Letters to the Editor

Appreciate your vote

Editor:

Thank you, Valencia County!

On behalf of the faculty, staff and students of the University of New Mexico-Valencia campus (affectionately known as UNM-VC or “VC”), I wish to express our thanks for the turnout, and the outcome from the General Obligation (GO) Bond ballot on Nov. 5.

The UNM-Valencia service area covers all of Valencia County, and parts of Socorro and Torrance counties. The institution serves a large population of close to 90,000 people, spanning over 3,000 square miles.

UNM-Valencia is on a path of growth. We are adding more workforce-focused programs. This fall, we began offering construction trades courses to high school students, which will lead to them earning industry credential in the trade. These classes will be offered to adult learners in fall 2025. At the same time, we are developing the curriculum in electrician, and plumbing, just to name a couple. All technical programs will lead to industry credentials.

The GO Bond vote that recently passed, will be used to begin architectural work and modifications to build at Tomé to create a new Nursing-Health Science Complex. This facility will house nursing and numerous Allied Health programs. With the recent groundbreaking event of the Valencia County hospital on Nov. 20, we will work closely with the hospital leadership to build a pipeline from UNM-Valencia to the new facility.

We will supply graduates to the health field and look forward to collaborating with new industries that move into our service area. We currently have partnerships with Amazon providing a pipeline for their employees to take UNM-Valencia programs while working. We will add more programs to our health occupation offerings, since this is an economic priority of the state.

We are honored by your support of the GO Bond. This represents a strong support for the institution and to continue to make us Valencia County’s University. We are partnering with our school districts, and the Isleta Pueblo as we work to bring quality learning to all our residents and enable us to meet the needs of our citizens and our local economy.

Dr. Sam Dosumu

Chancellor, UNM-Valencia

Donating pet food

Editor:

What ever happened to Old Mother Hubbard’s dog?

“The cupboard was bare and so the boor dog had none.”

A child’s nursery rhyme. We smile, but what happens when the cupboard is bare?

Many people have pets. They are a part of our life. They are family. But, what happens when a job loss, illness or other unforeseen circumstances make it hard to get them food?

You can’t buy pet food with food stamps.

This year, for the 11th year, the Belen Area Food Pantry is partnering with Valencia Animal Clinic for our holiday food drive. Each year, Valencia Animal Clinic has collected pet food. They turn this over to the Belen Area Food Pantry, and we distribute it to our clients who have pets

In recent years, BAFP has received a ton of food per year from people who have given it to the Valencia Animal Clinic.

One ton of food is usually distributed in no more than two months.

You can help us with this effort. By donating food or money to Valencia Animal Clinic you will help us provide pet food to our clients who have dogs and cats. Money is used to purchase (at wholesale) additional food.

Let’s hope that Old Mother Hubbard had a readily available source for food for her dog. And let’s all join together to help Valencia Animal Clinic and the Belen Area Food Pantry provide food for those who give us unconditional love but have no real (human) voice to tell us what they need.

Robin Holbrook

Belen Area Food Pantry

Increased taxes

Editor:

I just received my MRGCD water service charge. I had previously been approved to irrigate 0.25 acre, at a rate of $10.96.

The new bill is for a 370 percent increase of $51.25. I called MRGCD and was told that is the new rate for one acre and less.

I can understand a reasonable increase, but 370 percent? Have the large farms and major irrigators also been hit with an insane increase, or is the MRGCD targeting small property owners?

Ann Ryerson

Los Lunas