Letters to the Editor

New Mexicans entitled to quality health care as a right

Editor:

All residents of New Mexico are entitled to quality health care as a basic human right, which is affordable, comprehensive, compassionate, equitable, and just.

The insurance companies will disagree. So will the HMOs, the pharmaceutical companies and all of those who profit from our present but deteriorating health care system.

But where do the people of New Mexico stand on this issue? Who is ready for a better, more positive approach?

Just contact your elected officials and ask them to guarantee quality health care under our state constitution as a basic human right.

Together, we can make a difference. It’s long overdue don’t you think?

Gary Eby

Social Worker

Los Lunas

St. Peter was the first Pope

Editor:

As a Catholic who, at one time, left the church and went into other religions and then returned to the religion of my birth, I feel the need to respond to the recent letter published regarding Catholicism. How many religions can trace their origins back to St. Peter? St. Peter was one of the apostles and the first Pope of the Catholic Church — with an unbroken line of succession to this day. Look St. Peter up in your dictionary and it will tell you he was the first Pope. Every single thing that is done in our Mass is Biblical. You see, I never really knew that because I never paid attention, it was only after leaving the church and then returning that I understand what I left.

There are hundreds of Catholics that have left the church who should seek out the truth. As Father put it, “How can you miss something you never knew?” The Catholic religion is a very large family worldwide and, as with all large families, we have more problems.

I have seen many “Christian” churches spring up in every corner of this valley with “ministers” that take a short-term course to attain the title, while priests prepare for years before they earn the title. Most religions are founded because someone disagrees with their religion, branches out and begins a church based on their own interpretation of the bible. These churches have no roots, while we Catholics can claim St. Peter as our brother in Christ.”

Anita Saiz

Los Lunas

It was really professional!

Editor:

Pilot Club of Belen would like to thank the generous merchants and guests that made our annual Administrative Profes-sionals’ Luncheon and Style Show a great success. To Shirley’s Gifts and Things, Damacio’s Chili Products (formerly Nina’s), Fashion Bug, Weekenders, Old Mill Western Mercantile, Beall’s Department Store, ALCO Discount Store, Wal-Mart, Fashion Bug, Sharon Anderson and Mary Kay Cos-metics that made our style show so successful.

Special thanks to Jim Danner and Tierra Del Sol Country Club for their wonderful service, Carol Romero and Pargin Realty, Tabet Insurance and Carlos Lounge, Baca Auto Sales Inc., Ambercare, Dr. Daniel Dieterichs and Optical Express, Wells Fargo Banks, Bank of Belen, Hair Innovations, Small Business Computing and the many other contributors to our silent auction. We have many community service projects in the works and this event enables us to complete them.

Rhona Baca Espinoza

President

Pilot Club of Belen

Thanks for picking up

Editor:

Tierra Bonita wishes to thank Wal-Mart for their donation of drinks; and Superior Waste, Reliable Waste and Waste Management for their generous contribution of trash collection and disposal for projects during the month of April. The Village of Los Lunas and Valencia County donated a free day and time for residents to dispose of collected trash in a proper manner at their respective transfer stations.

(A total of) 3,408 people volunteered their time to clean up trash and illegal dumpsites from public land during the month of April. Seven schools cleaned up the schoolgrounds and neighboring streets to help beautify the neighborhoods. This is the 15th year Tierra Bonita has joined the nation for a county-wide cleanup and the third year it has been sponsored by Keep America Beautiful.

Schoolgrounds, parks, roadsides and the bosque were targeted. Thank you to all the volunteers who gave up a day to help make Valencia County a better place. This amounts to 12,000 volunteer hours, an incredible sacrifice from residents who care for and respect the land. Ten trees were planted in addition to the cleanup.

Thank you to all the businesses who donated time and product and special thanks to the volunteers who made it all happen.

Robin Ver Eecke

Director

Tierra Bonita of Valencia County

Los Lunas

Write them in Iowa

Editor:

Hi! My name is Melissa Leinen and I’m a fifth-grade student from West Ridge Elemen-tary School in Harlan, Iowa.

Our class is studying geography and history of the United States. We would greatly appreciate it if you would please send us a postcard, souvenir or other information about New Mexico, so we can learn more about our country. I appreciate your time. Thank you!

Melissa Leinen

West Ridge Elementary

1401 19th St.

Harlan, Iowa 51537