Reader views on Albuquerque police, New Mexico politics and local issues

I believe that the DWI situation was endemic in the ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT for a long time and most members were aware that the situation existed. It is no surprise to anyone. HL I would vote for Gregg Hull for governor if he was a Republican or Democrat because I thought he did a great job as mayor of RIO RANCHO. But, if Deb Haaland had an "R" next to her name on the ballot, would people vote for her? KV Raúl Torrez is doing a terrific job. Now I hope he sues the DOJ to obtain records on EPSTEIN'S MANSION in N.M., and then indicts Ghislaine Maxwell for her involvement in crimes against young women. Then she could still be sent to prison here, even if President Donald Trump pardons her. RJ Thinking about the governor race, I'm not thrilled with the choices. Rio Rancho has city manager-style government and the mayor is the face of the town — opening new stores, showing up to city events. I don't believe he has any experience running a city, or a state. I can't justify a VOTE FOR HIM. SW In her column in the Aug. 29 Sunday Journal, state Rep. Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, wrote of trying to get taxpayers relief from state INCOME TAX. Good luck with that. Democrats will not give any tax relief to service workers for tips or seniors for Social Security. Why expect a break for any working folks? CAM Can state Rep. Gail Armstrong keep a straight face proposing that N.M. eliminate its income tax, claiming she's doing it for working families? Not one Republican in the state or nation has done anything for WORKING FAMILIES for decades. Armstrong is shilling for multimillionaires and billionaires and no one else. ML I had an appointment this week at Presbyterian Hospital Downtown, and when walking from the visitor's parking garage I was disgusted to see the sidewalk under a bench near the main entrance so littered with CIGARETTE BUTTS I couldn't see the ground. What a terrible message it sends. MF Of all the problems dragging down Albuquerque, the latest melodramatics of the city suing because of cigarette butts is one of the stupidest. It sounds like just another money grab at the FREE MONEY trough this state loves. KK Mayor Keller raved about the success of the WELLS PARK EXPANSION. He built a tribute on its north side, thanking himself, councilors and contractors, but not the Wells Park Neighborhood Association that started the process in 2015, secured funds from the county and state, and provided $25,000 to make it happen. CM Aug. 26 Sunday Journal: N.M. House Rep. Joseph Hernandez caught RUNNING NAKED at the Holiday Inn in Chicago while on official business. What an embarrassment to our state. Hernandez, a Democrat, should immediately step down. N.M. does not need erratic people like him representing us. Citizens deserves much better. CG Because of Trump the GREAT LAKES have gone from acronym HOMES (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior) To SHAME (Superior, Huron, America, Michigan and Erie). It's a very fitting acronym from the pitiful resident of the White House. Our county is ashamed to be represented by him. FD It's expected that left-wing organizations would oppose PROJECT JUPITER. But I'm embarrassed for my friends who do so. Opposing data centers is like opposing the invention of the computer itself. It's the next level of our industrial revolution based on information. They're going in someplace — just site them properly. JM Listen here, N.M. powers that be: About 500,000 N.M. households earn less than the median income, $68,000. Take half the OIL WINDFALL, $500 million, and return $1,000 each to these shell-shocked families suffering under Trump's carelessness. It doesn't solve anything, but even the state government should occasionally perform a simple kindness. AH As a UNM student, I don't appreciate that the mandatory ATHLETICS FEE we pay each semester is being increased by 36% this fall, especially while athletes are treated like royalty and some coaches receive significant pay raises. AW So New Mexico is estimating almost a billion dollars in "new" revenue from OIL PRODUCTION, yet New Mexicans are often paying over $4 per gallon for gas. BV