New America? Watch out El Paso, you’re next
Once President Donald Trump's plan to rename New Mexico is done, his next natural target will be El Paso, “The Pass.” Gone will be names of streets in my old neighborhood around El Paso High School.
Any bets on what anglicized titles will befall streets like Nevada, Montana, St. Vrain, Ochoa, etc.? And let's not forget that Las Cruces, “The Crosses,” will get the axe as well.
Tony Martinez
Cumming, Georgia
Prosperity without health? Bad bargain
Those that insist that the Bridge of Americas ban on commercial traffic was a bad decision need to remember that air quality and human health were driving forces. What good is all the prosperity when cancer rates continue to rise, especially for children, shortening lives
and burdening an overburdened medical system? Health should be given a much higher priority.
The same applies to the data centers. If we can’t prosper without endangering each other, we are failing.
Marilyn A. Spivey
East El Paso
Time for a safe, efficient road system
As a widespread city, El Paso is highly dependent on roads for its citizens. This fact is completely ignored by our city leaders who accept no responsibility for providing a safe and efficient transportation system.
Three examples illustrate this problem:
- The traffic circle on Pebble Hills Boulevard east of Joe Battle Boulevard is a terrible roadblock that serves no purpose other than to clog up traffic and to delay commuters.
- The crossing of Lomaland Drive and Trawood Drive used to be an efficient and safe intersection. It has recently been restriped into a hazardous mess, where the lanes are not lined up and traffic must compete for space.
- The southbound lanes on Yarbrough Drive are restricted at Montwood Drive a mile from the project and are completely closed at Trawood Drive, which is a full half mile from the project. These unnecessary closures should have been placed closer to the project.
Another question that needs to be answered is why the big push to restripe streets by shrinking vehicle lanes and adding bicycle lanes. The vehicle lanes are less safe, and the bicycle lanes are seldom used. It's another example of wasted tax money and lack of oversight at the highest levels.
Alan Jones
East El Paso
Big Bend border wall unneeded, waste of money
Since Trump 2.0 began on Inauguration Day 2025 through the outset of this month, approximately 1,235 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border remained without a primary or secondary barrier, according to reports from Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Illegal border crossings dropped to “historic lows” by the end of February 2025. Then DHS Secretary Kristi Noem declared. “The border is closed to all illegal immigrants. Anyone who tries to illegally enter the U.S.A. will face significant criminal penalties and deportation.”
The Albuquerque Journal reported (9/19/26) “Trump administration begins building border wall in Texas’ Big Bend region.” If “the border is closed to all illegal immigrants,” and “historic lows” were reached in February 2025, and facing the present historic $40 billion national debt, why would the Trump administration and his GOP backers seek to saddle us taxpayers with another estimated $45.5 billion (exclusive of maintenance costs, environmental damage, and the ire of multi-generational farming families) to seal the border with an unneeded wall?
It reflects the same waste of even more money required for the housing and deportation of 11 million of our immigrant neighbors. Sure, deport the 214 non-citizens who, according to the CBP website on noncitizen crime, committed homicide over the past nine years. Add possibly 20,000 to 30,000 more serious violent crimes against persons. But that is not 11 million, and none of those neighbors ever attacked the Capitol, or would expect a million dollars each from the president.
Michael Baron
Corrales, N.M.
Let’s choose leaders who will defend our democracy
The control of both the executive and legislative branches by the current Republican administration and Congress has accelerated a deeply concerning decline in our nation’s foundational systems and global standing.
The relentless focus on deregulating major industries has dismantled decades of critical environmental protections, accelerating habitat destruction and leaving public health vulnerable to industrial pollution.
Economic policies favoring tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy have worsened wealth inequality, putting an unsustainable financial strain on the middle and working classes while ballooning our national debt.
The administration's isolationist foreign policy and erratic approach to international diplomacy have severely damaged our relationships with our global allies.
By retreating from international agreements this administration has created a dangerous leadership vacuum on the world stage, allowing adversaries to expand their influence unchecked.
We urgently need a return to balanced governance that prioritizes long-term economic equity, environmental stewardship, and responsible global leadership.
Let’s choose leaders who will defend our democracy and build a country that works for all of us, not just a few. Let's choose leaders who listen, who serve with integrity, and who will fight for the issues that matter: affordable health care, good jobs, strong public schools, climate action, and protecting our fundamental rights.
I encourage everyone to vote Democratic in this year's elections. Let's move our country forward with hope, with unity, and with a commitment to justice and opportunity for all.
Our future is in our hands.
Becky Conners
East El Paso
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: LETTERS: New America? Watch out El Paso, you’re next
