as superintendent. He has been effective in building improvements at various schoos. During the last year of declining revenue, he has worked to make sure budget cuts have the least impact possible on employees, knowing that layoffs kill morale. And he has changed the culture for the better at the top levels of the West administration.

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  • Editorial Thumbs

    Thumbs DOWN for ... VAGUE REASONING. The West Las Vegas school board worked into the wee hours Thursday night and finally voted down a contract renewal for Superintendent Jim Abreu. After three years on the job, he’ll be leaving the post at the end of June.

    The reason for his dismissal? Well, only a vague reference to moving the district “forward” was given. It seems to us that such a huge decision deserves a clearer public explanation.

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  • Publisher's Note: Free speech and cheap shots

    I must admit to a certain level of angst when it comes to one of our more popular online features — the comments at the end of most Optic stories posted on our website.

    I’m torn between a deep-seated belief in the people’s right to free speech and my journalistic upbringing that newspapers should act responsibly in their use of the “free press” provision also in the First Amendment. Allowing anonymous writers to post belligerent and destructive comments on the Optic’s website just doesn’t sit well with me.

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  • Letter: Too many mandates coming down

    At a time when the money changers tanked our economy:

    • Our state mandates double-dipping and annual “special” sessions.

    • Our county mandates double-dipping, and our city follows suit with mandated raise for our judge and charter mandated salaries for our councilors. They then opt for mandated toilets.

    • You can hear horror stories at our unemployment office; while standing in line at the courthouse to pay property taxes; among students at Luna Community College, etc.

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