Letters to the Editor

It took many hands at work to put together Fun Fest

Editor:

Once again, thanks to the kindness and generosity of the citizens, businesses and agencies in our community, the annual Family Fun Fest celebrated its 11th year at Daniel Fernandez Park.

On April 27, we came together to share information, have fun and reaffirm our commitment to the children and youth we are raising to be our replacements in the near future. This event was a wonderful collaboration among and between many individuals and groups who have an interest in keeping children safe and providing a nurturing home and community in which to grow and develop.

Each of the booths had great information and attractive presentation; over and over, I heard comments about the event being “the best ever.” From the jumping games to the Guard’s climbing rock to the raucous cakewalk and entertainment, there were smiles and excitement. Every parent and child had something to take home to help them remember the day and to identify resources in the future.

A thousand free hot dogs, chips and drinks were consumed in the blink of an eye; and then it was time to clean up and call it a day. Everyone who worked at the Fun Fest gave of their personal time; everything that was handed to a child or an adult was donated. For that tremendous generosity, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the following:

Adobe Flower & Gifts, Albertson’s, Albuquerque Aquarium, Alma Music, Bank of Albuquerque, Bank of Belen, Baskin Robbins, Belen Moose Lodge No. 1680, BoardWalk Gymnastics, Branden’s Video, Bristle’s Art Supply, Buckland Pharmacy, Bust A Move, Cimarron Health Plan, Coldwell Bankers Legacy, Crystal Springs Water, David’s Men and Boys Wear, Dunkin Donuts, Flowers Bakery, Henrietta’s Heritage Home Health, Hinkle Family Fun Center, Just 4 Fun, Pat Ionita, KARS Radio, Krispy Kreme, La Vida Felicidad, Los Lunas Chamber of Commerce, Manny and Mable Velasquez, Manny’s Fine Pastry, Mi Chante, Military Affairs-National Guard Drug Interdiction Unit, Nicole Elizabeth Miller Fund, Niner’s Land Leveling Inc., Razzle Dazzle Dancers, Regina’s Dance Studio, Renee Antoinette’s School of Dance, Rio Grande Utility Corp., Rio Grande Zoological Park, Sam’s Club, Smith’s, Solo Cup, Southwest Airlines, Tae Kwon Doe, Teofilo’s Restaurante Los Lunas, Valencia County News-Bulletin, Vaughn’s Earthly Creations, Vialpando Signs, Teresa Wall, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Wal-Mart Super Center, Water King and Woo Lee Martial Arts.

Pam McKenzie

County office manager

Valencia County

Protective Services

Los Lunas

Children are grateful

Editor:

The City of Belen Parks and Recreation Department held their second annual Dia de los Niños at our new multipurpose park on Saturday, May 4, 2002. At this time, I would like to thank the following organizations and their representatives for participating in this children’s day: Adelino Head Start, 4-H Club, Valencia Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence, Young American Football League, First Choice Community Health Care, First Assembly of God, Girl Scouts, Women Infants and Children Program and the Valencia County Literacy Program.

I would also like to thank the following sponsors for their donations and contributions: Creamland Dairies, Earthgrain Products, Jamie’s Balloon Jumpers, Noon Optimist Club and Sonny Sanchez.

Lastly, I would like to thank our wonderful entertainment: Lori’s Boardwalk Gymnastics and Renee Antoinette School of Dance and all of our volunteers, Juliana Hoehne, Christy Sanchez, Kathleen Romero, Sally Urtiaga, Manuel Lopez, Andrew Rivera, Eric Torres, Adam Ortiz, Steven Sanchez, Joseph Sanchez, Paul Tafoya, Gabriel Cordova, Natalie Garley, Edward Montoya, Ann Marie Mendoza and Brenda Baca, for a job well done.

We look forward to the continuance and success of this special day for area children.

Brenda M. Gurulé

Parks and Recreation Department

City of Belen

Volunteers are great folks

Editor:

Ms. (Sharon) Eastman is to be highly commended for volunteering at the Bosque Farms Library for 20 years. That means going to work whether you feel like it or not. That means rewards other than money.

I think that is awesome. That means providing her own transportation, providing for her own lunches and snacks.

There are two little plaques for trees dedicated to past volunteers at the Los Lunas Library. I try to keep the plaques readable.

I have tried volunteering at the Los Lunas Library. I water the trees, bushes and flowers. But I go home very grouchy. I just don’t have that gift. But I do pass the greenery sometimes and say to myself, “I made that just a little greener.”

I tried to put up Christmas lights there, but it was too complicated, and I had to tell them that I could not finish the job. Someone finished that job, that’s for sure. I sometimes dust the bookcases and later say I made the inside environment of the library just a little better for the librarians and the patrons. When I water the greenery, I always want to do a little more, so I water the mini-park next door to be a good neighbor to it.

The library gives me little gifts at Christmas. But I did not do anything! I do not have Ms. Eastman’s wonderful gift of dedication!

Martin Frank Kirtley

Los Lunas

Many contributed much

Editor:

Recognition please, for a tremendous gesture of kindness and support from the following area restaurants and merchants for their donations to the Bosque Farms Elementary School Field Day Event. Many thanks to:

Benney’s, Creamland Quality Dairies, Domino’s Pizza, Ha-cienda, Jake and Andre’s, K-Bob’s, Luna Mansion, Moe’s Piz-zeria, Print-N-Copy, Raks, Ribs, Sopa’s, Subway, Teofilo’s, The Oldies Station 98.5, Toys-R-Us.

This long-standing tradition enjoyed by the children, the school staff and the volunteers was greatly enhanced by this consideration and generosity! Thank you, dear friends, and neighbors of the community, for a lifetime of warm memories.

Joyce Eastman

Field Day Liaison

Bosque Farms Elementary School

Parent Teacher Club

Peralta

Give citizens their votes

Editor:

As a concerned citizen from the Highland Meadows community, in Valencia County located on N.M. Highway 6, I attended the May 7 county commissioners meeting. The issue of my concern was the ratification of Fire Marshal John Cherry’s selection for the fire chief and assistant fire chief for our newly-recognized fire department. At the time, the community had an interim fire chief.

Two community citizens were recognized and presented pertinent information against the ratification. A written report was also given to each commissioner that morning in advance of the meeting. The commissioners acknowledged receipt of the report but had not read it and were not fully aware of the issue. Thus, on an issue they were not completely knowledgeable about, they voted anyway! One commissioner made the statement that not being completely knowledgeable on the issue, her vote would go with the majority vote. Is this the way business should be done? I think not! The vote was taken and Marshal Cherry’s selection was ratified. It’s my opinion that there are citizens in the community better qualified to fill the positions of fire chief and assistant fire chief.

Marshal Cherry and the commissioners have taken away the privilege of the community citizens to vote for their choice in the election scheduled for the 17th of May.

My opinion on the issue is that something is very definitely wrong. It certainly is not the way the democratic system I have always believed in should work. As a matter of fact I find nothing democratic about the entire issue. I am now a more concerned citizen than when I started out to the commission meeting on the morning of 7 May.

This is an election year and we all desperately need to get out and vote and make changes. It is our right and privilege — it should not be taken from us by a group that doesn’t know or understand the issues at hand.

Joan Provost

Highland Meadows