Letters to the Editor

Firefighters saved the day

in Valencia, Socorro counties

Editor:

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the firefighters in Socorro and Valencia counties and the State Forestry. They did an outstanding job in fighting the Chavez fire in northern Socorro County.

It is wonderful to see the cooperation among all the departments and agencies. Our home was very close to the fire, and I felt so secure knowing these folks were out there putting their lives on the line to protect us. And so many of them were volunteers!

It is so important that there is cooperation and that the cadre of volunteers in all the fire departments grows. I want to credit Les Crowder, fire chief of the Abeytas Fire Department, for all his effort in trying to ensure coordination and cooperation between the Socorro County and Valencia County fire departments.

Dolores Varela-Phillips

Bosque

Volunteer for your department

Editor:

There should be a civilian pool of men for emergency brush and bosque fires. I make this commitment — I will see Chief Lito Chavez about it on Monday.

I am not afraid of fire or smoke. I am really good with a shovel. I have good work gloves and vests.

The fire department has been really good to me. It is always a pleasure to visit Chief Lito.

They once brought me a big box of food one Christmas. I told them that I did not need it, that there were people that came here with nothing but the shirts on their backs.

I donated some work gloves once and took them a part to a fire truck that I once found.

The bosque belongs to you, the bosque belongs to me. We must protect it.

Martin Frank Kirtley

Los Lunas

Not enough input allowed

Editor:

Good news: Valencia citizens packed the Belen Council chambers to standing-room-only well into the halls. These people were there to give their input on the proposed Rio Communities power plant.

Bad news: The state air quality hearing managed to discourage most of the people from giving their comments. The two major problems were the technical input was still going on hours after the advertised time. Then the only thing being considered was air comments. Most of us realize there are many problems with these plants besides air.

Our state employees went through the motions, but it was not satisfying to honestly concerned taxpayers about the multi problems we will have to live with for generations. As each hour went by, people drifted away with their comments unrecorded and not considered.

How much longer will we allow the selling of our area’s water and air, with the help of the New Mexico Environmental Department? We gain pollution from heat and a mustard cloud just like Albuquerque so we can sell more power to states that don’t want these plants either. Perhaps you would like to call 1-800-219-6157 to the Environ-ment Department in Santa Fe and register your comments with our public servants.

Ken Wright

Bosque

Leave Social Security alone

Editor:

The American citizen who is gainfully employed sends money to an agency of the federal government for safekeeping. This federal agency has the responsibility of distributing said funds to retirees.

Unscrupulous Congressional members feel free to raid the accumulated monies because it is a part of the general fund.

Unfortunately, the Social Security fund is not segregated. This co-mingling of funds has developed into a very lucrative and enticing mother lode.

The Social Security fund should be inviolate. Members of Congress, as trustees of this fund, are duty-bound to use Social Security monies for Social Security expenditures exclusively. To date, Congres-sional handling of the Social Security Fund is tantamount to legialized embezzling. When will this thievery stop?

Robert M. Lucarelli

Rio Communities

Stop trashing the county!

Editor:

This letter is in regards to your editorial on Saturday, April 13, asking people to dispose of their trash in a proper manner. Thank you!

I want to say to the driver of the gold-colored Saturn: The wad of trash you threw out your window on Wednesday, April 17, 2002, on Rt. 263 will truly help beautify the county. And the pickup driver next to me in Belen last week who threw out your still-lit cigarette butt. How stupid can that be with all of the fire situations we’ve had in the past month or so? How can you, or anyone else, think it’s OK to throw your garbage all over the roads here?

The Manzano Expressway from Belen to Los Lunas is littered with trash that has blown out of the back of pickup trucks. I’ve seen it blow out and almost hit my windshield. I’ve accidentally run over it as it falls out. I guess they are headed to the transfer station, but I think, by the time they make it, all of their household trash is on the side of the road. And I am still waiting on the roofing company (whoever you are) to come and retrieve the pile of shingles that are dumped at the side of Rio del Oro Loop near Tomé Elemen-tary.

My family and I love this wonderful state. It is truly gorgeous. We enjoy the forests, deserts and plains. What we do not understand is the lack of pride in our land. I read and hear on the television and radio how proud people are to have their own piece of property and to be able to grow acres of crops, raise cattle or have a backyard garden. Where has that pride gone? Is it a generational thing? I don’t think so. Maybe it’s a small number of consistent, repeat offenders who think that it is OK to throw your recliner chair out and leave it at the side of the road (on the north end of the Manzano Expressway).

Think about how you would like the trash you’re throwing out the window or flying out of the back of your pickup to be dumped in your yard. Sounds like fun, huh?

Lori Howe

Las Maravillas

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