Gallup Sun

Costs outweigh benefits

ALBUQUERQUE—Reinstating a tax on the sale of food for consumption at home could harm the health of New Mexicans who are already food insecure—meaning they don’t always have enough to eat. And while the revenue generated from a tax on food could be used to mitigate some of the damage the tax would do, the report finds that it is unlikely governments would spend the new revenue toward that end.

The child advocacy group New Mexico Voices for Children released their report, “A Health Impact Assessment of a Food Tax in New Mexico,” today in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The report looks at three possible outcomes of a food tax: that families would...

Madame G suggests tackling your Thanksgiving preparation early. The Sun enters Sagittarius on Nov. 22 and wanderlust settles into your bones. This is the house of freedom and intellectual pursuits. You may neglect a pie in the oven because you’re pining for adventure while you stare out at the falling snow. Happy cooking!


Aries (March 21-April 19)

Dear Aries, you’re feeling bold. You want to take on a few extra commitments this month. Maybe you get a job, adopt a dog, or opt for a new gym membership. Beware of taking on too much at once. Your gym membership could take a back burner to Holiday fun. Don’t sneak a bite of pie just because it’s cooling on the stove. Santa’s...

The Prescription for Downtown’s Woes is a Healthy Dose of Free Enterprise.

In past years I have written about the untapped potential in the heart of Gallup, so with recent interest in the north-tracks district expressed by a Downtown Redevelopment Plan it bears repeating.

Remember when the Courthouse Square was constructed? Several structures were demolished and despite the plaza’s horrible location (you can’t even see it from the streets) the open spaces and parking were a downtown upgrade and the newly constructed Camille’s became an overnight sensation.

So with downtown redevelopment plans under way in attempts by the city to garner more funding I found it a little...

Recycling, particularly Curbside Recycling, is the “smart” thing for communities to do. Cost factors such as (1) the high cost of creating a new landfill cell for trash [.5 million],  (2) higher cost for transporting that trash to the Red Rocks Landfill in Thoreau [fuel and personnel], and  (3) tipping fees paid on the amount of trash generated by the citizens of Gallup and deposited in the landfill have made Curbside Recycling a more attractive option.  These cost savings can add dollars to recycling and solid waste infrastructure.

Our overly consumptive lifestyle combined with an overly compulsive need to just throw stuff away has filled our landfills with items that can be...