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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Thursday, February 5, 2004

Letters to the Editor


    Per Capita Funds Big for Tijeras
    THE JAN. 17 Albuquerque Tribune published a commentary by Bob Wessely about a water plan for Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia counties. The report didn't mention funding but I believe if Heather Wilson will treat the people of Bernalillo County like she has treated Tijeras there is no problem.
    On Jan. 13 Rep. Wilson announced the latest federal funding of the Tijeras water system. The $1.2 million will fund phase IIB of the multi-phase project. Wilson said she would work this year to get an additional $1.7 million in 2005 for Phase IIIC and IIID. The total federal contribution would then be $2.9 million.
    Tijeras has a population of 474 people. The federal contribution per person is $6,118.
    Bernalillo County has a population of 556,668. If Heather Wilson would treat the people of Bernalillo County like she has the people of Tijeras, Bernalillo County would have $3.4 trillion. With that kind of money we could divert the Mississippi River to New Mexico. No more water problems.
    (References: The Tijeras water federal aid is discussed in the Jan. 15 copy of the Mountain View Telegraph. The population numbers come from a Wal-Mart Atlas.)
    ROBERT BLANKERT
    Tijeras
    Slow Those Semis Down on Highway
    WITH SAFETY CONCERNS in mind, I suggest that we change our speed limit laws.
    Put a 10-mile per hour difference between the semi-trucks and cars— example, cars 75 mph, trucks 65 mph.
    This system works very well in other states.
    LILLY CORDOVA
    Moriarty
    Veterans Added To Funeral Service
    ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, I attended the funeral services for Otis Short at the Moriarty Cemetery. Obviously, this was already a dismal day for family and friends due to our loss. The weather was cold and gray, the gaggle of geese, the traffic so nearby and even the employees added a very surreal feeling to the ceremony also.
    My heart was heavy and I felt there should be something more to represent the finality of a person's life and allow some closure.
    There were four veterans from VFW Post 3370 who saved the ceremony. I do not pretend to know the correct words for military protocol, but they added the respect and ritual that was so needed that day. I watched as they performed each step of the service, sometimes standing at attention or saluting, the proud exact precision of their movements was quite touching, and the actions so instilled ... they'll never forget.
    I know since the 9-11 disaster there has been much emphasis on American pride and respect for our service people and veterans. And I have personally attended several public events recently where special recognition has been given, which I truly believe has been long overdue for this country.
    But I know of no other occasion when I have been so moved as I was on this day by the reality of their life experiences. Their solemn expressions, a tear in the corner of an eye, and the quiver of a chin as the folded flag was placed in the hands of Darlene Mayes really brings home the dedication of these men.
    I regret that I didn't get their names, to thank each of them personally for continuing to serve.
    VERDI SURLS
    Albuquerque
    KAFB Is Full Of Otero Excuses
    WHO CARES? As the debate about the closure of Otero Canyon continues to unfold, this is the sentiment that Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) counts on. After all, who are we to question the actions of a military base?
    You should. There is something to gain for everyone who speaks out in this classic "David vs. Goliath"-type controversy. Why? Because Kirtland Air Force Base, under the leadership of Colonel Henry Andrews Jr., is relentlessly pursuing closure of this forested gem like a juggernaut. He has condescendingly ignored the thoughtful problem-solving of a resourceful group of concerned resident trail users, the sincere encouragement of bipartisan political support, and every recognizable form of logic and reason.
    Why would Kirtland Air Force Base do this? What is their motivation? Unfortunately, this remains largely unknown, because each time a reason is proposed and countered with a mutually beneficial solution, another reason materializes. First it was base security, then it was unexploded ordnance, then the potential hazards of a firing range became their reason du jour, all despite the lack of human incident in decades of responsible trail use.
    What's next remains to be seen, but assure yourself that it will be veiled with a blanket of overstated concerns for "public safety" and "national security." Like a bad parent dictating "because I said so," the base will act in "our best interest." Well, "because I said so" isn't good enough. Kirtland Air Force Base is a part of our community and should be forced to behave like it, particularly if they lack the conscience to do it themselves.
    Should KAFB force the closure of Otero Canyon, we will witness the broad impact on our community over the next years to decades from trail crowding, ecologic damage, socio-economic losses, and perhaps most importantly, the establishment of a precedent that encourages military bases to behave like obscene bullies and disregard their neighbors. But don't worry, by then Col. Andrews will be long gone, wreaking havoc on other communities while leaving us wondering what happened.
    CRAIG JENSEN
    Albuquerque