Dear Editor:
The Marfa Country Clinic opened its doors on May 3, 2010; this is our 15th anniversary. Over the years our devoted staff has been a consistent presence in our lives and that of our patients.
We could not have launched and built this effort without the unflappable support of the late J.P. Schwartz, who was there at every step of the clinic’s existence. Our current staff Kaela Donaldson and Kassandra Hernandez, as well as our rock and foundation Irma Leos, have poured their energy and hearts into the clinic.
We are grateful for the many staff members that have contributed to our efforts throughout the years, including, to name only a few: Raquel Aguirre, Dr. Christie Alexander, Rocio Colomo, Amber Garcia, Leticia Garcia, Dr. Marco Garcia, Angelica Gonzalez, Lena Hill, Luis Madrid, Natalie Melendez, Jessie Molinar, founding staffer Natasha Rogall, Bianca Salas, Ashley Watts, and Dr. Francis Wright.
When the dust settled after the COVID-19 outbreak, life changes took Dr. Schwartz and us away from Marfa. Physician coverage has been a challenge ever since, and the consistent practice hours and open accessibility that had defined our mission suffered.
After a short and much-needed hiatus updating and refreshing our facilities, the Marfa Country Clinic is now collaborating with Hamilton Health Box, known in West Texas as Bravo Health, to return to a higher healthcare delivery capacity and expand our practice by implementing new programs that we believe will improve the quality of healthcare in our area. Together the Marfa Country Clinic and Bravo are staffing our clinic Monday through Friday, with a mix of in-person and telemedicine doctors and mid-level providers.
This addition of medical staff translates into the ability to meet your healthcare needs, be it health maintenance and chronic care management, same day appointments and acute care, as well as mild trauma/injuries. Our organizations are collaborating in response to a dire healthcare shortage in our area despite an increase in healthcare needs. This collaboration is planned for the long term, but like all services in rural settings, it relies on the confidence and value the community members put on that service.
Our objective is to be a dependable and consistent source of primary care, and to offer high-quality services with the versatility and adaptability our remote setting calls for.
Bravo! Bravo. Marfa Country Clinic your country, your clinic.
Don Culbertson PA-C
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Open letter to Senator John Cornyn
On May 21, 2025, you sent a letter to AG Pam Bondi requesting a probe into former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis, health and well-being, 5 months after he left office.
My question, Senator Cornyn:
Is former President Biden’s cancer diagnosis and health really the number one issue you are concerned with at this point in time?
Perhaps you should consider asking the DOJ to probe a few other issues currently facing our country, such as the current POTUS:
• Stating on national TV that he doesn’t know if he is required to uphold the Constitution of the United States. (60 Minutes interview 05/04/25)
• Accepting a gift from a foreign country in direct violation of the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution. (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8)
• Refusing to abide by federal court orders pertaining to the return of immigrants illegally deported from the U.S. without due process.
• Cutting congressionally designated departments of the U.S. government without consulting Congress.
• Setting tariffs which, according to the Constitution are the responsibility of Congress, causing an economic crisis.
• Advertising and selling his meme coins to foreign investors and others for the privilege of having dinner with him, touted by the Whitehouse press as “on his own time,” while he spoke from a dais with the presidential seal displayed on it.
• Cutting critical resources that your constituents depend on, such as Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP, while planning a $45-100 million military parade that happens to coincide with his birthday.
Your request for a probe of the former president’s health, at this time, appears to be a pathetic attempt to pre-empt an action that your primary challenger, Ken Paxton, would do. Rather than wasting taxpayer dollars to attack the former president, perhaps your legacy would be better served by taking the political risk to do what is right — focus on reigning in the current president who is set on destroying our democracy in order to become a dictator and a king.
Senator Cornyn, when you were first appointed to complete the remainder of the term for Texas Senator in December 2002, you took the oath that every federal employee and election official takes when they begin their job, “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” You have subsequently taken that same oath three times after being re-elected. And, although I do not always agree with your policies, until now I believe you have at least upheld that oath to the best of your ability. Unfortunately, it now appears you have lost your conviction to uphold and protect our country and our democracy.
I am sad that after so many years of service to the great state of Texas, what may be your final year as senator has come to this.
Barbara Hines
Alpine, Texas
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Dear Editor,
I want to thank everyone who helped with the recent improvements at the Marfa Dog Park. Thanks to a coordinated group effort the park has abundant new mulch and a new picnic table. This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Marfa Parks & Rec Board, Kelly Perez, Albert Dominguez and the Marfa Streets crew, Ruben Martinez, the Parks Department, and Mia Valentini. Thank you all for your time, effort, and collaboration. Our teamwork has created a better space for people and dogs alike, and I look forward to continuing to make the dog park (and others) a vibrant hub for our community.
There is an informal meetup every Tuesday at 5 p.m. for anyone who’d like to come out and socialize their dogs or themselves — hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Katie Inglis
Marfa
