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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Letters to the Editor



      Accountability For Fires Is Lacking
OTHER THAN BREATHING THE SMOKE I was not directly involved in either of the recent tragic fires in the Manzanos. I feel for those who were affected and can't help but ask: “Did it have to happen this way?”
    The “blame” for the Trigo Fire has apparently been placed on turkey hunters. I feel sure if these persons could be found they would be forced to take responsibility for the damages.
    That being the case, should not those who attempted management of the forest by lawsuit, inhibiting recommendations of Forest Service professionals for planned thinning and grazing — shouldn't these people be held responsible for the Big Spring Fire catastrophe?
    Instead, you and I as taxpayers pick up the tab for the natural consequences of our overgrown forests.
    JIM SCHWEBACH
    McIntosh
    Jubilee Was a Big Success for All
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S WHIPPED CREAM PIE in the face booth at this years' Mountainair Jubilee was a blast. We raised money for the local animal shelter while a good time was had by all.
    I would like to thank the people who donated their time and faces for this worthy cause: the mayor of Mountainair (Vel Gilley), the chief of police (Ed VonKutzlebaum) and Planning and Zoning representative (Dennis Fulfer) who were all great sports. Some of these brave and fun-loving people were David Torres and his daughter Faith, Maria Rubi, who really was tricked into it but was a good sport about it, and Amber Overstreet, who was ambushed, but took it in good spirit and last, but not least, all the youngsters who chased each other around with pies giving the volunteers a break.
    Not to be overlooked was the fun class pet show at the Jubilee put on by Tanisha Starr (Mountainair Animal Control officer and Shannon DeRemer, vet tech and local animal rescue). In addition to the classes (best trick, best dressed, cutest, ugliest/scruffiest) judged by Hamilton Montgomery and Vanessa Vaile, spectators chose overall “People's Choice” Champions by applause and general noise making. A raffle of donated pet products also raised funds for the shelter.
    Thank you all for your support and participation.
    I also want to say thank you to the Jubilee Committee for all their hard work putting this event together. They are appreciated more than they know.
    KEVIN TURNER
    President of the Mountainair Chamber of Commerce
   
    Event Funding Is Perfectly Legal
“SOME PEOPLE STILL DON'T GET IT!” is the seemingly ever-present (and, in my opinion, rather inappropriate) tag line that opens a letter from Kathryn Cleaver (Telegraph, June 26) regarding the legality of contributions by the town of Edgewood to such events as the summer music festival and Run, Rally and Rock.
    Ms. Cleaver asserts that the town attorney, Marcus Rael, has informed the mayor that such funding violates the law. In fact, Mr. Rael has not made such an assertion at any time of which I am aware.
    This was reaffirmed at the Edgewood Town Council meeting last Wednesday, at which Mr. Rael stated categorically that such contributions could be made, and discussed concerns that would have to be addressed in order to do so legally…
    Ms. Cleaver states “This isn't about politics; it's about whether or not the town of Edgewood intends to obey the law.” … I question the validity of either statement in that sentence. Ms. Cleaver also suggests that the applicants for such funding approach the Attorney General for an opinion. It is unclear whether Attorney General Gary King would choose to weigh in on this subject …, but if he did, I expect that he would agree with Mr. Rael that the funding is, in fact, legal.
    JOHN WECKERLE
    Edgewood
   

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