Letters to the Editor
A heartfelt thank you
Dearest Socorro Community:
On April 14, Gary was admitted into the University of New Mexico Hospital for cognitive impairment and loss of fine motor skills. After a long series of tests, it was determined that Gary had a rare degenerative brain disorder known as sporadic Cruezfeldt-Jakob Disease or sCJD. It affects about one person in every one million people per year worldwide; in the United States there are about 200 cases diagnosed per year.
sCJD usually appears in later life and as we experienced with Gary, typically runs a rapid course. Gary was in UNM Hospital for two weeks, then home for one week, and died in early May. Truly, our sun has set before the end of his day.
sCJD is a prion protein disease, of which there are several, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (in cattle), chronic wasting disease (in deer and elk). In humans, CJD can be inherited (acquired) or an individual can randomly become infected with the disease, sporadic CJD, which is what Gary contracted.
Gary was rarely sick, always strong, setting a great example of living life to its fullest every day.
During all the tests of many possible diseases over Gary’s last three weeks, we learned that at some point in his life, Gary had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a serious tick-borne disease that makes any normal person feel really ill and often has long-lasting effects. The fact that he had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever has nothing to do with the horrible illness that took his life, but what is interesting is that he never knew he had the disease. His strong body withstood the infection of the disease. It took a disease of the great magnitude of CJD to bring him down, a testimony of his great strength and excellent health.
Let the life of Gary Perry be an example and reminder to all of us to live every minute to its fullest. Be kind, caring, honest and happy, no matter what mountain is before you.
With much love and from the depth of our hearts, sad hearts during this difficult time, we thank you for your generosity, love and kindness.
Vannetta, Galen, Dustin and Brette Perry
San Antonio, N.M.
A letter to the SEC trustees
Sirs:
On April 17, the member-owners of Socorro Electric Cooperative voted and enacted 11 changes to our by-laws. Since that energizing and raucous meeting, you have failed to implement the changes we made. In fact, you have even threatened judicial review in hopes of frightening us.
We are not frightened!
There is no question that the member-owners were and are angry concerning the lack of service that the trustees have provided. The money spent on perks, training and travel is appalling. Many of us have had no reason to characterize any of you with the term “dishonorable.” However, since that fateful meeting, your actions have definitely justified that term.
It seems a simple matter to task a demographic consultant with dividing the Co-op into five districts (adopted April 17) that are similar in geography and population. Then present that proposal to the member-owners and allow them to ratify it with a mail-in vote (adopted April 17). New trustee elections, by mail, should follow shortly to fill the vacancies of the new districts and the current board should be dissolved and fade away, and take your lawyer with you!
In my opinion, that is the course honorable men would take.
There is a simple life lesson that I am sure each of you has taught your grandchildren. Life is not always fair, but you deal with it and move on. I am sure those same grandchildren will recognize the “disconnect” between your words and deeds.
Gentlemen, your profligate spending is no longer desired, and your lifelong appointment of service is no longer required. To be succinct, “You are fired!!!!”
That’s my nickle.
Gene Brown
Quemado