Florence Miera has put in the work to earn your vote
Iam asking that all my family, friends, acquaintances and registered Democratic voters in Taos County vote for and elect Florence Miera as State Representative for District 42.
Why? Well Florence is deserving of this honor. Florence is young, educated, talented and, more importantly, she has paid her dues, serving the youth of our community. The field of “Human Services” is a thankless job, and it takes a special person — one with heart — to survive and thrive in this field. Providing behavioral health services to our most vulnerable populations, including our youth, can be challenging, yet also rewarding.
There is an even-moreimportant reason. The other Taos. While tourism is often seen as the economic engine that drives a local economy, it is the other side of the impacts of tourism that is hidden from the “tourist.” Prevalent in tourist economies is the phenomena of the “looking glass theory,” by which the disenfranchised community compares themselves. Mental health issues and substance abuse issues are prevalent in such economies, and these issues are hidden, ignored or left untreated. At minimum, they are underfunded. Mental health and substance abuse issues do not discriminate between social status, economic standing or cultural identity, or from “place” of origin. The difference is between who can afford treatment and who can’t. The lack of mental health and substance abuse treatment in Taos County to the indigent population in Taos County is worthy of a “look.” This is the other Taos.
While environmental concerns are real, the consequence of climate change is more likely to affect the social strata that is less likely to have the financial resources to offset its impacts. Providing economic relief to the victims of the Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire is great. But one can only imagine the psychological impact that this “environmental event” has had on the survivors. I have heard no mention of such services being offered in the scale that is required when one loses, not only ones personal belongings, but ones cultural heritage (land/community).
Perhaps what we really need, but refuse to accept or believe, are politicians that “really” put people first. Perhaps with a state representative who has practiced the art of treating those with behavioral health issues, we will rekindle the fire at the state Legislature to address these issues. Perhaps she can pick up the wand and pursue the change in the “Liquor Excise Tax” law that will allow Taos County to be a direct recipient of this tax, to treat the consequence of a disenfranchised economy and fund both psychological and physical consequence of mental illness and substance abuse.
There are issues and needs in this county that need to be addressed if we are to move forward socially and economically. Taos County has a multitude of infrastructural needs countywide, and we continue to be a poor county. Therefore, we should spread state and federal dollars around, instead of concentrating on one economic sector. Water quality and quantity is at the heart of many Taoseños. We need to address those aspects of “progress” that threaten the lifeblood of our communities. Sometimes this may not be popular with the economic sector, but it takes a strong leader that is willing to listen to her constituents and move forward with initiatives that address these concerns.
Besides our infrastructural needs, we need to look at our human capital. The lack of behavioral health services and facilities in Taos County needs to be addressed. Economic development and training of our youth to meet those challenges is a must. There is another Taos that is getting pushed into the background and their social and economic conditions will only get worse — unless we have someone in a leadership position that cares. An empathetic understanding of human suffering is the starting point of many people who choose to work in the field of behavioral health.
I simply ask that we give Florence a chance and the due respect for stepping forward. She can be a role model for so many of our youth that see no future in studying and working hard, only to see their role in life as being that of “servitude,” as the workers, but not the leaders. Florence has touched the lives of so many of our students during her tenure as a school social worker. Let’s give them something to be proud of.
By the way, don’t forget to vote for my other cousin, Steve Miera, for Sheriff. He too, has paid his dues as undersheriff for Taos County.
Con respecto.