Dear Editor; On December 22, 2020 I watched the Cibola County Commission meeting on Zoom. I was really disappointed with the county commissioners that voted to give themselves a raise and other elected officials.

We made it through this Christmas, and it was different. Evelyn and I did not have granddaughters here to laugh and giggle and guess what was in each one's gifts or ask for more hot chocolate or biscochitos.

By Roger Siegmann Well, we made it this far and are still healthy. And in my opinion, I’m still somewhat sane.

As we celebrate the Christmas and New Year, it may be a good time to take stock of ourselves, and our friends and family. Not who sent a card or who gave you a present, but of our mental health and relationships.

Merry Christmas! Or happy holidays if you don’t observe the Christmas holiday. Santa Claus comes once a year to spread holiday cheer and joy and in return we leave him milk and cookies (and carrots if you remembered his reindeer).

Dear Editor; As your constituent, as a member of this great community of Grants, and as a member of the Pueblo of Acoma I learned today that the special meeting to be held on December 22, 2020 will be a meeting to consider and to vote on pay raises for the newly elected officials and elected officials currently in office who were re-elected. My objection to these considerations for increases in pay for yourselves as elected public officials will be with callous and absolute disregard for the communities at-large while they struggle every day tirelessly to put food on their table for their families or how they are going to meet their expenses, to pay their bills, or to keep their lights on, to stay warm or to put food on their table.

One of the things that truly makes my heart ache, and I am sure many others, is seeing pets around town lost or hurt. This is a problem, not just for Cibola County, but for many places. It is a problem that sometimes feels completely unfixable. It is the kind of problem we wish could simply be solved by snapping our fingers. However, despite the feeling of helplessness that arises when viewing the problem in full, it is a problem we can do something about one small step at a time. It is a problem we must care about.

This is the third year Evelyn and I have hosted and coordinated our local 4th grade elementary children’s window art on the Grants and Milan “main-street” business windows. This event has warmed hearts and brightened windows with holiday spirits. Last year’s third graders from the Mt. Taylor, Bluewater, San Rafael, Milan, and Mesa View Elementary Schools looked forward to being this year’s artists along with a field trip and lunch from local restaurants, only to be told they will be doing virtual schooling from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And the painting event will not happen. They were all very saddened and I understand fully. Thinking ahead during soliciting business owners to use their windows, I asked each owner if the children can do art at home. And we would tape it on windows if the children cannot do it. That would be Plan B.

Dear Editor; 2020 has been a difficult year for a lot of people. I have never experienced a time in my life where people were so afraid.

American holiday traditions are interwoven with many cultures from around the world. Other civilizations have contributed to this month’s seasonal festivities. Some are more recent such as Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The United Nations Foundation and the 92nd Street Y, New York City, announced this international day of sharing in 2012.