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Opinion

  • Letter: Misunderstanding regarding...

    This letter is in reference to a benefit Poker Run scheduled for Saturday. There has been a misunderstanding. All funeral expenses have  been met for Danny Garcia by the insurance. I greatly apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and would like to thank everyone for their prayers for me and my family.

    Debra Archuleta

    Las Vegas

    Editor’s note: Archuleta is Danny    Garcia’s mother.

     

  • Letter: Still frustrated by the...

    At last week’s Homecoming parade for West Las Vegas High School I saw a bunch of football players from East School District in their jerseys wait for the end of the parade with large plastic bags in hand and fall in at the end of the parade.

  • Letter: An encounter with the...

    We would like to share our experience meeting Mr. Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa. It was  July 4, 2008, on Collins Drive during the fireworks display. Pepe and I with daughter Katelynn always park on Collins to view the fireworks every 4th of July, but on this night it was different. Pepe asked the gentleman in a big white dual truck if we can park next to him and Patrick Swayze responded back by saying “I don't see why not.” We backed up our minivan, unloaded our chairs and Pepe said to me quietly, “Guess who that is?

  • Editorial: Too many homicides

    Once upon a time, Las Vegas wore the infamous nickname Smack City, USA for the heroin trafficking in our city. Now we run the risk of being known as the small-town murder capitol of the nation.

    Since May 2007, there have been 11 homicides in and around Las Vegas. David Seiler, John Paul Gonzales, Manuel Ramirez, Stephanie Dimas and Damian Ortiz, José Apodaca, Jasmine Garcia, Timoteo Jaramillo, Terry Greer, and, this month, Ernest Gutierrez and Kevin Duran — all died at the hands of another person.

  • Work of Art: Not a hothouse plant

    A couple of nights last week might have been the coldest of the season. Whether it froze or snowed depends on whom you talk to. Regardless, many people needed to crank up their thermostats.

  • As It Is: Setbacks for Campos

    Luna Community College President Pete Campos has been dealt two major defeats as Luna Community College’s president since he took the helm last summer.

    And both have been in the realm of politics — which is considered his area of expertise.

    In March, a whopping 83 percent of voters rejected Campos’ bid to increase their property taxes to pay for improvements at Luna’s facilities throughout northeastern New Mexico.

  • Mil Gracias letter

    On Aug. 15, Mora had its first car show and hot-rod run.

  • Editorial: Boards change for the...

    In recent times, West and East school board meetings have become much more lively. Undoubtedly, that makes for more interesting news stories.

    More important, the more engaged discussions reflect democracy in action. And this is the way it ought to be.

    We don’t want debates to get personal, and for the most part, they haven’t. But to make better decisions, it’s important to figure out all the pros and cons beforehand.

  • Editorial: Control the dogs

    Deborah Barrera says she was attacked by a Seventh Street resident’s dog while walking her own dogs a few weeks ago. The city, however, is suggesting that her own dog bit her in the incident.

    Regardless of which side of this controversy you believe, one thing’s for sure — loose dogs are commonplace in Las Vegas. Sometimes it’s only an annoyance, with dogs doing their business in someone else’s yard, but there are other times in which it’s an actual threat to safety.

  • Editorial Thumbs

    thumb DOWN for ... A SECRET TRUTH? Roberta Vigil, the former head of West Las Vegas’ bilingual trial, got her day in court when the state charged her with fraudulently spending public money. She was represented by one of New Mexico’s best attorneys, Sam Bregman. After a week-long trial earlier this year, the jury found her guilty. That’s the way the system works.

  • Letter: Make Congress accountable

    Insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and other medical interest groups such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, New York Life Insurance, Schering-Plough, and Amegen stand to make billions of dollars if health care reform legislation is stopped or public option is omitted from the legislation. Some of these corporations have contributed millions of dollars to several key politicians in key committees in return for political favors. To name a few key politicians that have received sizable political donations: Sen.

  • Dulcey Amargo: Tag -- you're...

    Three letters — t -a -g-, and a myriad of meanings. Language is so fascinating; if one allows him/herself to think about it — randomly or rationally, the result is often overwhelming.

    For some reason, the word “tag” crossed my mind as I drove in to town to do my daily chores — to check the mail, pick up a thing or two at the grocery store, check in at the Optic for the latest developments. Before I realized, tag became an obsession and, like a brain worm, kept coming back to haunt me.

  • 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.