Opinion

I have received many phone calls and many individuals have come to my home asking about the 2010 election for mayor.

I would like to make it perfectly clear that contrary to rumors, neither myself nor any of those whom I associate with are endorsing or seeking the re-election of current Mayor Tony Marquez Jr.

We will register new voters, go door to door, distribute flyers, put up signs, pass out cards, network, do phone banks and family block vote coordination for that candidate whom we feel will address issues we bring to the table. We are tired of being ignored.

At the recent meeting in Mora concerning potential oil and gas development in Mora County, there was no question: The attending citizens spoke overwhelmingly against bringing this “dirty” industry into our pristine agricultural county. Of the 48 speakers, all but six strongly asked our commissioners to protect our water, our air, and our way of life against the industrialization that always accompanies oil and gas development. Many asked the commission to consider developing green industries rather than the polluting, outdated petroleum industry.

The Mora Fiestas are just around the corner and they are always celebrated on St. James and St. Ann’s Days. My grandfather was named James, as are a couple of my grandkids. It was the custom in Northern New Mexico for all the men to ride horseback on the 25th of July, which was St. James Day, and on the 26th, St. Ann’s Day, all the women would ride horseback.

I found the Optic’s article on the Las Vegas school consolidations survey interesting. However, I thought I was somewhat biased, incomplete and misleading. My first impression was that most readers of the article would have a tendency to support the consolidation based on what was presented in the article. I arrived at the conclusion that various key factors were inadvertently omitted and it would be a travesty if people would support the consolidation without taking into account some of the concerns I’ve identified.

During Mora County’s public hearing on oil and gas drilling, everyone agreed on one thing: Mora County is one of the most beautiful places in the world. And, indeed, the view is incredible.

Many of the speakers at the hearing said they didn’t want anything that would spoil the scenery, and in their minds, oil and gas drilling would do just that. They also contended that the drilling would cause water and air pollution.

To help their arguments, some ranchers came in from San Juan County to talk about the negative impacts of natural gas drilling there.

LISBON, PORTUGAL — Bom Dia! That’s how each day began once I arrived in Europe — Portugal, to be exact. No snags, wonderful people, the ideal vacation and the realization of an almost-lifetime dream.Who could ask for more?

First, my best friend got struck by lightning. The next day, my high-school buddy suffered a heart attack while boarding a bus. But the upside is that a man who works near me is now $7 million richer.

Such would all be true if certain threats and promises really came true.

But first some background:

One of my teachers at Immaculate Conception School, Sister Ständige Angst, did a good job of convincing us of consequences. “If you fail to put others first, you will suffer,” she reminded us.

‘The problem

with cockroaches’

During an economic downturn, citizens are willing to sacrifice as long as the burden is divided fairly.  Inequalities breed irritation and that itch, not scratched, festers and builds to a level of frustration that leaves the average man with only two options: He can curl into a fetal ball and surrender or use the ballot box and demand his voice be heard. You are the voter. You are the one person who makes politicians wake up in a cold sweat at night. You have a voice if you’ll stand up and speak.

DWI INTOLERANCE. Following the June tragedy in Santa Fe, when four teenagers were killed by the drunken driver, old wounds surfaced. Again, it was a tragedy that defies explanation, and will call many into another round of action to combat DWI.