Letters to the editor

Leaving German shepherd for

 

dead was heartless action

Editor:

I was touched by the story of the German shepherd that was left for dead in the Los Lunas area. At first, I was sad for the beautiful creation, one of God’s creatures, but, as I continued to read, my sadness turned to anger.

I can’t believe we have people who live in Valencia County who could do such as heartless act. There is no reason to leave an unwanted pet for dead.

We have animal shelters and animal rescue teams that can help you with unwanted pets. I do hope that this opens the eyes of Valencia County residents. Please take action. We need to get more people involved. Speak out against this heartless act; we have to get the person or persons accountable.

I am grateful for the person who rescued the German shepherd, aka Major Abuse. What a beautiful creature!

Thank you to all the caring people who have been so concerned about Major. Please remember to have your animal spayed or neutered. God bless.

Lorraine Wilson

Los Chavez

There has to be a better way

Editor:

My family was on Long Island before the Revolution. One of my ancestors was burned out — lock, stock and barrel — by the British for aiding the rebels.

My great-grandmother received a pension of $10 a month as a Civil War widow. I lost my favorite cousin on Guadalcanal — our own fire.

I feel safe in saying that at least some of my family have been active in every war, although I do not know of anyone who was a professional soldier. I am pretty sure that I have respect for my country.

But that does not mean that I am willing to subscribe to the statement, “my country, right or wrong,” any more than I believe my kids have a right to burn down my neighbor’s barn, just because they are my kids.

There has to be a better way and it won’t be found by taking away our right to free speech under the guise of “patriotism.”

Hazel Bickford

Los Lunas

Shopping night would help

Editor:

Many years ago, when we were young and living in a small suburb of Detroit, Mich., the local stores, restaurants and services stayed open late on Thursdays — every Thursday. Everyone knew that they could do their shopping, eat out, look for service needs or just sit on Main Street (weather permitting) watching people on Thursdays. It was fun and a great way to meet friends and neighbors.

Recently, we were talking with a friend who is from New Zealand. She said that Thursday night was shopping night in New Zealand, too.

All restaurants, stores and services were open. Parks were lit and crowded. Families came into town, ate out or in the parks.

She said it was grand fun and she still remembers those nights.

Belen is seriously falling behind Los Lunas in its growth and potential. As Belen Main Street store owners, we would like to ask whether people in Belen want Wal-Mart, IGA and the Pizza Hut to be almost the only stores open late on any given night. We wonder whether Main Street store owners (perhaps Becker Street and Reinken, too?) along with the City of Belen and the chamber of commerce could band together to develop Belen’s Main Street into an attractive, safe and fun place to congregate one night a week, an area as interesting as the Santa Fe Plaza or Albuquerque’s Old Town. It would be a lot of work and would take time, but a start has already been made. Main Street has park benches and small parks and wide sidewalks. It could be a pretty street.

Would it be worth the struggle? Would Valencia County’s people still travel 50 miles to the malls as they do now if we gave them an opportunity closer to home? We’d sure like to have some discussion on this.

Roman and Deanne Wolf

The Depot of Belen

Fine Gifts

Belen