Transit: A civil rights issue

For over a decade, Chainbreaker members have been organizing for increased access to public transportation. We believe it is one of the most important issues facing Santa Fe today. We urge all community members to begin viewing transit as it should be viewed — as a civil rights issue. A lack of public transit perpetuates the cycle of poverty and keeps people poor.

If voters take this option away by not voting to reauthorize the tax that funds the North Central Regional Transit District on Nov. 6, they will have cast their vote to take away the hope for many individuals to break the cycle of poverty and turned their backs on civil rights in Santa Fe. It is critical from an economic and social justice standpoint that we keep this funding for the Blue Bus. The reauthorization of this funding is going to be one of the choices voters are faced with on Election Day (or when they vote early). Our members — and many other people throughout our community — will be riding the bus to the polls Nov. 6. Tomás Rivera

executive director, Chainbreaker Santa Fe

Time for change

For decades, Democrats have controlled one or both Houses of the New Mexico Legislature. Despite all of their promises, theories and progressive agendas, New Mexico is last, or close to the bottom, in every metric. Bottom line: If you vote for a Democrat, you are voting for last place. Since you can’t do worse than last place, voting for Republicans makes sense. Democrats have had their chance and have failed New Mexico. ’Tis time for a change. Rayburn Dobson

Santa Fe

Think twice

I love my right to vote. This upcoming election has left me feeling hollow. As I turned over the (early voting) ballot, I saw a long list of uncontested candidates. What is the point? Imagine if we all chose to not vote for any uncontested candidate — they would still win, stealing our vote. Thank you, Jarratt Applewhite, for running in House District 50. Without him, District 50 would otherwise be another uncontested race. This ballot will test your commitment to democracy. Search your values carefully and think twice before you vote. Sylvi Salinas

Eldorado

Johnson for auditor

I have lived in the Pojoaque/Española Valley for 32 years; my wife and I raised our girls here, and now we’re peacefully enjoying our retirement in this beautiful area. But we’re sick and tired of the rich and powerful politicians who steal left and right from our people. For example, the group that took money from our senior centers to play laser tag and have fancy parties. It’s just wrong. For the first time, I have seen someone fighting for us, and that is Wayne Johnson, our current New Mexico state auditor. He has uncovered corruption that affects all New Mexicans and has held those responsible for it accountable. He uncovered this immoral and corrupt scheme to steal from our neighbors and he exposed the people behind it. It does not matter whether they are Democrats or Republicans, he has gone after them all. That is why I am voting for Wayne Johnson. Joe Medina

Española

Decrease taxes

Why is it that everyone always says that taxes will not increase if a bond or gross receipts tax is reauthorized? It seems to be taboo to tell voters that their taxes will go down if the measures fail to pass. Shouldn’t the full story be told so that voters can understand the full impact of their votes? This is probably why our gross receipts taxes and property taxes only go up, never back down as new taxes are approved and never allowed to expire. Dennis Martinez

Santa Fe

Wanting more?

As a majority Democrat state, the expectation is that the Democrats will win all the elective offices in the election. My concern is that last year all the Democrats in the state Legislature voted to increase state taxes by $350 million. This was vetoed by Gov. Susanna Martinez. Now, one year later, there is an estimated increase of $1.2 billion to $2 billion in state revenue. Even with all this new money, will the Democrats try again to raise state taxes? They do not have an intelligent economic plan for the state. Ed Forde

Valdez

Millennials, vote

The foundation of our American democracy is our right to vote. Voting is a privilege and a sacred trust that is granted to us by the Constitution; it is the most significant feature that distinguishes our government from Russia’s. Wars have been fought and soldiers have died in order to preserve this right.

In this year, with our nation engrossed in relentless civil turmoil, your vote will be crucial. We’re writing especially to you millennials; you have the most to gain or lose by the outcome of this election. If, for whatever reason, you decide not to exercise this right, you will be doing Donald Trump’s work for him. To paraphrase Eldridge Cleaver, “By deciding not to be part of the solution, you will be making yourself part of the problem.”

The cost to you of voting is the time and effort it takes for you to show up. The cost of not voting may be a lifetime of regret. So make sure you vote. The country you’re saving is your own. David B. van Hulsteyn Peggy G. van Hulsteyn

Santa Fe

Tick, tock, tick

Calendar pages rustle Colorful leaves dropping to the earth Pumpkins are in evidence It’s that time once again Time to vote To vote or not to vote? If you don’t vote, don’t complain! If you vote, will you be fooled again? If you vote, will you be rewarded? “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss …” Time to do your research Study hard, see the issues, to whom/ to what do you place your trust?

Time to vote your conscience, rather than a lock step, ehhh?

Early voting or on Election Day, time to step up!

Show up and do your duty … David LaPlantz

Santa Fe

Will and won’t

The race for sheriff of Los Alamos comes down to three things. First, only one candidate will be a full-time sheriff for part-time pay (the others have fulltime jobs). Second, only one has law enforcement and/or a legal background and managed people/offices. Third, only one tells you what they will and won’t do as sheriff, and is currently doing that. I am that candidate. My name is Greg White. My website is greg4sheriff.com

Only a full-time, experienced sheriff can successfully do all of that while protecting our children from predators, working with the courts to put our wayward kids back on the right track and ending our severe problem with child suicide. The choice is clear. Vote for Greg White for sheriff. Greg White

Los Alamos

Peace of mind

One of the best things about the U.S. is that we have freedom to make so many personal decisions. We can choose what beliefs, what religion, we live by. We have options. That applies to our choice in how we die, although there is one option not yet allowed in New Mexico. If we know that within six months we will die and we are suffering terribly even with the best medical care available, we cannot yet ask for more help.

Thank goodness there are many, many people (like Michelle Lujan Grisham) who want to make more end-of-life options available. So you can let anyone with any belief system choose, even if you don’t believe what they believe. It will feel good to know you have an option, a chance to have more help to end suffering, even if you don’t use that choice. Just knowing it’s available does help, offering some peace of mind. Diane LeResche

Santa Fe

Sad to see

It is sad to see The New Mexican take a big turn to the right in endorsing corporate servant Patrick Lyons for state land commissioner (“Statewide races: Toulouse Oliver, Colón, Eichenberg, Lyons,” Our View, Oct. 23). Sam Karns

Albuquerque

Intelligent and better

It is a mistake to vote for Patrick Lyons for state land commissioner (“Statewide races: Toulouse Oliver, Colón, Eichenberg, Lyons,” Our View, Oct. 23). When he was land commissioner before, he approved a land swap for a friend who received a much more valuable piece of land than the state did. It definitely was not the best for the state or the schools. He knows all the ranchers as friends and the oil and gas industry, as well. I think we will be much better off with Stephanie Garcia Richard. She is a competent, strong candidate who will fight for the children and teachers of this state. She will work hard to manage the land and the activities allowed thereon so that the children will get the best education possible. Vote for Garcia Richard. You will get a hardworking, intelligent, honest and better land commissioner. Mia McLeod

White Rock

Restoring transparency

How could the Santa Fe New Mexican endorse someone for state land commissioner who, while at the Public Regulation Commission, acted so clearly against renewables? I thought The New Mexican had a pretty good understanding of the climate crisis. Thankfully, we have a candidate who does. It is Stephanie Garcia Richard, candidate for land commissioner, who understands that we must diversify the way we fund our critical services — our schools, our hospitals and our colleges.

As chairwoman of the New Mexico House Education Committee, Garcia Richard has an unblemished record of six years of valuing our children’s future. She has the vision to diversify New Mexico’s economy. Unlike her opponent, she will hold polluters accountable. She will restore transparency and ethics to a critical position, a position that must be brought into the 21st century. Vote Stephanie Garcia Richard for state land commissioner. Pamela Gilchrist

Santa Fe

Only sound choice

For voters who value wildlife and ecosystems, land conservation and animal protection, the best choice by far for commissioner of public lands is Stephanie Garcia Richard. Her stellar record in the Legislature demonstrates how she would champion those values while expertly serving the vital mission of the State Land Office.

On the other hand, Garcia Richard’s opponent, Patrick Lyons, has a comparatively abysmal record on these issues:

Lyons opposed strengthening animal cruelty laws (Senate Bill 339, 1999).

Lyons refused to protect native wildlife to prevent species extinction (House Bill 282, 2001).

Lyons voted to allow animal torture in laboratories (Senate Bill 35, 2001).

Experience is only as valuable as the outcomes of that experience. Garcia Richard is a knowledgeable, reliable public servant with a proven record of advocacy for land conservation and animal welfare — she’s the state land commissioner candidate with the right kind of experience. Jessica Johnson

chief legislative officer Animal Protection Voters Santa Fe