Dear Editor,
As the postmaster of Marfa, I am writing to express the unwavering commitment of our postal staff to serving our wonderful community. With Independence Day approaching, a time when we celebrate our nation’s independence and the freedoms we cherish, it is also a fitting moment to reflect on the values that bind us together.
The postal service has been an integral part of American life for centuries, connecting people across vast distances, facilitating communication and commerce. Here in Marfa, my team and I take immense pride in continuing this tradition. Our dedication goes beyond simply delivering mail and packages; it extends to being a reliable and supportive presence in our community.
Every day, our staff works diligently to ensure that your letters, packages and essential communications reach their destinations promptly and securely. We understand that the trust you place in us is vital, and we strive to uphold that trust through our hard work and dedication.
As we celebrate Independence Day, let us also celebrate the spirit of community and the importance of staying connected. The 4th of July is a reminder of the strength and resilience that define our nation. It is these same qualities that our postal employees embody each day as they serve you.
We are honored to be a part of this community and to contribute to its well-being. On behalf of the entire postal staff, I wish you all a joyful and safe 4th of July. Let us come together to celebrate not only our nation’s independence but also the unity and dedication that make Marfa a special place to live. Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Sincerely,
Giselle Villanueva
Postmaster
Marfa, TX 79843
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Dear Editor,
Soy Joel Tercero. Quisiera saber quien de ustedes me podria contestar esta pregunta. ¿Que pasa con la policia de Presidio County? El Domingo Dia de los Padres hubo un accidente a la salida de Presidio, y la policia no estuvo presente tenemos mucha policia, pero cuando se necesita no esta. Ago este comentario porque hace un ano pendi a mi esposa y a una cunada en un accidentes porque vienen pasando donde do deven y la policia, donde estan? Hasta que no pasa el accidente. LLegan hasta ahorita no sa bemos que.
Paso con el hombre que causo este accidente de me esposa y cunada.
Atentamente,
Joel Tercero
Presidio
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Dear Sentinel,
I want to follow on the chain of funny letters about the man with $75,000 who just can’t spend it in Marfa and then the even funnier one by his friend about who or what we are or what we love here. I can’t help thinking that if I had $75,000 for my birthday party (and couldn’t stop talking about it) and I couldn’t get a call back it might have something to do with MY APPROACH.
When I point fingers three are always pointing back at me. What did the man with $75,000 sound like on the phone or in his emails. I suspect I wouldn’t write him back either and I’m selling nothing. As for his friend, proud resident of Jeff Davis County (like no opportunity to name the president of the confederacy should ever be wasted) he just decides the problem is who we are here. As an incidentally queer person I don’t notice that I’m accorded greater privilege in my life in Marfa. I’m just like everybody else but to this guy just the fact that he knows I’m here, and there’s a bunch of us, is a problem. Jeesh.
He doesn’t like women who have reproductive rights so that implies that if he’s got a wife she’s a hostage. Increasingly, this guy is also not who I want to be partying with or seeing his joy at the power to control women’s bodies like a real man?
I and at least 500 people in this town do care about Palestinian suffering. We signed a ceasefire resolution and though the City Council stonewalled us we are the majority and that pisses him off too. When you shorthand this kind of compassion, and concern for war crimes and activism as “anti-Israel” I think this fellow needs to do some homework.
Israel got support in the early twentieth century from the UK for three reasons. One, the European Jews who had been promoting Zionism since the 19th century as a colonial idea were white, they were educated so they looked to the UK government like the kind of people who should be free to colonize Palestine. Secondly the UK didn’t want any more Jews settling in their country. They were frankly anti-semitic. And thirdly the UK’s empire was crashing and burning in the early 20 th century (just like ours today because spending billions of dollars propping up an apartheid state in the middle east is right at the heart of the problem) so they wanted to keep a foothold there. The Zionist state of Israel began for all the wrong reasons and America took on the job of propping up Israel after the war. When Israel declared its “independence” in 1948 they did it on stolen land. They took houses, they leveled villages, they slaughtered people just like they are doing now. I feel for the people that was done to then and now just as I feel for Jews in Israel and in diaspora who have historically suffered numerous pogroms and the holocaust unforgettably.
I do think the state of Israel was wrongly and immorally created for all the wrong reasons on Palestinian homeland. But it is there now and the only solution is for everyone living in Israel to begin to understand that THEY are responsible for 75 years of Palestinian suffering and Palestinians did not annihilate the Jews in the 20th century, that was the work of Europeans. It doesn’t explain anything to call people who understand this difficult history anti-Israel. I think Israel should be governed like Marfa is. Though it’s not without its flaws, everyone here has equal rights, can vote, own property, get educated, and no one is going to walk into your home in the middle of the night and arrest your children or you. Israel needs to begin again (just like America does and of course the border is at the heart of our own colonialist “problem”) but the people who care about the pain that Israel has caused when they were trying to find a safe place in the world are not the problem. We want a solution.
If you can party with that, c’mon. You’re welcome. Happy pride.
Eileen Myles
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To The Editor,
The Marfa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is writing in response to the recent letters published from Josh Rudin and Gordon Moller regarding the frustrations surrounding communications with businesses in Marfa. While the initial letter from Mr. Rudin raised eyebrows across the community as many questioned where the large party requests from Mr. Rudin were directed, the decision to print the subsequent response letter from Mr. Moller of Jeff Davis County is particularly concerning. While we understand that communication breakdowns are inevitable, we are deeply concerned by the portrayal of the Marfa business community and the divisive and incendiary tone of the subsequent response.
Sensationalized narratives that paint our businesses, and community, in a broad, negative light do a disservice to the town and to the hardworking citizens of Marfa. Each small business within Marfa has a unique story and background and is filled with community members who face challenges that are often unfamiliar to those who live and work in larger metropolitan areas. From resource scarcity to business turbulence due to the various tourist seasons, it is important to remember the unique challenges that living and working in Far West Texas presents. While the printing of these letters may have provided a temporary boost to readership of The Big Bend Sentinel, this type of narrative could prove to have lasting negative effects for others across the community. As the saying goes, “Nothing is ever lost on the internet,” and letters such as these could potentially sway future visitors away from the area. More often than not, businesses and community members work hard to accommodate requests from their customers and visitors, however, grace should also be extended to this remote community. If visitors to Marfa encounter issues, we encourage them to either speak directly to the business or to reach out to the various resources around town including The Marfa Chamber of Commerce. We are confident that a solution can be found in most cases.
The Marfa Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to acting as a resource for all community members and visitors to the area. We are working hard to provide tools and support to help businesses thrive as well as offer information and recommendations to visitors planning their Marfa adventures. We invite anyone with concerns to contact us directly so we can assist with navigating the unique landscape of our town. Our email address is marfachamberofcommerce@gmail.com.
Marfa is a special place, and fostering a positive and collaborative environment is crucial to our continued success. We encourage continued communication and support for our community, and we hope everyone can work together to promote understanding and celebrate the incredible spirit that makes Marfa one of a kind.
Sincerely,
The Marfa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
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Dear Gordon Moller,
I sincerely hope that if you ever find yourself in need of life saving resources provided by local groups like the kind and fair-minded individuals raising awareness and funds for LGBTQ groups, the people of Palestine, asylum seekers, people in need of reproductive health resources, and more, that you will find it readily available to you despite your vitriolic words presented to the community last week.
We are here for you, Gordon, as we are here for every member of this community.
Adeline Schowengerdt
Marfa