Opinion

These are tight economic times, and the city will almost certainly have to find places to trim the budget. Fortunately, officials are already working toward this goal.

If unmanaged, perks such as take-home cars and cell phones can become excessive. And that appears to have been the case with city government.

My name is Amalia Gallegos and I am licensed state and national massage and bodywork therapist in the state of New Mexico. I am writing this letter to thank the following people for helping me build my practice here in San Miguel County and the surrounding area.

First, Jody and Peter Stege for allowing me to build my business, Melissa Gold at the Small Business Development Center, Sharon Vander Meer at the Economic Development Corporation, Diane Ortiz at the Chamber of Commerce, and Joseph Baca at KFUN for all their help and support in the community.

Congratulations to Highlands University for not only being financially sound but for once again being a stable force in Northern New Mexico. It has been nearly two years since James Fries took the reins to my alma mater and I want to thank him and the regents for having the vision to move forward. I remember not too long ago when Highlands was an at-risk university.

Yes, it’s a cliche, but there is strength in numbers. Those with more power know this rule better than anybody else.

Last week, a city advisory task force told the City Council that film companies negotiate individually with local merchants who are affected by their productions.

That leads to some businesses getting better compensation than others. Those with weaker negotiating skills jump at the first offer.

Despite problems and crises at every turn, right now President-elect Barack Obama has the goodwill of the majority on his side. He will enter the Oval Office in a strong position to affect significant change, in part because of the honeymoon he’s on with the public as well as the media.

But as soon as he takes office, he could strengthen his position even more — by opening up some federal doors that the Bush administration has tightly shut.

We, the Jackie R. Tapia family, wish to express our deep gratitude and appreciation for your love, understanding and assistance, to the following professionals who cared for and assisted him during his illness:  All doctors, nurses and staff at the Centro de Salud, Dr. Michael Lopez and staff, the technicians of the Las Vegas Emergency Ambulance Services, Rocky Mountain Ambulance Services, and the many helpful and caring staff at the Alta Vista Regional Hospital.

It isn’t likely that Proposition 8 will be the final word in the debate over same-sex marriages in California. And it shouldn’t be.

The initiative passed by 52 percent of California voters alters that state’s constitution to read, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” Its passage overrules a court decision last May allowing same-sex marriage, but opponents have already filed legal challenges, contending that it should be invalidated.

Scenic Corridor not an industrial zone

The proposed facility will be located also on state land. It will consist of 47  390-feet tall 1.5 MW turbines and miles of power lines going down the mesa to the grid northward. These enormous wind towers will be easily seen from Interstate 25 between Tecolote and South San Isidro (as far as mile marker 312) and from the north end of Route 3.

Let’s be clear on one point: Just because a company is trying to advance a renewable energy source doesn’t give it a free ride over the government process of oversight. That’s not how this nation should move forward with a new energy policy.

Unfortunately, however, deference seems to be a big reason why Invenergy is getting state support to construct up to 50 massive wind turbines in western San Miguel County, while protesting neighbors are being discounted as anti-progress.