LAMS Pride
Dear editor, Vivian Carlson coaches the young ladies from Los Alamitos Middle School. Those of us that have watched her teams play know why they are undefeated. Those young ladies are very talented, but what sets them apart from other teams is their unselfish play, their discipline and their attitude. Plus they are very well coached. Las year Vivian coached the eighth grade girls and went undifeated, this year she coached the seventh grade girls and went undefeated. They also got First place at the Rio Rancho tournament. At the conclusion of the tournament a Lot of people had comments like, “That’s a very good team, very talented, very disiplined, And very well coached.” We need to acknowledge and give recognition to those two teams.
Felix Gonzales Mayor of Milan
The Cost of Inflation
Dear editor, My wife and I recently went through our budget and came to the conclusion that inflation has eaten away at least 11 percent of our income. Our natural gas bill has doubled over the last year. Electricity has gone up and groceries have gone through the roof. I know that everyone is going through the same thing. I don't know how young families with children are making it. These things rest heavily on my mind and heart.
Last week our Cibola County Commission unanimously voted to give the employees of Cibola County a 12 percent raise in their pay across the board, except for the elected officials. This was not an emotional decision for the Board of Cibola County Commissioners to make. We scoured through our budget, which we have diligently adhered to over the past six years and we made the decision based on the facts.
Our Nation and State leaders have brought crisis into the homes of every American family through reckless, liberal policies that have slowed down our economy, hurt the mining, gas and oil industries, that brought have great wealth and jobs in the past to our nation, because they pursue green technology that is not yet capable of keeping our energy grids going and our homes warm in the winter because our leaders did not have a plan in place. I hope everyone that is having a difficult time paying their bills and buying groceries and putting gas in their car realize that liberal control of our economy is not working for our Country or our State.
Robert S. Windhorst, Milan, New Mexico
Rep. Vasquez’s Response to State of the Union Address
Dear editor, During President Biden’s State of the Union address, he made it clear that our economy is stronger than ever with lower gas prices, declining unemployment rates and slowing down inflation. However, we’ve got a lot more work to do to help New Mexicans.
We know that one in five New Mexicans live in poverty – the third highest rate in the country. That rate is even higher for New Mexico’s children: one in four who live in poverty and one in five children who go to bed hungry. So, while some parts of our country are making progress, there is much, much more work to do. We’re facing historically high utility bills, ballooning grocery costs, and we’re trying to make do with stagnating wages. We need to do better, and we need to do more. Plain and simple.
I am committed to bringing down the cost of living, securing more federal investments for New Mexico that create jobs, and working with you to create a future where all of our kids and families can thrive. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I will work hard to address the high food costs by supporting producers, farm workers and our supply chain in the Farm Bill this year. This must include supporting our small businesses and our farm workers, so many who come to this country looking for a better life and are now helping feed American families nationwide.
But folks, we cannot have a conversation about agriculture without talking seriously about what’s impacting our food systems and climate. Climate change is real, and we need real solutions to match the severity of the issue. We must conserve our natural resources and mitigate the impacts of record wildfires. We’re experiencing historic rising temperatures, increased drought, water shortages and wildfires that are impacting our air quality and public health. Count on me to fight for federal investments that tackle climate action.
Keeping our community safe is also a top priority of mine. As the only New Mexican serving on an Armed Services Committee, I’m making sure our military installations, research facilities and training centers are well-funded. To strengthen the security of my district is to strengthen the security of our nation.
Above all, I’m here to make sure New Mexico has a voice in Washington. We all know there is more to our country than California and New York. New Mexico can’t be left behind any longer. I’m here to make sure that happens.