Recovery efforts
One of the things I cherish most about New Mexico, and our beloved local community in particular, is our resilience and commitment to helping one another. Our state has faced immense devastation over the last few years from fires and flooding; disasters that have upended lives, destroyed property, and ravaged our beautiful Land of Enchantment.
The recent flooding in Medanales in Rio Arriba County is one of the most recent disasters causing significant and heartbreaking damage, including homes being swept away, water wells damaged, roads washed out, and infrastructure like bridges being severely compromised. Our friends, family and neighbors now face displacement, loss of personal belongings, and challenges accessing essential services. The economic impact includes major damage to agriculture.
Recovery efforts must now focus on rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and providing support to affected residents, and it can’t start soon enough. Representative Susan Herrera and I championed House Bill 1, which passed in both the House and the Senate in the recent special legislative session, which means help may soon be on the way. Included in the bill is a $10 million appropriation to the homeland security and emergency management department to provide support for individuals and businesses in the state suffering because of damages caused by flooding or fire. This financial assistance is sorely needed and we hope Governor Lujan Grisham signs the bill into law so the funding will become available to all of our communities in need, including Medanales.
Leo Jaramillo
Española
Dedicated to Horace Smith
I dedicate this letter to Jammuka Sabrukahn (“Warhorse in the Valley” AKA as Horace Smith). This man gave his life to save my life and that of my toddler son. Because of this , I know firsthand that people of character, courage and commitment exist. I am here to tell you that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one of those people. He is a rare combination of experience, compassion, principles, intelligence and bravery. He is on our New Mexico ballot, running as an independent, for President of the United States. People like this do not come along every day, nor each week or month. They are rare and we must not let this opportunity pass us by. As New Mexicans we can benefit by RFKjr’s commitment to small farming; the environment; stopping the transfer of wealth to the uber rich, ridding us of corporate takeover; ending the endless wars, and many other pressing issues.
Can RFKJr win? Yes. John Zogby 50 state poll, April 14 to April 21, 2024. N =26,408. Margin of error = 0.6%.
To find out more, go to Youtube “Who is Bobby Kennedy ?” narrated by Woody Harrelson. https://youtu.be/guw1fLJs5EY?si=2E_ZPGHjTUX0W4DC
Catherine Debrito
Tres Piedras