Editorials
Editorial content. Content posted here may or may not reflect the opinions of the Beat. They reflect the opinions of the author.
HMS alleged to be phasing out old phone system to the detriment of its patients
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 06 February 2024 06 February 2024
It has come to this editor's attention that HMS has brought in a new phone system to replace one that they will allegedly phase out later this year.
The problem, according to HMS clients, is the new number to call for appointments does not work as a local call on their landlines. The new number is considered a long-distance call from within Silver City and nearby areas, such as Tyrone, Bayard, Santa Clara, Pinos Altos or Hurley, for those patients with local/911 only phone service accounts with CenturyLink.
Letter to the Editor supporting Clean Water
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 05 February 2024 05 February 2024
I am a mother to an 8-year-old boy, and I work for The National Center for Frontier Communities/Food Hub, clean water holds a deeply personal significance to me. Not only do I witness the direct impact of water quality on the food grown locally, but as a parent, I cherish the moments spent with my son swimming in the rivers, gardening, and exploring local watersheds. Clean water isn't just a necessity for our livelihoods; it is central to the well-being and joy of our community, our families, and our environment.
How can we survive without access to clean, safe water? The obvious answer is we can't. Our families require clean water for drinking water; our farmers need clean water to irrigate crops and pasture; and our local businesses rely on clean water to function.
Editorial on proposed Mimbres National Monument
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 01 February 2024 01 February 2024
Recently a group of environmental activists proposed to make 250,000 acres of land in Southern New Mexico the latest national monument. The plan is to make four non-contiguous (meaning not connected) pieces of land part of a new national monument. Those areas are in the Florida Mountains, Tres Hermanas, Good Sight Mountains, and Cookes Range, all of which are near Deming.
The lands are already under federal control (by the Bureau of Land Management or BLM), but a monument would further restrict the use of these lands. I own Spanish Stirrup Rock Shop, LLC and the SS Stone Gallery in Luna County and Lincoln County, New Mexico. I mine precious stones in the area being considered for the monument and I’m afraid the restrictive nature of these lands would put me out of business. For example, after the 2014 designation of the Organ Peaks Mountains all rock hounding in an area called Kilbourne Hole was eliminated.
Rebuttal to earlier editorial on SB 111
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 31 January 2024 31 January 2024
Your Op-ed on SB 111 published on 26 January, 2024 begs for clarification.
SB 111 specified money and purpose. The purpose is to fund the following as specified in the bill:
"(1) protect water in the state through additional monitoring and enforcement of existing regulations;
and
(2) conduct additional mapping to better understand how changes to the federal Clean Water Act of 1977 affect water in the state."
Democrats' Backroom Bargaining Blemish Covered Up with Deception and Deflection
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 29 January 2024 29 January 2024
By State Representative Rod Montoya (R-Farmington)
Just when you think progress is being made with regards to good government and legislative transparency, something happens that restores the public distrust and skepticism that has plagued public office holders for generations.
Last year, Democrats in the New Mexico Legislature laid the groundwork for what today can only be described as legislative malfeasance by attempting to fund, under the cover of darkness, hundreds of legislative staffers for House and Senate members. It was contentious to say the least, as Republicans have vocally opposed this concept from the beginning. In short, Republicans believe funding legislative staff would be akin to taxpayer-funded campaign staff. The effort last year failed, but Democrats were successful in appropriating millions of dollars to study the idea.
New Mexico's left comes for oil and gas
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 29 January 2024 29 January 2024
By Paul Gessing
In recent years the "left" including most, but not all, in the Democratic Party have turned sharply against traditional energy sources. Despite New Mexico's status as a leading energy state, it has not been exempted from this trend.
In fact, while New Mexico has seen an unprecedented oil and gas boom (which has unlocked unprecedented government revenues) New Mexico's political leadership has become virulently anti-energy. This is true for all five members of its congressional delegation which all reflexively support anti-energy policies that are contrary to the State's interests.
Op-ed on SB 111
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 26 January 2024 26 January 2024
GRANT COUNTY — This week Senator Siah Correa Hemphill introduced SB 111 on behalf of GRIP (Gila Resources Information Project) which, if enacted, would establish the most extreme water restrictions and regulations on miners, farmers, ranchers and private property owners.
Mining and agriculture play a vital role in Grant County's economy, providing much-needed jobs and contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of the region. By introducing this bill, Correa Hemphill is showing a callous disregard for the economic well-being of her own community.
What’s wrong with 4-day school weeks?
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 18 January 2024 18 January 2024
This was first published at https://errorsofenchantment.com/whats-wrong-with-4-day-school-weeks/
Gov. Lujan Grisham is seemingly hell-bent on stopping school districts in New Mexico from operating on a four day week. She specifically called out these districts in her State of the State address as well and has put $100 million in her budget to ensure ALL New Mexico districts embrace a 5 day week.
Just to be crystal clear, 4 day weeks don’t mean less time in school. New Mexico students have to be in their classrooms for a set amount of time.