Letters to the Editor

Plant not in best interest of residents of county

Editor:

Issuance of a permit by the State of New Mexico Air Quality Board to construct a power plant in Valencia County does not mean that the power plant will be built. The permit only means that the power plant company has submitted the necessary paperwork to satisfy the standards required by state mandate.

The descision to build or not to build the power plant is entirely in the hands of the Valencia County Planning and Zoning Commission and, ultimately, the Valencia County Commis-sioners. If either of these two boards decide not to approve the building of the plant, it will not be built. The authority of the County Commission-ers is absolute and supreme. Even if Peoples Energy Resources is in compliance with all zoning ordinances and has all the required permits, the Valencia County Commissioners can refuse their application on the grounds that the plant is not in the best interests and welfare of the residents of Valencia County. The board’s descision is final! They have that authority!

Remember these facts: The power plant will cause pollution. It will use large amounts of water. The power generated will be sold out of state. Power plants do not pay gross receipts tax. These plants only employ a handful of poeple when completed. Most importantly, we the people do not want this type of industry in New Mexico. This plant does not offer any positive benefits to our valley. It will provide temporary employment for the construction workers and cause permanent damage to our environment.

The residents of Sabinal, in northern Socorro County, stopped the Cobisa Power Plant from locating in that community. The Northern Socorro County Special Zoning District Commissioners opposed that plant and it will not be built. I hope the Valencia County Commissioners and the Planning and Zoning Commis-sioners listen to their constituents and also oppose the Peoples Energy Resources Plant.

Tony Salas

Bernardo

Thank you, Jim Boeck!

Editor:

I want to thank my cousin, Jim Boeck, and Dr. (Richard) Melzer for the heart-wrenching job that they did in writing about my first cousin, Elue Baca. Although I don’t remember my cousin, Elue (I was 5 years old when he died), I remember my Aunt Selfa, Elue’s mother, and my cousin Jim’s grandmother. (She was my father Ruben B. Baca’s — one of Belen’s finest — older sister.)

What I remember most when I was a small child as we grew up next door to them was the legend that my Aunt Selfa was a Gold Star mother. I thought that was the most wonderful thing. Little did I know the greatest sacrifice she had to make to achieve this.

I grew up knowing that my cousin, Elue, had died serving our country. I could have probably gone on the rest of my life not knowing his true story, although I cried through the whole thing. It really moved me because I have my only son, Richard E. Brubaker III, who has been in the military for 15 years, and I pray every night to our good Lord to not ever let me hear the news that my aunt received on that fateful day.

Again, thank you, cousin, for always being there and to Dr. Melzer and his wife, Rena, for being my friend.

Dr. Melzer and Jim E. Boeck paid a lot of money and time for their educations. I seldom hear a “thank you, Jim” when he writes a story about our hometown heroes, like Daniel Fernandez or John Wilson, one of my classmates, and the many stories that he writes. I don’t know personally if Dr. Melzer gets a thank you.

These men do not get paid for writing their great columns or for all the time that they spend researching their material.

Like I said, they paid a lot of money for their history education and — just think — we get our history from them about our own people and about our beautiful valley. Some of us have to pay 50 cents an issue and the majority of people get theirs free. What a small price to pay for this.

Again, thank you for the great job you two do.

Eileen Baca Brubaker

Belen

Bands were wonderful

Editor:

The Belen High School Intensity Band would like to thank all the bands that participated in the fund-raiser on Friday.

The bands were Minus Seven, Wasted Duration, Twelve Inch Jar, Hit by a Bus and Telestai — and the winner was Wasted Duration.

We also want to thank Rio Valley Rentals for the snow cone and popcorn machines, to all the parents and friends who helped with security and the staff at the Belen Recreation Center for all their help and a special thank you to Ricardo for volunteering his equipment and time for all the bands.

Christina Jourdan

Belen High School band director

Belen