Opinion

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world your best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

UP thum ...BIG MEN, SOFT HEARTS. The Los Hermanos Motorcycle Club distributed 513 toys for children in its annual and appreciated Toys for Tots drive. Hundreds of children stood in line at Sala de Madrid for the chance to see Santa Claus and receive some brand-new toys; one family, who had fallen victim to a theft in which their presents were taken — got some extra gifts to make their Christmas better.

(Editor’s note: This editorial first appeared on Christmas Day 2007.)

We don’t think a secular, general circulation newspaper is the place to advance any one religious belief. It isn’t appropriate or even right to push our faith off on good people who believe differently. And, frankly, inclusiveness is consistent with our view that there are many paths to the Truth, and our search isn’t the only way to get there.

The Las Vegas City Museum’s Holiday Open was a success. About 40 attendees enjoyed the debut of “Jazzology,” a new singing group, holiday songs played by Ann Mishler, and tours of the collections. Donations for a number of raffle tickets were received by the Friends of the Museum, and money will go to the endowment fund.

In response to the column on the  options for Grand Street Improvements, we would like to offer the following comments. Our firm has had no involvement in this project except as residents and business owner in the area.

SANTA FE — What kind of governor will Diane Denish be? There are some signs that our current lieutenant governor may do us a rather good job.

Barring confirmation difficulties, it appears Gov. Bill Richardson will be leaving us sometime around the end of January to become the next secretary of the U.S. Commerce Department.

There shouldn’t be many surprises for Denish. She has interned as lieutenant governor for six years. During the first four years, she and Richardson were close and she was involved in much of what he did.

UP thumb ... WINDS OF INVOLVEMENT. Dozens of Bernal- and Valley-area residents attended the San Miguel County Commission meeting this week to express their concern with plans to build a wind farm near their homes. They want a county regulatory ordinance strengthened to push the turbines back further from residential properties.

County Manager Lee Montoya recommended that county staff meet with residents and come up with a solution — a move we think is wise and we hope will benefit all involved.

Once again, our city government is in turmoil. On Friday, City Manager Sharon Caballero announced her resignation.

Undoubtedly, this is a low point for Mayor Tony Marquez, elected in March. Caballero said that while she supported the mayor’s agenda, he has been micromanaging and has had a hard time focusing. And Councilwoman Diane Moore, a Marquez ally, expressed her frustration with the mayor, echoing some of Caballero’s criticism.

PROACTIVELY SEEKING EFFICIENCIES. It seems a wise move to name Morris Madrid, finance director at the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute, director of operational efficiencies; he has the expertise and the experience to help the state hospital tighten its belt — hopefully without having to lay anyone off. And it’s big of Madrid to accept the job without a raise in pay; that’s something not too many people would do.