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Today's Opinions

  • Mil Gracias letter

    This from a canine perspective:

    Hello to the fantastic city of Las Vegas and to those of you in the surrounding areas as well! My tail hasn’t stopped wagging since the Sweetie Pie Initiative, named after me of course, held it’s Halloween Carnival. I would like to give four paws up to the anything-but-bare-bones support we received.  

    Thanks to you, many dogs and cats will be spayed and neutered and live happier, healthier lives! We sniffed all over town for support and we found it, right under our noses.

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  • Editorial: A divisive decision

    As further evidence of just how divided Las Vegas is, let us turn our attention to the recent decision by the Las Vegas-San Miguel Chamber of Commerce to let go of Vince Howell, who was serving as marketing coordinator. Last month, Howell’s $32,000 annual contract was ended because, according to chamber President Matt Martinez, is was too pricey.

    That was a weak excuse for a bad decision that only takes Las Vegas further down the road to self-destruction. This town is already a rough place to do business, and the chamber’s action only makes it worse.

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  • Work of Art: 'Official U.S. mail recipient'

    With trembling hands, I slid my thumb under the perforated seal in anticipation of news that could be only good or bad.

    The envelope had the image of the bald eagle, a line of stars and the word “official” two places in front and once in back. It came with the familiar no-nonsense san-serif font we’re all familiar with, and it bore specific instructions:

    • “To be opened by addressee only.” Darn! I was hoping my neighbor James Sandoval would be the first to open it.

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  • Editorial: High-handed process

    State Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons has tried to bypass the public with his proposal to trade White’s Peak land near Ocaté with apparently well-off ranchers. He has disregarded the input of the sportsmen of northern New Mexico, whose families have hunted at White’s Peak for generations.

    Lyons’ office maintains that it has no legal duty to hold a public hearing on the transfer. But what would it hurt if the agency actually went the extra mile to keep the public it serves in the loop?

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  • Letter: Unfairness in city utility bills

    I have been fighting the city for the past 18 months to see if the city will change the way it is charging us for the water and the sewer. Did you know that a private residence is allotted 2,000 gallons a month at a certain rate? After 2,000 gallons the price rate goes up, but did you all know that if you don’t use the 2,000 gallons in a month you are still paying for 2,000 gallons? Last month I used 780 gallons and I still had to pay for 2,000 gallons. I don’t think that’s fair.

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  • Letter: Septic system requirement

    A word of warning for disabled and low-income property owners. All homeowners in the state must have a septic system by 2011. If a septic system is not installed on your property by 2011. The state Environmental Protection Agency will install a septic system for that property owner at a cost of $5,000 or more in 2011.

    Grant money is not available in Mora and San Miguel counties to assist disabled and elderly property owners to purchase septic tanks or pay for the installation of septic tanks.

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  • As It Is: Pleading no contest

    A few weeks ago, I mentioned in this column that I had received a ticket for driving 27 mph in a 15-mph zone on National Avenue at Highlands University. And I wrote that it was true: I had been exceeding the speed limit.

    When the officer presented me with the citation, he had me sign on the spot where I would go to Municipal Court. I’m used to just admitting my guilt and choosing the option in which I pay a fine.

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  • Editorial: Yep, we're still divided

    Yep. We’re still a divided community. And perhaps that’s the way we prefer it.    Recently, Las Vegas’ two school districts were criticized by the Legislative Finance Committee for spending too little of money in the classroom. On the West side in particular, the committee’s audit report pointed to numbers showing that nearly half the district’s money goes into administrative functions. Likewise, the committee found plenty to criticize on the East side about, too.

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