The Warden of the Gallup Jail is paid $1,346.15 per week. What is the total output in the salaries per week of all employees involved in running the jail? What is the person that heads the [Na’ Nihzoonzhi Center] paid per week? What is the total output in salaries per week of all employees involved in running the NCI? What is the cost per month for food, utilities, and clothing for the inmates in both places? What is the cost of beds, blankets, metal trays, pots, pans, silverware, refrigerators, stoves, and garbage cans for both places?

The overwhelming majority of the people that land in the Gallup Jail and the NCI are there for alcohol- or drug-related offenses, and many prefer jail...

The University of New Mexico proudly calls itself our state’s “Flagship University” with good reason. It offers students unparalleled educational opportunities and has long been a leader in conducting research and providing health care.

But UNM’s recent decision to terminate its contract to host the annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow at The Pit showed a bizarre lack of judgment — and unintentionally created what teachers call “an educable moment.”

David Harris, the university’s executive vice president, claims the university had been losing money on the deal. After this year’s event, the university was nearly $2,400 in the red for cleanup expenses after the event...

To the editor,

[Sen. George] Muñoz has accepted a contribution from Anheuser-Busch. Mr. Muñoz has no qualms about accepting this contribution and at the same time telling us that he’s concerned about Gallup’s eternal alcohol problem. That is akin to using a fox to guard the henhouse. Jesus Christ tells us in Luke 11:23 that we are either with him or against him. In the political world, fence straddling appears to be the norm.

I have stopped advocating for the banning of alcohol; I will not go that route again. However, some politicians want to play both sides against the middle. All political contributors rightly expect something in return for their contribution. Employers do not...

May 8, 2016

Someone this past week asked me if I planned to write anymore on the District 3 County Commissioner election.  I told the person I had wanted to write a couple more letters – one on key priorities and one on that “pesky” alcohol problem.

Here are the 5 priorities I see for District #3 over the next 3 to 5 years:

#1 - Deal with the Alcohol and Drug problems that we experience in District #3. During the last mayoral election this was one of the main issues – mainly the alcoholics, homeless and mentally ill people frequenting the streets of Gallup.  The Liquor Excise Tax doesn’t provide enough funds for a “full service” program.  Besides believe me no amount...