The March 5 headline, "A potential conflict of interest," regarding our Long-Term Care ombudsman Sondra Everhart was a dramatic eyecatcher. I went on to read the article to find that what was being attacked was actually the first example of something happening with true transparency and professionalism that I have seen in our state agencies.

Our aging population and their families in New Mexico are lucky to have two women who are so committed, honest and devoted to their jobs that they did the right thing from day one. This type of front-page reporting can ruin a career in a heartbeat. When I want to read smutty reporting, I buy Star. Is this the kind of reporting I can expect from The New Mexican?



The March 5 article, "Potential conflict of interest" about New Mexico's Long-Term Care ombudsman Sondra Everhart reads like a contradiction of itself. The article lays out in detail the full disclosure that Everhart and the New Mexico Agency on Aging and Long-Term Services Department have provided to all relevant parties about Everhart's relationship with nursing home director Gail Trotter. The last few paragraphs are nothing more than a few vague quotes from disgruntled former employees that say nothing about any way in which the relationship has negatively impacted anyone. This article comes across as someone trying to find a story where there is none.

Sondra Everhart is an extraordinarily committed advocate for the rights of nursing home residents. I hope that publishing an unsupported inflammatory front-page headline about Everhart does not negatively affect her ability to continue in her role as a fierce advocate for New Mexico's most vulnerable citizens.

I fail to see that "outing" Sondra Everhart, New Mexico's Long-Term Care ombudsman, and Gail Kaplan, Casa Real administrator, warranted a front page "screamer" article in the March 5 Santa Fe New Mexican. There have never been any "conflict of interest" issues concerning their respective job positions. In fact, both women have taken great care to avoid any possible problems regarding "conflicts of interest" in their jobs.

Ms. Everhart, from the very beginning, informed her supervisors, co-workers and employees of her personal 16-year relationship with Ms. Kaplan and the potential for conflict.

However, Everhart and Kaplan do deserve headlines for dedicated public service to and for the elderly in New Mexico's long-term care facilities. Both have done, and continue to do fine, often unappreciated, hard work in their respective positions. The elderly need such advocates as Sondra and Gail. Many thanks to them!


Earned success

Regarding the March 5 letter, "Priority shift": To Dawn Winters and all those who think like her in this town, I ask, when did it become so unfashionable to be successful in America?

While I do agree that corporate greed has done much to undermine the foundation and moral compass of our country, I would like to remind her that the majority of wealth generated in our economy is by small-business owners, such as myself. I am not wealthy, but I have earned through hard work and sacrifice a nice home, car and the privilege of a night out every now and then.

I'm not sure who she thinks pays the lion's share of the taxes and supports worthwhile charities, but it certainly is not the low-income earners. As a small-business owner, I never had nights, weekends, holidays or summers off. My parents were both teachers.


Mayflower history

The Feb. 11 article, "License shifts, but not lounge," states that Evangelo Klonis first opened a restaurant and bar on the Santa Fe Plaza called the Mayflower Cafe in 1936.

We must correct the record. Our father, Tom Pomonis, and his brother Pete bought the Mayflower in 1930, both having emigrated from Greece in 1910. After working in the mines, the slaughterhouses and for the railroad, and after fighting in the Balkan Wars for Greece and in World War I for the United States, my father and his brother came to Santa Fe specifically to buy the Mayflower. Pete died in 1942, and my father continued to run it until 1952. My father took Evangelo Klonis as a partner in the business sometime (probably 1946) after Klonis returned from World War II. In 1952, my father retired at the age of 64 and sold it to Klonis.


Post-election peeves

Too bad Alfred Herrera lost the mayor's race in Española. Española gets a low rating on ethics. I'm glad that the library bond did not pass. It's just another cookie jar the political scoundrels can't get their hands into. It's all about the money. The whore (greed) of Babylon (the world) is alive and well, thanks to Satan and his demons.