Opinion

We at Samaritan House Inc. are proud to announce that we have been selected as a recipient of the 2010 grant award from The Catholic Foundation (Archdiocese of Santa Fe). A $5,000 award was received and will be used to assist with our Food Pantry Program.

At the present time, we are servicing about 220 households during our monthly food distributions.

Thumbs DOWN for ... ONE LESS CHOICE. Travis Regensberg was planning to offer voters another choice for District 70 state representative, but because of some confusion at the secretary of state’s office, his name won’t be on the ballot.

That’s one less candidate on the Nov. 2 ballot and, unfortunately, one less choice for voters. But on the upside, voters still have a choice, as Democratic incumbent Richard Vigil faces Republican challenger Mel Root for the state House position.

The entrance to hell bears the following admonition: “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.” That message, part of the 14th-century work, The Divine Comedy, by Dante, came to mind as I listened to a couple of famous people who should know better.

Consider: The language of Shakespeare and Milton is being reduced to a few (very few) mono-syllables designed mainly to pique one’s interest in partyin’, eatin’, cruisin’, and meetin’.

One of my New Mexico Avenue neighbors has posted a big sign that reads, “No Tejana Susana.”

That’s a good rhyme. But does it really matter that Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez was born and raised in El Paso?

Sure, we have a rivalry with Texas. While El Paso is officially part of the Lone Star State, it doesn’t seem to belong to that goliath of a state. You don’t hear the Texas drawl in El Paso like you do in other parts of that state.

Please think carefully about whatever precedents we might set in hasty problem solving.

Were we able to forbid a house of worship within two blocks or more of a national shrine, we would need to ban all new houses of worship within the same distance of any battleground or scene of destruction. Such a law might prove unpopular as well as unconstitutional.  

I understand hoodlums are back to pitching rocks through plate glass windows of art galleries on Bridge Street. For-profit art galleries are closing at a disappointing rate. The local Arts Council has decided to quit doing the Las Vegas version of the popular Studio Tours that communities around the state look forward to.

In defense of council member Tonita Gurule-Giron and city employee Theresa Duran, I would like to point out that both women are being placed in an uncomfortable situation when addressing resident complaints, as reported in the Optic.

Ms. Duran’s position exposes her to catching fire from both sides. I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes. I wouldn’t doubt that council member Gurule-Giron may be fielding complaints from two wards on the west side.

I would like to thank our courageous Mayor Alfonso E. Ortiz Jr., Peace Center community advocate Pat Leahan, our city council members and the people of Las Vegas for their input and concern about the Air Force LATN (Low Altitude Tactical Navigation) proposal.

We now have a comprehensive resolution — No. 10-78 — citing the adverse affects this could have on our community.

I am confident that San Miguel County and all of the other cities and counties of New Mexico and Colorado will follow in the protest of LATN.

I am so proud of Las Vegas.

If the city decides to privatize the Solid Waste Department, will the new for-profit company provide, at a minimum, the same services currently provided? Consider the following:

 Will the for-profit company pick up solid waste for official alley clean-ups?

 Will the for-profit company pick up solid waste after each Ward clean-up?

 Will the for-profit company pick up solid waste after citywide clean-ups on Saturdays?

 Will they clean up the streets and parks after parades, fiestas, etc.?