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Letters to the Editor (Feb. 13, 2025)
Commission decision
Editor:
I can’t possibly be the only person in this county that is very concerned about the ill-fated decisions made by the Valencia County Commission.
Recently, the commission hired a new county manager. If you recall, I researched the applicant pool for the deputy county manager position and found some discrepancy with the information provided by the applicant who, not surprisingly, was selected for the position.
As it turns out, this same applicant applies for the permanent county manager position, and lo and behold, this same applicant was selected for the permanent position. This applicant basically said that he had a four-year degree, which is what the qualifications called for. He, in fact, has only a two-year degree. He apparently has promised to complete his degree.
The point is he did not meet minimum requirements. In speaking to Commissioner (Ramon) Berry, he indicated that the position was offered on a year-to-year basis and the salary was reduced. Had the commissioners followed their own rules, these adjustments would not have been necessary. So now we have an unqualified county manager, who potentially keeps this post for a very long time.
I know of at least one applicant who met all the requirements and yet he was dismissed. Additionally, I volunteered to help with the interview and selection process. Of course, I was ignored. The actions by this commission are very alarming.
Rita Padilla-Gutierrez
Tomé
The future is theirs
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Editor:
Remember that TV show, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” Well I have my own fifth-grader who enjoys school as much as any other kid, and gives me updates on what’s going on there when I ask. He lives in the moment, as do I, when we are together.
We make up silly stuff, we speak with accents and, every now and then, we conspire to play hooky together. Last week, we got that chance and hightailed it to the Explora Science Center. It turns out there were a couple of field trips there with kids around his age, so he melted in with them and I supervised from a distance with the other adults.
He made easy contact and had a rapport with several kids wanting to show him how they do it. Showing off never looked so kind. Sharing and caring were on full display.
It’s really easy to get excited and participate in all the activities at Explora, each area has its challenges and kids tend to jump right in to meet them, no permission or instructions needed. We actually found a couple of nooks we hadn’t experienced before, one with a sensory room that we spent a good amount of time in, just (sort of) decompressing.
We all know a 10-year-old boy can pump up the volume even in a quiet place and both of us left that room with crazy, standout hair. Kids have a great sense of fairness and curiosity that I wish we could impart to adults, especially these days. Kids aren’t jaded or defeated and don’t need to be the boss. They know what they know because they hands-on experience things, and they are willing to help other kids enjoy themselves, too.
My hope for all children is that they are always given full access to grow and learn in a safe and exciting environment. Their future (and beyond) is theirs and as Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, unless you ‘change’ and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” That change is our future, too.
Michelle Tafoya
Los Lunas
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