Thanks for helping fund school programs

On behalf of Dollars4Schools and the Santa Fe Community Foundation, we would like to extend our gratitude for ShowHouse Santa Fe 2018. This year’s design extravaganza included not only 15 of Santa Fe’s top designers, but also 15 of our city’s finest chefs — creating a unique culinary and aesthetic combination for a valuable cause.

Since ShowHouse Santa Fe began in 2013, it has raised $140,000 in support of Dollars4Schools, an initiative at the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

This annual event, the single largest fundraiser for Dollars4Schools, has provided direct funding for Santa Fe public school teachers — for over 250 classroom programs in 29 schools — enriching the lives of thousands of students.

Our sincere thanks to Santa Fe Properties, David Naylor of David Naylor Interiors, Jennifer Ashton of Jennifer Ashton Interiors, and the generous and caring designers, chefs, and sponsors who made it all possible. To learn more about how to support Dollars4Schools, visit www.dollars4schools. org. Bill Smith

president and CEO Santa Fe Community Foundation Ona Johnson

director Dollars4Schools

Uprooting, overturning

President Donald Trump, his allies and Republican Senate accomplices are uprooting and overturning basic pillars of our country’s democracy. His assaults, to name a few, are a devastating blow for the rights of women, immigrants, gay, lesbian and transgender communities; our voting rights; the environment; minorities; and the judiciary which by now he virtually owns.

Throughout my voting years I have valued and supported the candidates’ personal, ethical qualities and capabilities regardless of their party. But in the approaching midterms there is hardly a choice.

Overall, the Republicans have revealed their inability to support true bipartisan leadership and have showered their mindless and contemptuous affections upon Trump, whose shady ethical makeup and limited rational powers are notorious.

I urge people to vote in this extremely important election, and given the weak and scurrilous record of Republicans in the recent past I urge them to vote for the Democratic Party. Landon Young

Santa Fe

Apologies and character

I disagree with Steve Terrell’s recent Roundhouse Roundup (“Politics: Never having to say sorry,” Oct. 21). There are many decent politicians in our country who still know how to apologize. For example, when North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp’s staff ran an ad naming sexual assault survivors without their consent, Heitkamp immediately issued a heartfelt, public apology. Contrast that with Republican Rep. Steve Pearce after the state Republican party tweeted a vicious attack on Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s physical appearance. Pearce not only didn’t apologize, but also failed to denounce those who wrote the scurrilous tweet. In my view, that is not the sort of person who should be New Mexico’s next governor. Mark L. Asquino

Santa Fe

Best choice

I am a citizen of both New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. As a Democrat, I represented New Mexico House District 5 from 2008-14, and I wholeheartedly endorse Republican Gavin S. Clarkson, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation, for New Mexico secretary of state.

As the first tribal member to ever earn a doctorate from the Harvard Business School while simultaneously graduating cum laude from Harvard Law School, Gavin Clarkson has the energy to empower New Mexico. Clarkson doesn’t just visit Indian Country during election season, he’s been working on tribal economic development his whole life. Although he is particularly well suited to address the needs of Navajo, Apache and Pueblo citizens, Clarkson will work diligently to help create more jobs for all New Mexicans. Sandra Jeff

Crownpoint

Exploiting our state

By endorsing Patrick Lyons for commissioner of public lands and the “maximization of investments,” The New Mexican has effectively endorsed 19th century-style exploitation. Lyons’ record shows his support of fossil fuels and the type of exploitation that has ripped up New Mexico for more than 100 years now.

Pat Lyons’ record tells us our resources will be given to the highest bidder. When the only goal is to maximize investment, every other resource, be it wildlife, cultural heritage or clean water goes out the window.

Stephanie Garcia Richard supports increased funds from the Land Grant Permanent Fund for early childhood education. Pat Lyons does not. Garcia Richard accepts climate change science. Pat Lyons does not. Garcia Richard will oppose the Trump administration in the degradation and selloff of our public land. Pat Lyons has already demonstrated how easily this can be done. Vote for Stephanie Garcia Richard for state land commissioner. David Coss

chairman, Rio Grande Chapter Sierra Club Santa Fe