Say yes to New Mexico’s wind and solar
According to Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., the Sagamore Wind Project — the largest wind farm in New Mexico’s history — will mean hundreds of local, high-quality jobs in the Portales and Clovis area, plus school funding and clean, affordable energy. It will bring nearly $1 billion of private investment to Eastern New Mexico, create up to 300 construction jobs and as many as 30 full-time operations jobs, and produce an estimated $43 million in gross receipts tax revenue for the state of New Mexico. Local public schools will receive millions of dollars in funding from tax revenue generated over the lifetime of this project, including $44.5 million for schools in Dora and $39 million for schools in Portales. Clean energy production can revolutionize the economic future of our state and build a sustainable future. I vote for growing New Mexico jobs with wind energy and solar energy.
Peggy O’Mara
Santa Fe
Dollars for schools
A virtual currency company Ripple’s gift of $29 million to DonorsChoose.org, reported in The New Mexican (“How to get $29 million for classroom projects: Ask,” April 2), warmed our hearts, knowing the difference it will make for students and teachers across the country. As we celebrate the generosity of this gift, we are reminded and equally proud of similar efforts made right here in our own backyard by Dollars4Schools.
Created by Michael and Patricia French in 2010, Dollars4Schools’ grassroots model provides Santa Fe public school teachers with a local helping hand in funding classroom programs. Dollars4Schools transitioned to the Santa Fe Community Foundation in 2013 and to date has funded nearly 700 programs — including 92 in the 2017-18 school year. We are grateful for the opportunities our incredible community’s support makes possible in classrooms across our city and honored to celebrate support of education nationally. Bill Smith president and CEO Santa Fe Community Foundation Ona Johnson director Dollars4Schools
Misguided approach
Jeff Apodaca demonstrates again a corrupting motivation to win at any cost, as when he cried earlier that party rules should be changed to favor him alone (“Time to end whining in race for governor,” Ringside Seat, April 9). Apodaca’s overall appeal is strikingly similar to his “Jerry-built” father’s 1976 legacy of selfenrichment first above public-policyfocused governing. As a would-be politician, Jeff Apodaca has failed miserably in his misguided lawsuit against an opponent, state Sen. Joseph Cervantes (“Cervantes wins fight to remain on ballot,” April 6), attempting to deny primary voters a better choice between either Democratic U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham or Cervantes — candidates showing substantially more ethical compass than former communications executive and novice political hack Jeff Apodaca. Kim Switzer Santa Fe
Two simple rules
Although John Rosemond was not alive then, my family and friends were brought up by his principles, that good behavior was expected and actions have consequences. (“Keep Rosemond,” Letters to the Editor, April 8). There was no question that parents had the last word. Our children and grandchildren are passing these on to their own, and we sisters of the 1940s generation can be proud of our productive and wellbehaved and generally happy offspring. I’m thankful there is still at least one professional out there who understands and promotes these rules. I have always maintained that parenting is mainly two simple rules as well. Stick to your standards (rules, if you like) and endure. You and your children will benefit in the end.