Write us a letter!
The Chronicle welcomes Letters to the Editor of no more than 500 words. Letters that are unsigned, potentially libelous, critical of a business, erroneous in fact, or profane are not printed. Letters are verified before printing. Please include a daytime phone number. Write: editor, Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, P.O. Drawer I, Angel Fire, NM 87710, fax 505-377-2679 or e-mail: news@sangrechronicle.com. Deadline: 4 p.m. Monday.

 

‘I feel an odd kinship with conservatives...’
Dear Editor,
As a rather progressive liberal also working in the “liberal” media environment, I too had to laugh when reading your article. I live in the ultra-blue city of New York where I dare not talk politics at work, though I can’t resist politics after work. While petitioning to get Ralph Nader on the state ballot, you can only imagine some of the comments I’ve gotten back from people: “No, but I’ll sign for him to drop dead,” “I can’t believe her,” and the ever popular “It’s all his fault!” There’s a few others I can’t print.
Like other conservatives (and progressive liberals) in New York City, I generally keep my opinions to myself unless I’m with people I know share my views. As a result, I feel an odd kinship with conservatives here. I find it refreshing and freeing to not feel obligated to vote for a particular party and to be able look at more than one choice. And I know conservatives appreciate all my hard volunteer work!
Eileen Keator
New York City

‘Every one of us must ensure a level playing field...’
Dear Editor,
I was the first speaker after the 10-minute break at the Thursday, July 10, Racino meeting at the Schuler Theater in Raton.
Here is what I said: “I am here as a representative of Animal Protection of New Mexico. We want to let you know that Animal Protection of New Mexico supports the re-entry of horse racing into Raton. We hope and trust that maximum safeguards for the safety and well-being of the horses will be in place. Thank you.”
I am sure many watched the 2008 Kentucky Derby when Eight Bells was euthanized at the track after breaking both ankles in the race. Eight Bells’ horrific end, and the death of two other horses at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, have a lot of race track enthusiasts asking questions about the safety, health and wellbeing of horses in race events. These questions need to be asked here.
Did Eight Bells have to die? No. The New Mexico Racing Commission can make sure that a horse as young as Eight Bells does not race at Raton. The Racing Commission has the power to save lives by refusing to permit two-year-old horses to race, and raising the age for first-timers to four years. As you know, 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds with immature bone structures are stressed to the breaking point under brutal conditions that challenge seasoned 5-year-olds on these dirt tracks.
How can we help eliminate the routine drugging of race horses? Through state-of-the-art surveillance systems, the race track designers and the Racing Commission can make drugging horses more difficult to carry out at the Raton track, and the Commission can make sure heavier financial penalties are applied, as well as prohibit trainers and owner/syndicates that drug horses from participating at any race track event in Raton.
At the Raton Racino, horses will be expected to perform for our entertainment and will be put under horrific stress and potentially be killed for our entertainment. Humans have a choice. The horses don’t have a choice.
Every one of us must ensure a level playing field for these beautiful animals, and I hope the Racing Commission will consult with Animal Protection of New Mexico in this effort.
Norma Lennon Wiggins
Raton

‘I would like to thank Angel Fire Resort...’
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank Angel Fire Resort for putting on such an amazing dirt bike race this weekend (WeBeRacing July 12-13). I have been racing for 13 years and I have never raced in such an amazing place. The terrain was awesome racing up and down the ski slopes as if I was actually shredding on my snowboard.
The race went extremely well and I thank the Angel Fire staff for letting us have this race. Not only was the race amazing but it also caught my interest to making a visit during the winter to go shred.
I love the small town atmosphere and think that the people seem to be really friendly. Because of this race I’ll definitely recommend traveling to this awesome destination to visit.
Thank you,
Tyler Anderson #22

‘What has happened to the Chronicle...’
Dear Editor,
What has happened to the Chronicle?
Our local paper of record seems to have turned into an advertising magazine instead of a NEWSpaper.
I realize the lifeblood of a newspaper is advertising. I would like a show of hands of those who purchase the paper for the advertising. I am sure most readers do not purchase the paper for the ads. But with more advertising could not an extra page or two be inserted?
Since April I have submitted four articles for publication on Search and Rescue training, Search and Rescue mission to retrieve a body in the Pecos Wilderness, Firewise activities, and Tree Farming, all activities of local folks and local activities, that I thought the Chronicle readers might like.
These are all agencies that I would like to educate your readers on and get more visibility as many residents do not know of the existence or operations of these organizations.
They all involve local residents and local activities I believe would be of interest to the residents of Angel Fire and Cimarron.
Joe Stehling
Director, Angel Fire Search and Rescue team
President, Colfax County Coalition of Firewise Communities
Member New Mexico Forest Stewardship committee

(Editor’s Note: As required by U.S. postal regulations, the Chronicle keeps exact records regarding the percentage of advertising in each issue. This percentage hasn’t increased in recent issues, nor has it diminished.)