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Opinion

  • Work of Art: Giving, getting a fair...

    Panhandling used to be the exception; now it’s epidemic. Sure, we all get used to seeing the occasional person holding up a building, or at a traffic light, holding up a cardboard sign containing a plea and a blessing. But it seems to have become big business.

  • Letter: Mil Gracias

    On behalf of the Las Vegas Children’s Dance Theater, a mil gracias to the following individuals who donated artworks, services and other items of value for our successful silent auction at our recent performance at Ilfeld Auditorium: Sandi Ault, Rebecca Bourbon, Tito Chávez, Louise Cordova, Steve Ediger, Ray Finck (Ray’s Woodworks), Percyne Gardner, Cristina Gonzales, Andrea Gottschalk (Unikat Fine Jewelry), Susan Hayes, Vince and Vicki Howell, Susan Livermore, Caetano Mendoza, Mary Miller, Julianne Salman, Karen Spitzer, Sharon Seto, Christopher Thomson, Susan West and M

  • Editorial: Controls needed

    The city’s billing department has lacked good internal controls — something on which everyone involved seems to agree.

    According to a recent audit, nearly 90 percent of transactions in the billing office come without all of the required documentation. Out of 100 receipts, the auditors couldn’t match 57 of them to corresponding deposit slips. Twenty-three of the receipts involved cash, but auditors stated that they couldn’t verify if any of them were ever deposited.

  • Editorial: Youth voice

    Molly Salman is following in the footsteps of three  previous students to serve on the Las Vegas City School Board. April Esquibel, Audra Martinez and Brandyn Jordan have each served the district and its students well in their respective years on the board.

    Salman is a top-notch student and a great choice for the job — and she’s already bringing ideas to the table. She, like the other student board members, will bring a fresh perspective to the meetings.

  • Letter: Legislative intent is...

    District Attorney Donald Gallegos recently announced his decision to dismiss charges against Robertson administrators, namely, the superintendent and athletic director, and former coaches.  As much as I respect Mr. Gallegos, I disagree with his analysis and conclusion concerning these cases.

  • EDITORIAL: Real reform to health...

    The U.S. Census reported last week that one in four New Mexicans lacks health insurance — the second highest rate in the nation. Only Texas has a higher rate of uninsured.

    Disconcerting news, yes, but not devastating  because, well, health insurance just isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.

    Here are a couple of loaded questions: What’s the biggest reason for personal bankruptcies in the United States? Yes, it’s medical bills. And what do three-fourths of those who file for bankruptcy have? Believe it or not, it’s health insurance.

  • AS IT IS: Governor has favored...

    Bill Richardson has been New Mexico’s governor since 2003, and he has done some good things since taking the helm.

    His all-out effort against drunken driving has seen some success. And unlike his predecessors, Richardson has made economic development a priority, and that includes the film industry, which has benefitted Las Vegas.

  • LETTER: Dissent doesn't equal...

    An open letter to Congressman Joe Wilson (and those who support his outburst):

    Presidents and their administrations come and go. This country was founded on principles and institutions — and not on individuals. The fastest way to erode the very foundations of this country is to legitimize the disrespect and contempt of these very foundations.

  • LETTER: Medicare is more efficient...

    I would like to add to Glenn Yocum’s letter to the Optic published Sept. 11. Glenn’s letter indicated that he had received superior service from Medicare personnel than he did from any private insurer he contacted.  

    While I would echo his comments from my own experience, I would add something Glenn may not know. Medicare provides superior service at a much lower cost. The Medicare program spends 97 cents of every tax dollar they receive paying benefits and only 3 cents on administration.

  • LETTER: Mil Gracias

    The friends of Carnegie Library would like to extend an enormous thank you to the citizens and businesses of the city of Las Vegas for their overwhelming support of our annual raffle fundraiser. This year, we have five art pieces, donated by local artists that will each make a beautiful addition to the homes of our winners.

  • Letter: Caught scrambling for an...

    The claims by the Las Vegas mayor and city attorney that they did not have to turn over e-mails between the mayor and city councilors because they were communicated over a private account or a private nongovernment server is like saying that it’s not public record if the mayor and city councilors had a conference call over the mayor’s home phone or held a meeting at the mayor’s house.

      Nothing like “common sense” can effect the thinking of the political mind when scrambling for an excuse.

  • Editorial Thumbs

    thumb DOWN for ... WAY TOO MANY. It’s hard to keep up with the violence. The latest is the death of 59-year-old Ernest Gutierrez, who police say was killed by the hands of his son-in-law, Mica Murray. He was allegedly choked to death.

    By our count, that makes three homicides this year alone. According to FBI statistics, the national homicide rate is one per 20,000 people; here in San Miguel County, the rate this year alone is one in 10,000. And there have been at least 10 homicides in Las Vegas since May 2007.

  • Letter: Mayor should follow the law

    This could be titled, “What happens when the Attorney General explains the law to our interim city attorney.”

    I am embarrassed, as a citizen of the city of Las Vegas to have a mayor that condones this behavior.  When the city attorney states there are no emails on the city server, but when the information comes to the light of day, guess who is copied — the city attorney. And this is the man who wants to teach ethics to our governing body?

  • Letter: Listing heath-care reforms...

    I have health insurance and get health care from Medicare. I am one of the 85 percent of the American population that has health insurance and am extremely unsatisfied with having the insurance company attempting to decide what is best medically for me. My wife’s insurance cost about $55 a month; mine cost nearly $1,000 per month. I cannot receive any health insurance under another carrier because of my existing medical disabilities. We need health-care reform that does, at minimum, the following:

  • Another conservation effort

    Forty-five years ago this month, a bipartisan group of lawmakers agreed to legislation that would have a lasting impact on our nation’s public lands — not by changing them, but by making sure some portion of these magnificent wild places would stay as they were for all time and for all generations to use and enjoy. The Wilderness Act, signed into law Sept. 3, 1964, was acknowledgement that our public lands are part of what shape us as a people and that there is value in protecting some of them in their pristine state as a natural legacy.

  • Work of Art: Demanding a mea culpa

    “I  demand an immediate apology!” “Awwright, I apologize.” “Well that’s more like it.”

    Have there ever been any more meaningless words than those surrounding a call for an immediate apology? Not likely.

  • Editorial: Judicial wrangling

    We don’t often second-guess the judicial system — cases cannot and should not be decided in the press. But this one begs the question.

  • Letter: Let down by elected...

    I have some property between Montezuma and Los Vegiles; it was past to me by my parents. The only access to my property is the ridge. The bridge is in need of repairs. It has holes and the lumber is rotting. It’s been like that for seven years. That bridge was constructed by Storrie Lake project. I contacted Robert Quintana and was told he would bring it up in the monthly meeting and he would let me know the outcome.

  • Editorial: Involve the districts

    We like to see a certain level of competition in education, and that’s a big reason why we support charter schools. Such schools can reach those students who struggle in conventional settings, and push traditional schools to do better as well.

    As such, we were happy that Luna Community College showed some innovation by proposing the creation of an on-campus charter school. But last week, the state Public Education Commission said no to the idea.

  • Mil Gracias

    The Las Vegas Landlord Association would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to Mayor Tony Marquez, the City Council, and the Las Vegas city administration and support staff for their efforts and assistance in amending the city ordinance that now releases landlords form incurring tenant unpaid utility bills — as provided for and affirmed by New Mexico state law.