`Always speak your truth’
Dear
I often find inspiration from theologians, Buddhist monks, and other renowned thinkers. But I was reminded recently that inspiration can come from many sources. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, professional wrestler and star of Jumanji and other action films, now has 200 million followers on Instagram, the record for a white man. (Yes, that’s millions, not thousands.) Here is what he said on Instagram, according to ABC News and other media outlets.
“Always speak your truth, and do your best to speak it with a little bit of poise, with a little bit of dignity, with respect and with empathy, even when speaking your truth means you’re gonna dive into some conversations that might make people a little uncomfortable.” Those kinds of conversation are important to have, he said, “because what’s on the other side of them is clarity and progress.”
Wise words for all of us to follow. I might add that what’s on the other side can also be less divisiveness and more peace.
Sincerely,
Judith Andreica,
Grants
Hybrid instruction for G/CCSD students
Dear Editor;
As a former teacher, school principal and central office administrator (12 years) with the GrantsCibola County School, I am compelled to say that I am deeply troubled and disappointed with the decision of the school board. I am referring to their decision to instill hybrid instruction at the elemen-tary level. I know that all of us would rather prefer to have our students in the classroom, but this COVID-19 killer must be addressed and dealt with first. I pray to God that we do not experience situations where we have bereavements involving our school staff, because we failed to heed the advice of our medical staff from the CDC and scientists in the medical field. I know that I would feel sad and depressed if we would encounter such circumstances with members of our school staff.
Even though, I am retired and enjoying life with my spouse and grandkids, I do keep abreast of current events. Not a day elapses that I do not tune in to CNN, FOX, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and NBC. These news outlets periodically feature the passing of an elementary teacher as a result of this deadly virus. We are all cognizant that this pandemic does not discriminate if you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, straight, or gay, and or other lifestyles. On Thursday, October 8, 2020, New Mexico made the national news scene. ABC news commented on the death of a New Mexico schoolteacher from the Gadsden School District. Supposedly, this teacher had been in good health and as a result of COVID-19, he was gone within a week after contracting the virus.
Presently, public education is experiencing a teacher shortage across our country. These shortages were prevalent before COVID-19. As a former Director of Personnel, Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability, and twice interim Superintendent for G-CCS, I foresee a mass exodus of dedicated instructors because of being required to teach in person. All I can say is GOOD LUCK to our teachers and may God be with them. I will be for their
Sincerely,
Jerry Garcia
`The upcoming election’
Dear Editor;
Well things are heating up in the upcoming election, my family got their absentee votes in this past Friday without much problem and of course even though all of us are registered Democrats we voted 99 percent Republican. The television, and even you tube is covered at the beginning of anything you watch with how bad each candidate is. No doubt they are spending millions if not hundreds of millions on ads. I guess it’s all about the money will never see in our lifetime Democrats spend money like its water. Too bad they will not spend some of it on us or things that might help the country. My dad 82, Korean War vet with cancer asked me not to drop his absentee ballot in the mail, but to take it to the county clerk. Well if it makes him happy why not. I never did this, so I went down to the Cibola County Court house to drop it off. Not many people there, asked a young man what to do with my dad’s sealed ballot he said, “just drop it that box.” I asked him and pointed out a place to print name, signature, and relationship. He did not know and had to ask a girl inside who recognized me and said yes, I had to fill it out then drop it. After that I asked when they would get counted and was told on election day. I was glad to see a good lock on the box. The next day, I got two letters in the mail addressed to myself, and my wife from State Representative Eliso Lee Alcon, the same guy who voted with Harry Garcia, and Clemente Sanchez for the new bill on clean energy that is shutting down the Escalante Power Plant, and the Gallup Refinery, costing several hundred folks their jobs. The good news is Sanchez is now out of representing us in Santa Fe and it is my hope Mr., Alcon, and Garcia will be out soon as well. Alcon has never had anyone run against him, and according to the letter I got from him this is his seventh term in office. But the thing that really got me in the letter was the very first line, “I wanted to take some time and thank you for making the safe and responsible choice to vote absentee.” Now how in the heck did he know that? Is somebody in Santa Fe releasing this information, or even the County Clerk’s office? Where is my privacy in the toilet with the Democrat Party? Can any tell me if this is even legal? Where is our Attorney Hector Balderas? Whoops I looked it up on the internet he is a Democrat darn the luck.
Signed,
Mr. Harry L. Hall
Retired Police Officer
US AF Vet
Mount Taylor Addition cleanup
Dear Editor;
With all the cleanups that we have had this summer, I can honestly say that the people of Cibola County and all our small communities love to work. We had a cleanup this past Saturday in the beautiful enclave known as the Mt Taylor Addition, which sits to the west of the City of Grants. We had an amazing turnout, and everyonehad a good time working together to make this little community a little cleaner. Truck after truck showed up with big loads of trash, rubbish, junk and yard waste, and tires.
Our quest to make Cibola County the cleanest county in the State of New Mexico is on track to succeed. It is a testament to the hard work and determination of our residents to keep our land and its majestic scenery pristine and free of the trash that detract from the natural beauty of our area.
I would like to express my thanks to Billy Moore and the NWNMSWA for letting us use the dumpsters. A big thanks to George Romero who did a great job operating the backhoe for the cleanup. Thank you, Wayne Vigil, Doc Dan Stocks Sr. and my good friend Olin Charley for helping everyone.
I am not afraid of the future for Cibola County. If we all work together and put our best foot forward to help our neighbors and to clean up after ourselves and keep our land clean, we will see significant economic development come to our County. We must continue to push forward with courage.
Robert S. Windhorst
Milan, NM
Editor’s notes: The Cibola Citizen seeks and welcomes letters to the editor on any and all topics. All letters must be no longer than 500 words (one full page, single spaced) and contain the writer’s name and contact phone number for verification. Unsigned letters will not be printed. The Cibola Citizen reserves the right to edit any and all submissions.