Standing up for staff

Editor:

I’m surprised and disappointed at the comments attacking both Bruce Carver and Tom Horton. As a member of the Rio Rancho Football Booster Club, I can say without a doubt both of these men are working hard to make our schools better, all of them. The hate-filled venom spewed at Carver and Horton is sad, I have witnessed firsthand both of them working hard to make every program in our district better. I have had the opportunity on many occasions to talk with Carver and Horton and I can tell you they want nothing but the best for both high schools, as should all of us. Rio Rancho should be thankful that we have people like Carver and Horton working for our kids. These anonymous attacks should not be taken seriously; those of us who are willing to sign our name to what we write appreciate them and what they are doing.

I’m not going to sit here silently and let those who want to divide our community have a free pass. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re afraid to stand up and be held accountable for what you say or do, then you lose the right to try and hold others accountable! This is directed to you “Mr. or Ms. Anonymous.”

Thanks, Bruce Carver and Tom Horton; both men of character, integrity and honesty. Sorry I cannot say the same about the anonymous critic.

Dan Foley

Rio Rancho

Thank you for the article

Editor:

My name is Troy Parrott, and I was able to finally see a copy of the article that Gary Herron wrote, published 4/19/09 (“Shining Stars student needs platelet donors”). I really cannot say enough about how much we appreciate it.

This city is amazing, and my family is proud to be a part of it. We live here, work here, and plan on raising our boys here. I can’t think of a city I would rather be in! Complete strangers have come together to help out our little one, and thank you doesn’t seem to be a strong enough message for how we really feel.

There are no words to describe what Rio Rancho has done for us. Simply amazing!

I do plan on writing a small note to everyone that has helped us throughout this struggle (food, laundry, blood, platelets, money), and I hope that when the time is right I can forward you the note. I think I will wait until he is out of the woods a bit more, as I am sure you can understand.

Wednesday was a big day for Caleb. He has come off the ECMO machine, and was slated to come off of his ventilator. We will get to hear his voice for the first time in months. He’s still very sick, and will likely remain in the hospital ICU for quite some time.

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you, and everyone that helped with his stories. Through your efforts, Caleb (and many others) has had the blood products he needs. There was a point where they had to fly in platelets from Denver, but thanks to the first article the Blood Bank was actually turning people away! Thank you. Sincerely thank you.

Troy, Jennifer, Cody and Caleb Parrott

Rio Rancho

More thanks for articles

Editor:

The family of Dale W. Goar would like to thank everyone that was able to attend his funeral services, for all the cards, the kind words said about Dale and especially for all your prayers.

Dale loves Rio Rancho High School sports and all the athletes and fans.

God bless Rio Rancho.

Glen and Lynda Goar, Dewayne, Darly and Ty Goar and Pearl Goar

Alcohol’s to blame

Editor:

The Observer recently had two items on DWI; one referred to a high school coach, the other to a nine–time loser. Remember the fellow about a year ago who had 28 convictions? When will America wake up to the fact that alcohol is a more dangerous drug than cocaine or other illegal substances?

Today we know that almost 20,000 lives a year are lost on the highways from drunk drivers. Most domestic violence is the result of inebriated husbands battering their wives. Most child abuse is by drunken parents. One of the reasons our health care system is overburdened and costs so much is the result of alcohol abuse.

Prohibition didn’t work. We must make the consumption of alcohol as socially unacceptable as smoking. Many said the tobacco industry was too powerful to fight. Yet here we are 35 years later and smoking has almost been eradicated.

We need to ban advertising of alcoholic beverages on TV as was done with smoking. There was a time when only beer and wine could be advertised on TV. Now look at the slick ads that try to induce our young to use this powerful, addictive and legal drug. We need public service announcement with the facts of how dangerous alcohol dependence is. We need to close drive-up windows and we need judges who will enforce the laws on the books about DWI. We need courageous politicians who will stand up to the liquor industry.

Does anybody care?

Ted Spitzmiller

Rio Rancho

Evans needs to go

Editor:

I continue to be astounded by the arrogance at which the Rio Rancho Public Schools district leaders continue to operate and the fact that the parents and community continue to allow it.

Randy Evans, finance director, is looking for “attaboys” for saving the district from the $4 million shortfall.

This money was recouped mainly by having the students and teachers go through the school day in the dark. I wonder what Mr. Evans and the other district leaders sacrificed? Did they work throughout the day in the dark? Did they give up many of their assistants or assistants’ assistants? How much of the athletic budgets were cut (after all, these are programs that only serve a select few)? He also reported that the reserve fund is now down to $1 million, which probably translates to about a $100 to normal individual accounts. Every year they have “dipped” into this fund until it’s nearly depleted and this seems to be okay.

The financial decision making on the district level is atrocious and irresponsible. The part that angers me and others is that just like any other elitist attitude our students and teachers are the ones that have to pay for this irresponsibility and are required to be the ones to sacrifice to make up the money.

My child has been attending school for most of the year without using the lights and I want to know if the district has set aside funds for correction of my child’s eyesight. How dare Mr. Evans say that he has the safety and security of the students in the forefront and then makes them attend school in the dark? This would explain why his children do not attend this district and are not subjected to this treatment.

I hope this new school board is paying attention. It will also be interesting to see what kind of spin Ms. Vesely puts on this one.

Renae Burton

Rio Rancho