This Fourth of July, as we commemorate our nation’s founding, our community has much to celebrate and much for which we can be grateful. Gallup has long been proud to be known as the most patriotic small town in America. We earned that reputation, at least in part, because of the large number of veterans who call our community home.

We are honored that so many brave men and women who have served our country choose to live in Gallup. As friends and neighbors, we take our responsibility to support these veterans seriously. That’s why when the Federal department of Veterans Affairs proposed closing our local Veterans’ Clinic, as well as the clinics in Las Vegas, Raton, and...

I am writing to your newspaper to publicly express my appreciation for President Joe Biden’s “policy of empathy” towards Navajos. The 2020 CARES Act provided relief from hardship during the Covid-19 public health crisis. The American Rescue Plan Act provided $1.8 billion to the Navajo Nation. The funding was unbelievable!

Our congressional delegations to Washington deserve a lot of credit as well. Their understanding of our communities’ needs helped get the funding. Navajos and non-Navajos are sharing the money. And it is greatly appreciated.

I am also thankful to the President and our Secretary of Interior Debra Haaland for restoring key provisions of the National Environmental...

Long-term loans carry higher interest rates than short-term loans because there are more variables in play over a more extended period.

Another factor that makes long-term loans less attractive to lenders, thus raising interest rates, is inflation. Inflation is the rise over time in the price of goods and services. Lenders know the longer it takes the borrower to pay back a loan, the less that money will be worth because everything costs more.

Inflation is the rise over time in the price of goods and services. Is a loaf of bread higher than it was the year you were born? Inflation is measured as an annual percentage, and the same way interest rates are measured as a yearly...

As a patient, I try to support our hospital by getting my care locally.  I recently received excellent care at RMCH {Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital].  I underwent three surgical procedures from mid-July through mid-October. I felt fortunate to be able to receive care by highly qualified docs and caring nurses. Everyone was pleasant, courteous, and professional.

But I have to say I was a bit hesitant knowing about the turmoil within the organization, seemingly random and reckless retaliatory firings, and ignored safety concerns resulting in the departure of experienced nurses. Most of the nurses caring for me were new graduates.

I want to thank the Board of Trustees of RMCH for...