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Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Letters
Conservation Area Would Be Ideal
I want to thank Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall and Reps. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján for introducing a bill that would create the Río Grande del Norte National Conservation Area on 236,000 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Taos and Río Arriba counties.
True conservation of these lands will need the folks with Taos in their hearts actively protecting the waters of our local springs and ritos and the great river, itself. A Rio Grande del Norte NCA would give local folks a tool for the protection of places the community holds dear.
As the owner of one of New Mexico's river touring companies, I am privileged to introduce all sorts of people to the sacred landscapes along the Rio Grande. Designating a National Conservation Area will help make it possible for visitors and residents to maintain their personal connection with the Rio Arriba region, extending official protection to its striking natural and cultural values.
In addition, successful passage of this legislation would elevate the region's profile as a premier outdoor tourism destination and assist in developing the local green economy of which we here are so proud.
I hope that the readers of the Journal will also express their support for this conservation initiative to our elected officials.
STEVE HARRIS
Embudo
Create an In-State Student Loan Fund
New Mexico has a student population whose dropout rate of college between their freshman year and senior year of about 40 to 60 percent. This is unacceptable. And the reason for the dropouts are various; however, recent reports and anecdotal evidence suggest that the majority are due to finances.
For one, we know that student loans are available via Wells Fargo, Bank of America and such institutions at 10.5 percent interest or even higher. What that means to the student is that by the time he graduates, he will have a hefty loan to repay, equivalent to a mortgage or greater. He makes an analysis and calculates that end payment of this education will not pay off, so why make the greedy bankers money?
The students of New Mexico deserve better. Therefore, I suggest a program that will transfer from the New Mexico permanent fund $1 billion to the State Land Office to manage a progressive student loan program. This would offer every New Mexico high school graduate an opportunity to borrow from the loan fund to get an education at a very low interest rate. I suggest something like 1 or 2 percent, just enough to cover administrative costs and losses, if any. This is a good edge for our students and further the educational factor will play an important role in tax collection and economic development in the near future.
Overall an investment on our population and students is priority No. 1 and I know that Gov. Susana Martinez and Land Commissioner Ray Powell feel the same way. Politically, politicians may ask, "Why spend a billion dollars at this time because we are in dire need for funds to balance our budget?" I say to the politicians that first, this billion dollars is not being spent with unscrupulous business entities or pay-to-play cabals. Second, this money isn't being spent; it is in fact being borrowed. This fund will last in perpetuity to assist New Mexico students attending New Mexican colleges. I suggest this to be the highest priority for Commissioner Powell and Gov. Martinez.
ARCHIE VELARDE
Ojo Sarco
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