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Letters to the Editor

"Bottom's Up" to the Four Corners

As one of the owners of Three Rivers Eatery and Brew House in Farmington, New Mexico, I would sincerely like to thank Chris Bettin for his entertaining article on N.M. breweries ["Four Corners Beer: New Mexico," June/July 2008]. I laughed out loud when I read his statement, "the Travel and Tourism office there has their work cut out for them in Farmington."

As a resident of Durango for over 30 years, I often hear how Farmington pales in comparison to Durango for reasons beyond me. My experience with New Mexico, now that I have owned property and a business, is of appreciation for what Farmington has to offer. If you've been in this area for long, you know both Durango and Farmington have their good and bad qualities. It is up to all of us to look for the good in any community and not be so judgmental of just what we see on the surface.

Farmington is a working-class town full of many good people and incredible places to visit: Chaco Canyon, Navajo Dam, the Land where the Three Rivers meet! What about great weather and a little cheaper cost of living than what most pay in Durango to survive (assuming they don't commute from Ignacio, Cortez, or, gasp!, New Mexico).

I know that we here in F-Town could never be as cool as those that live in Durango because we do not flaunt our trendiness, or our communion with nature or how much more style we have in dress and mannerisms. That's not to say though, folks down here in the dry don't like to spend a day or two enjoying the mountains. The Four Corners really is a diverse and fun place to live. We should all appreciate what the Four Corners has to offer. I'm proud to say, however, that while Durango has a bevy of breweries, all good, Farmington has Three Rivers Brewery, one all its patrons are proud of, and they certainly keep coming back for the brew; just ask Chris - our beer ain't half bad. - John Silva, Farmington, New Mexico

Despite Noble Goals, Illegals Are Stealing

I thought it was interesting to see some of the issues Amy Maestra chose to omit from "Country of Opportunity" [August/September 2008]. Let's not pretend we don't know the main reason most employers seek illegal laborers: it's an inexpensive way to run a business. Employers can provide illegal workers the same take-home pay without having to pay extra to compensate for social security and taxes withdrawals. There's also no documentation to be done or workers compensation to be paid, and these employees can't receive insurance benefits. With such limited job choices, laborers have a strong work ethic for more than just cultural reasons. Perhaps Stuart Robertson doesn't exploit his illegal employees, but many employers do.

Maestas also claims that the common stereotype for illegal immigrants coming from Mexico is "drug runner." Seriously, not even my elderly parents think that. The U.S. immigration procedures are ridiculously difficult and need to be changed, and the majority of people like those Maesta interviewed may be good people with noble goals, but they are in fact stealing. Regardless of how they feel about it, they are taking from a system that they don't pay into, and I, for one, am tired of trying to fund my own little American dream on my teacher's wages after the government keeps taking my money to fund everyone else's. - Danny Gates, Salt Lake City, Utah