Letters to the Editor

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Dear editor, Have any persons been located and charged regarding the several CDEC light poles they destroyed near Roosevelt and Lobo Canyon a few months ago? Is there any progress on our bank robberies? How about the Art Gallery break-ins and as well, any storage unit breakins around town? Followups on these topics will be much appreciated.

Chief among the latter incidents is the destruction of those light poles. Our police do good work, and we appreciate them. Airports have signs posted that say “If you see something, say something.” Few folks are up and about late at night, but any witnesses to such vandalism would help both the police and all of us. Electricity is up there with water as a vital need, and so on the positive side, I also wonder if our abundant rain last summer helped to raise groundwater levels… Related to these questions is the fact that we’ve all been living with high anxiety about a number of issues for some time. Some of these are real, like the pandemic, and drought, and for many people, personal insecurity re food, shelter, and above all, the safety of our children. These fears are made worse by extreme political statements that may or may not be true, but are used by opportunists to further them personally, not their communities. How can we take this down a notch or two?

Let’s all please try to avoid inciting fear and anger, and be aware how our words can affect others who lack the self-control necessary to keep from hurting innocent people. In addition, instead of reading media news, which is itself opportunistic and profit driven, do something real, like cook, grow a plant, fix your car, woodwork, knit, anything practical will be good. Anywhere you go, smile at everyone; even if you wear a mask, they’ll see it in your eyes. Thank that waiter or waitress who served you, and that stranger who held a door open for you. Spreading this good will is more powerful than anything else. Thanks to the editors of our newspaper for their evenhanded (not hyped or inciteful) reporting! Joan Sheski

Honoring NM’s Veterans

Dear editor, Northwestern New Mexico has long been home to a large population of veterans with a distinguished military history. I could not be more proud to represent this strong community in our State House, and am deeply grateful for our brave service men and women always, but I especially want to recognize their selfless service on this Veterans Day.

As U.S. citizens, for each of the liberties we enjoy on a daily basis, from expressing freedom of speech to the power to choose our leaders through democratic elections, we are forever indebted to those who have fought and continue to fight to protect our great nation.

In gratitude for this service, it is our responsibility to ensure that all who serve are properly respected and well taken care of when they return to civilian life. My Democratic colleagues and I in the House are committed to ensuring this quality of life for our New Mexico veterans.

Just this year, we joined the successful fight to keep our community’s VA clinics open, ensuring continued local access to medical services and more for those who proudly served our country. We allocated key funding in this year’s legislative session to build a new State Veterans’ Home and for veterans’ transportation to and from medical appointments. We also improved tax policy to reduce the burden on our vets, and ensured that veteran- owned businesses have a fair shot at opportunities for state contracts. And finally, we broke ground on the future site of the muchanticipated Navajo Code Talkers Museum in Tse Bonito, to honor the elite group behind the United States’ never-deciphered secret communications during WWII.

While supporting and honoring our veterans remains a top priority for me, in the Roundhouse and here at home, I also understand that no amount of benefits can fully repay them for their selfless service and bravery. If you know a veteran who is currently struggling, please let me know or reach out to our state agencies for assistance.

I am so grateful to live in the United States of America, and if you are as well, please take some time this November 11 to express your gratitude to the many deserving veterans here in Northwestern New Mexico. Thank you to all who served. You are the heart and soul of this community, our state, and our country.

Representative Patty Lundstrom

For the Veterans

Dear editor, This letter is really for Veterans. We, at the Cibola County History Museum, will not have a celebration on Veteran's Day. However, we would like to invite you to cookies and coffee on Saturday, November 12 at the museum to see our addition of the 'Story of the USS Franklin' in our VFW display. A former resident and VFW member was on the Franklin when it was bombed during the Second World War. Old timers will remember 'Ahny' Ray, Gerald Ahniwake Ray, Fireman 1st Class.

The attack on the Franklin was described as 'the most violent tragedy in the history of the United States Navy.' Ahny was part of the 704 crew members who returned this badly damaged ship to harbor.

We continue to add to our VFW display and welcome names and stories of former Cibola County Veterans. Please join us November 12, 9 AM to 2 PM.

Jonnie Head, Secretary, Cibola County Historical Society

Infrastructure Finance Conference 2022

Dear editor, You may not know it, but USDA-Rural Development in New Mexico has been involved with the Infrastructure Conference (IFC) for the last 26 years. So, you may be wondering, “What does that mean to me?” This conference gives your civic leaders the information to make your life better. Specifically, they learn how to apply for the funds that bring clean water or a sewer system, or electricity or the internet to your home.

We believe this is a “must” conference that communities throughout the state should participate in. In the past, we heard someone say, “If only there was a place you all (funding sources) were available in the same room” and the idea of the conference was born.

Now IFC is an annual event, extending invitations not just to finance lenders, but to engineering firms, environmental companies, and technical assistant partners, all of which provide information to your civic leaders.

Those on the IFC planning committee understand that old saying, “It takes a village” but in this case it takes a partnership to lift a village.

The 2022 conference held here in Albuquerque, featured many courses, lectures and ways to grow knowledge on how to get access to funding.

With important topics like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law feeding money into New Mexico, and how do we access it? The overall buzz of the 2022 conference was about the exciting new programs, new departmental agencies designed to keep more money in New Mexico.

Finally, I want to say, USDA Rural Development will continue to be a part of this planning for many years to come – which ultimately positively affects your future way of life. Patricia Dominguez USDA Rural Development State Director