These letters were published in the print edition of Las Cruces Sun-News on July 25, 2021.
Actions have consequences
I see where our Senator Joseph Cervantes, based in Las Cruces, made the headlines (07/20/21) by claiming that he was denied communion by the Catholic bishop in Las Cruces at the weekend “because of my political office”.
It definitely wasn’t! He has been denied communion because he supports the abortion of the most innocent of our society, the unborn children. The Church is very clear on this issue. People in his position who have the power to legislate are held to a higher standard. He was politely informed several times of the consequences of his actions. He consistently chose to ignore the teachings of the Church and his bishop. Now he is complaining to the press, no doubt to slander the good governance of his diocese and parish.
It is a shame for Cervantes that he is not honest and then takes no responsibility for his actions.
M. Aguilar Schmitz, Las Cruces
Overarching?
I find it interesting that Senator Cervantes reported that his priest refused to give him communion because of his attitude towards abortion. There are a couple of things that are interesting. First, from what I have read, the Pope discourages this behavior. Second, there is no biblical basis for rejecting abortion.
The only source I know of in the Bible that deals specifically with causing an abortion is that a pregnant woman who is injured and aborted the fetus only warrants financial compensation (for her husband), suggesting that the fetus is owned, not a person (Exodus 21: 22-25).
More importantly, we should have freedom of religion in the United States. This means that on this issue, a woman has the right to decide about an abortion (or contraception) based on her own beliefs. Nobody else has the right to make that decision for them.
It seems to me that various religions have spoken out against abortion because it interferes with their ability to increase membership (and thus their ability to make money and control people). Given the apparently exaggerated desire of the Catholic Church to control its members, it seems to me that those members should be leaving the church en masse!
Martin J. Boyd, Las Cruces
Promote sustainable agriculture
I am writing on behalf of Southern New Mexico Catholic Charities, Las Cruces Diocese. Our mission is to create opportunity and hope by helping people in need and advocating human dignity and social justice.
We are currently raising funds to support Cultivando Sueños (Cultivating Dreams) – Sustainable Farming Program, a sustainable food and farming cooperative in Hatch, to improve the quality of life of farm workers and their families with a direct food source and to grow business skills and Community leadership.
The state of New Mexico depends on these farm workers year-round for healthy produce, but they struggle to afford and get fresh food. We will provide five acres of irrigated land, tools, and seeds to plant and harvest food to feed their families and for sale at a farm stall in Hatch and the Las Cruces farmers market.
The expected long-term impact is to provide farm workers with a sustainable source of food and income, supplementing the wages they earn on the land and harvesting food that does not come on their own table. The dream is that it will grow in size and profit, and give farm workers the opportunity to run a business that will benefit their families and the local community directly.
We need to raise $ 6,000 to be eligible for a large grant. Your contribution has the potential to be multiplied significantly if we achieve our goal! We cordially invite you to learn more about the project and to donate today at this link: https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/story/Supportfarmworkers
Nancy Patterson, Las Cruces
Update on Amador and TIDD funding
A Downtown Tax Increment Development District meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 26th at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Las Cruces City Hall (the meeting is scheduled in person). This meeting was announced for June 11th, postponed to September and now postponed until next week. A city council meeting will take place at the same location immediately after the TIDD meeting. Both the TIDD board of directors and city council are likely to discuss and act on funding for the continuation of the Amador hotel renovation and adaptive reuse plan and project. The city’s Department of Economic Development recently identified improvements to the Amador’s electrical, plumbing, communications and security systems for potential TIDD funding of up to $ 1.5 million in 2022.
As a volunteer for the Amador Project and a resident of Las Cruces for 35 years, I appeal to Las Crucens who believe in preserving local history and supporting adaptive reuse projects to show their support for the Amador. In the past few weeks, some of you have already taken action through phone calls or emails to the city administrator’s office, Mayor Miyagishima, and city council members. These actions make a difference!
Hundreds of people have already contributed their time, talent, and money to renew this unique building from the heyday of Las Cruces eatery. We need to let Mayor Miyagishima know that his leadership in completing the Amador project would add to his legacy as senior mayor of Las Cruces.
Please call the Las Cruces City Managers office at 575-541-2100 or email the mayor and councilors at [email protected]. And if possible, attend the July 26th meetings – your presence is often the best support. Thank you.
Jo Ruprecht, Las Cruces
Please address climate change
I just got an email from Congresswoman Yvette Herrell asking if I would like to attend a telephone town hall. Of all the issues she mentioned, not a single mention was made of the increasing devastating effects of climate change and the need to address it.
Yesterday, July 11th, the regional airwaves were full of emergency warnings of heavy hail, wind and flooding. It is common to receive these warnings at this time of year, but they get more common, more serious, and more deadly. I really wish she would address the very serious problems we are facing now as they are getting worse every year.
As documented in the Sun News articles, tornado winds from falling trees, zero visibility dust blown up causing accidents on Interstate 10 near Lordsburg, baseball-sized hail knocking out skylights and damaging vehicles, washing away our taxpayer-funded roads. Power outages were also reported due to the storms. Amazingly, no deaths this time. These are all damages and costs for many, many individual families and us as taxpayers. Very real cost.
At what point will Rep. Herrell get along and address the really big problem that affects us now and even more so in the future. 90 percent of climate scientists agree that climate change is predominantly caused by human activities. A handful of other scientists disagree. If I experienced left arm pain, chest tightness and pain, and shortness of breath, I would not go to a podiatrist for a diagnosis, but to see a heart specialist. Yvette Herrell and other unbelievers, at what point will the cost and death of these events lead you to a truly fact-based conclusion?
Michael Sauber, Silver City
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