Letters to the Editor
Some savings can increase other costs
Editor:
In the June 18 letter to the editor, “Not sold on Tri-State brochure,” Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association was criticized for not having plans to help customers purchase their own solar panels to add electricity to the grid.
I am glad that they do not have such a plan and do not subsidize solar panels.
Solar panels are expensive, costing well over $20,000 for an average home. Even if Tri-State were to subsidize solar panels and even with tax credits, very few families would be able to afford to install them.
To pay for subsidies for some, Tri-State would have to increase the cost of power for the other users. This would add to the cost for businesses and their customers. It would also mean that residential consumers would have to pay more for their electricity.
Many people are out of work or working in temporary jobs that pay very little and are struggling to make house payments. It is not fair that all would pay more so a few who are financially better-off could have solar panels.
It is always good to help make our environment cleaner. But with 9 percent unemployment and 25 percent of homeowners with more debt than equity in their homes, it is not the time to further burden those who are already hurting.
Solar power is a very expensive way to make a small gain in air quality. We would be better off if the government would stop subsidizing solar panels for homeowners. The burden is born by all to benefit a few who are already better off.
If a person wants to be a good neighbor and help make the air cleaner, install solar panels on your home, but pay for them yourself.
Rev. Doug May, Socorro
Thank you Socorro for all your support
Editor:
On May 6-7, Socorro County held its 15th Relay for Life weekend. This American Cancer Society annual fundraiser included 16 teams comprising 306 team members who raised close to $28,000.
This was not a small accomplishment in this financially stressed year! We had a MAJOR outpouring of community support. Since the close of the event, more money has come in, and it is only recently that Kathy Spring (my co-chairwoman for this year’s Relay) and I have begun to feel safe in specifying our highest earning teams: Drumroll, please!
The 1st Annual George & Marj Austin Championship Team is the SHS National Honor Society/Rotary Interact Club team. Co-captains were Katrina Ruff-Tafoya and Mileva Gacanich, with Marian Royal Vigil, adult sponsor.
Our second-highest team was Cottonwood Valley Charter School, with team captain Karen Bailey-Bowman (also adult sponsor). Coming in third was Socorro General Hospital, captained by Jill Madrid.
Our top 3 individual contributors were Carol Dotson, member of the 1000 Club for her second year(!), Stasia Kerkmans, and Nancy Dotson.
We are SO proud of Socorro’s hard-working, service-oriented kids and all the adults who instilled the value of helping others over the years. We thank our team members, sponsors, auction donors, and all of our volunteers, especially those on the Event Committee.
Socorro, you’re the BEST!!
Candy Lindquist, Socorro