Constitutional crisis looming?

This fall President Donald Trump will undoubtedly run for reelection.

His opponent will be Democrat Joe Biden, who has been a U.S. senator and vice president for two terms.

As we approach Election Day, if the race is very close or if Biden has a clear lead, there is a chance that President Trump will decide to “postpone” the election for a reason he will fabricate. What will the nation do if this eventuality occurs? It is unlikely that the Republican Senate would take any action to alleviate the situation.

This would certainly be a constitutional crisis. Hopefully, the Supreme Court would step in and take action to rectify the situation. In any event, this fall’s election should prove to be more interesting than usual.

Norm Ferguson

Taos Fatal flaws in county meetings Dear Taos County Commissioners, I understand the need to continue to conduct county business remotely in the time of COVID-19.

Virtual planning commission meetings, while far from ideal, are needed in some instances. That being said, the current procedures set out for these meetings preclude effective public involvement. If that was the goal of the procedures, they have succeeded.

The fatal flaws in the procedures are the onerous time constraints regarding submission of a Statement of Appearance and the submission of written documents.

According to the Procedures for Virtual Public Meetings on the county website, a Statement of Appearance must be submitted seven working days before the hearing, both online and in person. Why both when it is difficult to access county offices? The notice of the July 13, 2020 public hearing on major Subdivision Ordinance amendments was published on July 2, 2020. With the July 4 holiday it was impossible to meet a seven working day timeline. So there will presumably be no public comment on a very major policy discussion and decision.

Similarly, the seven working day submission requirement for written comments is totally unworkable. The agenda packet is never available that far in advance. How can one provide insightful comments without the benefit of the background information? The allowance for written comment is consequently, at best, an empty gesture.

These timelines preclude meaningful input to the planning commission. I refuse to believe the Board of County Commissioners does not feel a need for the planning commission to receive public input. Regardless of the intent, that is the undeniable effect of the current procedures.

I personally find these procedural constraints unacceptable and offensive. They need to be reconsidered to make them workable.

The public health crisis reveals our mainstream food-getting supermarket chain system is a glass house. The crisis creates a void in food production that local responsiveness could realistically fill.

Farming in Taos is a cohesive thread of life that already brings people together in an authentic way. Our hearts in Taos are with growing our own food, a common dream expressing diversity and unity. Why not make it an intention and budget out 8 percent for it annually?

Taos, with its rich history and current knowledge of slow food production, could be an exemplary center addressing global issues around food growing and animal husbandry.

Five hundred local gardens would be a proactive response to unhealthy and inhumane factory farming. Public funding would help close the loop on precarious import/export practices, making for a circuit of local food production and behavior that encourages strength, wellbeing, physical activity, soil enrichment and less waste. Five hundred gardens would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create less of a jam at the landfill.

Finally, local budget support would show initiative from within to address unemployment issues and help people work from home.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Frank Torres, as my cardiologist. Over the past two years, I have now seen four different cardiologists. Why is there such a high turnover?

I must say that I was relieved to know that Holy Cross Medical Center had finally hired someone who was here to stay and found what brings us together – community. From my own experience

MY TURN

Ken Manning Taos

Bee Falcon Taos County and what I have heard from his staff, as well as other community members, Dr. Torres is a well-liked professional. He genuinely cares about the people of this community. It is difficult establish a trusting relationship with a health care provider, when there is no consistency.

Holy Cross Hospital does not care about community, but filling Bill Patten’s pocket. Dr. Geilan Ismail, who has come out of retirement, will leave once again and our community will be left with another gap to fill. Thank you, Dr. Torres, for serving the people of Taos. You made me feel comfortable and confident in your care.

B. Ruiz Ranchos de Taos

“Between the devil and the deep blue sea” – a dilemma, faced with two dangerous alternatives. Here we are, on the precarious edge between disasters in public health and the economy.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has, in my opinion, shown intelligence and courage in imposing fact-based restrictions to slow the spread of the highly infectious COVID-19 virus. New Mexico has so far avoided the medical catastrophes facing our neighbors, but with an influx of visitors from high-infection states, our numbers are rising, so the governor has reinstituted strict requirements.

The public health order effective July 13 again prohibits indoor dining in restaurants and breweries, though both may operate outdoor seating at 50 percent maximum capacity and continue to offer carry out, pickup and delivery services.

Some restaurant operators and their professional associations are pushing back hard at requirements they say are unfair, punitive and threatening to their economic survival. Other restaurateurs, however, have spoken out in support of what’s best for their communities and employees first and for business in the long term.

Bravo and thanks to Taos’ own Orlando’s New Mexican Café for this post on their website: “What a bumpy road it’s been for everyone. So we’ve decided to go back to strictly carryout. Customers will be allowed to sit on the patio at 50 percent occupancy and also order beer and wine. We are able to do full service but needed to listen to our employees and this is how they feel safer.”

Mya Coursey

Taos