Elected officials, community leaders offer holiday messages

The Bulletin asked community leaders for holiday messages for our readers, and we’re delighted to share the responses of those who got back to us.

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima: “Thank you for your courage and strength during 2020. A special thank you to our healthcare workers and first responders for keeping our city safe; you are all heroes! Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and a happy New Year!”

City Councilor Yvonne Flores: “My message is ‘Peace on Earth, Good will towards all.’ We have learned many lessons in 2020.”

City Councilor Johana Bencomo: “There’s no denying this year and this holiday season feel very different, what this pandemic has not taken away from us though, is our ability to hope, to be kind, and to support one another. Together we will get through this. I am wishing you all a joyous and safe holiday season.” 

Doña Ana County Commissioner Shannon Reynolds (He’s Irish): “May love and laughter light your days and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring you the best to you and yours.”

Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda Lopez Askin: “This year, more than ever, I am grateful to live in such a caring and supportive community. My family wishes a peaceful, healthy and happy holiday season to each of you, with hope for a better year for us all in 2021!”

Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO and President and state Senator-elect Carrie Hamblen: “To adapt, to be flexible, to check in on our neighbors, and to care about our community. I hope, as we all anticipate a different landscape and life with 2021, we continue to apply these lessons to our lives and navigate our personal and professional circles with compassion, patience and understanding.”

State Senator-elect Crystal Diamond of Elephant Butte (District 35): “Friends, family and neighbors: One of my joys this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and to wish you and those you love the very best. From my home to yours, Merry Christmas.”

Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education President Terrie Dallman: “Year 2021 promises a semblance of what-used-to-be, yearning for normalcy. Let’s continue practicing physical distancing and masking until COVID-19 is completely eradicated. When we do get the green light, and we will, let’s promise to reconnect with family, friends, appreciate your teachers/schools, thank our co-workers and finally, celebrate life -- past, present and future.”

LCPS Board of Education Vice President Maria Flores: "As 2020 winds down, we stand with those who have lost loved ones, gird ourselves for a quiet Christmas at home, and welcome 2021 with an open, hopeful heart. To LCPS teachers, staff and students, I am grateful for the patience, grace and sacrifice of this year. ¡Y para todo Las Cruces, Feliz Año Nuevo!"

NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu: “I always draw inspiration from our students, and this year has been no different. Even with all the hardships 2020 has brought, our students continue to demonstrate strength, perseverance and determination to overcome anything life may throw their way. I genuinely hope that everyone in our community finds an opportunity during the coming days to pause and reflect on the events of the past year, and how far we’ve come as individuals and as a society. We’ve come a long way in a very short amount of time. Brighter days are on the horizon, and I’m very much looking forward to enjoying them.”

NMSU President John Floros: “While this year has been incredibly challenging, we’ve seen many bright spots. The pandemic may have forced us apart, but it also brought us closer together, and we’ll get through it. For our students and for our community, the need to stay vigilant and support each other is greater than ever. As we look ahead to better days in the new year, I wish everyone in our community peace and joy this holiday season.”

Las Cruces Economic Development Department Director Griselda Martinez: “[Our department] extends a heartfelt thank you to our community. You are the lifeline to Las Cruces, and we wish you a new year full of opportunities! Happy Holidays!”

Las Cruces Quality of Life Department Director K. Lynn Gallagher: “Wishing that the magic of the holiday season brings us good health, peace, love and a return to the quality of life we come to expect in our world.”         

Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debbi Moore: “My sincere wish for all is that the magic of the season surround all of us with love, joy, peace and happiness, even though our celebrations will be much different this year.”

Doña Ana Arts Council Executive Director Greg Smith: “We wish for the arts to touch lives in ways that uplift and inspire creatively this holiday season. Additionally, we are pleased to join with several local governments in celebrating ‘2021 – The Year of the Artist,’ starting in January. Our wish for the coming year is that this attention on the artists and the works that they create will be healing for our community, both through the power of the creative economy and through the pride we can take in the wide array of art created here.  We do this with an eye toward more victories over the pandemic and greater confidence that, in 2021, time with friends and family can eventually occur safely in our region.”

The Bridge of Southern New Mexico President and CEO Tracey Bryan: “I love this community, and we’ve been through a lot this year. As we end 2020, I’m very grateful for the countless thousands whose hard work, selflessness, and overwhelming generosity met more needs than we’ll ever know. May they know how much we admire them and how grateful we are to them as a community. They are all heroes!”