Letters to the Editor

01.11.17

News, December 14: “Next in Line”

Glorified Babysitters?

I am a foster parent. If there have been any improvements at CYFD, they have been so minor they have barely touched on fixing the mess. As a foster parent, I do not have a voice with CYFD—no one is hearing or even attempting to listen. The affect that the system has on the children removed from their homes is horrible, but there is no system for the foster parents to speak. There is no forum, there is no chain of command made available, there is nothing in place to give or accept suggestions; we are out there doing the dirty work with next to no support from CYFD and no one is asking us for feedback. We are silent, the state's babysitters. ... Believe me, Monique Jacobson is not talking to any foster parent that has complained about the system; she will be put in touch with those who buy into the system, those who know from experience that they will get nothing positive from saying anything negative.

Thank you for writing the article.

Cheri Lerew
Socorro

Cover, December 7: “So Long, Farewell”

Passing the Baton

Yes, the Western Hemisphere has dramatically changed in the last 200 years. The men of the cloth, the clergy of all demoninations, knelt and prayed as the Indigenous people were being murdered, butchered and exterminated in the name of their gods (notice a small g). ...

I am an old Indian now, at the age of 70. ... As a Native American, I am not exempt from changes, for I drive a car. And at the end of the day I want to look in the mirror and feel happy that I did something for someone in need. ...

America is still the greatest empire on earth. We shall see with this new administration the passing of the baton. We all have a rendezvous with destiny. I go forth with great anticipation.

Octavio de Zaldivar
Santa Fe

Correction

Due to a math error, "Over the Hill" (Jan. 4) misstated the rent value of Frank Mancuso Jr.'s lease with the county. It is $21,600 over five years, not $108,000. SFR regrets the error.



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Letters to the Editor

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