Opinion

Dear Editor, Recently, the City of Alpine began sending my gas usage bill to me instead of my landlord, the property owner. Having a very accommodating landlord, he agreed to allow me to pay for my gas usage and debit my rent payment accordingly.

Recently, the Department of Homeland Security has moved forward with plans for the construction of a physical border wall through Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. So, why no wall? Here are my questions: Why does it matter to me?

One of the most important responsibilities in local government is maintaining a city charter that reflects current law, best practices, and the needs of the community it serves.

The City of Alpine is undergoing an exciting period of growth and revitalization as the city council and city staff pursue strategic projects designed to strengthen both the local economy and quality of life for residents and visitors.

“Alexa told me to take a break. Who’s working for whom here?” — Ginni Rometty, Former CEO of IBM “How’s retirement?” I’m asked that often since that retirement party I never planned.

In the Big Bend, land has a long memory. Heavy summer rains can carve new channels overnight. Wind strips exposed soil a little more each season. Plants that aren’t truly adapted may survive at first, then quietly fail.

“A grandmother’s kitchen — where memories are seasoned with love.” — Author unknown but likely well nourished Just like Sunday dinner at Granny’s house.

Last fall, our current EMS provider, Emergent Air, indicated that they would no longer provide ground ambulance services for the northern half of Brewster County, effective at some point in late 2026 or early 2027.

For years, our community has understood a simple reality: Alpine ISD has been asked to do more with less. At times, our funding per student need ranked in the bottom 2% in Texas. That’s not a complaint— it’s a reality we’ve had to face head-on.

There aren’t many places like Alpine. The remote location, the beautiful views, the great weather: We’ve got it all. There’s a reason some folks refer to this place as the Alpine Vortex. People move away, but many of them seem to find their way back to our small desert oasis.