Letters to the Editor

Thanks for the ongoing support of veterans

Editor:

On behalf of NMLIVE, Inc. (Los Lunas Invests in Veterans Events), a big thank you goes out to Main Street Muscle & Fitness Center, RAKS Building Supply, Jubilee Adult Community, Jubilee Slurpers and all sponsors of the June 3 (11th Annual Veterans Wounded Warrior Memorial Run) and walking event.

We would also like to thank the participants for the successful event. This non-profit event by NMLIVE, Inc. directs entry fees, contributions and donations directly to various veteran organizations within the village of Los Lunas and Valencia County.

The success of this event was possible with the help of many volunteers from Jubilee, Main Street Muscle & Fitness Center, Los Lunas High School AVID, key personnel within the village of Los Lunas, police, fire, parks and recreation departments.

A special thank you to the Los Lunas Fire Department, who provided the new ladder fire truck with the suspended American flag.

Thanks also to Valencia County News-Bulletin, Huning Ranch, Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676, Printers Press, Los Lunas Chamber of Commerce and Starlight Cinema Theater. Mayor Charles Griego gave a special welcome to everyone on behalf of the village.

This NMLIVE, Inc. event exceeded 100 participants and raised more than $10,000. NMLIVE, INC supports military veteran organizations of Valencia County, who have served our country and help raise awareness for their continued public support.

We also organize the Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony at Daniel D. Fernandez Memorial Park. The next 12th annual running event will be Saturday, June 1, 2024 (Save the date).

Jim Schnitzler

NMLIVE President

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Belen’s reputation

Editor:

I applaud G.E. Nordell for his views in the June 15, 2023, issue. It’s spot on!

For those of us who have lived in Valencia County long enough to remember, Belen was once the place to come for almost anything needed. There was even a hospital, located on the east side of Main Street in the area of where the school’s administration building is now located.

On the other hand, about 10 miles north was the sleepy little village of Los Lunas. There wasn’t a lot there, except for the county courthouse, Los Lunas High School, Huning Mercantile, Simon Neustadt’s market and another grocery store, that I believe was Castillo’s, and a little burger place called The Dairy Bar, all located along Main Street between Los Lentes Road and the railroad crossing.

On the west side of the tracks is the Luna Mansion and across the street was a doctor’s office and some other haciendas of the old prominent families of the times. Just not much there. Like I said, a sleepy little village.

Now in contrast, there’s a world of difference between Los Lunas and Belen. Los Lunas is the place to come for anything you need, with many choices; and then there’s Belen, and it’s not sleepy, it’s comatose!

I have my opinions why this happened to Belen, and it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to figure it out. I’ll just leave at that, and let it stew in the minds of those still around who were, and are responsible for what became of, and continue to be Belen.

Gary Gibson

Rio Communities

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