Letters to the Editor (Jan. 23, 2025)

Fire hydrant update needed by Belen

Editor:

I recently tried to post this letter on the Belen New Mexico Facebook page without success. Twice.

Hard to say what that means, but the question about Belen’s fire hydrants needs to be answered.

Recent events in Los Angeles bring to mind that several years ago Belen’s fire hydrant system was found to be in pretty miserable shape. The tops of the hydrants were painted different colors, according to whether they worked or not. Good information, but not really a solution.

Can the city give us an update?

Bob Christensen

Belen

Turning the page

Editor:

Jumping into 2025, I’d like to reflect first on last year when I campaigned for office in Valencia County.

I met so many people who confirmed my faith in our shared values in our county and our commitment to family and country. I want to thank everyone who I met and gave me a chance to speak with them about my family and my commitment to all citizens of Valencia County. Thank you so much for giving me your time.

So far, this year, we have said goodbye to a great man, James Earl Carter, our 39th president. His life is a study in character, grace, integrity and service to God and country. That he taught Sunday school until just a couple of years ago, had a 75 year marriage and continued to work for the good of people after his presidency is a testament to what a regular citizen can accomplish with faith and hope in their purpose. We can all learn so much from his long life.

I, for one, am inspired by all the things he did before, during and after his presidency. We all have that same opportunity to do great things before, during and after whatever our journeys are. May Jimmy Carter’s legacy be that he inspired many to care for others just like he did.

Now that I’m back to being a private citizen, I am free to reflect and give my personal opinion again here in our little town newspaper and online on the local websites that aren’t actively censoring voices like mine. I promise to fact check everything I write and to give credit where it is due, a la Jimmy Carter.

Ending the last chapter, and starting a new one looks the same for someone like me. I don’t pretend to know all the answers, but hope to express myself in the truth that I have lived all my life. Happy New Year everyone. Let’s keep talking and sharing our values.

Michelle Tafoya

Los Lunas

Health care workers needed in New Mexico

Editor:

It has recently been noted in the media that much has been researched and written about doctor shortages in the United States and particularly in New Mexico.

Our doctor shortage is fixable to a great extent, but why does the New Mexico Legislature seemingly ignore the problem? In this 2025 Legislature, we have a Democrat legislator who says that this is all propaganda.

Say what? And another Dem legislator that instead of addressing the issue, wanted to know a doctor’s salary and her practice’s gross income. What? And another Dem legislator questioned how much physicians spend on wine. Wait, what?

One suggested fix for New Mexico health care practitioner shortage is for the state to join all the health care compacts with our neighboring state. Dem opponents say that allowing health care practitioners from other states to practice in New Mexico would harm state sovereignty! You gotta be kidding me! But this is the mind-set of our Democrat legislators!

HB-75, the Medical Malpractice Act of 2021, increased the cap on malpractice lawsuits and has caused medical malpractice insurance premiums to rise exponentially so now doctors cannot afford the insurance premiums; trial lawyers have no caps on the fees they charge, and that’s just the basics.

“As one prominent Democrat doctor wrote in an article written earlier this year, ‘Our governor is aware of the issues, but Democrats are often influenced by the trial attorneys because they are big contributors to the Democratic Party and, of course, they stand to gain a whole lot of money from such a large increase in the ‘cap.’” And that folks, says it all.

The 2025 Legislature is about to convene. It is imperative for anyone having problems or concerns about availability of health care workers in New Mexico need to let our representatives know and urge them to start fixing the problem rather than ignoring it as they have in the past.

Donna Crawford

Los Lunas