This category will hold letters to the editor, as requested by at least one Beat reader. This editor agrees that letters to the editor should be separate from editorials. Letters to the editor may not reflect the opinions of the editor.

Gun Mandate - Round 2

Editor-

I realize lawyers can be wordy, and sometimes tricky in the application of their trade. Or, so it may appear to the average individual, including myself.

Which seems to be the case in New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's gun control regulation, previously struck down by a federal judge, forbidding law abiding citizens from openly carrying or concealing, a private firearm in Albuquerque or Bernalillo County.

Since the judge found Ms. Grisham's original gun proclamation to be in violation of an individual's constitutional rights, it seems she simply redressed the executive order, and handed it over to her secretary of health, Mr. Patrick M. Allen.

Read more ...

HMS Letter to the Editor

Capital Outlay Funding for Senior Services in Grant County

At the Grant County Commissioners meeting held on August 30, 2023, there was a lengthy discussion regarding the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plans (ICIP) submitted to the County for approval by Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS). County officials had requested that a representative from HMS be present at the meeting to discuss these items, which were tabled at a previous commission meeting. Unfortunately, this request for attendance received by email was missed, and representation was not fulfilled. Dr. Dan Otero, HMS CEO, personally apologized for the oversight directly in writing to each County commissioner, the County Manager, and the Planning and Community Development Director. HMS extends its gratitude to the County Commission and County officials for moving forward on their approvals with the limited data and clarification needed.

Read more ...

Letter to Editor about MLG's most recent executive order

Editor-

In what has to be a very questionable legal issue, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's 30-day suspension of lawful open and concealed carry of firearms in Albuquerque -- under the guise that gun violence has become a health issue -- doesn't pass the smell test.

Similar to many frivolous COVID mandates, restricting a citizen's constitutional right to carry a firearm because a small minority of individuals willfully create havoc and violence with a gun, makes about as much sense as telling an employee his job is not essential as the worker across the street in a big box store.

Through the brouhaha created by the COVID hysteria, some state governors have assumed they have the authority to enact select mandates and executive orders, and impose fines and penalties whenever they feel inclined to do so.

But, to declare a 30-day suspension of gun rights upon people of a particular community, or geographical location, because of firearms related shootings; while at the same time not equally applying the same edict upon the rest of the state citizenry, certainly appears to be a blatant violation of her office.

Read more ...

Letter to Editor on Japan releasing radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean

Dear Editor,

Despite all protests and opposition from clear-thinking, nature-loving people, Japan has begun releasing radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, where a lot of the world's food supply comes from. Mark this date and tell your grandchildren that you read it here: THIS IS A MISTAKE FOR ALL THE WORLD!

If this water were "safe" as claimed by those doing it, they would just pump it into the Tokyo water system and drink it. They won't dare. If we had a functioning president instead of Biden, he would have worked with major world leaders to get this disaster stopped. It is more important immediately than any climate change measures.

Read more ...

Letter to Editor opposed to use of herbicides for forest thinning.

Dear Editor,

In regards to recent reports that Grant County residents are objecting to the use of herbicides for a proposed forest thinning project on state and federal lands in the Gila and near us, I would like to submit this humble opinion, please.

This is so crazy. I oppose ALL use of herbicides in Grant County, in New Mexico, and in the United States. No politician in all of New Mexico should support this poison being spread, to breathe and be tracked into homes, schools, and livestock. Glyphosate/Round-Up is a carcinogen. None of these herbicides belong in our food, soil, wildlife, or water. Next, your surrounding wells will be like the poor PFAS veterans. This will be another Agent Orange catastrophe for our people, who will suffer, like my own cousin Randy, who was drafted for Vietnam and died from it.

Read more ...

Letter to the Editor on "conservancy"

I had the privilege of seeing Ron Troy of the New Mexico Land Conservancy make a presentation recently at the Silver City UU.

I was quite impressed with this gentleman's presentation and it got me thinking about how my own habits and desires affect my surroundings.

A Conservancy is a group or body of people concerned with the preservation of Nature, its Species, and its Natural Resources.

So when a question comes to mind—concerning the New Mexico Land Conservancy—such as
"What can I personally do to help?"

Read more ...

Letter to the editor re: previous letter about BLM

A May 18 letter questioned why the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) needs a new rule to manage the lands under its control. Fearing existing "rights" would be interfered with. As a public lands rancher, the writer wants us members of the public who own this land and pay the agency to manage it for us, to continue the false belief that public lands ranchers have a "right" to graze their cattle on our lands. That issue has been to court numerous times and the truth is that grazing public lands is a revocable privilege, not a right.

The nickname for the BLM is "Bureau of Livestock and Mining" because the public has been given the short end of the stick. Hunting, fishing, backpacking, watershed protection, bird and wildlife watching get what's left over after the livestock industry has stripped the vegetation from the land, and it's pretty worthless after that so, yes, there is a reason for a new style of management, but don't despair, all of the many attempts to get honest management have always failed in the past and even with the public providing overwhelming support for better management (as always), I won't hold my breath waiting to see the land flourish with tall grasses and wildlife galore.

Michael Sauber
Silver City

Biden's Big Railroad Bridge to Africa

Editor-

 When he thinks, Joe thinks big.

BIDEN'S BIG RAILROAD BRIDGE TO AFRICA
By Mike Bibb

 "We have plans to build a railroad from the Pacific all the way across the Indian Ocean." President Joe Biden speaking to the League of Conservation Voters, Washington, D.C., June 14, 2023

Wow, when he thinks, Joe thinks big!

Speaking before the League of Conservation Voters in Washington, June 14, Biden informed the gathering "We're talking about building -- and I had my team putting together with other countries as well -- to build a railroad from the Pacific Ocean -- from the Atlantic Ocean all the way across to the Indian Ocean."

Basically, it would be the greatest construction project in world history. Probably, in the history of the galaxy.

A railroad traversing over ten-thousand miles of deep water, from California to East Africa.

Not sure how he figured the route would also pass over the Atlantic Ocean, but what the heck? If Joe believes it, then who am I to question him, or his team's acclaimed engineering and building skills.

Read more ...

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.