Thoughts and comments

I have a few comments on recent topics. I was quite perturbed by Sheriff

Jerry Hogrefe’s Feb. 14 My Turn. Even more concerning is learning (in last week’s article “Farrell trial moves forward”) that Elias Montoya, of needlessly shooting-at-children fame, is currently employed by TCSO [Taos County Sheriff’s Office]. I am uncomfortable with a Sheriff who argues vitriolically against accountability while hiring triggerhappy criminals as law enforcement officers. We all saw the video and many of us have not forgotten what happened in the intervening six years. I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed in Tetsuro Namba’s rebuttal to the Sheriff published here. Like Namba, I supported the Sheriff until his op-ed.

I would also like to express my appreciation for cartoonist Bill Baron. His work is often more reflective of a true local perspective than most other elements of the paper. His cartoons this year have been on point, funny and a refreshing and vital addition to these pages.

Finally, I would like to second the opinions expressed in Ron Hagg’s My Turn last week, “Who really makes decisions in the city manager-council government?” Scrutiny of our Town manager and council is crucial at this point in time. In addition to Ron’s points, I would like to add that it is important to notice that the TOT council has an even number of council members (making it easy to arrive at a tied vote, which is broken by the town manager), and is at large (council members are not from districts and thus) less accountable to constituents.

Respectfully,

David Truman Taos